Title: Using Local Colleges and Universities to Strengthen
Municipalities GIS Systems
Authors: Brad Pierce: Assistant Planner, City of Chico
Susan Black: Engineering Technician, City of Chico
Abstract: The City of Chico is a distinctive community with over 90,000 people in an
urban area covering 45 square miles, making it the second largest
California city north of Sacramento. Located within the City is California
State University, Chico, with its Geographic Information Center. The
Center has played the role of mentor to the City's GIS program, first
developing the original database from City records, then guiding the
program in its first 18 months. The Center now remains an important
source of expertise to the established program. Other benefits of this
partnership include able consultant work for more complicated projects,
expertise in the latest technical developments, and a pool from which to
draw reliable interns.
: Introduction: Geographic Information Systems are no longer a luxury for local governments, they have become a necessity. But what does a jurisdiction do when funding is limited? Jurisdictions may not be familiar with what programs are available. While many IS Directors are aware of the value GIS offers to communities, most have no specific GIS training or experience. The need to acquire a GIS system has become an organization's easy decision, but how to get started is the difficult question. There are several alternative methods to creating a new GIS department:
1) create a new position to design, setup, run and maintain the program from its inception, a one person show (better hire wisely);
2) assign existing employees to add the task of creating a citywide program database while also maintaining their own existing workload (get ready to pay plenty of sick leave about the fifth month); or
3) hire outside consultants to create and implement the program (take lots of notes because no matter how good intentioned consultants are, when the contract is over they go onto their next project).
A fourth alternative should also be considered, that is utilizing the vast resource available through the country's university systems. In a technological world that continually changes, university students usually develop skills according to the latest information and techniques; university labs often have access to the latest software; and students are usually anxious to obtain "real world" experience to go with the classroom training. With the proper process, this is an alternative that can benefit all parties.
One City's Story: The City of Chico City Council saw the need for GIS, but no one in City staff had particular knowledge of systems that were available so it turned to California State University, Chico. CSU, Chico, is a 100 year old institution, located in the heart of Chico. The Geographic Information Center (GIC), associated with the Rural and Town Planning Program of the Geography School, had been working with ArcInfo© and ArcView© for several years through California State University' Site Licence. GIC consists of a professional staff and students searching for opportunities to put their knowledge into practice. The City and the University entered into an agreement whereby GIC, working with the Community Development Department and Department of Public Works, would develop a parcel based system of the Chico Urban Area, including both the incorporated and unincorporated territories. The Center would then would remain as a mentor and advisor while maintaining the system for the City. That agreement, now entering its fifth year, has seen both organizations grow and evolve. GIC now has a diversified list of clients including California Department of Forestry, California Department Fish and Game, California Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, as well as many northern California agencies. The City's GIS program has grown and developed, and is now utilized by all departments.
First year, setup and implementation: In 1997, a line coverage was developed based on U.S. Census Bureau TIGER line files. Existing AutoCad© maps were linked to the Butte County Assessor's data. In addition, numerous thematic overlay maps were developed, including zoning, land use and general plan. The GIC dedicated two employees full time to this process while the City provided information and received bi-weekly updates. During this time the City, under GIC's advice, purchased twelve ArcView© licences and training.
Second/third year, partnership: During this period the mentor/pupil relationship was most apparent, and the benefit was invaluable. Officially, GIC maintained and supported the system while continuing to create new themes and projects, while the City began to expand the possibilities of utilizing the information. However, the true measure of service given by GIC was the advice and guidance that was given by the more experienced members of the staff. This was not a typical consultant/client relationship, the "open door" policy for questions and answers was always encouraged. GIC was continually challenged to listen, brainstorm and advise on quandaries as they appeared. While the relationship was one-sided in the beginning, as time went by and City employees gained experience, an atmosphere of partnership became apparent. GIC still maintained the database, but no longer needed to train City staff. In the meantime, City staff assumed more responsibility for the coverages. Special projects, such as informational park maps including wheelchair accessibility, were now requested from the GIC. These tasks were time intensive, and City staff, still without official GIS employees, did not have time to complete them. GIC, with over twenty employees, could accomplish these tasks readily. Everyone gained benefits from this arrangement: GIC grew in experience and expanded its operation; its employees gained valuable work experience; the City's GIS program expanded at a faster rate than if only one employee was hired to set up the system and complete all the tasks; City staff also gained valuable ArcView© experience and expertise; the public benefited by the City's efficient use of tax money to produce to greater, more reliable and more accessible information.
Fourth year, transition: Chico's relationship with GIC is still intricate to its GIS system. The Center remains a resource of expertise and information, continuing the system maintenance and offering consultation with their professional staff. Bi-weekly meetings with City and GIC, which began in the second year of operation, continue with more City departments now participating. The City now utilizes all twelve ArcView© licenses and has added one ArcInfo© license. All Community Development and Public Works staff now use ArcExplorer© and, by summer's end, the City's web site will have clickable maps. GIC, still is also completing the following projects: updating address information associated with the 2000 Census; aerial rectifications; GPS mapping of over 3500 acres of park land; and, in conjunction with California Water Co., a fire hydrant maintenance program. And the GIC continues to provide a steady flow of qualified interns. All this has been accomplished without a GIS staff position.
Opportunities Do Exist: The City of Chico's experience may be unique because of the University's proximity but opportunities for other jurisdiction abound. There are many schools now looking to add value to their curriculums by offering "hands on" experience. Internships are very attractive to students nearing the end of their educational career, in fact most schools require it. Developing a close association with one particular school is of particular benefit, especially if the organization develops the reputation of assigning interesting, meaningful assignments for interns. When interns are hired the should be given specific tasks with good explanations what the end product should accomplish. The tasks that are given to interns should be the type of work often is left undone because of time constraints. The City of Chico has been fortunate with what its GIS interns have accomplished. Credit is due to the students who did the work, but also to the careful selection process and the presentation of expectations given in the beginning of each project.
Conclusion: Many jurisdictions have budget restraints on what they can
attempt with their GIS programs. One alternative is to build a relationship
with a Geographic Information Program at a university or college in their
area. This can be a very efficient use of limited funding. The City of Chico
worked with California State University, Chico's Geographic Information
Center in creating it's GIS system. The relationship has been very
successful, creating a system that is now used by all departments. The
original relationship of mentor/student has evolved into one of a
partnership that both organizations benefit from.
Acknowledgments:
Anthony Baptiste, City of Chico, Community Services Director
Michael Hislop, City of Chico, Assistant Director of Public Works
Chuck Nelson, California State University, Chico, Geographic Information Center, Director
Chris Crown, California State University, Chico, Geographic Information, Intern Coordinator and Certified E.S.R.I. Instructor.
Matt Herman, California State University, Chico, previous GIC Project Manager
Jim Aranguren, Butte County GIS Manager, previous GIC Project Manager
Brian Lasagna, California State University, Chico, Geographic Information
Center, Project Manager .
Web sites: Geographic Information Center, CSU,Chico