The Longmont City Council reviewed a proposal for a Technology Policy Advisory Board during its Tuesday session and expressed support for the measure, but no official vote took place during the meeting. Assistant City Manager Sandy Cedar presented the proposal, which is a board that would develop and recommend a technology governance policy framework as directed by the City Council. Some of the specific areas the board could cover include data rights and privacy, artificial intelligence (AI), camera/surveillance technology, autonomous vehicles, and reviews of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and Requests for Information (RFIs) at the staff’s discretion.
The board would also advise on the role of emerging technologies, including ethical considerations, social impact, beneficiaries, total cost of ownership, and associated risks. The council was very receptive to the creation of the technology board so important issues could be covered in more detail when the council doesn’t have the time or ability to delve deeper. Council Member Matthew Popkin said, “A real service that advisory boards provide is elevating topics that we may not be fully paying attention to.”
Residents requested that the board review proposed contracts before signing, but Council Member Jake Marsing and others rejected that suggestion. Marsing said “Giving one advisory board the ability to fundamentally change our procurement process is not a workable or appropriate structure for municipal government.” Another suggestion was that the board should be tasked with assessing data centers, but Council Members Popkin and Marsing argued that this belongs with land use, sustainability, and economic development boards to prevent mission creep…