M E M O R A N D U M TO: FROM: Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission John Speirs, Program Manager Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs September 11, 2020 DATE: SUBJECT: Recommendations for 2021 Grant for Technology Opportunities Program 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. The Office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs (TARA) is the lead office for implementation of this plan. The Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) is a grant administered by the Community Technology (CT) Division of TARA 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 The purpose of this report is to review the significant changes coming to the 2021 cycle of the GTOPs. Each year, CT staff performs a review of the prior grant cycle in preparation for the next year of grants. This annual strategic planning and review process considers feedback collected from surveys of applicants and grant reviewers, as well as the observations of staff participating in the grant process and the known structural changes to GTOPs. Analysis There are three categories of changes being proposed for the GTOPs 2021 cycle: 1) Adjustments to the application process to ensure a clearer and more direct relationship between the scoring criteria and the application and to better weight Focus Areas; 2) changes to the overall GTOPs structure to provide for efficiency, enhanced support for grantees, and to adjust the GTOPs schedule to accommodate the holiday months; and 3) eases the administrative burden of reporting on contractors. Together, these three changes could greatly improve service delivery and core program capacity to local Austin nonprofit groups. 1 Adjustments to the Application and Scoring Process Recommendation: Replace the current “Focus Area” system that guarantees funding based on category with a new system that gives bonus points to organizations that meet the “Focus Area” criteria. In past GTOPs cycles, organizations that were the highest scoring in a “Focus Area” were guaranteed funding, regardless of any other factor (such as relative rank in scoring to the other applications). Going forward, we propose to move to a bonus point system, where applicant can gain extra points by qualifying for a Focus Area. This will retain …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission July 24, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held July 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Noon July 23. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the July 24, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon June 23. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION July 24, 2020, 3 PM – 4:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 10, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission Discussion on Annual Priorities for the Annual Work Plan and Final Approval Vote 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 date. Please call Jesse Rodriguez at the Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs Department, at jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Special Called Meeting Wednesday – July 24, 2020 – 3:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material 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 few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Sophie Gairo Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts David Alexander Dave Floyd Michelle Reinhardt Nicole Thompson Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez Irfan Syed CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 3:17 PM CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 10, 2020 Motion to approve minutes as presented made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Commissioner Floyd passed on a vote of 6-0. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission Discussion on Annual Priorities for the Annual Work Plan and Final Approval Vote Motion to approve the commission challenge statements as presented made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 6-0- 1, with Commissioner Reinhardt abstaining. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Yeatts and seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 8-0. 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 before the meeting date. Please contact Jesse Rodriguez at the Office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs at (512) 974‐7676, for additional …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission July 10, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held July 10, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Noon July 9. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the July 10, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon June 11. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION July 10, 2020, 3 PM – 4:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 10, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission Discussion on Annual Priorities for the Annual Work Plan 3. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group c. 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, …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Special Called Meeting Wednesday – July 10, 2020 – 3:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material 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 few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Sophie Gairo Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts Dave Floyd Nicole Thompson Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez David Alexander Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 3:17 PM CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 10, 2020 Motion to approve minutes as presented made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Commissioner Yeatts passed on a vote of 6-0. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission Discussion on Annual Priorities for the Annual Work Plan The commission began to discuss work plan items. Final decisions were not made. This conversation will continue at a special called meeting. 3. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group This item was not reached on the agenda. b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group This item was not reached on the agenda. c. Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation Working Group This item was not reached on the agenda. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner DasGupta and seconded by Commissioner Yeatts passed on a vote of 6-0. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission June 12, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held June 12, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Noon June 11. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 12, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon June 11. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION June 12, 2020, 3 PM – 4:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 29, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Election of Officers b. City of Austin Website Status c. Workplan Retreat Planning 3. STAFF AND COMMUNITY BRIEFINGS (A member of the public may not address a board at a meeting on an item posted as a briefing) a. Presentation on Community Wi-Fi by AISD, CapMetro, and City of Austin 4. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group c. Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation Working Group FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed …
