The GIS Division Of Information Technologies
The mission of the GIS Division is to lead in the management of a shared geographic information resource for local decision makers and the general public, to support County GIS users, to develop precision site/user specific applications, and to share information, ideas, strategies, and solutions in the management of GIS and related technologies, in order to provide more efficient and effective mapping services to Frederick County's agencies and constituents.
The Vision of the Geographic Information Systems Division, for Frederick County, Virginia, is to provide a fully operational County-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) that is used by every agency, department, or citizen that needs and uses spatial data; that improves organization operations and efficiency; that exceeds the high accuracy and standards required by today's State and Federal guidelines; that improves the professional image of the County in the world of GIS; that encourages participating users to excel in seeking out new technologies; and to build expertise and teamwork to improve decision making within the County of Frederick.
The Manager of the Frederick County GIS will strive to ensure that all employees of the department recognize and adhere to Frederick County's Core Values:
- To understand the importance of clear communication and the willingness to listen through respect, honesty, trust, and integrity.
- To respect the County's cultural diversity and provide effective and efficient service with dependability, a willingness to accept change and dedication to cost effectiveness.
- To formulate and apply regulations, policies and procedures that are fair, consistent, and flexible.
- To provide a safe and secure working environment for our professional employees.
- To work diligently on providing county citizens with an accurate and efficient structure numbering system that will ensure timely response during emergencies and times of need.
- To be accountable and dedicated in responsibly conducting county business and properly handling funding appropriated for the GIS budget.
- To work diligently in providing options and future planning for GIS advancement.
- To provide a GIS system that promotes equality, patriotism, freedom, and genuine concern for all of Frederick County's citizens.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are designed to merge the capabilities of digital mapping and databases into a "thinking" cooperation which allows inter-relational query, design, and information display. The current GIS Team consists of a core group tending the GIS needs for the county-wide system and disbursed or satellite positions supporting specific departmental GIS efforts. The Division of GIS includes a manager, an analyst/programmer, a technician and provides leadership and support in the development of the County's GIS system. Satellite positions providing task specific support at the departmental level include a GIS Analyst in the Real Estate Department, a GIS Technician in Public Safety and a GIS Analyst working for the Department of Planning and Development.
The GIS Division is the responsible agent in providing structure numbering for county citizens and maintaining the County's Road Naming and Structure Numbering System. The Road Name Database is maintained by this office. Staff members approve requests for new names, review requests for name changes, road name removal and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for action. The GIS Division also assists in coordination of road names with Planning and Development, Public Works, Emergency Services, public utilities and other agencies. Numbering requests are received through the Building Permit process and GIS staff assign new numbers or resolve numbering issues.
The daily activities of the GIS Division involve development and production of geo-referenced data through the creation of digital mapping and database information from a multitude of resources including State, Federal, private concerns, and in-house sources. Through a system of "concurrent" or multiuser GIS software maintained by the GIS Division, other County staff can access a standardized set of digitally mapped information in county-wide formats. This series of mapping data includes such information as parcels, zoning, cultural features, environmental, historic, aerial photography, contours, and transportation network information.
Database management, consolidation and redundance reduction are primary functions involved in GIS management. Additional division responsibilities include introduction to GIS, training, and future development of other department and agency end-users to the GIS environment.
A primary task of the GIS Division is the development and maintenance of the ArcIMS based interactive-mapping hosted through the County's web site. These Interactive mapping services provide the public with access to such data sources as environmental, historical, political, utility, aerial photography, parcel and services type information. By using a standard web browser, i.e. Internet Explorer or Netscape, citizens may access valuable county data from their business or home without additional software or computer capability other than what the user already has. Initiatives are under way to improve the web services and update the ESRI software.
