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November 12, 2009 IT Committee Minutes
MINUTES FROM THE IT COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
MEETING WAS CORRECTLY POSTED
Agenda: 1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Approve agenda
4. Approve minutes: 9/24/2009
5. Public input
6. Discuss and possible recommendation on Community Notification system.
7. Discuss and possible recommendation on setting up community internet “hot spots”
8. Report and possible recommendation on multiple email addresses
9. Report on expanding access to high speed (broadband)
10. Future meetings
11. Adjourn
The meeting was called to order at 1:02pm by Chairman John Skogsbakken. Pat Keenan-Creed, Jack Travis and Frank Forkert were present. Sam Hanson was also in attendance.
Forkert moved, Keenan-Creed second to approve agenda. Passed 4-0.
Skogsbakken moved, Keenan-Creed second to approve minutes of Sept. 24, 2009. Passed 4-0.
Public input- Sam Hanson said that boaters do not ask for internet connections.
Community Notification System-also known as reverse 911. It is an internet tool for communities to notify citizens of items of importance in the area. This could include road closures, weather alerts, meeting schedules, community caution alerts, etc. Skogsbakken looked at a website called Nixle. Organizations sign up to use it and citizens register to receive the different notifications in their area, both at no charge. Currently fire, police, schools and local emergency groups are using a service of this type. Nixle, at this point, is free to use and doesn’t appear to be using advertising as a method of funding themselves. It wouldn’t require special software to the customer because it is web based. It was suggested to set up a test account to see how this works before recommending it to the board. Travis wants to pole other places that use Nixle to see how it works for them. Skogsbakken will see who is using it and contact some current users to see if it is working for them.
Community “hot spots”-The original request was to look into having internet access at the Town dock. Currently people are using the Viking Grill and the Pioneer Store’s parking lot to use their laptops. The Viking hasn’t said it creates a problem but the Pioneer Store has indicated that people sit in her parking lot and tie up customer parking. The dock area is not a good access point without purchasing a satellite and paying a monthly fee to a satellite company. There is also the problem of parking there. Women’s Club building would possibly be a spot but would require Charter Communications to run cable to the building at a cost of $350.00, a router at $30-$100, plus a monthly fee of about $50.00. Cable would have a better chance of handling multi-users and not slowing down than satellite connections. Using Charter would cost about $2230.00 for three years or $2700.00 for 3 years if we opt for a higher level of service. Concerns for parking space in the summer were brought up. Forkert said that there wasn’t a need to have several locations. Parking at the Town Hall was good and with a second router the Town can have one router on a security code for Town use and the other router unsecured. Skogsbakken said that providing “hot spots” to visitors is a good-will gesture and shouldn’t cost the Town extra money. The committee recognizes the need for internet access in the community. Forkert moved, Travis second to recommend to the Town Board to have a “hot spot” at the Town Hall by hooking up a second router without a security code for citizens to access. Passed 4-0.
Multiple E-mail addresses- Keenan-Creed contacted some local governments. Ephraim had at one time issued cell phones to everyone but has since taken them back. They also said that your personal email becomes public record while in office or employed. The Town of Sevastopol has one email address and lists every board member and their address and home phone number. Sister Bay uses an exchange server which archives all emails and phone calls to the Village email and phone system. You can’t really stop someone from having a conversation on an agenda topic if that is what they want to do. Forkert stopped at the County offices and talked to Tim Ullman in the communications office. He said that the reason for assigning emails and using email to communicate is to reduce paper use. The problem the County finds is that everyone is using different versions of programs that may not work with the Counties programs. Skogsbakken doesn’t see a direct link to individual emails and the open meetings laws. Skogsbakken moved, Keenan-Creed second to recommend to the Town Board that separate email accounts were not required and that email response protocol be established that requires Board and committee members copy the Town Clerk when receiving and responding by email to citizens and each other. Passed 4-0.
Expanding high speed (broad band) technology- Travis outlined how the Town has progressed with available services since 1999. First there was ITOL, then DCWis provided satellite service and then wireless if you have line of sight to the towers. Charter is in our area but not available north of Ellison Bay and not in all areas. He has written letters to our legislature asking for assistance in rural areas. There is something in an Agricultural bill that allows grant money to bring high speed to rural communities. We should be able to do the same. Travis found a company called International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc. put in an application for grant money to be used in Door County. Travis wants the Town to do a feasibility study to bring broadband into the Town, something that would include TV, internet service, and phone service all in one. High speed has become a must and if we want the Town to grow we need this. We need this as part of the infrastructure to draw people and jobs to our area. Travis would like to have legislative representation and possibly Greg Diltz come to talk to the Town to see how we can try and accomplish this. The committee asked Janet Johnson to see what she could find out about the International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc and where they are at in there Grant process. She will report at their next meeting.
The IT committee will offer a look at the web site at the Open House for the renovated Town Hall.
Next meeting is set for December 17th at 1:00pm.
Keenan-Creed moved, Forkert second to adjourn at 3:02pm. Passed 4-0
Approved at the meeting on Dec. 17, 2009
Archive:
September 7, 2010 Parks & Property Agenda
September 1, 2010 Finance Committee Agenda
September 1, 2010 Health, Safety, Welfare Agenda
August 23, 2010 Bike Path Steering Committee Agenda
August 11, 2010 Waterfront Committee Agenda
August 9, 2010 Highway Committee Agenda
August 4, 2010 Health, Safety, Welfare Committee Agenda
July 27, 2010 Economic Sustainability Committee Agenda
July 19, 2010 Bike Path Steering Committee Agenda
July 14, 2010 Harbor Committee Agenda