HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/1996CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 6, 1996
6:40 p.m.
Police Library
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Mollenhoff, Murphy, Anders, Getty,
Collier, Jordan.
Members absent: Krizek.
The mayor and council reviewed the coming week's schedule of
meetings and the order of actions for the Monday night agenda.
With no further discussion it was moved by Getty, seconded by
Murphy to adjourn the meeting at 6:54 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent:
Krizek. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 6, 1996
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Mollenhoff, Murphy, Anders, Getty,
Collier, Jordan.
Members absent: Krizek.
It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Mollenhoff to approve the
agenda as proposed. Ayes: Six. Absent: Krizek. Motion carried.
Administrative Director Bob Stevenson introduced the proposed three
year plan for computer operations. The plan includes general
recommendations for the overall city network, specific department
recommendations and a funding proposal. There are plans for fiber
optic connections to the Library, Recreation Center, Young Arena
and the Waterloo Water Works.
Management Information Systems Manager James Quint reviewed the
network topography summarizing the connections and equipment at
each city location. Quint recommends that standard guidelines for
PC hardware should be established for future purchases. Purchases
should be for a Pentium 133 Mhz or faster with 16 MB of memory, 1
MB of video memory, 500 MB hard disk space, a 4X CD-rom and Windows
95 operating system. This is not the top of the line in PC's but
rather a middle of the road at this time and the guidelines should
be reviewed on a quarterly basis to keep up with technological
advancements. The plan eliminates all 286 PCs and requires that
386 machines be upgraded to a minimum of 80 MB of hard disk space
to allow Windows to run.
Software standardization is recommended but the current
standardized packages that the city uses have developed some
problems. WordPerfect has been sold three times in recent years
and is unstable in the market. Quattro Pro is currently up for
sale. It is necessary to standardize software for a relational
database. The Microsoft Office Professional suite is recommended
and will allow the integration of all servers into a wide area
network.
The Sierra Permits system is soon to be upgraded to a Windows based
product this summer. Support will be dropped for the DOS version
so the upgrade to a Windows environment will become critical to
anyone accessing the permits system. CJIS is also integrating to
a Windows based product within two years which would dovetail with
the city's movement to a Windows environment.
All departments should have a centrally networked laser printer to
be shared with all PC's. Additional printers may be required based
on volume of use, special forms or confidentiality.
City servers are currently running on Novell. A second server will
be required for City Hall applications to operate Windows
applications. It is recommended that a third server be added when
the engineering department starts using a GIS system.
Networks should be linked by fiber optics to share data and
resources. Outside departments not linked by fiber should have
dial up access to the city server and AS/400 access. The city
needs to migrate to an Ethernet network in the future to facilitate
seamless communication with the other networks and the county's
AS/400 system.
The computer plan calls for improvements to the city's backup
system and security system. It is recommended that a data disaster
plan be developed and tested twice a year.
A three step training program is proposed. A video library is
currently available. Power users will be identified and sent to
Council Work Session
May 6, 1996
Page 2
outside training to act as a resource for other city offices. A
class facility with several PC's and an overhead LCD projector
should be set up for small class teaching.
The MIS department has adequate experience with service and repair
of computers. The diagnostic equipment needs to be upgraded and
spare parts purchased.
Mayor Rooff asked the city council to review the plan and return
their comments to the Mayor's office by Thursday, May 9.
With no further discussion on the matter, it was moved by Getty,
seconded by Jordan to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Krizek. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk