SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2001

MINUTES

Members Present:	Susan Myrland, Carrie Stone, Jon Cohen, Julie Wright, Thomas Dillon, Dave Nichols, Kevin Leap, Scott Corlett, Martha Dennis, Ben Haddad
Members Absent:	Steven Briggs, Steven Engle, Dave Eccles, Bill Geppert, David Hale, Craig Irving, Irwin Jacobs, Richard Jennings, David Robino, Kenneth Slaght, Douglas Gray
City Staff Present:	Dianah Neff, Hank Cunningham, Mike Jenkins, Dennis Gibson, Bonnie Pearson
Public Present:	Jamie Taylor, Barbara Burton, Cliff Numark, Peter Olson

I.	CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Ms. Dianah Neff at 4:10 pm. Ms. Neff expressed apologies from Chairperson Marion who was absent due to a family emergency. Ms. Neff added that Chairperson Marion will be contacting each member of the Commission. Commission discussed the upcoming Science & Tech Week January 29th to February 2nd. No follow up action was requested
II.	PUBLIC COMMENT None
III.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 2000, SEPTEMBER 25, 2000, OCTOBER 23, 2000 & NOVEMBER 27, 2000 The minutes were not approved. There was not a quorum present.
IV.	CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT No report
V.	SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A. Visioning - Dr. Thomas Dillon Dr. Dillon presented a revised draft of the Commission's vision for the City. He stated that several members of the Commission contributed to the revision. (A copy of the revised Vision Statement is attached) During the vision discussion, Ms. Neff introduced Dennis Gibson, Chief Policy Advisor to Mayor Murphy. Mr. Gibson discussed the Mayor's ten goals and how the Commission's vision statement might fit with those goals. Mr. Gibson stated there is a great deal of importance placed on the Commission. He noted that neither the Commission's charge nor the importance of the Commission has changed with the change in the Mayors. Ms. Wright suggested that possibly the Commission could look at Mayor Murphy's ten goals and discuss how technology could help in the achievement of the ten goals, so that we align with his concept. She added not to let go of our visioning goals, but in discussing the Mayor's goals she felt that technology would be key to some of his goals. Ms. Neff stated if the Commission is interested, this would be a perfect opportunity to show the Mayor how science and technology in the community could assist him with his ten goals. Ms. Neff opened the idea to discussion. She thanked Dr. Dillon and the working group for their time in preparing the visioning draft. Mr. Leap offered to present the Commission's vision to the new Council members as well as existing Council members and open the channels of communication. Ms. Myrland moved to recommend Mr. Leap as the Commission representative to meet the Mayor and Council to present the Commission vision. Ms. Stone seconded and the recommendation was carried. B. Digital Divide Ms. Carrie Stone introduced and thanked the working group which consisted of Ms. Myrland, Jon Cohen and Kevin Leap and his staff member (Katherine Kelly) for all there hard work in preparing the Digital Divide study. Ms. Stone noted that as a group, it wanted to define several things: 1)define and quantify the problem; 2) identify all of the initiatives; 3) benchmark other cities and; 4) present recommendations for the City The working group asked for feedback from the Commission and anticipates an audience with the Mayor and Council to present this as a white paper in the near future. Ms. Myrland briefly commented on some of the high points of the study: 1) defining the problem; 2)implications for San Diego; 3) what the City of San Diego can do; 4) local resources; 5) cases study and; 6) the working groups conclusion From the discussion, Ms. Myrland noted three things needed to be added to the Digital Divide white paper: 1)an indicator on content - how does San Diego stand relative to local content; 2)add back in information from earlier drafts about the amount of federal and state money available and how little San Diego has received and 3)ask Mike Jenkins (Economic Development & Community Services) to help the working group pull together some of the indicators Ms. Neff asked Ms. Stone to have the subcommittee do further work on this issue. Ms. Myrland asked members to look over the white paper and if any City programs have be overlooked, please let her know. She added a database of 80 technology community centers is being developed and the Science & Technology Commission will be listed.
VI.	CIO REPORT Ms. Neff briefly shared the results of the City Survey which focused specifically on the City of San Diego. It was geared to support the City's IT Strategic Plan. Ms. Neff added the survey was a statistically valid sampling of 1,600 residents in four geographical areas: north, coastal, central and southern. Some interesting statistics are: 71% of San Diego households have access to a computer at home, the national average is 51%, the state's average is 57%; and 88% of San Diegans have access to a computer at home or at another location. 17% of residents use libraries for access to computers and the Internet. Ms. Neff also commented that a map with locations of fiber optics and wired buildings in the downtown area has been developed in partnership with CCDC, and it is available on Bandwith Bay and City's SANGIS websites.
VII.	PRESENTATIONS
VIII.	A. RTA Survey Results - Cliff Numark, President & CEO Mr. Numark briefly explained that the RTA (Regional Technology Alliance) is a non-profit organization that works with technology companies and organizations to implement technology. The RTA has three major purposes: 1) assist entrepreneurs, 2) conduct research on a technology base and, 3) help under served community centers access technology through the digital divide. Mr. Numark shared that on February 5, 2000, the RTA will release its formal survey results. RTA conducted a telephone survey of 1,000 households in San Diego County and the survey took into account various demographic factors. The survey asked questions as to where people access technology, do they own a computer, how the computer is used at home, etc. UPCOMING MEETINGS A. Discussion of Meeting Date, Time & Location Ms. Neff noted that we have had problems with the meeting date and time. For the members in attendance, the 4th Wednesday from 4 to 6 was the most convenient. The next meeting will be February 28th from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm in the City Administration Building, 12th Floor. Ms. Neff mentioned the Strategic Element Workshop Framework 2020 and that the City only does this once every 15 years. She added that if the Commission wants to get a technology sub-element into the General Plan for the City, now is our opportunity. She encouraged the members to be a part of the plan.
IX..	ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm An audio recording of the meeting is available upon request. Contact Bonnie Pearson at (619) 533-6565 if you are interested in receiving a copy.