COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Regular Meeting Wednesday – October 12, 2022 – 6:30 PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions - Room 1101 301 W. 2nd Street - Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the Community Technology and Telecommunications 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 by 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. To register, contact Jesse Rodriguez at jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Malcolm Yeatts Dave Floyd Nicole Thompson Steven Apodaca, Vice Chair Cristina Garza Maxine Eiland Sumit DasGupta 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 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Regular meeting on September 14, 2022 STAFF AND COMMUNITY BRIEFINGS (A member of the public may not address a board at a meeting on an item posted as a briefing) 2. City of Austin Analysis of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency (Daniel Culotta, Interim Chief 3. Digital Inclusion Week 2023 Art Competition Update (Jesse Rodriguez, Program Innovation Officer) Manager) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Commission 2023 Schedule (Discussion and Action) 5. FCC Broadband Standards (Discussion and Action) 6. The Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan (Discussion and Action) 7. Intelligent Infrastructure Resolution (Discussion and Action) 8. Digital Inclusion Town Hall Listening Session Planning (Discussion and Action) 9. Discussion on the process for Citizen participation in Council meetings (Discussion and Action) Working Group Updates Policy Working Group 10. Update from Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom 11. Update from Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group 12. Update from Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation Working Group 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 requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members FROM: Daniel Culotta, Interim Chief Innovation Officer THROUGH: Jason Alexander, Chief of Staff DATE: September 14, 2022 SUBJECT: Blockchain Technologies (Resolution No. 20220324-057) This memo provides an overview of staff efforts in response to Resolution No. 20220324-057 which include creating a supportive environment for blockchain and Web 3.0 development in Austin. It has an attached report, written with inputs from multiple City departments, which explores blockchain technology in more detail and describes areas for potential applications in municipal government. The report also provides guidelines for evaluating blockchain technologies for the City organization. Creating a Supportive Environment Since March 2022, City staff have worked to create an environment in Austin that supports the creation and development of new blockchain technologies, protocols, and applications. Actions include speaking engagements and collaborations that covered blockchain topics at the following conferences and events: • • Government Finance Officers Conference • • • Consensus Conference Accenture AustInnovation Day (alongside UT President Jay Hartzell) The Friedrich Naumann Foundation International Delegation on blockchain and cryptocurrency Launch of the Capital Factory and DivInc Blockchain Challenge and Accelerator City staff met with multiple blockchain and cryptocurrency experts, organizations, and companies to understand what they value in a supportive community for Web 3.0 development. Staff also collaborated on the Consensus Web3athon hackathon, which has convened teams to work on blockchain solutions to some of Austin’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. The Innovation Office continues to promote and share knowledge on LifeFiles, which is a grant-funded prototype platform created in 2019-2020 that incorporates blockchain technology to allow people experiencing homelessness to secure, store, and share documents that are vital to accessing supportive services. We continue to generate media attention with this project, and though we have not identified a collaborator to continue developing the platform, we are optimistic we will do so in the future. Page 1 of 2 Key Considerations for the City organization The ecosystem of products and services which incorporate blockchain technology is rapidly expanding and evolving. In the attached report we highlight areas of opportunity and provide general knowledge and guidance on the current blockchain ecosystem. We hope City departments can use these guidelines and information in the creation, development, and adoption of blockchain and Web 3.0 solutions. There are municipal use cases which could benefit from blockchain solutions. These primarily involve …
ME MO R A NDU M TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Belinda Weaver, Treasurer Marija Jukic, Controller Daniel Culotta, Interim Chief Innovation Officer THROUGH: Veronica Briseño, Assistant City Manager Jason Alexander, Chief of Staff DATE: September 14, 2022 SUBJECT: Cryptocurrency Fact-Finding Study (Resolution No. 20220324-055) On March 24, 2022, Council approved Resolution No. 20220324-055, which directed the City Manager to conduct a fact-finding study regarding potential Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency policies that might be adopted by the City of Austin (“the City”) including: 1) the acceptance of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as payment for municipal taxes, fees, and penalties; 2) other applications of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies that could benefit the City of Austin, the 3) delivery of public services, or Austin residents; issues relevant to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency protocols and applications including, but not limited to, financial stability, security issues, equity and inclusion issues, consumer benefits and risks, and environmental impacts; 4) considerations related to any applicable state, local, or federal laws; 5) considerations related to the research and recommendations from ratings agencies, financial regulators, or financial oversight organizations on the use of cryptocurrency technology or blockchain by municipal government. The fact-finding study should include an analysis of what would be required for the City to accept