On Tuesday, July 20, 2010 the County Council approved all of the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) recommendations forwarded to the full Council for consideration. The MFP Committee is chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and includes Councilmember Valerie Ervin and Councilmember Nancy Navarro.
On this morning’s consent calendar, the full Council approved the MFP Committee recommendation to approve Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities and a resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC.
During the Legislative Session (Day #22), the full Council approved the MFP Committee recommendation to approve Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics – Ethics Commission – Staff. This legislation will greatly enhance the independency of the Ethics Commission. In addition, the full Council approved the MFP Committee recommendation to approve Expedited Bill 41-09, Taxation – Property Tax Credit – Business Incubator. Bill 41-09 allows a property tax credit against County property taxes imposed on property used as a business incubator.
This morning’s County Council session was televised live on CCM Channels Comcast 6, RCN 6, and Verizon 30; repeated on July 23, 2010 at 9 pm. Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this County Council session.
Showing posts with label cable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cable. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
MFP Committee Meeting on Thursday, July 15th
The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Thursday, July 15th at 3:30 pm. The MFP Committee discussed the following agenda items:
• Resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC
• Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics - Ethics Commission - Staff
• Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities
• Executive Regulation 27-09, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments
The MFP Committee approved the resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC. Representatives from RCN and Starpower attended the Committee work session. Councilmember Trachtenberg raised the issue of municipalities with regard to granting the franchise transfer. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.
The MFP Committee recommended Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics-Ethics Commission-Staff to full Council for consideration. There was a public hearing on Bill 37-10 on July 13th. All of the speakers spoke in favor of Bill 37-10 which requires that the Ethics Commission staff director is a lawyer authorized to practice in the State of Maryland and that the Ethics Commission may seek guidance from the County Attorney but is not required to do so. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.
The MFP Committee recommended Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities to full Council for consideration. Regulation 3-10 is needed to implement Bill 46-09 on a Hiring Preference for People with Disabilities. In addition, the regulation modifies the definition of a veteran for purposes of the hiring preference.
The MFP Committee recommended amended Executive Regulation 27-09 AM, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments to full Council for consideration. This regulation implements a recent decision by the Merit System Protection Board. It states that County regulations apply to employees of the Local Fire and Rescue Departments.
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.
• Resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC
• Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics - Ethics Commission - Staff
• Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities
• Executive Regulation 27-09, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments
The MFP Committee approved the resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC. Representatives from RCN and Starpower attended the Committee work session. Councilmember Trachtenberg raised the issue of municipalities with regard to granting the franchise transfer. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.
The MFP Committee recommended Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics-Ethics Commission-Staff to full Council for consideration. There was a public hearing on Bill 37-10 on July 13th. All of the speakers spoke in favor of Bill 37-10 which requires that the Ethics Commission staff director is a lawyer authorized to practice in the State of Maryland and that the Ethics Commission may seek guidance from the County Attorney but is not required to do so. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.
The MFP Committee recommended Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities to full Council for consideration. Regulation 3-10 is needed to implement Bill 46-09 on a Hiring Preference for People with Disabilities. In addition, the regulation modifies the definition of a veteran for purposes of the hiring preference.
The MFP Committee recommended amended Executive Regulation 27-09 AM, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments to full Council for consideration. This regulation implements a recent decision by the Merit System Protection Board. It states that County regulations apply to employees of the Local Fire and Rescue Departments.
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
MFP Committee Discusses Technology Issues
The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Monday, July 12th at 9:30 am to consider various technology issues. The agenda items included:
The MFP Committee accepted the 2011 Work Plan for the ITPCC. Dick Leurig, Chair of ITPCC CIO Subcommittee and Montgomery College Director Emeritus for Future Technology and Innovation Initiatives and Gary Thomas, ITPCC Staff, answered questions for the MFP Committee members regarding the work plan. The MFP Committee emphasized the importance of the Cross Agency Resource Sharing (CARS) initiative during this discussion. In September, the MFP Committee will receive an update from the ITPCC on county government desktop replacement.
