Title
Authorizing the City to accept a donation from the GovAI Coalition to reimburse the travel expenses of OTC Director Jaime Wascalus to GovAI Coalition-related events.
Body
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Administrative Code § 41.03 permits the City to accept donations, subject to the approval of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the GovAI Coalition (the “Coalition”) is an independent non-profit composed of members from local, state, and federal government entities, united to promote responsible and purposeful implementation of AI in the public sector, including the creation of policies, standards, and governance to support responsible use of AI in government; and
WHEREAS, Jaime Wascalus, Director of the City’s Office of Technology and Communications (“OTC”) and its Chief Information Officer, is a founding board member of the GovAI Coalition; and
WHEREAS, Director Wascalus’ involvement with the Coalition has a clear public benefit to the City; and
WHEREAS, Director Wascalus has been invited by the Coalition to attend two upcoming events, including the following:
- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN-Habitat, and the City of Tampere, Finland have invited Director Wascalus to speak, on the GovAI Coalition’s and City's behalf, at the upcoming ITU Forum on AI and Cityverse in Tempore, Finland, held on September 9 and 10, 2026. Director Wascalus would speak during the session “From Pilot to Citywide Impact: Scaling AI and Citiverse Innovation Through Real-World Experience.” The approximate cost of this trip is estimated at $2,500.
- The GovAI Coalition has called an in-person Board meeting in San José, CA on September 17-19, 2026, to welcome three new incoming Board members and to finalize the terms of the Coalition's transition into an independent nonprofit. Director Wascalus would attend on behalf of the Coalition and the City. The approximate cost of this trip is estimated at $1,500.
WHER...
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