COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES

May 7, 1999

CAC Members: Chair David Couch, David Ballard, Michael Clark representing Bob Ball, Ron Jones representing Steve Dooley, Dennis Farmer, Doyle Friskney, Larry Fowler, Betsy Hudson, Jim Nelson, Wayne Bates, and John Witt.

GUESTS: Ralph Long, Joe Hutchinson, Tim Hay, Charles Robb, Charlene Davis, Phil Duvall, Donna Duggins, Kent Howell, Terry Haines, John Meiman and Sheri Rose.

STAFF: Doug Robinson, Executive Director of KIRM and Jessamine Saufley

Chair Couch called the meeting to order and welcomed members and guests. Chair Couch introduced Dennis Farmer, a newly appointed member of CAC from United Parcel Service (UPS) and representing the private sector. Chair Couch asked Dennis Farmer to present a brief overview of information technology relating to UPS. Minutes of the January 29, 1999 Communications Advisory Council meeting were approved as distributed. Chair Couch called for the meeting agenda items as follows:

Chair Couch asked Dave Ballard to update the Council in regard to the Kentucky Information Highway. Dave reported that the KIH had been nominated to the 1999 Computerworld Smithsonian Innovation Collection to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Dave added that he, Doug Robinson and Sheri Rose of BellSouth attended the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12th. Dave directed members to review the press release in the meeting packet. Dave added that the 1999 Collection features 470 of the year’s most innovative applications of technology from 42 states and 22 countries. Dave announced that the final awards will be announced in June and the official awards website is http//innovate.si.edu. Chair Couch thanked Dave for the update.

Chair Couch asked Dave to update members on the Model Court House Project. Dave reported that Montgomery, Marshall and Warren counties are up and running with Marshall and Montgomery having developed websites. Dave stated that the next goal is to develop cost models for 120 counties. Dave asked members for questions or comments.

Chair Couch asked Mike Clark of KET to update members. Mike reported on recent activities of KTLN and KET. Mike added that currently KTLN has a moratorium or a voluntary cessation of videoconferencing room additions until the net redesign has been completed. Mike added that KTLN is pursuing software that will assist in the scheduling and management of network. He also reported that they are looking at adopting H.320 standards, which will allow them to migrate from VTEL proprietary protocols and to communicate with most other videoconferencing sites throughout the country. Mike added that they have been investigating, along with VTEL and GTE, the implications of H.323, which is in effect the H.320 standards running on IP systems. He continued by stating that they anticipate the H.320 standards will be adopted by the end of June, effective with the redesign. He added that no new sites would be added until redesign efforts are complete and schedule- switching software is located. KTLN will have a break in August for scheduled maintenance. Mike added that all three-satellite uplinks are up at Murray State University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville. In addition, Mike discussed the Digital Broadcast Pilot.

Next Chair Couch updated members on the impact of the Universal Service Fund. He reported that the Commonwealth was a "big winner" with E-Rate. He added that 100% of Kentucky’s school systems got voice lines discounts and that 150 of 176 school districts got internal connections. Dave briefly discussed the Future impact of the Universal Service Fund. Dave Ballard commended David Couch and the Kentucky Department of Education for their efforts.

Dave Ballard presented an overview of the Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University. Dave reported that all colleges are connected to ATM except Northern Kentucky University and Murray State University. Larry Fowler added that the KCVU has three full time staff with Mary Beth Susman appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. Larry announced that KCVU would go live on July 5th and that a kickoff for KCVU would be held in Louisville on May 17th and 18th.

Jim Nelson reported that the every library has Internet access and by July the infrastructure will be in place in 187 public libraries. Jim presented an overview of the Commonwealth Virtual University and announced Ling-yuh (Miko) Pattie has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer.

Jim added that considerable training is being provided, and that CVL is expected to train approximately 900 people, including library staff and general public, this year.

Jim stated that public libraries would also be involved in deploying CVL and CVU. He reported that they are in the process of identifying databases needed to support CVL and CVU.

David Couch discussed the possibility of recommending to KIRM that Proxy Servers be used throughout the Commonwealth and be the placed on the Enterprise Architecture and Standards. David discussed the need for agencies to develop Internet policies for acceptable use. He also discussed the other benefits of using a proxy server, such as eliminating bad network connections, providing filters, accessibility, reduction in bandwidth use and charges, and tracking and reporting capabilities. David added that the downside is that information cannot be kept permanently. A recommendation was introduced and approved by the Council for Proxy Servers to be consolidated in the Architecture and as a management strategy. Motion was approved to go forth to KIRM with recommendation.

Doug Robinson provided an update on the Information Technology Capital Plans and Information Resources Plans for 2000-2002. Doug explained the process for plan submission. Doug reported that the Office of CIO, KIRM staff and the Governance Team would review the plans and also rank the agency capital items. The Capital Planning Board will meet on July 7 and 8. Doug added that the focus would be on infrastructure first.

Next Doug presented an overview of the Information Technology Transition Transformation Initiative current information technology organizational structures, including those of the KIRM Commission, the Office of Geographic Information Systems, and the Department of Information Systems. He added that the relationships associated with the various committees and councils, such as the Communications Advisory Council, were under review. Doug also stated that the statutory language of each organization and committee/council is being reviewed and revised.

Doug also reported that SAS Vendor Fair will be held May 19th at the Civic Center and Doug discussed future plans for a Telecommunication’s Summit in Somerset.

The next Council meeting will be determined at a later date. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.