a donation of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency and possible ways for the City to use those funds to address public service needs as well as an analysis of the financial stability and security of cryptocurrency. This memorandum provides the results of the fact-finding study, which was a collaborative effort between the Financial Services Department, Law Department, Intergovernmental Relations and Innovation Offices. Page 1 of 4 Fact Finding #1 – Acceptance of cryptocurrency as payment for municipal taxes, fees, and penalties Under existing regulations, cryptocurrency is not an acceptable form of payment for the collection of municipal taxes, fees, and penalties. To accept cryptocurrency for the payment of taxes, fees, and penalties collected by the City, the City would be required to utilize a third-party payment processor to convert the cryptocurrency to an acceptable payment format. In addition to annual contract costs, the City would be required to develop integration processes between the third-party payment processor and each payment application that the City would like to utilize for cryptocurrency payments. Finally, there are transaction fees associated with the use of these third-party payment processing applications. Transaction fees can vary considerably and currently …
Digital Inclusion Week 2022 Art Competition The City is now accepting submissions for its 2022 Digital Inclusion Art Competition! The Community Technology division of the City of Austin hosts an annual art completion in celebration of Digital Inclusion week each year. Youth 10-18 residing in Austin submit art works responsive to themes relating to digital inclusion. Three winners are selected each year. The three 2021 winners are below. First Place Second Place Third Place Zahraa Alfatle | Age 11 Sowmya Kulukuru | Age 14 Isabelle Call | Age 11 Guerrero Thompson Elementary James Bowie High School Canyon Vista Middle School See the full gallery of submissions to date here: https://airtable.com/shrUgmMQVF2npN1me/tblU- JXSFe5vy7MqOS Submit your artwork by the October 9th deadline! Awards are announced in October each year. Applicants must be 10-18 and reside in Austin, Texas. Full details and submission portal: https://airtable.com/ shrQGzC3YvZOD3zDa
2023 Meeting Schedule Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission The commission shall meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month. MEETING DATES CANCELLED MEETING DATES & EVENTS January 11 February 8 March 8 April 12 May 10 June 14 July 12 August 9 September 13 October 11 November 8 December 13 Commission members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. GTOPS 2023 Update – Applications Received. Meeting will be held outside of central City. Commission FY 24 Budget Recommendations due no later than mid-April. GTOPs 2023 Award Recommendations. Election of Officers at the first regular meeting after April 1, 2023 Terms of office shall be one year, beginning May 1st and ending April 30th. Work Plan Retreat / Regular Meeting Terms for newly elected officers start (May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024) Commission Annual Report Due to City Clerk July 31st NO MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THIS DATE 2023 GTOPs Review and 2024 Recommendations Adopt a meeting schedule for the upcoming year, including makeup meeting dates for holiday and cancelled meetings.
Name of Board or Commission: Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Request Number: 20221012-6 Description of Item: Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan Update Board or Commission Vote to refer item to Council: Motion to approve the Council Committee Agenda Request for staff to prioritize update of the Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan made by Chair Pitts and seconded by Commissioner Apodaca, passed on a vote of 7-0. Date of Approval of Request: 10/12/2022 Attachments: ☒ Yes ☐ No If yes, please list the attachments: Council Committee Agenda Request passed by commission MAYOR’S OFFICE USE ONLY Attest: Jesse Rodriguez Council Committee Assigned: ☐Audit and Finance Committee ☐Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee ☐Austin Watery Oversight Committee ☐Public Health Committee ☐Housing and Planning Committee ☐Mobility Committee ☐Public Safety Committee Recommend a Fiscal Analysis be completed? Recommend a Legal Analysis be completed? Notes: Mayor Signature & Date: COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA REQUEST COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20221012-6 REGARDING: Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan Update WHEREAS, our stated vision is for Austin to be a beacon of sustainability, social equity, and economic opportunity; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs and values are recognized; where leadership comes from its community members, and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all; WHEREAS, the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission (CTTC) was instrumental in the creation of the Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan that Austin City Council unanimously adopted on November 20, 2014; WHEREAS, the active management of Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan by the City Council, the office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs (TARA), the CTTC, and Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA) partners has identified the digital divide as historically rooted challenge to our stated vision which will require a substantial investment in both physical and digital infrastructure to bridge; WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a $1.2 trillion investment in the U.S. Infrastructure, was passed into law in November 2021; WHEREAS, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for more than $44 billion in federal funding to the following three programs, as part of the IIJA: (1) The Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD - $42.5 billion); (2) The Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program (MMG - $1 billion); and (3) The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (DEAP - $60 million); WHEREAS, the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is the steward of state and …
