HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Annual Report - Information & Technology Committee2011 Annual Report of the Information and Technology
Committee of the South Bend Common Council
South Bend Common Council
Date: December 2, 2012
To: The South Bend Common Council
The Office of the City Clerk
From: Stn District Council Member David Varner, Chairperson
Information and Technology Committee
Section 2 -10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code requires an Annual Report to be filed with the
Office of the City Clerk from the Chairperson of each of the Council's Standing Committee. These
reports are due by the 2nd Monday in December.
Duties
The Information and Technology Committee is charged with the following duties pursuant to
Section 2 -10 (i) (6) of the South Bend Municipal Code:
"Overseeing the various activities of the City's Division of
Information Technologies in the Department of Administration
and Finance so that the City of South bend remains competitive
and on the cutting edge of development in this area. Reviewing
and proposing upgrades to computer systems and web sites,
developing availability and access to GIS data and related
technologies are just some of its many activities "
2011 Committee Members:
The member of the Committee this year include:
Council Members Henry Davis, Jr. Council Member Tom LaFountain, Vice - Chairperson
Council Member Al "Buddy" Kirsits Council Member David Varner, Chairperson
We did not have any citizen members on the Committee this year.
Committee Meetings:
This year the Information and Technology Committee met six (6) times, with four (4) of those
committees being jointly held with the Council Rules Committee.
2011 Annual Report of the Information and Technology Committee
Page 2
The focus of the joint committee meetings were detailed discussions with the Council and City
Administration on Bill No. 75 -11. This proposed ordinance was a text amendment setting forth
regulations for all City Boards and Commissions, as well as the Common Council when using
electronic devices at public meetings. By having a series of discussions with the City
Administration, city -wide policies were able to be developed which are uniform and consistent
regardless of whether it is a public meeting of an Administrative Board or Commission or a public
meeting of the Common Council and its committees.
The 2d major area of focus included committee discussions on community -wide public, educational
and governmental (PEG) broadcasting for the South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County areas.
This resulted in a favorable recommendation being given to Bill No. 11 -33 on May 9tn
As of the date of this Annual Report, the City of Mishawaka has confirmed in a November 17,
2011, of their financial support of $10,000 for this project. Written confirmation of St. Joseph
County's financial support and amount for this project has not been received, but is anticipated.
Out -going Public Works Director Gary Gilot has agreed to draft the RFP which will be needed for
this project to move forward in the new year.
Council President Dieter and I have continued to work with the City Administration in seeing that
continued upgrades to the Council meeting rooms and the equipment which the Council Members
need and use. The Acer Iconia Tab W500 Series notepads were made available to those Council
Members requesting them, under the leadership of City Controller Gregg Zientara. Continuing
upgrades in 2012 are anticipated.
On behalf of the Committee I would again like to thank everyone for their assistance in the
improvements we were able to address and accomplish this year. I look forward to continue to
work together with the Committee and the Administration to keep the Council's technology needs
on the front burner.
4 R:;cll;Member submitted,
David Varner, Chairperson
Information and Technology Committee
South Bend Common Council
cc: Public Works Director Gary Gilot
City Controller Gregg Zientara