STAFF: Frederick County currently has seven full-time GIS staff and dedicated to the creation, management and distribution of geo-referenced information, in the following departments:
IT Director: Marcus Lemasters - Department of Information Technologies
GIS Manager: Patrick M. Fly - GIS Division
GIS Analyst/Programmer: Hsuan-Jung (Ellen) Peng - GIS Division
GIS Technician: Annie R. Cahill - GIS Division
GIS Analyst: Alexander J. Gray - Department of Planning and Development
GIS Analyst: Derek S. Brill - Commissioner of Revenue, Real Estate
GIS Technician: Mary Catherine Barganier - Public Safety Communications
These staff members provide GIS support to 18 Frederick County departments, State and Federal agencies, the development community, the Citizens of Frederick County, and a multitude of outside agencies. Other departments such as Fire and Rescue, Inspections, Sheriff’s Office, Planning and Development, and Public Works also have personnel that have very limited GIS training and capabilities, however, most GIS activities are completed by the core staff.
HARDWARE: Top of the line computers in the high-end Pentium IV class with high memory and storage capacity are used to manipulate the GIS Data and controlling software. Information Services (IS) houses the GIS data and provides access through the County's Lan. Daily conversions of the AS 400 CAMRA file and daily back-ups of the GIS data are conducted by IT. A PC currently manages the web based interactive mapping in the Department of GIS through connections to the net via access with Information Services.
Hewlett-Packard 1050C color large-format inkjet plotters capable of full color and photographic grade plots are housed in the Departments of GIS, Planning, Real Estate, and the School Transportation office. Plots of up to 33 'x 44' are a daily occurrence. LaserJet printers provide fast and efficient letter size documents and maps. A color laser printer has been installed in the GIS Dept. and is connected to the network, allowing GIS end-users throughout the County network to access and mass produce 81/2'x11'; color plots without having to hand feed each sheet.
SOFTWARE: GIS staff and end-users rely on the ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.) "family" of software to accomplish the simple and the complex tasks applied to Frederick County's GIS. This set of GIS software known as ArcGIS includes ArcExplorer, ArcView, ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcPress, Spatial Analyst, MapPlex, and Network Analyst. Using ArcIMS and Freeance, an Interactive Mapping services of general GIS data and photography is provided through County web site. This year's upgrades to ArcSDE, ArcServer and SQL will bring the County's GIS system into the "mainstream" by converting datasets into the "geodatabase" environment of mapping with an emphasis on relational editing and database management.
The department is well versed in a medley of non-GIS software packages including: Visual Basic, PageMaker, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Presentations, Word Perfect, dBase, Lotus 123, Approach, MrSID, AutoCAD, Corel Draw, Quatro Pro, Graphics Workshop, Dreamweaver, Terra Sync, Active Sync, Crystal Reports, Calendar Creator, Photo House, HTML, and Adobe Acrobat.
DATA:
The County's datasets are currently maintained in ESRI shapefiles, and projected in State Plane Virginia North NAD83. This data set is currently built in individual themes or layers with specialized sets of master data disbursed to controlling departments. Having this system format hampers system integration and reduction of duplication efforts.
The GIS Division and the GIS Core Group are making upgrades to system software, hardware and methodology. The main objective is to take the current disbursed data, migrate it all to a geodatabase format and use a standardized database system. Through these actions, the masses of data will be centralized and staff members will have the capability of multi-user "relational" editing through a data administrator. Centralized master files will be housed in a secure location with daily backups. Data updates will be available in a "real time" or at least timely manner and eliminate unnecessary duplication of data or efforts. The data administrator will be feeding the most current and relevant data from the same sources to all editors and end-users.
PROJECT CAPABILITIES:
Frederick County's GIS staff are capable of an extremely wide variety of tasks, problem solving, paper or digital production, formats, and programming. These capabilities include:
* Whether it is a simple graphic or a complex query, taking a concept and running it through the complete planning, development, and production phases, including final production, the GIS staff has 57 years of combined training and experience in layout and design, cartography, GPS, and programming;
* Production of complex mapping and digital information analysis using multiple data sets;
* Complex analysis of "related" mapping and databases to provide more accurate and comprehensive information to be used in an "informed decision making" process;
* Software customization per individual or department request to accomplish repetitive everyday tasks, streamlining query and research, and simplification of complex tasks into a window driven menu environment;
* Conversion and use of various mapping/data formats and coordinate systems. Ability to obtain mapping information from State and Federal agencies and re-project it into matching system variables used by Frederick County GIS;
* Pre-printed standard information or custom data collection and production;
* Production of digital data via diskette, CD or DVD.
