Iowa Geographic Information Council

Meeting Minutes

July 12, 2000  10:00 am – 2:00 pm

ICN – Multiple locations across Iowa

Members Attending: Bill Schuman, Chair-elect, IA DOT; Bill Kapp, Vice Chair-elect, UI; Jeff Corns, Treasurer-elect, ProMap; Mitch Tollerud, Secretary-elect, Bi-State RC; Steve Williams, Past-Chair, ECIA; Cory Brockmann, Past-Secretary, NRCS; Kevin Kane, ISU GIS Facility; Mike McCloud, City of Ames; Deanne Popp, IDOT; Todd Bishop, IDNR; Roger Patocka, Iowa Lake Comm. College; Stu Turner, IDOT; Herb Kuehne, Briar Cliff College; Stephen Newman, MidAmerican; Ray Willis, Polk Co.; Gary Brown, Aerial Services; Jerry Lawson, Shelby Co.; John Lubke, Mahaska Co.; Jason Siebrecht, Linn, Co.; Tom Buman, Agren; Joe Artz, SAO, UI.

 Alternate Representative:  Dave Pahlas, Decorah Water Dept. (B. Miller alternate).

ITD GIS Staff Attending:  None.

Other Attendees:  Tim Johnson, Story Co; Teri Schoenfelder; Nicki Rosemeyer, UNI student; Aaron Steel, NWI Plng & Dev; Jesse Wilson, Webster Co.; Dean Neil, Woodbury Co.; Ron Cook, Woodbury Co.; Theresa Worth, Clay Co.; Wayne Chesek, Marshall Co.; Dan Schlictmann, Intercog; LeeAnn Saterswaith, Bremer Co.; Chuck Levee, VA; Dave Squires, Sidwell; Joe Finnegan, Dept Hum Svcs; Vince Saylor; Pam Freshwater; Mary Pope; Brian Jacobson.

IGIC Business Matters

 1.       Call to Order – Bill Schuman

§         Meeting called to order over the ICN with multiple sites present across the state. 

§         Bill Schuman, chair-elect, assumed chair responsibilities and conducted meeting.

2.       Review of Minutes for April 5, 2000 meeting – Bill Schuman 

Suspended review of April 5, 2000 meeting minutes due to website being down.  Will review with July 12, 2000 meeting minutes at October 2000 meeting.

3.    Introduction of Members and Nonmembers – Bill Schuman 

              Roll call recorded.

4.     Status of the Statewide GIS Coordinator - Steve Williams

Update on Ann Peton’s letter of resignation May 26, 2000 and departure for a position in Colorado.  Discussion held with Richard Varn regarding filling of the position, timeliness, priority, responsibilities, etc.  Mike Killian also departed for a position in Kansas.  Staff of three now at one, Michelle Lantermans.  Executive committee met and developed a letter to R. Varn stating concerns for need of coordination-role of the GIS coordinator position that serves all disparate governmental and private organizations involved with GIS.  R. Varn felt he couldn’t attract quality of person needed with funds available.  Looking at high-end technical specialist.  Asked for IGIC input on priority projects, skills needed for job description.  Feels there will be definite adjustments as transition occurs.

Kevin Kane stated he felt IGIC could benefit from a coordinator-type position.  Possibility of raising funds to hire a coordinator, also mentioned idea of creating a position through ISU Extension.  B. Kapp concurred with S. Williams and K. Kane’s comments, and added the thought of a new executive order to create a coordinator position.  Iterated need to follow through on strategic planning activities.  B. Schuman concurred with K. Kane’s comments.

A general feeling exists that a GIS position will be filled by Information Technology Department (ITD) as a technical specialist, to support state-wide activities, but little coordination.  R. Varn requested input from IGIC on key data development needs for Iowa. 

Strategic objectives of coordination and education will have to be carried by the IGIC board and GIS community, as able, till resolution of the coordinator position is completed.  General discussion over need for coordination support ensued, and need for IGIC to put energy and effort into identifying avenues for a coordination position, as well as, re-developing grassroots/interest group support for GIS coordination by private and public organizations and agencies.

