HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-04 Information & Technolongy Committee Report of the Information and Technology Committee
South Bend Common Council
The April 26,2004 meeting of the Information and Technology Committee was called to
order by its Chairperson,Dr. David Varner at 4:55 pm in the Council Information Meeting
Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter,Pfeifer,Kelly, Puzzello,
Varner,Kuspa,White,and Kirsits; City Controller Rick 011ett,Director of Information
Technologies Bob Allen,Rita Kopola,Terry Bland of the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Dr. Vamer noted that the committee was called to receive an update from the City
Controller on items related to the information and technology needs of the city,with this meeting
originally scheduled for April 12th and continued until today.
City Controller Rick 011ett and Bob Allen,Director of Information Technologies
addressed the committee and presented a 7-page handout(copy attached). Mr. 011ett noted that
the Common Council has not been bypassed even though they are not listed in the handout,
noting that the Council's response last year was the most thorough of any submitted.
Mr. 011ett stated that in the 4th quarter of 2003 a new employee was added to work on
the city's website, and website upgrades are currently being made. The City has also entered
into a contractual agreement with Crowe Chizek and Company..
Council President White inquired about the Council's computers and upgrades which
were requested,including confidentiality of documents.
Mr. 011ett stated that one(1)has been updated and that the CD capability would be
coming at a later date. He then reviewed the handout.
Council Member Dieter inquired about the 800 system and the timetable to have all of
the city's fire stations networked. He noted that he believes that there should be terminals at all
stations.
Bob Allen stated that because of the locations of some of the stations,the installation of
cable would be cost-prohibitive to the city. Mr. 011ett noted that it is a resource issue, since in
some locations there is no cable which is readily available.
Council Member Kirsits inquired about existing lines and their locations.
Information and Technology Meeting of April 26,2004 Page 1
Mr. Allen stated that the city wants to keep the networks separate,and further noted that
the cost would be$3-$4 million per fire station. Dispatch is separate and email would be
separate.
Dr. Varner inquired about viruses,and suggested that the City of Bloomington's website
should be looked at and in particular the vast amount of documents which can be downloaded
form the Common Council's and City Clerk's websites.
Mr. Allen stated that T-lines are needed for each fire station.
Mr. 011ett stated that earlier today there was a managers meeting on GIS.
Council Member Dieter suggested that the city contact a computer group(Schminder)
out of Elkhart which he is familiar with who may be of assistance; and asked about mapping
capabilities.
Mr. 011ett stated that of the seven(7)municipal websites, four(4)are hosted by the city.
There is a 20second max for a download otherwise the user will go elsewhere. He noted that
one of the key areas to be focused upon is how does the city manage its information. What
forms should be online,making various payments on line,website information,etc are all items
to be discussed.
Mr. 011ett stated that Crowe is in the 2nd of six(6)phases. The City is looking at the
best websites such as Bent, Oregon; Denver, Colorado.
Council Member Puzzello asked if the city was utilizing the many talented computer
people at IUSB or Notre Dame, and was advised that the city administration is not.
Council Member Pfeifer suggested that Ivy Tech also be contacted for assistance.
Dr. Varner inquired about where the city will be in six(6)months from today and one(1)
year from today; and also inquired about linking with other municipal websites, including St.
Joseph County,and to GIS information.
Mr. 011ett stated that the administration would have an update for the Council in the next
two(2)months.
Dr. Varner noted that the city has put the concerns of its website on the back burner for
far too long. A city the size of South Bend should have a user-friendly interactive website, rather
than one which is just for show. He also suggested that the Council should have the capability of
having computers, a scanner,a color printer; with all of this costing less than$10,000. He stated
that the Council's website needs upgrades which incorporate all of the committee minutes, forms
for tax abatement, street/alley vacations,budget and appropriation information with timely
updates.
Information and Technology Meeting of April 26,2004 Page 2
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He asked the Council Members to continue to voice their concerns to him and Council
President White so that all of the technology concerns could be addressed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,Dr. Varner adjourned the
meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. David Varner, Chairperson
Information and Technology Committee
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Attachment
Information and Technology Meeting of April 26,2004 Page 3