Department of Technology Services Consolidation Options
The MFP Committee discussed the Department of Technology Services (DTS) Consolidation Options and Risk Assessment. Steven Emanuel, Chief Information Officer of the Department of Technology Services, gave an update to the MFP Committee. The MFP Committee decided to continue the conversation on DTS consolidation options and risk assessment in September. At this time, Mr. Emanuel will discuss staff versus contract support for DTS. During the discussion, he noted that DTS has a high track record of customer service improvements and mentioned the successful launch of the Enterprise Resource Planning system (see below).
Enterprise Resource Planning System
The MFP Committee received a report on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) launch. Several representatives from the Executive Branch attended this session including Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director; Mike Ferrara, Executive Director of Enterprise Projects, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Steven Emanuel, Chief Information Officer, DTS; Wayne Johnson, Enterprise Resource Planning Functional Project Manager and Karen Plucinski, Change Management Manager.
The ERP System is one of the three current components of the Technology Modernization Efforts (TechMod). Funded at $85 million, TechMod represents one of the most comprehensive changes in County management capabilities. It changes the way county government performs tasks such as finance, procurement, and Human Resource Management functions. It should be noted that ERP is on time and within budget.
There will be an update in September on a training schedule for councilmembers and their staff on the ERP system. At the conclusion of the calendar year, the MFP Committee will receive an update on the progress of ERP and entertain ideas on collaboration between county government and public schools regarding the ERP system.
Cable Quarterly Review
The session on the Cable Quarterly Review was attended by Marjorie L. Williams, Franchise Manager, Office of Cable and Communications Services; Joshua Bokee, Comcast; Tara Potter, Verizon and Richard Beville, RCN.
The MFP Committee received summaries from the cable providers on their activities and new initiatives relevant to Montgomery County. Much of the discussion focused on investment by the cable providers in our community. There was also a conversation on public-private partnerships and how cable providers can help bridge the digital divide in Montgomery County schools. In September, MFP will discuss the Cable Compliance Commission (CCC), cable construction inspections, as well as cable compliance and enforcement issues in general.
Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities- Private Projects
This Bill would amend the definition of public facilities to specifically exclude the construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, repair, or modernization of any privately owned building or facility. Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director, presented arguments to the MFP Committee members in opposition of the Bill. It was decided that Bill 34-10 will be redrafted with amendments and further discussion will be held at a later date.
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.
- Interagency Technology Policy and Coordination Committee (ITPCC) – 2011 Work Plan
- Update-consolidation options and risk analysis with departmental impact of IT service level reductions
- Report on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Launch
- Quarterly review – Cable television issues
- Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities – Private Projects
The MFP Committee accepted the 2011 Work Plan for the ITPCC. Dick Leurig, Chair of ITPCC CIO Subcommittee and Montgomery College Director Emeritus for Future Technology and Innovation Initiatives and Gary Thomas, ITPCC Staff, answered questions for the MFP Committee members regarding the work plan. The MFP Committee emphasized the importance of the Cross Agency Resource Sharing (CARS) initiative during this discussion. In September, the MFP Committee will receive an update from the ITPCC on county government desktop replacement.
Department of Technology Services Consolidation Options
The MFP Committee discussed the Department of Technology Services (DTS) Consolidation Options and Risk Assessment. Steven Emanuel, Chief Information Officer of the Department of Technology Services, gave an update to the MFP Committee. The MFP Committee decided to continue the conversation on DTS consolidation options and risk assessment in September. At this time, Mr. Emanuel will discuss staff versus contract support for DTS. During the discussion, he noted that DTS has a high track record of customer service improvements and mentioned the successful launch of the Enterprise Resource Planning system (see below).
Enterprise Resource Planning System
The MFP Committee received a report on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) launch. Several representatives from the Executive Branch attended this session including Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director; Mike Ferrara, Executive Director of Enterprise Projects, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Steven Emanuel, Chief Information Officer, DTS; Wayne Johnson, Enterprise Resource Planning Functional Project Manager and Karen Plucinski, Change Management Manager.
