ADD-ON LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: Grover C. Robinson, IV, Mayor
SUBJECT:
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CITY COUNCIL CONSENT TO THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF TRUDI NICHOLS AS DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council consent to the Mayor’s appointment of Trudi Nichols as Director of Innovation and Technology in accordance with City Charter Section 4.01(a)(7).
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
City Charter Section 4.01(a)(7) - Powers and Duties of the Mayor states:
(7) To appoint the head of each department, with the consent of the City Council by an affirmative vote of a majority of City Council Members.
On November 6, 2019, the City of Pensacola began an assessment of Techology Resources. The hopes were to gain an understanding of what was needed to improve our Technology Resources Activity. From the assessment, several things were noted, such as the need to hire a Director of Innovation and Technology (IT). The assessment also mentions that with the hiring of a Director of Innovation and Technology, they should develop and manage new ideas in innovation and their implementation throughout the organization.
Additional recommendations were as follows:
• Current organization structure is not laid out correctly to meet current and future needs; Reorganization is needed
• Most of the business users are happy with IT, but they think that a transformation is necessary to bring them out of an operational mode
• Director of Innovation and Technology or Chief Information Officer position is needed to lead IT
• Vision, Mission, and Goals need to be defined for the IT Department
• Included Proposed Reorganization chart with revised job titles
• IT organization to report to City Administrator or Deputy City Administrator
• Suggesting 2 new positions:
o Director of Innovation and Technology reporting to City Administrator or Deputy City Administrator
o Information Security Officer reporting to Director of Innovation and Technology
• Stimulate an environment for innovation
• Develop and manage new ideas and innovation and their implementation throughout the organization
On December 7, 2019, the City of Pensacola had a Cyber Attack, which proved, even more, the need to restructure IT, starting with the hiring of a Director of Innovation and Technology.
Ms. Nichols has been with the City of Pensacola for five years, where she worked as the Webmaster before being promoted to Assistant Technology Resources Manager. She will be charged with developing and implementing a strategic vision in all areas of technology for the City and will facilitate the integration of digital tools and best practices into usable tools for the employees and citizens.
Ms. Nichols attended Western Governors University, where she achieved a BS in Information Technology (IT) Management, a BS in Marketing Management and an MBA in Leadership and Strategy. Before joining the City of Pensacola, she held management positions in Information Technology at the State of Washington and Washington Schools Risk Management Pool, as well as technical positions as a SharePoint/Web Developer for Argo Group - Insurance and Network Administrator/Analyst for Tolt Technologies
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes
4/20/2020
STAFF CONTACT:
Keith Wilkins, City Administrator
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Trudi Nichols Resume
PRESENTATION: No end