TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Wednesday – October 8th, 2025 – 6:30PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions Room – Room 1101 301 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email Dan Martinez at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Steven Apodaca, Chair Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage Rachel Frock Nicholas Eastwood Milena Pribic Carina Alderete, Vice Chair Brian AM Williams Thomas Rice Benjamin Combee Ibiye Anga AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission meeting on September 10th, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Review of Digital Inclusion Week activities across the City of Austin and Austin Free Net’s Tech for All Fest (Jasmin Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, Austin Free-Net) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of the Grant for Technology Opportunities FY26 Improvement Action Plan 4. Approval of the 2026 Technology Commission meeting calendar 5. Review of the current status and approval of consolidation of the Technology Commission’s working groups WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Public Surveillance working group updates on continued conversations with stakeholders and possible revaluation of group’s status (Keith Pena-Villa, Mayor’s Appointee, Technology Commission) 7. Artificial Intelligence Working Group updates on the group’s recommendation and any feedback from Austin City Council Members (Brian AM Williams, District 1 Appointee, Technology Commission) the status of 8. Town Hall listening session working group post meeting updates after discussion with district 2 and district 3 offices on a joint planning effort (Suzanne Heritage, District 4, Technology Commission) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If you require Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give …
GTOPs FY26 Improvement Action Plan Overview Austin Economic Development October 8th, 2025 Item 1 - Review Process Updates Discontinuation of Review Binder Grant portal issues and application length delayed printing of binders in 2025. A replacement option will be offered for review panelists to keep track of their notes and comments. Enhanced oversight of Q+A GTOPs staff will assist with scheduling of Q+A cohorts/sessions and sit in on panel meetings due to issues with panelists coordinating these sessions themselves. Application Review Tutorial In an effort to assist panelists and increase the quality of reviews, staff will create a walkthrough doc or video on how to review an application and best practices for review panelists. Item 2 – GTOPs Application Process Discontinuation of Office Hours GTOPs Office Hours were not utilized by our community, we will no longer host these pre- scheduled sessions. But we will make ourselves as available as possible for 1:1 assistance with applicants. Mini and Capacity Timeline Change Delays in GTOPS Core led to decreased bandwidth for Mini and Capacity pathways. Timelines will be adjusted to all begin in January. Alignment of timelines will increase focus and streamline processes. Spanish language assist for Cap + Mini GTOPs staff provides Spanish language assistance for Core applicants, as required by AED. Cap and Mini will adopt this policy and implement. Item 2 – GTOPs Application Process COA Vendor Registration Requirement 2025 saw delays in contracting due to awardees not having previously registered as a city vendor. This requirement will be enforced and one of the required application fields will request the applicant City vendor code. Set GTOPs Protest Window To avoid delays incurred by the protest process, a one- week window will be set for applicants to submit a GTOPs decision protest. Another week will be reserved for the adjudication process. Enhancements to the GTOPS applicant guide The applicant guide will be updated to reflect changes or highlight key items; boilerplate is required reading, read fundable/non- fundable items list, AI use guidelines, PIR notice, no PMs for Capacity Item 3 – Performance Reporting Updates Item 4 – Contracting Process Streamlining Guidance on performance reporting for GTOPS Mini GTOPs Mini awardees and applicants have historically struggled with creating and keeping up with performance measure requirements for this program. GTOPs staff will overhaul the process by creating a guide on Mini reporting and create a standardized and detailed template. Consolidation of …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: The City of Austin’s Technology Commission FROM: Dan Martinez, Business Process Specialist Austin Economic Development – Community Technology Initiative DATE: October 8, 2025 SUBJECT: Grant For Technology Opportunities Program 2026 Action Plan Background The City of Austin’s Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan, as adopted by Resolution No. 20141120-074, includes every Austin resident having an opportunity to be fully engaged in digital society, accessing and using digital and communications technology. Austin Economic Development (AED)– Community Technology Initiative is the lead office for implementation of this plan. The Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) is a grant administered by AED – Community Technology Initiative directed at improving the community's ability to fully participate in the digital society to achieve the goals of the Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan. Purpose and Process The purpose of this report is to review the significant changes coming to the 2026 cycle of the GTOPs. Each year, AED – Community Technology Initiative performs a review of the prior grant cycle in preparation for the next year of grants. For this year’s annual strategic planning and review process, feedback surveys were deployed to all GTOPs applicants and reviewers. Contractor closeout reports also have process feedback