Present: Donald Ijams, Chris Mack, Andrew Acuff, Mary Szczepanski, Bob Czaja, Irene Swanson, Jim Ebert, Dave Koss, Steve Smith, Fran LaSala, Blanca Espino, Dave Hochede, Autumn Figueroa, Linda Buczynski, Casey Townsend, Sam Camacho and Christine O'Connor

Use of ArcGIS in Tucson Water's Valve Map Conversion Project - Bob Czaja and Irene Swanson

Bob and Irene gave a Powerpoint presentation about the process used in the Valve Map Conversion Project at Tucson Water. The presentation was arranged in three sections: Project Management, Geodata, and Editing in ArcGIS.

Project Management: It was started with a vision of what was needed in this application. A more flexible environment and map data was needed to place this information on the web for others to access. This is a large job which will take lots of time and money. Conversions of maps started this summer. Change is constant; design needs to be kept simple to minimize performance hits. Using outside expertise decreased development time.

Geodata: Bob noted that Tucson Water has not been a big GIS user until recently. Most of the data used had been generated from other people. The Water Department is going from an older generation to converting the entire water system map to an enterprise GIS system. This is a huge shift from what was previously done. Challenges such as linking the geodatabase to the document management system is in the future. In the geodatabase, every feature class has a unique ID within that feature class; there is no unique ID for the database.

Editing: Irene discussed the difficulties coming from AutoCad and ArcCad to ArcGIS. The process was not easy, took a long time, and still takes a long time. The functionality is better in ArcGIS, but the editing easier in AutoCad. The training curve should be taken into account with implementing ArcGIS. She suggests prior training in the application for employees, utilizing all the exercises available. Allow yourself the time to learn.

CityScan/Master Address Database Project Update - Dave Hochede

CityScan is a GIS Cooperative sponsored web-based information portal project being implemented by City Information Technology. Users will have easy access to information from a variety of sources, aided by GIS technology.

Users of the recent pre-release product provided valuable input. The web application has now been redesigned to expand beyond base map browsing. There are different ways to focus data; only the highest (citywide) level is now available. Other focal points and data sources will be added in the next few weeks, including Neighborhoods, Wards and exact addresses. Please let Dave know if there are other datasets internal to the City that would be helpful if added to the database. Also, take a look at CityScan on the Intranet homepage using Microsoft Explorer.

Update from Pima Count DOT Technical Services/GIS- Steve Whitney

Steve was unable to attend the meeting today. Don read an email from Steve:

"- Ortho rectification: An interim ortho-rectified parcel layer should be in the Library by Monday, 3/11. I currently have processed 262 Sections, out of the 381 Sections in the '98 project area, into ArcInfo coverages and am getting them appended for the interim layer. Zoning, subdivisions, and address points are in the process of being adjusted, as is the street network.

- The development of an orthophoto-based wash network has been under way and the major washes are close to completion. The process for the rest of the wash network will be undertaken by a consultant who is working closely with our Flood Control District. The resulting product will be a wash network layer with wash name, CFS, and bank protection attributes.

- We are getting close to having a flood prone layer to put back on the Web. Initially, this will exclude incorporated areas, but we're re-visiting the whole issue of coordinating updates to the FEMA floodplain layer amongst all the jurisdictions."

Update from Pima Count Development Services - GIS/Addressing- Andrew Acuff

An intern, Marianne Anderson, was hired. She is working on resolution of street address questions coming from the City of Tucson Business Privilege License list. The GIS Cooperative is paying for her salary. Linda Koon, of Pimy County DSD, has been working on the address scrubbing list. According to Don, the process was started in 2000 after geocoding the county address point layer against the street network. If needed, Linda can add you to the notification list for addressing status in the future.

Current Events

Transportation: A dvd was produced regarding GIS, which is now available. Next Wednesday in Scottsdale, a nationwide conference regarding 511 will take place.

Good Government: Christine mentioned that at the recent Mayor and Council meeting there were presentations highlighting policy to capitalize on technology. Specifically, the Ward offices are very interested in mailing lists. Don mentioned that CityScan is interested in building a neighborhood profile, which might tie into Ward Office interests.

Environmental Management: Fran LaSala mentioned that the Environmental Management intranet web project has entered a new phase, taking advantage of the City's ArcIMS server for map service.

Other Business

The next GIS Cooperative meeting is scheduled for 10:00 - 11:30 AM, Friday, April 12, 2002.