Agenda Packets - 1995/03/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

E' ; 14. °rvof REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda Section: 11 1,08 95-1253WS STAFF REPORT Report Number: Report Date: 3-3-95 AGENDA SESSION DATE Marrh A1 995 DISPOSITION Item Description: Discussion of Interest in Pursuing Freenet Users Group Participation Administrator's Review/Recommendation: - No comments to supplement this report ed Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets necessary.) $UMMARY; In my January and February This Is It! messages, I discussed an exciting opportunity that would enable the City of Mounds View to gain access to the information superhighway for a very minimal cost. My messages were brief because I did not know a lot about it. I now have more information to share with the Council about this opportunity. Continuing to improve upon communication and the exchange of information between the City and the Community was identified as an area of interest during the Focus 2000 process. The City Government Issue Project Team discussed this issue and included it in their report of recommendations as a topic that should be pursued, in a reasonable and cost effective manner, by the City. In January of this year, Lyall Schwarzkopf, former Minneapolis City Coordinator, working in a volunteer capacity, contacted Samantha and I to discuss the benefits of Freenet, a group that wants to assist cities in implementing and using communications technology. Freenet is a charitable, volunteer driven, community communications network that promotes the use of communication technology in community activities. Freenet would establish a bank of modems that would enable users to access information that is made available to them. For example, the City could make ordinances, minutes, resolutions, etc. available to those who have access to a computer via this modem bank. This service could also be extended to more interactive activities such as signing' up for Park and Recreation Programs. In addition, FreeNet would enable users to access the Internet. To help keep costs down, Freenet relies on donations of time and materials to operate the program. 444?dliAL Tim Cruikshank, Asst. To City Admin. • RECOMMENDATION;