5.       Strategic Plan – Kevin Kane

Strategic plan draft sent out via email by Kevin to members this past week.  Potential exists to bring key issues to legislature for consideration this fall.  A number of input meetings were held to develop key elements.  A peripheral review of the plan was completed by section and attachment. 

Feels we’re in good shape with the plan as draft and requests additional review and input from members.  Consideration of affirmation letters from Gov. Vilsack and R. Varn needed.  Also, addition of dedicated funding for GIS coordination to the plan, due to recent developments related to A. Peton’s departure.  Mention made for additional affirmation letters from member agencies/organizations.  R. Willis volunteered to move forward with ISAC letter.

Motion:  K. Kane, Move to add the establishment of ongoing partnership to include a fulltime coordinator to the strategic plan.

2^nd:  Stu Turner                    Passed:  Unanimous Vote

6.       Michelle Lantermans Activities – Steve Williams/Bill Schuman

Support to EMD prevented M. Lantermans from and couldn’t be present.  Assisting Harrison County in hiring a GIS position, GIS resource guide, technology recommendations for redistricting project, maps for Des Moines River project, drainage district projects, GIS training sessions.  

Lunch break 9:55 – 10:20 Pacific

7.       Address Geocoding Database Project – Bill Schuman and Todd Bishop

Issues arose in adding address ranges.  Found a process to automate the process.  Collaborative effort undertaken with IDOT working on rural addresses with IDNR working on reviewing and editing.  Urban addressing not being completed at this time.  Presently, 20 counties remain for rural address ranging.  Discussion on working, individually, with counties to improve accuracy ensued. 

                Stephen Newman offered to provide assistance with addresses he has in his service area.

 8. Conference Report – Bill Schuman and Steve Williams

Need to get moving forward to identify a location for the conference.  Ideas were DMACC in Ankeny and Kirkwood CC in Cedar Rapids.    A conference committee has previously been identified, and the new vice chair-elect will focus leadership efforts on the conference.

8.       Election of Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer – Bill Schuman

Bill Kapp was elected Vice Chair.  Herb Kuehne removed his name from consideration for both Treasurer and Secretary positions.  Mitch Tollerud elected as Secretary, and Jeff Corns elected as Treasurer.   

10. Other Business – Bill Schuman 

Progress on establishing membership dues was limited due to current structure of IGIC.  K. Kane stated the NSGIC meeting is scheduled for Lake Tahoe, September 2000.  Consideration needed to have appropriate representation from Iowa/IGIC.  Would like to get two people to attend if possible.

11.  Board and Committee Activities – Bill Schuman

B. Schuman shared concern for IGIC accomplishments over the past year or so.  Proposes that executive committee handle and make recommendation on administrative activities, while members focus on committee activities.   Therefore, need to identify committee chairs to provide leadership.  Per the bylaws, Past-Chair chairs the strategic planning committee and the Vice Chair chairs the conference committee.  H. Kuehne questioned responsibilities of sector representatives as identified in bylaws.  Discussion followed on need for sector reports at each meeting, also including technical discussions.  Recommendation by T. Bishop to have all materials requiring voter action be submitted to members in-advance of the meeting for review.  Consideration made for Census Bureau as an education topic for October 2000 meeting.

Newsletter:  Emphasis needs to be made to produce articles and publish a newsletter.

Recommendation by K. Kane to create standing committees for membership, and for the newsletter.  Consensus in favor of establishing these two committees.  T. Schoenfelder volunteered to chair the newsletter; S. Turner will assist.  K. Kane volunteered to assist with membership committee.   B. Schuman will follow up with previous members working on membership for potential chair.

11. Adjournment – Bill Schuman

§         2nd Quarter regular IGIC meeting:  October 11, 2000, ICN, 10:00 – 2:00 PM (tentative) 

§         3^rd Quarter IGIC Meeting:  January 10, 2001, ICN, 10:00 – 2:00 PM (tentative) 

§         4^th Quarter IGIC Meeting:   April 11, 2001, ICN, 10:00 – 2:00 PM (tentative)

§         FY02, 1^st Quarter IGIC Meeting:  July 11, 2001, ICN, 10:00 – 2:00 PM (tentative)