questions, the response of which were included in the analysis. Lastly, staff observations collected throughout the year were considered. From these data sources, an Action Plan was drafted. This Action Plan is being presented to the Technology Commission for evaluation and feedback. Please feel free to contact me at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov if you need additional information. Dan Martinez, Business Process Specialist Date ______________________________ __________________ cc: Khotan Harmon, Community Technology Officer, AED – Community Technology Attachments Attachment A – GTOPs 2026 Action Plan Attachment A: GTOPs 2026 Action Plan Action Item 1: Enhancements to the GTOPs Review Process 1. Discontinuation of the Grant Review Binder: Traditionally, GTOPs Core review panelists are offered the option to have all application materials compiled into a physical review binder. Some panelists prefer to have a physical version to more easily read and keep notes on. This past cycle, issues with the grant application portal and the increased length of application materials led to extensive delays in compiling and printing these binders. GTOPs staff recommends replacing this binder with a staff designed note taking document and digital compilation of all application materials. 2. GTOPs Staff Enhanced Oversight of Q+A Proccess: Efforts …
2026 Meeting Schedule Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission The commission shall meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month. MEETING DATES January 14 February 11 March 11 MEETING DATES & EVENTS Commission members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. GTOPS 2026 Update – Applications Received. Meeting will be held outside of central City to avoid SXSW. Commission FY 27 Budget Recommendations due no later than mid-April. April 8 GTOPs 2026 Award Recommendations. Election of Officers at the first regular meeting after April 1, 2026 Terms of office shall be one year, beginning May 1st and ending April 30th. May 13 June 10 July 8 August 12 September 9 October 14 November 4 December 9 Work Plan Retreat / Regular Meeting Terms for newly elected officers start (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027) Commission Annual Report Due to City Clerk July 31st 2026 GTOPs Review and 2027 Recommendations Digital Inclusion Week 2026 Adopt a meeting schedule for the upcoming year, including makeup meeting dates for holiday and cancelled meetings. NO MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THIS DATE Commented [DM1]: SXSW starts on March 12th, maybe this is okay Commented [DM2]: The regular date would be Nov 11 but 11/11 is Veterans day
TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Wednesday – September 10th, 2025 – 6:30PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions Room – Room 1101 301 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email Dan Martinez at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Steven Apodaca, Chair Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage Rachel Frock Nicholas Eastwood Milena Pribic Carina Alderete, Vice Chair Brian AM Williams Thomas Rice Benjamin Combee Ibiye Anga AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission meeting on August 13th, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Hold a public hearing to solicit feedback from the public and community stakeholders regarding the usefulness and relevance of the Technology Commission stated purposes and duties and its success in fulfilling those purpose and duties. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Further discussion and updates to approved responses for the evaluation of the recommendations made and other actions taken by the Technology Commission throughout the year and how these reflected or achieved the commission’s directives, identify any overlaps in the role and work of the commission with other boards or commissions, identify policies or City needs that no current board or commission appears to address, evaluate the level of members’ and the community’s engagement, and identify potential bylaw amendments to improve or address any of the foregoing. 4. Approval of the artificial intelligence working group’s recommendation for establishing community input and technology commission review for sensitive technology contracts WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Public Surveillance working group updates on continued conversations with stakeholders and possible revaluation of group’s status (Keith Pena-Villa, Mayor’s Appointee, Technology Commission) 6. Artificial Intelligence Working Group updates on AI legislation at the municipal level and the status of the group’s recommendation (Brian AM Williams, District 1 Appointee, Technology Commission) 7. …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: TBD Regarding: Recommendation for Establishing Community Input and Technology Commission Review for Sensitive Technology Contracts WHEREAS, the City of Austin has entered into contracts for technologies involving surveillance and artificial intelligence (AI), including but not limited to mobile security cameras and automated license plate readers, with significant implications for civil liberties, data privacy, and public trust; and WHEREAS, past contracts, such as the Parks and Recreation Department’s mobile surveillance trailer expansion and the Austin Police Department’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) agreement with Flock Safety, have revealed risks including unclear data retention practices, insufficient contract safeguards against unauthorized data sharing, and gaps in transparency and accountability; and WHEREAS, community stakeholders have expressed concerns that sensitive technology contracts have been approved without sufficient public engagement, proactive input from relevant commissions, or rigorous independent review of privacy, security, and ethical considerations; and WHEREAS, the Technology Commission is charged with advising City Council on issues of technology access, equity, and the ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI and surveillance systems; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Technology Commission recommends that the Austin City Council adopt a formal process to require: 1. Early Notification & Transparency – Public posting and notification to relevant commissions prior to Council consideration of any proposed contract involving surveillance technology, automated decision-making systems, artificial intelligence, or other sensitive data-driven technologies. 