Council May Get Laptop Computers

A $10,000 pilot project that would provide council members with laptop computers will be discussed tonight by the City Council.

Proposed by Councilman Mark Goodman, the computers would link the council to City Hall through the Internet.

Council members would be able to send e-mail to city employees and access meeting agendas. The portability of the laptops would allow the council to keep track of city business while attending conferences.

“With the council’s foresight in budgeting funds for council member laptop computers, we are moving the city into line with the ‘information age,’ ” wrote Goodman in a memo to the city. “We will be the link between our ‘computer phobic’ generation and the generation that will govern after us.”

In addition to buying the laptops, Goodman also proposes that the city form a committee to keep officials updated on information technology.

Although $10,000 has been budgeted for the computers, an additional $5,000 would be needed to provide higher quality laptops recommended by Goodman.

Councilman Eddie Rose expressed doubts the council would need five laptops.

“I’m not sure that all five of us [council members] would use them,” he said. “I can see one or two computers, but not five.”

Rose said he also wants assurances that the computers would be turned in when a council member’s term is complete.

“If we do procure these computers, I want to make sure they’re not for personal use, not to take with us when we leave the council,” he said.

The 7 p.m. meeting will take place at City Hall, 27841 La Paz Road. Information: (714) 362-4300.