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
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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
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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:
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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
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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.
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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
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