Community Wi-Fi Briefing Austin Independent School District/ CapMetro/ City of Austin Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission June 12, 2020 1 Today’s Briefing The Joint Sustainability Committee adopted a Resolution in Spring 2020 to: ○ Identify possible public-private partnerships and funding to expand access to the Internet for low-income communities and communities of color, which have disproportionately low-levels of access. The city should identify possible public-private partnerships and funding to either create free city-wide Wi-Fi, or free connection for income-qualified residents. 2 Today’s Briefing ● Updates to provide Wi-Fi Internet Access to the Austin Community ○ Austin Independent School District ■ Kevin Schwartz: Chief Technology Officer ○ Capital Metro ■ Melissa Ortiz: Community Engagement Coordinator ■ Jane Schroter: Vice President & CIO ● Opportunities, and City of Austin Role ○ City of Austin ■ John Speirs: Program Manager ● Next Steps 3 Austin ISD ● CURRENT CONTEXT ○ Equipment ■ ■ ■ ■ >45,000 of 81,000 computers (Chromebooks and iPads) deployed PK-12. Full 1:1 Fall 2020 6,000 of 8,000 Internet hotspots through grants and matching grants 12,000 to 17,000 estimated students will still have an unmet need for Internet 130 WiFi-enabled school buses deployed during Summer Mon-Thurs until mid-afternoon Summer School underway and Fall are planned to rely on partial to full online learning ○ ○ Health, employment, education, news, transportation, access to food, etc. are all heavily impacted by this digital divide ● PLANS & OPPORTUNITIES ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Data indicate again that the need is in “The Crescent” and requires a hybrid solution Private LTE Point to multi-point Wireless San Antonio accelerating plans after modeling on GAATN Carrier LTE service (Grant and purchased) Timing is paramount 4 Cap Metro ● 9 locations across service area 4 Housing Authority communities 3 Foundation Communities sites 1 East Austin College Prep 1 Del Valle ISD site Districts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 ● May 8th - Summer 2020 ● WiFi Reach ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 150-200 feet 25-30 users, bandwidth is shared by all users Strategically parked to reach as many units 5 Opportunities, and City of Austin Role ● The Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission could develop a Recommendation to City Council to further explore the short-term and long-term opportunities presented today. ● *A reminder, GAATN has an active Board of Directors who are responsible for setting policies and making financial decisions …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Special Called Meeting Wednesday – June 12, 2020 – 3:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material 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 few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Sophie Gairo Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts David Alexander Dave Floyd Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez Nicole Thompson CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 3:07 PM CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three‐minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Zenobia Joseph spoke recommending 1) Zoom as a platform for web meetings, 2) to post the instructions for citizen communication prominently on the main website (rather than within a PDF), and 3) to re-instate the calendar showing when all commission meetings are scheduled. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 29, 2020 Motion to approve the April 8th, 2020 meeting minutes made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta, passed on a vote of 8‐0. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Election of Officers Motion to elect Chair Pitts to a second term as Chair of the Commission made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 7-0- 1 with Chair Pitts abstaining. Motion to elect Vice Chair Alexander to a second term as Vice Chair of the Commission made by Chair …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission APRIL 29, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held April 29, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Noon April 28. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 29, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon April 28. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APRIL 29, 2020, 3 PM – 4:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 8, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission discussion and action on the FY21 Budget Recommendations including Police Video Processing, APL Wi-Fi Lending Program, and the Austin Public Health Department website. b. DECA & Digital Inclusion Office information and resource distribution amid COVID-19 3. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group c. 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 …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200429-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support to dedicate funds for two (2) FTE’s – (Unknown Title allocated to the Police Department) dedicated to police video processing. This budget item was generated from Citizen Communication to the Commission and public information shared to the Austin Community about APD Police video processing delays. This recommendation will generate the opportunity to: ●Adhere to Michael Morton Act for swift handling of video processing to prevent deferred justice, aka justice denied ●Address current APD video processing reliant upon legacy, disparate systems that require manual processes and dedicated time currently borrowed from sworn unit The additional FTE focused on processing would diffuse the backlog of police video processing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING: To include an allocation for two (2) FTE’s – (Unknown Title allocated to the Police Department) dedicated to APD police video processing, in the FY21 City of Austin budget. Date of Approval: April 29, 2020 Record of the vote: Motion to approve the recommendation made by Commissioner Yeatts, seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 6-0. Commission Chair Pitts III presiding. ATTEST: _____________________________________ Jesse Rodriguez Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs City of Austin COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200429-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support to increase Wi-Fi Hotspot to 300 units, and one (1) FTE – (Unknown Title allocated to the Austin Public Library Department) for program management. This concept received budget support in FY19 and aligns with CTTC mission. Currently, the Wi-Fi hotspot lending program has more than 100 hotspots available for checkout at any given time and are available at 10 different Austin Public Library branch locations, but can be reserved and sent, as well as returned, to any branch of the Austin Public Library. The COVID-19 Pandemic has increased need for access to information and communications technology, including internet access. In FY20, the Austin Public Library Department will apply for funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Services IMLS has $30 million that will be distributed to all 50 states. APL will be requesting funding for laptops and hotspot devices to enable people to connect to health, community, …
City of Austin FY21 Budget Recommendations April 29, 2020 - Special Called Meeting Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Commissioner Police Video Processing ● Citizen Communication and local media generated inquiry about APD Police video processing delays ● Michael Morton Act requires swift handling of video processing to prevent deferred justice, aka justice denied. ● APD video processing is reliant upon legacy, disparate systems that require manual processes and dedicated time currently borrowed from sworn unit ● Additional FTE focused on processing would diffuse the backlog CTTC Budget Recommendation: Budget allocation for the hiring of (2) FTE dedicated to APD Police Video Processng - Pending FTE count needed and salary requirements Austin Public Library Wi-Fi Lending Program ● 183+ Hotspots at 10 different locations, with previous CTTC support ● COVID-19 Pandemic has increased need for services ● APL locations are closed due to COA and State guidelines ● APL will be applying for funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS). IMLS has $30 million that will be distributed to all 50 states. APL will be requesting funding for laptops and hotspot devices to enable people to connect to health, community, government, and job information. Budget Recommendation: CTTC recommends allocating budget to increase Hotspot inventory to 300 unites and the hiring of an dedicated FTE for program management, including applying for IMLS funds for additional inventory