2. Commission Review & Recommendation – Formal referral of such proposed contracts to the Technology Commission (and, where appropriate, the Public Safety Commission or other relevant bodies) for review and recommendations to provide input to Council action. 3. Community Engagement – At least one public forum, listening session, or opportunity for stakeholder input before Council approval of sensitive technology contracts. 4. Contract Safeguards – Inclusion of clear provisions in contracts to ensure: ○ Clear, auditable, and reportable safety mechanisms to protect citizen data and metadata while in vendor custody, tools, systems, or storage, including vendor service providers / cloud providers ○ strict limitations on data retention and sharing, consistent with Council policy, ○ clear definitions of personally identifiable information (PII), ○ independent audit and reporting requirements, and ○ mechanisms for community oversight ○ ability to register complaints and misuse of AI technology ○ remuneration in the event of a breach, data loss, ransomware attack, or other circumstances of compromised data or security as related to citizen data or city data ○ …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20250910-004 Regarding: Recommendation for Establishing Community Input and Technology Commission Review for Sensitive Technology Contracts WHEREAS, the City of Austin has entered into contracts for technologies involving surveillance and artificial intelligence (AI), including but not limited to mobile security cameras and automated license plate readers, with significant implications for civil liberties, data privacy, and public trust; and WHEREAS, past contracts, such as the Parks and Recreation Department’s mobile surveillance trailer expansion and the Austin Police Department’s Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) agreement with Flock Safety, have revealed risks including unclear data retention practices, insufficient contract safeguards against unauthorized data sharing, and gaps in transparency and accountability; and WHEREAS, community stakeholders have expressed concerns that sensitive technology contracts have been approved without sufficient public engagement, proactive input from relevant commissions, or rigorous independent review of privacy, security, and ethical considerations; and WHEREAS, the Technology Commission is charged with advising City Council on issues of technology access, equity, and the ethical use of emerging technologies, including AI and surveillance systems; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Technology Commission recommends that the Austin City Council adopt a formal process to require: 1. Early Notification & Transparency – Public posting and notification to relevant commissions prior to Council consideration of any proposed contract involving surveillance technology, automated decision-making systems, artificial intelligence, or other sensitive data-driven technologies. 2. Commission Review & Recommendation – Formal referral of such proposed contracts to the Technology Commission (and, where appropriate, the Public Safety Commission or other relevant bodies) for review and recommendations to provide input to Council action. 3. Community Engagement – At least one public forum, listening session, or opportunity for stakeholder input before Council approval of sensitive technology contracts. 4. Contract Safeguards – Inclusion of clear provisions in contracts to ensure: ○ Clear, auditable, and reportable safety mechanisms to protect citizen data and metadata while in vendor custody, tools, systems, or storage, including vendor service providers / cloud providers ○ strict limitations on data retention and sharing, consistent with Council policy, ○ clear definitions of personally identifiable information (PII), ○ independent audit and reporting requirements, and ○ mechanisms for community oversight ○ ability to register complaints and misuse of AI technology ○ remuneration in the event of a breach, data loss, ransomware attack, or other circumstances of compromised data or security as related to citizen data or city data ○ …
Technology Commission http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday –September 10th, 2025 – 6:30PM City Hall– Boards and Commissions Room – Room 1101 301 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701 Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup materials associated with this agenda. All ATXN (City Channel 6) programming is cablecast on Spectrum, Grande Communications, and Google Fiber on their cable channel 6, on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and webcast online. Over 20 meetings per month, including this commission meeting, are available on demand online, typically within a found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. the cablecast. Schedules and video can be few hours of The Technology Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, at 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas. Current Commission Members Keith Pena-Villa ‐ Mayor Kirk Watson Brian AM Williams ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Steven Apodaca – Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, District 