The ERP System is one of the three current components of the Technology Modernization Efforts (TechMod). Funded at $85 million, TechMod represents one of the most comprehensive changes in County management capabilities. It changes the way county government performs tasks such as finance, procurement, and Human Resource Management functions. It should be noted that ERP is on time and within budget.
There will be an update in September on a training schedule for councilmembers and their staff on the ERP system. At the conclusion of the calendar year, the MFP Committee will receive an update on the progress of ERP and entertain ideas on collaboration between county government and public schools regarding the ERP system.
Cable Quarterly Review
The session on the Cable Quarterly Review was attended by Marjorie L. Williams, Franchise Manager, Office of Cable and Communications Services; Joshua Bokee, Comcast; Tara Potter, Verizon and Richard Beville, RCN.
The MFP Committee received summaries from the cable providers on their activities and new initiatives relevant to Montgomery County. Much of the discussion focused on investment by the cable providers in our community. There was also a conversation on public-private partnerships and how cable providers can help bridge the digital divide in Montgomery County schools. In September, MFP will discuss the Cable Compliance Commission (CCC), cable construction inspections, as well as cable compliance and enforcement issues in general.
Bill 34-10, Finance – Public Facilities- Private Projects
This Bill would amend the definition of public facilities to specifically exclude the construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, repair, or modernization of any privately owned building or facility. Jennifer Barrett, Finance Director, presented arguments to the MFP Committee members in opposition of the Bill. It was decided that Bill 34-10 will be redrafted with amendments and further discussion will be held at a later date.
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.
Montgomery County Number One Digital County in Nation
Today, the Center for Digital Government announced the winners of the Center for Digital Government's 2010 Digital Counties Survey Awards. Montgomery County topped the list of counties in the 500,000 or more population category.
“For 2010, the program's judging approach changed. Unlike years past, when participating governments put together an inventory of their cutting-edge technologies, this year the counties had to submit numerous explanatory narratives on why technologies deployed actually improved life for government employees, citizens or both, explained Todd Sander, director of the Center for Digital Government's Digital Communities program, the division that conducted the survey,” reads today’s article announcing the winners.
“Projects that were motivated to bring transparency got high marks from the judges, and one such project put Montgomery County in first place in the [500,000 or more] population category. The county measured its IT functionality against benchmarks and published the data on its portal, unlike some other applicants,” continues the article.
“This is terrific and an excellent reflection of the hard work and dedication of all of our employees,” said Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg when she heard the good news.
Read the report here.
“For 2010, the program's judging approach changed. Unlike years past, when participating governments put together an inventory of their cutting-edge technologies, this year the counties had to submit numerous explanatory narratives on why technologies deployed actually improved life for government employees, citizens or both, explained Todd Sander, director of the Center for Digital Government's Digital Communities program, the division that conducted the survey,” reads today’s article announcing the winners.
“Projects that were motivated to bring transparency got high marks from the judges, and one such project put Montgomery County in first place in the [500,000 or more] population category. The county measured its IT functionality against benchmarks and published the data on its portal, unlike some other applicants,” continues the article.
“This is terrific and an excellent reflection of the hard work and dedication of all of our employees,” said Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg when she heard the good news.
Read the report here.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Trachtenberg Office Tours PEG Network
On Tuesday, June 1st the Trachtenberg Office visited several members of the PEG (Public, Education, and Government) cable television network. The PEG network is an essential organization in the creation and dissemination of important TV programming and emergency information to our community. In addition to providing live and taped television programming, the PEG network provides video streaming, closed-captioning, and web casting of important Montgomery County events.
Our tour included Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional TV, Access Montgomery and Montgomery College. We viewed the three physical facilities including the studios, equipment and editing rooms. Moreover, we spoke with many of the engineers, editors and supervisors at the PEG channels. Some highlights include learning about the Homework Hotline at MCPS Instructional TV and the hands-on training for students at Montgomery College. Also, we had an opportunity to view several of the sets used for news and educational programs.
