CC WORKSESSION 10071997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

21 MEMORANDUM DATE: September 22, 1997 TO: Mike Morrison, City Manager FROM: Roger Larson, Finance Director ITEM: INTERNET /COMPUTER UPGRADE Community information and communication has been greatly enhanced using the modern technology services of the Internet. Over 25 metropolitan Cities have Internet communications and several others have implementation plans in progress. In addition, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, the Met Council and the League of MN Cities all have web sites to access information. Examples of improved services to the residents include on -line access to Council meeting agendas, minutes, City ordinances, recreational activities and community events. City offices would also benefit by sharing information between facilities and have the ability to access other City and County data. To determine what procedures other Cities used for implementation, I surveyed several metro communities to get their feedback. The study revealed that all of the Cities had an internal review of their present computer system and they outlined their objectives prior to hook -up. To assist with the process, most of the larger Cities have a skilled Management Information Systems Analyst (MIS) on staff. The smaller Cities, who did not have a MIS Coordinator, contracted those services with an independent contractor. After meeting with John See from the Independent School District, he recommended that St. Anthony contact TIES (Technology and Information Educational Services). Their recommendation consists of three phases: 1) St. Anthony's current technology and network infrastructure be evaluated to determine the current use of our technology and its capabilities. 2) Determine and prioritize St. Anthony's technology objectives. a. Define and interview four focus groups to determine the City's communications needs and objectives.