SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION THURSDAY. DECEMBER 4TH, 2025 AT 6:30PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Technology 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, contact Dan Martinez at (512)974-3510 or dan.martinez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Steven Apodaca, Chair Ibiye Anga Nicholas Eastwood Suzanna Heritage Milena Pribic Brian AM Williams AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carina Alderete, Vice Chair Benjamin Combee Rachel Frock Keith Pena-Villa Thomas Rice The first ten speakers signed up to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will each 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 Regular meeting on October 8th, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation by AT&T on their affordable home internet programs (Paige Johnson, AT&T) Presentation by Charter on their affordable home internet programs (Ned Munoz, Charter Communications) 4. 5. 6. 7. Presentation by Dr. Sharon Strover on data insights and findings from their latest report on public surveillance. (Dr. Sharon Strover, Director of the Technology and Information Policy Institute, Moody School of Communications at UT Austin) Presentation from the Travis County Amateur Radio Emergency Service on local radio management and emergency response (Glenn Meter, Emergency Coordinator, Travis Country Amateur Radio Emergency Services) Presentation from Digital Lift on their digital equity train the trainer program (Kami Griffiths, Executive Director, DigitalLIFT) Update on commission sunsetting review report from the Audit and Finance Committee (Steven Apodaca, Chair, Technology Commission) WORKING GROUP UPDATE 8. 9. Planning updates from the Artificial Intelligence & Public Surveillance working group on their discussion with AI stakeholders and resulting actions from the group’s recommendation Update from the town hall listening session working group regarding their planning meeting with the district 2 and 3 offices. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications …
Boards & Commissions Report Technology Commission October 15, 2025 Resolution 20241212-133 directed the City Manager, in coordination with the City Clerk’s Office, to establish a sunset review process for governance bodies, enabling regular and staggered evaluations of their scope and duties. An initial framework update was presented to the Audit and Finance Committee on February 19, 2025, after which the Committee instructed staff to finalize a consistent and transparent review model. A proposed framework was formally introduced on July 16, 2025, and the Committee approved a pilot implementation, requesting preliminary findings by October 15, 2025. This report summarizes the pilot's results, including an overview of the body under review, legal considerations, self-evaluations by members and staff liaisons, community feedback, and an initial staff recommendation. Technology Commission Report Highlights October 15, 2025 Executive Summary Objective To conduct an evaluation of the scope and duties of the Technology Commission using a predetermined multi-step framework. What We Found In its capacity to review and make recommendations to the City Council on technology and telecommunication issues, including equity, access, performance, affordability, and allocation of resources, the Commission met routinely in 2025. They made seven formal recommendations that they identified as closely aligned to the Commission's core mission. The Commission held public hearings on August 13 and September 10, 2025, to solicit feedback from the public and community stakeholders regarding the usefulness and relevance of the Technology Commission's stated purposes and duties and its success in fulfilling those purposes and duties. They had a total of eight members of the public register to provide feedback in person. Several speakers were former commissioners sharing historical perspectives on the Commission. Additionally, there were leaders from technology nonprofits and advocacy groups who provided expert testimony, reinforcing alignment with the 2023 Digital Needs Assessment. The Chair noted this “participation underscores the Commission’s unique role in connecting City policy, community priorities, and technology equity.” The Technology Commission does not have any legal mandates or statutory obligations that would prevent modifications or changes in the purpose and function of the body. What We Recommend The Technology Commission routinely meets, maintains membership, and acts in accordance with their Council directives and bylaws. We recommend the Commission continue as directed. IA Austin Technology Commission 2 City Manager's Office | City Clerk's Office Technology Commission Mandate § 2-1-107 - The Commission shall advise the City Council regarding issues that include: (1) community technology; (2) …