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Special Called Meeting Wednesday – April 29, 2020 – 3:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material 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 few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts David Alexander Dave Floyd Nicole Thompson Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez Michelle Reinhardt Irfan Syed Sophie Gairo CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 3:11 PM 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 8, 2020 Motion to approve the April 8th, 2020 meeting minutes made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Commissioner Floyd passed on a vote of 6‐0. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission discussion and action on the FY21 Budget Recommendations including Police Video Processing, APL Wi-Fi Lending Program, and the Austin Public Health Department website. Motion to recommend 2 FTE positions dedicated to APD’s video evidence processing made by Commissioner Yeatts and seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 6-0. b. DECA & Digital Inclusion Office information and resource distribution amid COVID-19 Motion to recommend funds be allocated to increase the APL lending hotspots to 300 and to allocate an FTE to manage the program and apply for grant funding to support the program made by Commissioner DasGupta and seconded by Commissioner Alexander passed on a vote of 6-0. 3. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group This item was …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission APRIL 8, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held April 8, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Noon April 7. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 8, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon April 7. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APRIL 8, 2020, 1 PM – 2:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 12, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission discussion and action on the Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit b. Commission discussion and action on the FY21 Budget Recommendations including City Council Vote Tabulation, Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit, Police Video Processing, Remote Meeting Participation, Grant for Technology Opportunities Program, and Residential Technology Study 3. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group c. Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation Working Group FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with …
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 …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Regular Meeting Wednesday – April 08, 2020 – 1:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material 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 few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Sophie Gairo Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts David Alexander Dave Floyd Nicole Thompson Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez Michelle Reinhardt Irfan Syed CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 12, 2020 Motion to approve the February 12, 2020 minutes made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Commissioner Floyd passed on a vote of 7-0-1 with Commissioner Gairo abstaining. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission discussion and action on the Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit The commission decided to reorient the summit around an online format to adapt to the current circumstances. b. Commission discussion and action on the FY21 Budget Recommendations including City Council Vote Tabulation, Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit, Police Video Processing, Remote Meeting Participation, Grant for Technology Opportunities Program Marketing, and Residential Technology Study Motion to recommend the maintenance of a $400,000 per year budget for the Grant for Technology Opportunities Program proposed by Commissioner DasGupta and seconded by Commissioner Gairo passed on a vote of 7-0. Motion to recommend a $75,400 FTE position for the Clerk’s Office to create and maintain a digitized, tabular Council vote tracking system made by Commissioner Yeatts and seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 7-0. Motion to recommend $60,000 to support the …
City of Austin FY21 Budget Recommendations Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Commissioner Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) ● GTOPs is an essential component to implementing the COA Digital Inclusion Strategy adopted in 2014 with Council Resolution No. 20140320-056. ● COVID-19 has increased need for Digital Inclusion…. ○ Digital Inclusion resource accessibility ○ Digital Inclusion Ecosystem innovations ○ Outcome focused alignment ● GTOPs budget was doubled last year and 2020 awards have been issued, with additional funding pathways and awardees depending upon funds. CTTC Budget Recommendation: $400,000 (as initially approved for FY-2020) City Council Vote Tabulation ● Citizen Communication originated 2019 inquiry aligned with CTTC mission ● Open data portal enables the capability ● Other major Texas cities have vote tabulation systems ○ (e.g. Dallas City Council & Socrata) ● Meetings with City Clerk Office have confirmed… ○ Goal is a “Database of Votes” ○ Commercial Systems will require customization ○ Additional FTE resources will be required to work on Council voting history ○ Additional FTE resources could also address speaker sign-up and City Hall engagement CTTC Budget Recommendation: $101,858 ----- OR -------- $75,400 1.) IT Database Administrator --------- OR ------------ 2.) IT Application Developer Residential Technology Study ● Current Residential Technology Study provides critical data on the levels of connectedness, device access, and digital literacy in Austin, particularly on our most vulnerable constituents. ● Current Residential Technology Study occurs every (3) years and is slated to take place in 2021, with a purposive sampling taking place this year. ● COVID-19 pandemic dynamics indicate greater frequency than (3) years is required to fairly address widening digital divide. ● Discussions with City Councilmember(s) about education and children being left further behind confirms need to more frequently assessment CTTC Budget Recommendation: $XX,XXX - Specific amount to be calculated with Staff assistance Remote Meeting Participation ● Spring of 2018 CTTC began discussing changes to the COA ordinance on video conferencing for Commission meetings to allow for remote participation ● Summer of 2018 CTTC began to meet with City Clerk’s Office and City Hall IT management to discuss possibilities January of 2019 CTTC submitted a Council Committee Agenda item request ● ○ http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=313283 ● Spring 2019 Council Committee Agenda item reviewed at Audit and Finance Committee meeting with agreement to convene working group with City Clerk’s Office Fall 2019 CTTC pilot effort began with one completed round of testing January/February …