2 Carina Alderete ‐ Council Member José Velasquez, District 3 Suzanne Heritage ‐ Council Member José “Chito” Vela, District 4 Thomas Rice‐ Council Member Ryan Alter, District 5 Rachel Frock‐ Council Member Krista Laine, District 6 Benjamin Combee ‐ Council Member Mike Seigel, District 7 Nicholas Eastwood ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Ibiye Anga – Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, District 9 Milena Pribic ‐ Council Member Marc Duchen, District 10 Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance in person: Steven Apodaca, Chair Milena Pribic Benjamin Combee Nick Eastwood Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: 1 Suzanne Heritage Carina Alderete, Vice-Chair Brian AM Williams Thomas Rice Board Members/Commissioners Not in Attendance: Keith Pena-Villa Rachel Frock Ibiye Anga CALL TO ORDER Chair Apodaca called the Community Technology and Telecommunications Meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon on the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. There were no members of the public that signed up to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission regular meeting on August 13th, 2025. Motion to approve the meeting minutes was made by Commissioner Eastwood and seconded by Commissioner Combee. The minutes were approved on a vote of 6-0-1. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Hold a public hearing to solicit feedback from the public and community stakeholders regarding the usefulness and relevance of the Technology Commission stated purposes and duties and its success …
TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Wednesday – August 13th, 2025 – 6:30PM Permitting and Development Center – Training Room – Room 1401/1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email Dan Martinez at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Steven Apodaca, Chair Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage Rachel Frock Nicholas Eastwood Milena Pribic Carina Alderete, Vice Chair Brian AM Williams Thomas Rice Benjamin Combee Ibiye Anga AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission meeting on July 9th, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Hold a public hearing to solicit feedback from the public and community stakeholders regarding the usefulness and relevance of the Technology Commission stated purposes and duties and its success in fulfilling those purpose and duties. 3. Legislative update on House Bill 149 and other technology hardware and software focused bills. (Rick Ramirez, Intergovernmental Relations Office, City of Austin) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and approval of a Community Listening Session working group 5. Conduct an evaluation of the recommendations made and other actions taken by the Technology Commission throughout the year and how these reflected or achieved the commission’s directives, identify any overlaps in the role and work of the commission with other boards or commissions, identify policies or City needs that no current board or commission appears to address, evaluate the level of members’ and the community’s engagement, and identify potential bylaw amendments to improve or address any of the foregoing. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Public Surveillance working group updates on stakeholder conversations and how they will shape the planned recommendation (Keith Pena-Villa, Mayor’s Appointee, Technology Commission) 7. Artificial Intelligence Working Group updates on new and preexisting artificial intelligence legislation or guidelines and how they will impact the group’s draft …
Technology Commission http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday –August 13th, 2025 – 6:30PM Permitting and Development Center– Training Room – Room 1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup materials associated with this agenda. All ATXN (City Channel 6) programming is cablecast on Spectrum, Grande Communications, and Google Fiber on their cable channel 6, on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and webcast online. Over 20 meetings per month, including this commission meeting, are available on demand online, typically within a found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. the cablecast. Schedules and video can be few hours of The Technology Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, at 6310 Wilhemina Delco Dr, Austin, Texas. Current Commission Members Keith Pena-Villa ‐ Mayor Kirk Watson Brian AM Williams ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Steven Apodaca – Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, District 2 Carina Alderete ‐ Council Member José Velasquez, District 3 Suzanne Heritage ‐ Council Member José “Chito” Vela, District 4 Thomas Rice‐ Council Member Ryan Alter, District 5 Rachel Frock‐ Council Member Krista Laine, District 6 Benjamin Combee ‐ Council Member Mike Seigel, District 7 Nicholas Eastwood ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Ibiye Anga – Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, District 9 Milena Pribic ‐ Council Member Marc Duchen, District 10 Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance in person: Steven Apodaca, Chair Milena Pribic Benjamin Combee Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Rachel Frock 1 Ibiye Anga Carina Alderete, Vice-Chair Brian AM Williams Board Members/Commissioners Not in Attendance: Thomas Rice Nicolas Eastwood Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage CALL TO ORDER Chair Apodaca called the Community Technology and Telecommunications Meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon on the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. There were no members of the public that signed up to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission regular meeting on July 9th, 2025. Motion to approve the meeting minutes was made by Commissioner Combee and seconded by Vice Chair Alderete. The minutes were approved on a vote of 6-0. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Hold a public hearing to solicit feedback from the public and community stakeholders regarding the usefulness and relevance of the Technology Commission stated purposes and duties and its …
TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Wednesday – July 9th, 2025 – 6:30PM Permitting and Development Center – Training Room – Room 1401/1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email Dan Martinez at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Steven Apodaca, Chair Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage Rachel Frock Nicholas Eastwood Milena Pribic Carina Alderete, Vice Chair Brian AM Williams Thomas Rice Benjamin Combee Ibiye Anga AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission meeting on June 11th, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on how Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) operate and their potential risks as a law enforcement tool (Kevin Welch, Board President, EFF-Austin) 3. Presentation on the selected applications for the Grant for Technology Opportunities- Mini and Capacity Pathways (Dan Martinez, Business Process Specialist, Economic Development Department) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approval of a Community Listening Sessions planning work group WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Public Surveillance working group updates regarding further interviews with stakeholders and subsequent action items 6. Artificial Intelligence Working Group updates on new and preexisting artificial intelligence legislation or guidelines and how they will impact the group’s draft recommendation FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If you require Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Dan Martinez at the Community Technology Division in the Economic Development Department, at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Technology Commission, please contact Dan Martinez at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov
ALPRs – Automated License Plate Readers MASS SURVEILLANCE MASQUERADING AS PUBLIC SAFETY Privacy Is A Universal Human Right Freedom Of Movement Is A Universal Human Right ALPRs – What’s Behind This Acronym? ALPR stands for Automated License Plate Reader. Police departments use them to scan and look up the criminal status of a particular car’s license plate. Police have always done this manually, ALPRs massively increase the scale of these lookups. Can be fixed or mobile, but in both cases all vehicles in a particular location will be scanned. The scanning is indiscriminate, no warrant or formal accusation of a crime is needed. The quasi-public status of cars is used to subvert the 4th amendment and its expectation of privacy. Location Data Is Big Business ALPR vendors aggressively court police departments. Millions are spent by cities licensing this technology. Major vendors like Flock make dubious claims of the technology’s usefulness. Went as far as to claim 10% of crimes in the US are solved by Flock! A Data Privacy Disaster Waiting To Happen These location datasets are usually controlled by 3rd party vendors, not cities, leading to dubious security and oversight. In 2020, the UK’s entire national ALPR database was leaked onto the dark web. Immense Human Rights Risks Fixed ALPRs can be placed to overpolice poor communities and communities of color, or by HOAs to privatize public streets. Mobile ALPRs can be positioned outside of abortion providers, gender affirming care clinics, or immigration services facilities. The movements of politicians and prominent public figures can be tracked, increasing the possibility of blackmail. ALPRs can be inaccurate 10% of the time, and the databases aren’t kept up to date. Innocent people have been held at gunpoint for supposedly stealing cars that were inaccurately flagged. Possibly nothing reveals more about a person than the pattern of where they go and at what times they go there. The Human Toll Of Mass Surveillance You lose access to your unfiltered thoughts and ideas. You lose the freedom to be embarrassing, inconsistent or experimental without consequence. It erodes intimacy with other people. There is a never-ending performance anxiety. The Technological Panopticon is a Social Tragedy Privacy allows us the ability to flourish as complex, ever- changing beings. Surveillance deprives us of that. Surveillance chills free expression even in the kindest of hands. People modify their behavior when they know they are being watched. Within the …
2025 GTOPS Mini + Capacity Awarded Applications July 7th, 2025 1 GTOPs Pathways 2 GTOPs 2024 Grant ● Total funding for all pathways: $400,000 Award Pathways: $60,000 $25,000 $315,000 3 2 GTOPs Capacity 4 GTOPs Capacity 5 This funding award is an organizational capacity building grant (not direct service). This pathway has no contracting and no insurance requirements. Funds requested must support digital equity. Funding is available to orgs making less than $1,500,000 annually. Two focus areas ● Technology Infrastructure ○ ○ ○ PC’s, laptops, and tablets; Associated peripherals; and network hardware Software supporting program objectives STEM / maker / robotic equipment supporting digital equity programs ● Staff Training and Development ○ Conferences ○ Workshops ○ Classes ○ Professional membership orgs. GTOPs Capacity Received Applications - 19 total Applications in Green are past recipients New Applicants to the Program ● Cine Las Americas ● HC4A ● Walking by Faith Prison Ministry ● The Collective Lift ● Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action ● Art Curatorial Inc. ● Rancho Alegre Radio 6 Returning Applicants ● 212 Catalysts ● SAIVA ● Art Spark Texas ● Changing Expectations ● BRAVE Communities ● Open Austin ● The