Chapel Hill Technology Advisory Committee

["Gregg Gerdau" <gregg AT gdgerdau.com>]

Will and all,

This seems like an area where we not only have significant interest from
several TC members, but also an obligation to the Town Council.  As the
Council's primary obligations to the Town are budget and policy, it makes
perfect sense to establish a budget subcommittee to review these matters,
then gain consensus from the larger TC on resolutions presented to the Town
Council.  

Three subcommittees are currently established:  infrastructure, web &
document management, and GIS.

We have been discussing three others:  community networking, open source
initiatives and Press Relations/Communications.

And I am suggesting we consider budget (technology budget?) also.

If you would, please send me your thoughts (to gregg AT techcommittee DOT
org) on these and other working groups you may have.  Include your
willingness to participate and/or lead the group.  I will aggregate and post
a summary (or summaries) to this list for inclusion on the next TC meeting
agenda.

Thanks,

Gregg

> -----Original Message-----
> From: chtechcomm-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org 
> [mailto:chtechcomm-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of 
> chtechboard AT willraymond.org
> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 1:25 AM
> To: Chtechcomm AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Cc: laurineasthom AT hotmail.com
> Subject: [Chtechcomm] FYI: $175K+ IT Budget Requests To Date
> 
> 
> Hey all,
> 
> It's budget time and once again it seems our board has to 
> play the game of "find the IT budget requests".  Maybe next 
> year we'll be cut into the process as a matter of course?
> 
> http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2006/03/08/8a/gra
> nicus.htm
> 
> $31,000 + $700/month - Streaming video system - We discussed 
> a much cheaper system but it seems like that discussion 
> wasn't routed to the right folks.
> 
> http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2006/03/08/3/chpd
> _2006-2007_budget_request.htm
> 
> $6500 + $10200 + $54000 for Police Support. $54K seems awful 
> steep for 4 mobile stations + 1 year of communications service.
> 
> http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2006/03/08/6a/it_
> budget_working_paper_db_analyst.htm
> 
> $66,000 for DB Analyst for 10 months - I'm quite disappointed 
> that when I asked Bob about the IT budget this year just 
> recently that this position was omitted.
> 
> This is just the beginning, so we could, as a committee, ask 
> to participate more closely in evaluating these items.  I 
> hope we will.
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Will
> 
> DETAILS
> 
> VIDEO STREAMING
> 
> The purpose of this report is to recommend that the 2006-07 
> budget include an allocation of $31,000 to purchase software 
> that would allow on-demand video streaming of Council 
> meetings. In addition to this initial software cost there are 
> monthly service costs of approximately $700.
> 
> IT REQUEST
> 
> I recommend a Database Systems Analyst position be added to 
> the Information Technology Department with salary and 
> benefits funded at $66,000 for 10 months.
> 
> This position would require ability in programming, 
> operation, and maintenance procedures for database systems 
> and would include the following responsibilities:
> 
>     * Coordination of database support with vendors and departments
>     * Development of database applications
>     * Training of Town staff in the use of database programs
> 
> 
> POLICE REQUEST - NOTE the communications costs in this.
> 
> Moblan Licenses (13)   $6,500
> 
> Moblan is the Open Software Solutions Inc. records management 
> software that is on desktop machines, but functions like the 
> software on the mobile computers in the vehicles. Supervisors 
> in the building use it to read and approve reports submitted 
> on the mobile computers.  Records personnel use it to edit 
> and retrieve reports submitted on the mobiles.
> 
> Presently the five school resource officers do not have 
> access to the police department database.  They can neither 
> file reports nor retrieve information from our records.  
> Using Moblan on their computers at their schools will be the 
> most efficient and cost effective way for them to access 
> police department information.
> 
> Arrest Module for 34 Mobile Communication Terminals   $10,200
> 
> Open Software Solutions Inc. has recently released a version 
> of the arrest module for mobile communication terminals.  
> Presently officers can enter arrest data only on desktop 
> computers in the headquarters building.  The mobile arrest 
> module would allow officers to enter arrest data in the field 
> (if no mug shot is needed).  Also some data entry can be done 
> in the field before or after the mug shot is captured in the 
> building.  This would enable officers to stay in their patrol 
> areas while entering arrest data, reducing time and gasoline used.
> 
> Mobile Data Terminals (four at a total cost of $54,000)
> 
> These four mobile computers would be mounted in marked patrol 
> vehicles and be used by officers in the field. The cost 
> includes the computer, accessories, mounting hardware, 
> software and licenses, an air card and service for one year. 
> The computers help enable the officers to remain in their 
> assigned areas during their shift, cutting down on the need 
> to return to Police Headquarters to perform routine 
> administrative tasks.
> 
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