Technology Advisory Committee

TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Draft Minutes Meeting of November 5, 2020 Present: Roger Palmer, Brian Robillard, Joseph Samolis, Councilman Grady Faulkner, Councilman Tony Gennaro, Councilman Anthony Mangiafico, Karen Warren (Late), Michael Skott (Staff), Bryan Skowera (Staff) Absent: Lauren Middleton, Foster Charles Call to Order: Meeting is called to order at 6:03pm Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve meeting minutes passes unanimously. Public Comments No one from the public was in attendance. Old Business Election Update: Bryan Skowera summarized the deployment of technology to aid the 2020 election over November 2 and November 3. The Registrar of Voters have thanked David Stafford for his efforts during the election. Updates on Projects Pending: Exchange 2019: Windows licenses have been purchased. Waiting for access. Redundant Network/Failover: A maintenance window during the week of November 8, 2020 is needed to complete the work. GIS: The new website is live. Additional projects, such as data consolidation are in progress. SeeClickFix: The formal launch is on November 11, 2020 although the system is available. The Mayor has scheduled regular meetings with department heads to review the platform. The Mayor’s office is also determining messaging. At launch, there will be an initiative to recognize veterans for Veterans’ Day using the system. Schools/Remote Classes: Michael Skott discussed the current state of hybrid learning, highlighting Middletown High School’s return to remote learning for two weeks. He mentioned ongoing changes to classrooms to accommodate the evolving needs of spacing and equipment. A new help-desk position is being proposed and is pending review with the General Counsel Commission. New Business State Sponsored Public Wi-Fi: Bryan Skowera explained that under the Everybody Learns initiative, the State of Connecticut/Connecticut Education Network will provide free external wireless access points and one year of internet service to provide public Wi-Fi hotspots. This project will provide wireless within 300 feet of the designated building; currently The Russell Library and City Hall are targeted. Michael Skott is working with the program as well, targeting MacDonough School, and also mentioned other aspects of this program which has provided vouchers for internet service and hotspots to the community. P a g e | 1 of 2 Karen Warren discussed if Wesleyan could participate, but due to COVID-19 concerns, the campus is concerned about public access. SSL Decryption: With approval from the Mayor and the Office of the General Counsel, Technology Services is testing and will enable SSL Decryption to protect the City against malware threats. Timeline to resume in-person committee meetings: At a meeting between the Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Mayor’s Office, Health Department, Pubic Works, and Technology Services, January was the target for a return to in-person Common Council meetings. Technology Services is expanding the audio/visual system in the Council chambers to allow hybrid in-person/remote participation through WebEx. The $14,000 project is funded through the 2012 bond that originally established the broadcast system within the Council chambers. Discussion of Items to be placed on the next agenda - SeeClickFix - Everybody Learns/State Sponsored Wi-Fi Adjournment The Committee adjourned at 6:41pm. P a g e | 2 of 2