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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-18-009 - Digital Kitchener 2017-2018 UpdateREPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 5, 2018 SUBMITTED BY: Dan Murray, Director of Technology Innovation and Services, 519-741-2200 x7825 PREPARED BY: Dan Murray, Director of Technology Innovation and Services Justin Watkins, Manager of Digital Transformation and Strategy WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: January 22, 2018 REPORT NO.: FCS-18-009 SUBJECT: Digital Kitchener 2017-2018 Update ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: THAT staff be directed to begin work on the proposed opportunities for Digital Kitchener in 2018, as outlined in FCS-18-009. BACKGROUND: As council will recall, work began in January 2015 to create a new digital strategy for the City of Kitchener. Over the course of 18 months, staff developed and implemented a technology strategies.These engagement efforts included, but were not limited to: Reaching roughly 150 staff fr through workshops, questionnaires and in-person interviews Hosting sessions with postsecondary students at the University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University Soliciting ideas from local tech leadership and other community visionaries Brave Symposium (June 2015) Reaching over 800 online users through two social media campaigns Co-developing a questionnaire with a local non-profit that generated 440 responses *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 4 - 1 The result of these efforts was anew, multi-year vision for the use of information and technology called Digital Kitchener. Approved by council in January 2017, Digital Kitchener focuses on four strategic objectives: Connected: building smarter infrastructure to become a more competitive, more productive and more attractive place to live and work. Innovative: inspiring a community of creative minds to drive change that has meaningful impact. On Demand: enhancing access to open data and online services. Inclusive: improving digital literacy and access so that Kitchener can be a community where no citizen is left behind. Digital Kitc deployment of technology solutions, staff have utilized a more flexible approach to implementation through annual work planning. By selecting five to six focused opportunities on a yearly basis, Digital Kitchener has been able to exercise greater flexibility in pursuing the best path forward rather than betied to a static, tactical work plan. It has also generated more opportunities for the City to create excitement around Digital Kitchener as a distinct body of work. This report provides work plan and its proposed work for 2018. REPORT: Digital Kitchener 2017 Work Plan Below is a summary of ThemeFocusOutcome Since January 2017, Kitchener has participated in an internet speed test pilot by the Canadian Internet Registry Authority. We will seek to better During that periodnearly understand what motivates Connected10,000 tests have been run new investment in by Kitchener residentsand fibre/wireless infrastructure. businesses. The insights from the speed test later became an asset inworking with the Region 4 - 2 of Waterloo to support the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) networkproject.This work willcontinue into 2018. This opportunity was retrofit of street lights to LED. The conversionand installation of the IoT We will build one of the first network was completed in city-wide Internet of Things 2017. (IoT)mesh networks in Canada.Work to optimize these street lights, including dimming,has already commenced and will continue into 2018. A recommendation to establish an innovation lab at Communitech was approved by council in February. The Digital Kitchener Innovation Lab was officially launched on November 28, 2017.Its operations are now We will adopt start-up underway and will continue Innovativebehaviors to better challenge throughout 2018-2020. our status quo. Kitchener is also participating in the Open Data Exchange (ODX) National Civic Challenge. Two opportunities have been identified as part of this endeavor, which will continuein 2018. Many online service We will make our data more projects have been On Demandmeaningful by putting it in the completed in 2017 that hands of more people.align with this commitment, including: 4 - 3 A new open data websitewith a consistent look and feel asother municipalities within Waterloo region The completion of Tax and Utility Portal Arefresh of Kitchener.ca A comprehensive review of -Fi We will propose one ofthe network and publicaccess first minimum public computers is currently Inclusive standards for computer and underway.Targeted internet access in Canada.completion of this review is spring 2018. While only in its first year, the work of Digital Kitchener has enjoyed great success. In addition to both local and national media coverage of our efforts, Digital Kitchener has also been profiled by several publications; showcased at various conferences; and a recipient of the Willis Municipal Innovation Award (Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators). These opportunities have all allowed Kitchener to continue telling its story more effectively both here at home and around the world. A Look Ahead at 2018 While much of the work pursued in 2017 will continue into the coming year, staff have also been assessing further opportunities Areas for opportunity in 2018 include: ThemeOpportunity Workingwith local stakeholders,including the Region of Waterloo,toprepare forthe implementation of the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technologynetwork (SWIFT). Connected Undertaking 5G cellular technology research in preparation forfuture private sector deployment. Participation in a regional application for the Government Innovative 4 - 4 Exploration of more functional, collaborative work space at Kitchener facilitiesfor staff and community groups. The Digital Kitchener Innovation Lab will beundertaking itsfirst year of Internet of Things (IoT) pilot projects. This willbeginwith sensor integrationintoournarrowband network, streetlight optimizationand data collection/ analysis. Development of a new digital service model to improve the design and delivery of city services through technology (internal/external). On Demand Piloting of cloud technologies and deployment of Windows 10across the Kitchener public service to increase mobility, collaboration and productivity. A more comprehensive approach to City-facilitated inclusioninitiatives, including detailed plans for public Wi- Inclusive Fi improvements and the delivery of public access computers. These proposed areas of opportunity in 2018 will be presented at committee on February 5. As with the work of Digital Kitchener in 2017, certain actions will be brought forward to council for further consideration in the form of a staff report, including any financial considerations. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority: Effective and Efficient City Services Strategy: 5.2 - Improve the design and delivery of city services so that they provide what citizens want in the most reliable, convenient and cost efficient way Strategic Action: #68 - Corporate Technology Strategic Plan and Digital Strategy FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: No financial implications at this time. Any initiatives resulting from Digital Kitchener with budget implications will be brought forward to council for consideration. 4 - 5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM advance of the council / committee meeting. CONSULT The Digital Kitchener Strategy was approved in January 2017 after extensive consultation with stakeholders. COLLABORATE collaboration with various internal and external partners. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Lesley MacDonald, Acting DCAO of Finance and Corporate Services 4 - 6