MEMBERS: David Couch, David Ballard, Steve Dooley, Larry Fowler, Doyle Friskney, Col. John Heltzel, Betsy Hudson, Jim Nelson, John Witt and Ron Moore.

GUESTS: Sheri Rose, Kent Howell, Charles Robb, Charlene Davis, John Meiman and L.D. Montgomery.

STAFF: Doug Robinson; Executive Director of KIRM and Jessamine Saufley.

Chair David Couch the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort and welcomed members and guests. David thanked John Heltzel for hosting the meeting. David asked members to review the meeting minutes of April 10, 1998. The minutes were approved as read.

Chair Couch called for CAC Workgroup reports:

Dave Ballard reported that a network redesign of the Kentucky Information Highway (KIH) is in progress with BellSouth. He added that many factors have to be considered in the redesign, such as the technical colleges, the Kentucky TeleLinking Network (KTLN), the Commonwealth virtual university and the libraries.

David continued by updating members on the Commission's Model Courthouse Project. He asked members to review the Memorandum of Agreement in the meeting packet. David pointed out that infrastructure and application teams have been established. David stated the three pilot counties are Montgomery, Warren and Marshall. He concluded by stating that the timeline for the Model Courthouse pilot will be six months. Betsy Hudson volunteered to offer technical support for Marshall County.

Doug Robinson updated members on behalf of Mike Clark on the recent KTLN activities. Doug reported that the KTLN invitation to bid has been delayed due to major price changes by VTEL.

Chair Couch and Doyle Friskney presented the Council members with a Universal Service Fund Update. After much discussion on cost and potential exclusion, David pointed out that every Commonwealth school district has submitted a proposal. David added that no national legislative support is in place at this time. David and Doyle felt that due to lack of program integrity in the beginning, the program might be scaled back in the future. David directed members to review the handout. The FCC is not moving ahead at this point. Steve Dooley recommended that the Council should work through the Chief Information Officer’s office to foster Congressional support for the program on the Commonwealth’s behalf. After a lengthy pro-active issue discussion, members suggested a strategy needs to be developed to inform the public.

Chair Couch asked Doug to update members in regard to the EMPOWER Kentucky initiative. Doug reported that the Commonwealth’s Enterprise Architecture and Standards Committee is meeting on a regular basis and recent updates can be viewed on KIRM’s web site. Doug added that A and S technical workgroups have been formed. He informed members that he needs volunteers for workgroups. Doug announced that the Common Data definitions have been released and will be incorporated into Standards and then will need approval of a policy statement from the KIRM Commission. Doug informed members that House Bill 708 addressing Electronic Signature practices and policies was approved and as well as House Bill 789 creating the office of the Chief Information Officer and duties for the Commonwealth. Next Doug explained the roles of the Council, KIRM Commission and KIRM office as defined in House Bill 789. Doug informed members that effective July 15, 1998, the Chairmen of CAC and Geographic Advisory Council would have full member voting privileges during Kentucky Information Resources Management meetings. Members discussed EMPOWER funding and future projects under consideration.

Next Doug presented the 1998 KIRM Research and Development Grant Finalists as approved by the Commission at the meeting June 4, 1998. Doug directed members to review the finalists’ summary in their meeting packet. Doug asked members for questions or comments.

Chair Couch asked Colonel John Hetzel to conduct a presentation on the Kentucky National Guard Distance Learning and Network Infrastructure. Chair Couch thanked Colonel Hetzel and asked members for questions or comments. Steve Dooley recommended establishing a workgroup to combine synergies between the Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Telelinking Network, Department of Information Systems, Kentucky Educational Television and the Department for Libraries and Archives in the area of distance learning.

Chair Couch presented an update on the recent activities of the Telecommuting Workgroup. He reported that the group met on June 11, 1998 to use CAC goals to draft a white paper. In working toward the goal, the group is concentrating 95% of its energies to develop policies and guidelines to address personnel issues. Doyle Friskney will represent the universities and Jim Nelson recommended that a member be recruited from the Legislative Research Commission. David asked the members if they had any other area or categories, which should be addressed in the white paper. It was suggested that businesses be sought out to see how they incorporate telecommuting. David asked the members for any additional questions or comments.

The next Communications Advisory Council meeting will be held on Friday, August 14, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., in the Kentucky State Police Headquarters, Frankfort, Kentucky. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.