Alan Bowser and Laurie Mintzer Edberg attended the PEG tour on behalf of the Trachtenberg Office. Mitsuko Herrera, Cable Communications Administrator for Montgomery County, arranged the PEG tour. If you have any questions regarding the PEG network, please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management & Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Watch the PEG channels at http://www.watchlocaltv.org/.
For additional information:
Access Montgomery
(301) 424-1730
Montgomery College Television
(301) 251-7160
Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional TV
(301) 279-3141
Our tour included Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional TV, Access Montgomery and Montgomery College. We viewed the three physical facilities including the studios, equipment and editing rooms. Moreover, we spoke with many of the engineers, editors and supervisors at the PEG channels. Some highlights include learning about the Homework Hotline at MCPS Instructional TV and the hands-on training for students at Montgomery College. Also, we had an opportunity to view several of the sets used for news and educational programs.
Alan Bowser and Laurie Mintzer Edberg attended the PEG tour on behalf of the Trachtenberg Office. Mitsuko Herrera, Cable Communications Administrator for Montgomery County, arranged the PEG tour. If you have any questions regarding the PEG network, please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management & Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Watch the PEG channels at http://www.watchlocaltv.org/.
For additional information:
Access Montgomery
(301) 424-1730
Montgomery College Television
(301) 251-7160
Montgomery County Public Schools Instructional TV
(301) 279-3141
Monday, May 3, 2010
MFP Committee to Discuss FY11 Operating Budget on 5/3
The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, will meet on Monday, May 03, 2010 at 2 pm. The meeting will be held in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the County Council Office Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The MFP Committee will discuss the FY11 Operating Budget. The agenda items include:
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.
- Department of Technology Services (continued)
- Desktop Computer Modernization (continued)
- FiberNet (continued)
- Cable Television and Communications Plan (continued)
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MFP Committee Discussed FY11 Operating Budgets
The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Thursday, April 15th at 9:30 am to discuss the FY11 Operating Budget for the Department of Technology Services (DTS); Interagency Technology Policy and Coordination Committee (ITPCC) and Desktop Computer Modernization (DCM). The discussion of the Cable Television and Communications Plan was postponed until April 21st at 9:45 am.
The MFP Committee decided to postpone their decision on the DTS budget until they receive additional information. There may be another work session on the DTS operating budget the week of April 26th. Moreover, the Committee unanimously approved the Executive’s recommended budget of $5,000 for the ITPCC as well as accepted the Executive’s recommended budget of $3,630,950 for DCM. However, the Committee noted that they may revisit their decision on the DCM operating budget.
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP Committee session.
The MFP Committee decided to postpone their decision on the DTS budget until they receive additional information. There may be another work session on the DTS operating budget the week of April 26th. Moreover, the Committee unanimously approved the Executive’s recommended budget of $5,000 for the ITPCC as well as accepted the Executive’s recommended budget of $3,630,950 for DCM. However, the Committee noted that they may revisit their decision on the DCM operating budget.
Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP Committee session.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee Meeting
The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee met on Monday, March 22nd to discuss the Interagency Public Information Working Group (IPIWG); Quarterly Review-Cable television issues and Interagency Training Team Work Plan. The first agenda item reviewed the Interagency Public Information Working Group (IPIWG). IPIWG was formed in 1992 and is composed of public information officers from the County Council as well as other government agencies. The second agenda item discussed the Cable Quarterly Review. Representatives from Comcast, Verizon and RCN had an opportunity to mention their community work as well as their performance with respect to customer concerns. Committee members asked questions of the cable providers on their performance statistics associated with the Cable Operator Customer Service Score Card. Finally, a representative from the Executive Branch explained the Interagency Training Team FY11 work plan.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is the Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee and a member of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is the Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee and a member of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Councilmember Trachtenberg will discuss cable television issues at today’s Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee meeting
In today's meeting I will discuss cable television issues with representatives from Comcast, Verizon and RCN. The meeting will be at 2 PM in the 3rd Floor Council Conference Room of the Council Office Building (100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville).
Friday, November 13, 2009
PEG Network Briefing at Montgomery College
The Trachtenberg Office attended a briefing on H.R. 3745, the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act, introduced by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis).