Museum of Human Achievement ● India Fine Arts ● Texas Folklife Resources ● Latinitas ● Economic Growth Business Incubator ● Austin Free-Net GTOPs Capacity Awarded Applications - 11 total Applications in Green are past recipients Awarded Applications The Museum of Human Achievement - $2,500.00 Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) - $2,500.00 ● ● HC4A - $2,500.00 ● Austin Free Net - $1,149.88 ● ● Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action (DAWA) - $2,500.00 ● Art Spark Texas - $2,500.00 ● ● Cine Las Americas - $2,500.00 ● ● Walking by Faith Prison Ministry - $2,500.00 ● Texas Folklife Resources - $1,451.66 ($2,500 Request) Latinitas - $2,500.00 SAIVA - $2,398.46 7 3 GTOPs Mini 8 GTOPs Mini Overview $60,000 9 GTOPs Mini Goals GTOPs Mini is a client-serving, project oriented, mini-grant that provides a low-barrier-to-entry funding opportunity to small, Austin area non-profits. GTOPs Mini supports programming that: ● Increases access to technology, ● Provides digital/technology training, and/or ● Increases access to the internet GTOPs Mini has minimal contracting, no insurance requirements, and pre-pays half of the award up front. GTOPs Mini Received Applications - 17 applications Applications in Green are past recipients New Applicants to the Program Returning Applicants ● Cine Las Americas ● HC4A ● Walking by …
Technology Commission http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday –July 9th, 2025 – 6:30PM Permitting and Development Center– Training Room – Room 1402 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup materials associated with this agenda. All ATXN (City Channel 6) programming is cablecast on Spectrum, Grande Communications, and Google Fiber on their cable channel 6, on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and webcast online. Over 20 meetings per month, including this commission meeting, are available on demand online, typically within a found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. the cablecast. Schedules and video can be few hours of The Technology Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025, at 6310 Wilhemina Delco Dr, Austin, Texas. Current Commission Members Keith Pena-Villa ‐ Mayor Kirk Watson Brian AM Williams ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Steven Apodaca – Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, District 2 Carina Alderete ‐ Council Member José Velasquez, District 3 Suzanne Heritage ‐ Council Member José “Chito” Vela, District 4 Thomas Rice‐ Council Member Ryan Alter, District 5 Rachel Frock‐ Council Member Krista Laine, District 6 Benjamin Combee ‐ Council Member Mike Seigel, District 7 Nicholas Eastwood ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Ibiye Anga – Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, District 9 Milena Pribic ‐ Council Member Marc Duchen, District 10 Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance in person: Steven Apodaca, Chair Milena Pribic Benjamin Combee Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Rachel Frock 1 Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage Brian AM Williams Board Members/Commissioners Not in Attendance: Ibiye Anga Carina Alderete, Vice-Chair Thomas Rice Nicolas Eastwood CALL TO ORDER Chair Apodaca called the Community Technology and Telecommunications Meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon on the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Michael Moss spoke to the commission on behavioral manipulation produced by video game matchmaking algorithms. Mr. Moss mentioned that video game creator companies design matchmaking algorithms, optimized matchmaking models, that are meant to incorporate data on stress responses, purchases, session length, etc in order to increase player retention and encourage purchases. These design policies remove player expression and consent. Mr. Moss encouraged the commission to investigate how and if these algorithms violate digital ethics policies for vulnerable community members. Mr. Moss suggested creating oversight protocols that …
TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Wednesday – June 11th, 2025 – 6:30PM City Hall – Boards and Commission – Room 1101 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the BOARD/COMMISSION may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email Dan Martinez at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Steven Apodaca, Chair Keith Pena-Villa Suzanne Heritage Rachel Frock Nicholas Eastwood Milena Pribic Carina Alderete, Vice Chair Brian AM Williams Thomas Rice Benjamin Combee Ibiye Anga AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Technology Commission meeting on May 14th, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on PANO AI, a wildfire tracking system (Christopher Vetromile, Wildfire Mitigation Manager, Austin Energy) 3. Presentation on the applications received for the Grant for Technology Opportunities- Mini and Capacity Pathways (Dan Martinez, Business Process Specialist, Economic Development Department) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Technology Commission 2026 annual workplan, final revisions and approval 5. Approval of a Community Listening Sessions planning work group WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Public Surveillance working group updates regarding further interviews with stakeholders and subsequent action items 7. Artificial Intelligence Working Group updates on new and preexisting artificial intelligence legislation or guidelines and how they will impact the group’s draft recommendation FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If you require Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Dan Martinez at the Community Technology Division in the Economic Development Department, at dan.martinez@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Technology Commission, please contact Dan Martinez at …
