Terman Library in the Terman Community Center, 661 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA
After the initial surge and interest more than 2 years ago, it became clear that a long range master plan is needed to give direction to the city's activities. In the past month she has been cleaning up things, bringing information up to date, and trying to get things working more smoothly. She wants input as to what citizens want and need from the Internet, so that they can provide desired services. She reports to Emily Harrison, and works with Assistant City Manager Bernie Strojny. She has a fair idea of what the master plan should be.
Palo Alto Police Department began using the Internet as soon as they had a server. They posted crime alerts, crime prevention tips such as how to avoid cellular phone ripoffs, etc. The building dept. allows tracking where a permit is in the process, and what more is necessary. Meter reading via the Internet can be done if people have signed up with Utilities. So far about 300 households report the utility reading via Internet. Libraries have the catalog on-line, but they are waiting for the fire walls to be installed. For example, it will be possible to tap into almost 1000 periodicals directly via the Internet. It is desirable to post maps showing locations of crimes such as car and house burglaries.
Evelyn is looking for suggestions and ideas from PA-COMNET on what we would like to see and have. She passed out a draft Master Plan. Goals are to provide citizens with access to information and services. Objectives are continued evaluations of citizen needs and desires for Internet communications and services, and providing infrastructure, technical capability and applications to satisfy service requests; to encourage economic development by enhancing environment for development with better accessibility of telecommunications and effective use of telecommunications to enhance interactions between the city and business community. Publicize use of the Internet to inform citizens, staff and businesses about goals and benefits of the Internet and the City's strategy, and encourage participation and use of the information and services. Citizens, staff and businesses should be kept informed of City policies and strategies regarding Internet use in Palo Alto.
Bob Moss suggested that there should be easy ways of identifying who to contact about problems such as potholes, illegal signs, trees growing into power lines, etc., plus getting responses to show results to the complaints, schedules for corrective actions, reasons why things can't be done or timing must slip, etc. Kathryn Johnston wants to see a list of available information and activities, what can be found now, etc. Booky (Louis Bookbinder) didn't know about the permit tracking availability, and would like availability of data like that made more available.
Direct feedback is important, even if all it says is we got your message and will address your issue. Liza Loop suggested using a virtual map of City facilities to get people through the system pictorially. It can be expanded to include details on what is available, who is the responsible party, how to contact them, and how to leave and retrieve messages. Kathryn said it's not important to do the detailed design by the City, just to set up requirements and let others do the final design. Several people suggested installing a search engine for the City Home Page when it contains too many items. Such a search engine will be for the home page information only.
David Harris noted that these changes can have significant impacts on how people get and understand information. There should be citizen input on what and how information is posted, in addition to general information because after awhile there can be invasion of privacy. Bob noted that existing data can be used in different ways, such as building permits as suggestions for sales by merchants to people who are expanding or remodeling homes. Liza Loop wants to know how organizations get posted on the home page, or even listed in Palo Alto. Bob noted that the Yahoo page for Bay Area, Palo Alto, has some odd entries. For example, under museums, the "futon museum" ( a store on El Camino) is listed, but the Junior Museum isn't. Several others mentioned that the Internet is full of misinformation or partly correct information as well as real gems. It's often hard to differentiate fact from fakes.
Paul Pease asked that the type and nature of information posted be watched to assure that there not be too much personal information, or that information not be misused. There is no way at present to provide permanent e-mail addresses for people. Furthermore, if someone leaves an existing ISP the old e-mail address dies with no forwarding address.
Imsong noted the advantages of having an ombudsman to ask for information or directions. Booky said it is very important to have something like that to direct inquiries and respond to people directly. Paul asked for a help desk probably with an FAQ. There is an expert help desk consultant locally (ask Liza).
David was concerned about how the City will provide both information and facilities for others to interact independent of government. Potential invasion of privacy is a real threat. It is important to bear that in mind when setting up any system which has government involvement.
Kathryn suggested 4 types of interactions. A one-way provision of information from the City to inquiries; individuals relating to individuals 2-way; individuals to groups 2-way, and individuals to and from government, both City and higher levels.
Evelyn noted that there needs to be a better way to contact government and get responses. The details should be part of the work plan, not in the master plan. Goals for speed of response, how things are done, etc. will be worked out later.
Lisa said 1st priority should be contacting and getting responses from the City, 2nd is getting information (passively) from the City, and the 3rd is individual to individual and individual to group communication.
Duane Bay said it's very important to encourage direct interaction between the public and City to facilitate the democratic process.
Mary Jo Levy wants the communication to include ways to conduct business with the City on-line, such as reserving books, picnic facilities in parks, paying fees like utility bills, checking for book availability in libraries, accessing Council and various commissions minutes and staff reports, etc.
Public terminals are available now for people who don't have direct Internet access. They are in places like libraries, City Hall, Cable Co-op lobby, Fry's, and Stanford Shopping Center, but many people don't know they are there and available free.
Paul suggested having meetings at more convenient times, like evenings, maybe with pizza or snacks so we can get higher attendance. Liza said we can use Loop Center. Mary Jo said the library meetings rooms are available but it will take more effort to schedule since they are used many evenings.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 AM
Submitted by Bob Moss