HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/1995, C-2 - PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL NETWORK CONSORTIUM �III�uIl�lllllll��l�lll 1" MEETING DATE:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM N B
FROM: Bill Statler, Director of Finance4a
SUBJECT: PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL NETWORK CONSORTIUM
CAO RECOMIIMNDATION
Adopt a resolution supporting City collaboration with other governmental agencies in
developing regional computer networks and information technology infrastructures through our
participation in the Regional Network Consortium.
DISCUSSION
Background
Virtually every government agency operating in San Luis Obispo County has plans - formal
or informal - for using information technology to achieve important organization-wide goals
such as improving productivity, customer service, community involvement in civic affairs and
public access to information. And in almost all cases, these plans require reliable and cost-
effective information technology infrastructures that allow electronic communications between
remote sites within their own information systems as well as with others.
The City of San Luis Obispo is no exception to this general statement of information
technology goals and needs. Our recently adopted information technology master plan clearly
identifies the need for improvements in connectivity, especially as they relate to geographic
information systems (GIS) and improved public access. Further, improving public access to
the City's electronic information systems has been adopted by the Council as an important
objective for 1995-97.
As discussed below, participation in the newly-formed Regional Network Consortium is one
way for the City to more efficiently and cost effectively achieve our information technology
goals.
Overview of the Regional Network Consortium
What is the Consortium?
The Regional Network Consortium is a voluntary association of government agencies in San
Luis Obispo County working together in making information infrastructure improvements that
will help each organization better meet its technology needs.
As discussed in the attached letter from the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
(SLOCOG), the proposal to form the Consortium is the result of recent discussions between
staff members representing the County, cities, school districts, Cuesta College, Cal Poly, special
districts, SLOCOG and other interested parties on ways.that governmental agencies can work
together in improving electronic data capabilities and connections. City staff has been very
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
active in these initial efforts to form the Consortium, and served on the Steering Committee
that drafted the Mission Statement.
What is the purpose of the Consortium?
As set forth in the attached Mission Statement, the basic purpose of the Consortium is to create
a forum where information technology plans can be shared and solutions identified that will
either help make possible through collaborative efforts what no one agency could achieve
alone, or result in more efficient and cost-effective solutions for everyone.
How will the Consortium help accomplish this?
The Consortium will help bring about better regional networks and electronic connectivity by:
■ Providing an ongoing forum for public agencies to share their plans with each other and
in turn identify solutions that can mutually benefit each of them in terms of better
service or lower costs.
■ Sponsoring workshops to keep member agencies current on new networking products,
services and trends.
■ Providing staff from smaller organizations with opportunities to discuss needs and
solutions with staff from larger, more technologically sophisticated organizations.
■ Developing. technical standards and guidelines for communications hardware and
software for use by agencies on a voluntary basis.
■ Working closely with private sector service providers like Pacific Bell and Call America
as well as community-based organizations like SLONET, United Way, Chamber of
Commerce and recognized community advisory groups in identifying ways of
improving regional networks and overall electronic connectivity.
■ Maintaining a directory of information technology contacts from member agencies,
private sector organizations and community-based groups.
■ Assisting in coordinating efforts to obtain funding that may be available for improving
regional networks through the National Telecommunications and Information Assistance
Program or similar grant programs.
What the Consortium isn't
In understanding the role of the Consortium, it is as important to stress what the Consortium
isn't as what it is: the Consortium is not another layer of government, it does not act
independently nor review or approve plans and activities of other agencies Each agency
already possesses the ability to cooperate with other governmental agencies or private vendors
in joint projects and programs that mutually benefit them. What each agency does not
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Nij% COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
currently possess is knowledge about what other agencies are doing (or planning to do) where
collaborative efforts would result in a better product or lower costs.
In short, the Consortium solely exists to help agencies put together joint projects when it makes
business sense for each of them to do so by providing a forum for sharing plans so that areas
of mutual interest and benefit can be identified.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no adverse fiscal impacts associated with this action.
CONCURRENCES
The MIS Steering Committee concurs with supporting the City's participation in the Regional
Network Consortium.
ATTACHMENTS
■ Resolution supporting participation in the Regional Network Consortium
■ Regional Network Consortium Mission Statement
■ Letter from the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments requesting that the City adopt
a resolution supporting participation in the Regional Network Consortium
HARNC.CAR
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RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL NETWORK CONSORTIUM
WHEREAS, effectively using information technology can help achieve key
organizational goals of improving productivity, customer service, community involvement in
civic affairs and public access to information; and
WHEREAS, developing reliable and cost-effective information technology
infrastructures is essential in allowing electronic communications between remote sites within
our own information systems as well as with other public and private sector organizations; and
WHEREAS, collaborating with other governmental agencies in San Luis Obispo County
can result in more efficient and cost-effective ways of developing regional networks and
information technology infrastructures; and
WHEREAS, implementing joint solutions requires a way of identifying and sharing
plans with other agencies, which is the purpose of the Regional Network Consortium as set
forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
supports participation in the Regional Network Consortium.
Upon motion of seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 1995.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM
ity A of
REGIONAL NETWORK CONSORTIUM
Working Together Today for Better Networks Tomorrow
MISSION STATEMENT
Who are we?
We are a voluntary association of government agencies in San Luis Obispo County working
together in making information infrastructure improvements that will help each organization
better meet its technology needs.
What do we stand for?
Virtually every government agency operating in San Luis Obispo County has plans - formal
or informal - for using information technology to achieve important organization-wide goals
such as improving productivity, customer service, community involvement in civic affairs and
public access to information. And in almost all cases, these plans require reliable and cost-
effective information technology infrastructures that allow electronic communications between
remote sites within their own information systems as well as with others.
The purpose of the Consortium is to create a forum where information technology plans can
be shared and solutions identified that will either help make possible through collaborative
efforts what no one agency could achieve alone, or result in more efficient and cost-effective
solutions for everyone.
How does the Consortium help accomplish this?
The Consortium helps bring about better regional networks and electronic connectivity by:
■ Providing an ongoing forum for public agencies to share their plans with each other and
in turn identify solutions that can mutually benefit each of them in terms of better
service or lower costs.
■ Sponsoring workshops to keep member agencies current on new networking products,
services and trends.
■ Providing staff from smaller organizations with opportunities to discuss needs and
solutions with staff from larger, more technologically sophisticated organizations.
■ Developing technical standards and guidelines for communications hardware and
software for use by agencies on a voluntary basis.
■ Working closely with private sector service providers like Pacific Bell and Call America'
as well as community-based organizations like SLONET, United Way, Chamber of
Commerce and recognized community advisory groups in identifying ways of
improving regional networks and overall electronic connectivity.
■ Maintaining a directory of information technology contacts from member agencies,
private sector organizations and community-based groups.
■ Assisting in coordinating efforts to obtain funding that may be available for improving
regional networks through the National Telecommunications and Information Assistance
Program or similar grant programs.
What the Consortium isn't
The Consortium is not another layer of government: it does not act independently nor review
or approve plans and activities of other agencies.
Each agency already possesses the ability to cooperate with other governmental agencies or
private vendors in joint projects and programs that mutually benefit them. What each agency
does not currently possess is knowledge about what other agencies are doing (or planning to
do) where collaborative efforts would result in a better product or lower costs.
In short, the Consortium solely exists to help agencies put together joint projects when it makes
business sense for each of them to do so by providing a forum for sharing plans so that areas
of mutual interest and benefit can be identified.
How does an agency become a Consortium member?
Every governmental agency doing business in San Luis Obispo County - a city, state agency,
special district, council of governments, joint powers authority, the County - is already by
definition a member of-the Consortium. However, benefits from membership can only be
obtained by actively supporting - and participating in - Consortium activities.
Luis Obis �overnm nts
o Council of
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^ Arroyo Grande
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Congestion Management Agency San LuisObisp-
San Luis Obispo Count
September 15, 1995
a i�95
John Dunn, City Manager
City of San Luis Obispo. ADMINIZ8,--AT{ON
(INTEROFFICE MAIL) 990 Palm
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Subject: Resolution of Support for the Establishment of the
Regional Network Consortium
Dear Mr. nn:
In conjunction with our agency's efforts to facilitate electronic communications, we have
been meeting with city and county staff, as well as school district, Cuesta College, and
Cal Poly personnel and other interested parties to discuss options for coordinating efforts
to establish and improve electronic data capabilities and connections. As a result of
these meetings a steering committee was established to define and organize a plan of
action to facilitate increased electronic accessibility for the residents, businesses and
agencies within San Luis Obispo County.
The formation of a "Regional Network Consortium" is proposed as a means to assist
agencies in their development of electronic networks. The Consortium is intended to
foster greater connectivity among jurisdictions, schools, and state and federal agencies.
This network will provide a forum allowing organizations to collaborate, in the most cost
effective fashion, on systems that will expand their resources for the technical and
business advantage of the community as well as foster improved public access and
participation. The attached Mission Statement describes the framework for this effort.
The Steering Committee is recommending that each agency within the county adopt a
resolution of support for the Regional Network Consortium (see attached model
Resolution). The first meeting of the Consortium is scheduled for November 15th at 2PM
in the San Luis Obispo City/County Library Auditorium to allow time for jurisdictions to
consider adoption of the resolution prior to that date.
NETLTR2.APR
i7 sn Osos St. Suite 202, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 • Tel. (805) 781-4219 ♦ Fax. (805) 781-5703
The project is proposed as a collaborative effort. Agencies that have been active
participants include:
City and County Governments
Arroyo Grande Atascadero Grover Beach
Morro Bay Paso Robles Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo County
Educational Institutions
Cal Poly SLO. County Superintendent of Schools
Cuesta College Coast Union/Cambria/Cayucos
San Luis Coastal Unified Atascadero Unified School District
Paso Robles School District Templeton Schools
Lucia Mar School District
Community Organizations
Nipomo Area Advisory Committee SLO Chamber of Commerce
Consortium for Community Media SLONET
Please notify us of the meeting date and time when your agency will consider the
Resolution of support. Members of the Steering Committee are more than happy to
assist in presenting this concept to your governing board. We can also provide a draft
staff report on the issue if you are interested. I am very confident that this effort will result
in improved services.and overall reduced costs for your agency.
Thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions or would like
additional information please call the Consortium Liaison Steve Devencenzi at 781-4662.
Sincerely,
Ronal DeCarli
Executive Director
NETLTR2.APR
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MEET,,, AGENDA
DATE 10-17-9r ITEM #�M�
MEMORANDUM
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
October 17, 1995
TO: Kim Condon, Acting City Clerk
FROM: Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney<_�
SUBJECT: Conference With Legal Counsel --
Anticipated Litigation
We will need to add a Closed Session item at the end of the October
17, 1995 City Council Meeting. The item to be added is as follows:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 (c)
Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to
Government Code § 54956.9 (c) : one case.
There is a need to take immediate action on this item and the need
for action came to the attention of the City subsequent to the
agenda being posted. Therefore, the item will be added ,to the
agenda by a four-fifths vote of the Council, pursuant to Government
Code § 54954.2 (b) (2) .
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact
me at your convenience.
JGJ/sw
cc: John Dunn
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SAN LOIS OBISPO.CA