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Council confirms Dean Hansel to Information Technology board; members press for faster 3-1-1 rollout and broader digital access
Summary
The council confirmed Dean Hansel to the Board of Information Technology Commissioners; members used the confirmation hearing to press priorities including accelerating the 3-1-1 call system, expanding internet access for neighborhood councils, and exploring visual tools like virtual reality to aid public engagement.
The Los Angeles City Council confirmed Dean Hansel to the Board of Information Technology Commissioners after a committee recommendation that the nominee was prepared to provide leadership on the city’s technological infrastructure.
Councilmembers used the confirmation hearing to question Hansel and to emphasize priorities for the new board. Councilmember Garcetti asked about progress on the city’s planned 3-1-1 system. Hansel replied that the project was “way behind schedule” and said it would require considerable cooperation among city departments, especially given strains on 9-1-1 capacity after recent national events: “We don't have enough, PSRs to run the 9 1 1 center. So I really think it needs to be a high priority right now,” Hansel said.
Members also pressed Hansel about online tools and access for neighborhood councils. Hansel described two aims for a citywide internet system: first, to provide routine and emergency information in a user-friendly way; second, to enable constituent communication and neighborhood-level subgroups. He identified the digital divide as a core challenge and said the board would need strategies to ensure non-English-speaking neighborhoods gain access.
Councilmember Ridley-Thomas raised virtual reality and imagery as potential tools to help non-English speakers and planning stakeholders understand land-use impacts; Hansel endorsed the use of visual tools among a range of technologies to improve public engagement.
The committee recommended Hansel’s appointment, and the council recorded the confirmation vote as 11 ayes. Councilmembers who spoke during the hearing commended Hansel’s prior public service and legal experience on intellectual property matters and expressed support for his leadership on information technology issues.
The council did not set a separate implementation deadline for the 3-1-1 system at the confirmation hearing; Hansel and members described the project as requiring interdepartmental cooperation and further prioritization.
