The Foster City Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC) works hard to keep abreast of changes in technology to ensure that technologies are available in Foster City to facilitate communication between individual residents, between residents and their City government and between residents and the world in which we live.

There is constant change in the world of technology, from the types of technology that are available to the ways in which technology is distributed. The Information Technology Advisory Committee advises the City Council on issues related to the use of technology.

In a recent presentation to the City Council, the Information Technology Advisory Committee reported its goals for 2011:

• Review quarterly reports related to customer complaints, franchise violations, status of audit, and fee collections (Comcast and AT&T)
• Monitor City’s provisioning of cablecasting services for FCTV.
• Monitor legislative actions that impact telecommunications in Foster City. Provide recommendations/positions to City Council on new laws and amendments.
• Review new technologies and/or services that can benefit Foster City.
• Continue to provide support and input on the design and available services on the City web sites.
• Review IT-related services in light of the current budget situation.
• Remain aware of emerging information and technology advances, their impact on Foster City regulatory and City Services, and its businesses and citizens
• Review City-supported online presences for appropriate use of personal information.
• Plan for 2012 Identity Theft / Computer Safety symposium.

The ITAC also reported on the activities it had undertaken in fulfilling some of its key goals for 2010:

• Sponsored its fourth Identity Theft Symposium. Seniors Against Investment Fraud, law enforcement officials, a deputy district attorney, VISA and computer security experts provided information to nearly 80 participants as well as the FCTV and PenTV viewing audiences.
• Monitored AT&T Uverse and Comcast services within the City and met with representatives from AT&T to discuss customer service issues and current and future services that will be offered to Foster City residents.
• Reviewed proposed designs and site organization as part of the City’s website renovation project.
• In conjunction with Foster City Television, recommended that the City Council support the federal Community Access Preservation Act (CAP ACT) to protect funding for Public/Educational/Government Access Channels on cable television.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be involved! The City encourages all Foster City residents to consider volunteering their time to participate on an advisory body. The Information Technology Committee meets bi-monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 PM.

For more information about the Information Technology Advisory Committee, please contact committee staff liaison Joan Schoening at 286-3217 or jschoening@fostercity.org.