20200408-002: Budget Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200408-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support to maintain the Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs), this grant is an essential component to implementation of the COA Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan adopted by Council Resolution No. 20140320-056. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased need for the community’s ability to participate in digital society through GTOPs programs. The Commission recommends program improvements for FY21 include: • Digital Inclusion resource accessibility • Digital Inclusion Ecosystem innovations • Outcome focused alignment In FY20, GTOPs funds available to local Austin nonprofit groups increased to $400,000 and 2020 Awards are underway, with additional COVID-19 digital access funding pathways and awardees depending upon funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING: To include an allocation for GTOPs of $400,000, as approved in FY20 unanimously, in the FY21 City of Austin budget. Date of Approval: April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Motion to approve GTOPs funding of $400,000 annually made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Gairo passed on a vote of 7- 0. ATTEST: _____________________________________ Jesse Rodriguez Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs City of Austin COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200408-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support for development of a digital solution for City Council Vote Tabulation (Voting History). This concept was generated from citizen communication delivered in 2019 and aligns with CTTC mission. City Council Resolution No 20190207-031, and recommendation by the Austin Neighborhoods Council also align with this Budget Recommendation. This recommendation will generate the opportunity to: • Leverage Open Data portal for this database of votes • Align with other major Texas cities have vote tabulation systems (e.g. Dallas, San Antonio, and Minneapolis) • Create a searchable voting history The Office of City Clerk believes a new FTE (IT Application Developer) can create a custom in-house system with assistance from the Communications & Technology Mgmt. Dept and managed with existing resources within the Clerks’ Office that will allow individuals to download and/or search the voting history of individual Council Members. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING: To include an allocation of $75,400 for an IT Application Developer (1-FTE) to be hired and assigned to the City Clerk’s Office for development of a digital solution for City Council Vote Tabulation, in the FY21 City of Austin budget. Date of Approval: April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Motion to approve development of a digital solution for City Council Vote Tabulation and a (1 FTE – IT Application Developer allocated to the City Clerk’s Office) made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 7-0. ATTEST: _____________________________________ Jesse Rodriguez Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs, City of Austin COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200408-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support for a 2021 Residential Technology Study managed by the Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs Office (TARA) manages the implementation of the Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan (the Plan), adopted by the Austin City Council in 2014. The Plan is supported by the outcomes of a periodic residential technology survey (the survey) that evaluates and assess residents’ access to technology resources and literacy and training programs. This survey engages Austin residents identified by examining neighborhood demographics, including data gathered during the previously conducted surveys in 2011, 2014, and 2018. This recommendation will generate the opportunity to: • Provide critical data on the levels of connectedness, device access, and digital literacy in Austin, particularly on our most vulnerable residents • COVID-19 pandemic dynamics indicate greater need to address widening digital divide • Prioritize education and the homework gap The Austin Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission approved recommendations (20130508-010 and 20130612-008) that the City of Austin periodically engage in a residential technology survey at three-year intervals. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING: To include an allocation for a Residential Technology Study of $60,000, in the FY21 City of Austin budget. Date of Approval April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Motion to approve FY21 City of Austin budget include an allocation for a Residential Technology Study of $60,000 made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Commissioner Floyd passed on a vote of 7-0. ATTEST: _____________________________________ Jesse Rodriguez Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs City of Austin