Fiscal Note
No additional City appropriation is required with the creation of the proposed task force.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Creating the Task Force on Digital Inclusion Strategic Priorities.
Body
WHEREAS According to the most recent data, 30,000 homes in Dane County don’t have internet access at home; and,
WHEREAS the COVID-19 Pandemic has increased people’s reliance on the Internet, but further exposed the inequalities we have in our communities; and,
WHEREAS the Digital Technology Committee’s mission is to act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and Common Council on the City’s deployment and use of digital technology consistent with industry and governmental standards including: making studies and recommendations relative to the facilitating the provision of internet access to all citizens with special attention to low income families, realizing additional benefits from and expand utilization of the Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network, exploring the technological needs of existing and startup businesses, assisting in the provision of digital infrastructure needs, facilitate communication with the local information technology community, assisting in providing high speed, no-cost access for travelers and commuters and exploring the feasibility of other public and private investments in 21st century telecommunication technologies, including fiber optics to the home; and,
WHEREAS the Education Committee’s mission is to serves as a formal channel of communication and policy recommendations regarding issues of shared concern between the City of Madison, the Madison Metropolitan School District, and Dane County; and,
WHEREAS the City of Madison provides funds for Digital Inclusion every year in its budget, and,
WHEREAS it is likely the City of Madison will see funds from COVID-19 relief money targeted at Digital Inclusion, and,
WHEREAS both the Digital Technology Committee and Education Committee wish to work together to develop digital inclusion strategic priorities, and,
WHEREAS digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy; and,
WHEREAS digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services; and,
WHEREAS elements of inclusion include providing funding opportunities for affordable, robust broadband internet service, Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user, access to digital literacy training, quality technical support , and applications and provide more opportunities for residents to access City services and engage in City government through technology which will enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a Task Force on Digital Inclusion Strategic Priorities is hereby created and charged with working on a report for digital inclusion strategic priorities made up of the following composition - five (5) voting members and two (2) alternates:
Voting Members (5)
Three (3) Two (2) members from the Digital Technology Committee, one of which is a member of the Madison Common Council
Two (2) members An Alder (1) from the Education Committee , one of which is from Madison Metropolitan School District Board and one of which is a member of the Madison Common Council
A representative (1) from the Madison Metropolitan School District
A staff member (1) from the Madison Public Library as appointed by the Library Director
Alternate Members (2)
A member of the Education Committee from the Dane County Board
A staff member from Madison Public Library as appointed by the Library Director An individual appointed by the Library Director; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the following members are hereby appointed:
From Digital Technology Committee (2):
Ald. Keith Furman as Chair of Task Force
Mark H. Evans as Vice Chair of Task Force
From Education Committee (1):
Ald. Tag Evers, District 13
Madison Metropolitan School District Representative (1):
Christina M Gomez Schmidt, Savion Castro, Madison Metropolitan School Board, Seat 6 2
Madison Public Library Staff Member (1):
Martin Alvarado
Alternates (2):
Dane County Supervisor Carousel Bayrd
To Be Appointed by Library Director; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in the event of a vacancy on the task force, the Digital Technology Committee or Education Committee will appoint replacements to fill vacancies from their respective boards; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, the Task Force will be staffed by the IT Department and work is to be finished by July 31, 2021.