The CAP Act will permit PEG Fees collected from cable providers to be used for PEG operating as well as capital expenses. Current law limits use of these funds to capital expenditures only. The CAP act also requires that PEG funding be maintained at historical levels while Congress studies the effective of statewide franchising on PEG. The PEG Network briefing also addressed creating effective performance measures for PEG programming and effective ways to use social media to reach new audiences.
The briefing was held at the Montgomery College Administrative Offices.
The CAP Act will permit PEG Fees collected from cable providers to be used for PEG operating as well as capital expenses. Current law limits use of these funds to capital expenditures only. The CAP act also requires that PEG funding be maintained at historical levels while Congress studies the effective of statewide franchising on PEG. The PEG Network briefing also addressed creating effective performance measures for PEG programming and effective ways to use social media to reach new audiences.
The briefing was held at the Montgomery College Administrative Offices.
County Executive's Town Hall Meeting in Silver Spring
The Trachtenberg Office was represented at County Executive Isiah Leggett's Town Hall meeting at the Takoma Park Middle School, in Silver Spring, on November 12, 2009. Previous town meetings have drawn thousands of residents who have taken advantage of the opportunity to voice their concerns to the County Executive.
"Town meetings present an excellent opportunity for me to find out what's on the mind of our residents," said Leggett. "A cornerstone of my administration has been to make sure 'everyone has a seat at the table' and these public meetings provide a forum for our residents to share their ideas and concerns."
At the meeting, the County Executive addressed a broad range of questions including trends in the County budget, maintenance of effort issue, public safety, job creation, improved access for people with disabilities, and growth and development issues. One issue that attracted much public content was youth empowerment and programs for young people in the Silver Spring area.
At this meeting, the County Executive announced that Montgomery County and the Lee Development Group signed a final agreement permitting the construction of a Fillmore Music Hall on the property which formerly housed the J.C. Penney Company in downtown Silver Spring.
The town meeting was videotaped by County Cable 6, the County government channel, for future airing.
"Town meetings present an excellent opportunity for me to find out what's on the mind of our residents," said Leggett. "A cornerstone of my administration has been to make sure 'everyone has a seat at the table' and these public meetings provide a forum for our residents to share their ideas and concerns."
At the meeting, the County Executive addressed a broad range of questions including trends in the County budget, maintenance of effort issue, public safety, job creation, improved access for people with disabilities, and growth and development issues. One issue that attracted much public content was youth empowerment and programs for young people in the Silver Spring area.
At this meeting, the County Executive announced that Montgomery County and the Lee Development Group signed a final agreement permitting the construction of a Fillmore Music Hall on the property which formerly housed the J.C. Penney Company in downtown Silver Spring.
The town meeting was videotaped by County Cable 6, the County government channel, for future airing.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Meeting with Montgomery County’s PEG Network
I had the pleasure of meeting today with representatives of Montgomery County’s PEG Network—the County’s public, education, and government (PEG) cable channels.
Along with my County Council colleagues, we had a robust conversation about County cable television issues with Bridget Broullire, The Rockville Channel, Lonni Moffet, Takoma Park City TV; Melissa Shumaker and Julian Mansfield, Montgomery Municipal Channel; Dr. Dick Lipsky, MCPS Instructional TV; Melissa Pace and Betty Francis, Montgomery College Television; and Don Katzen and Merlyn Reineke from Access Montgomery.
For more information about the PEG Network, visit http://pegs.montgomerycountymd.gov/
Along with my County Council colleagues, we had a robust conversation about County cable television issues with Bridget Broullire, The Rockville Channel, Lonni Moffet, Takoma Park City TV; Melissa Shumaker and Julian Mansfield, Montgomery Municipal Channel; Dr. Dick Lipsky, MCPS Instructional TV; Melissa Pace and Betty Francis, Montgomery College Television; and Don Katzen and Merlyn Reineke from Access Montgomery.
For more information about the PEG Network, visit http://pegs.montgomerycountymd.gov/
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