Year 2008-2009 GIS work programs:
The following projects have been identified and prioritized as immediate requirements, long-range requirements, and additional long-range planning, by GIS Staff and the Frederick County GIS Core Group:
A. ENTERPRISE SYSTEM- The GIS Division is responsible for the enterprise implementation of GIS for Frederick County. This includes providing data, software and support to all County agencies that need GIS.
1.GIS Software. GIS is responsible for maintaining the County account with ESRI for GIS software and support. Software is purchased on a concurrent licensing system with the licenses stored on a central GIS server and managed using a license manager.
2.Central Data Warehouse. Working in conjunction with the Network Division the GIS is creating and maintaining a central data repository. The repository is made up of three primary software packages: SQL Server 2005, ArcSDE and ArcServer, allowing GIS data to be stored in a relational database environment.
3.County Wide Geodatabase. The GIS Division with the input of the GIS Users Group is implementing a County-wide Geodatabase that is stored in the data warehouse. All data is cataloged and categorized into functional datasets across departmental lines, enabling all GIS data to be accessed and edited by multiple users in different offices simultaneously.
4 Pictometry. Much interest has been put forth in obtaining and using angled digital photography for use in inspections, investigations, disaster preparedness and assessment purposes.
B. STRUCTURE NUMBERING- The GIS Division has been appointed as the responsible agent for the assignment, documentation, mapping, management, distribution, and enforcement of road naming and structure numbering as delineated in Chapter 56 of the Frederick County Code.
1.Structure Numbering Assignment. The GIS Division is responsible for assignment of structure numbering for all occupied structures and businesses in Frederick County.
2.Structure Number Recording, Distribution, and Management. Staff members keep detailed records on number assignment and send out notifications on newly numbered subdivisions to over 20 agencies. Staff also maintains an online list of new addresses.
3.Structure Numbering Violation Enforcement. Staff is responsible for recording and following up with formal complaints received concerning ordinance violations.
C. ROAD NAMING- Coordination, selection and management of the Official Frederick County Road Names list is assigned to the GIS Division of Information Technologies.
1.Request for New Road Names. The division reviews all requests for new road name installations to ensure that no new road names are accepted into the system as duplicates. A master road name list is kept and checked against all road name requests. New road names are drawn into the system and sent to the Real Estate office for inclusion into the tax parcel mapping.
2.Request for Road Name Changes and Removal. The division reviews road name change and removal requests, ensures that all of the requirements set forth by the Board of Supervisors are met, and then submits the request with recommendation to the first available board meeting. Staff work with the applicant whenever possible to make sure the request follows the required guidelines.
D. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW- As part of the Planning and Development review process, application comment sheets and plans are sent to the GIS Division for review whenever there are proposed road names or structure numbering involved. With the increasing number of developments and rural subdivisions over the last couple of years, there continues to be a significant increase in new road names and structure numbering requiring review and development by the GIS staff. The types of Planning and Development applications requiring review and comment are as follows:
1.Master Development Plans- Road names are reviewed for acceptability and either denied or added to the official Road Name List as "paper" or reserved street names.
2.Site Development Plans- Road names and structure numbers are verified and assigned as Official Street addresses for use as E-911 locators and mailing/delivery addresses.
3.Subdivision Development Plans- Road names are verified and structure numbers are assigned. Notifications of new subdivisions, selections, and addressing are distributed to over 20 agencies.
E. DATA CREATION AND MAINTENANCE- A GIS is only as good as the data it uses. Therefore, GIS staff works diligently at maintaining the data to keep it current and accurate.
1.In-House Data Development. Data sets such as boundaries, zoning, historic sites and study areas are drawn into the GIS system and associated databases are populated, by staff members. Many projects require new data that is not available from other sources, and must be created.
2.GIS Data Acquisition. When new data arrives, it is set up in a NAD 83 projection which is the most common map projection used by State and Federal agencies. GIS personnel are in contact with several of these agencies and trade GIS data. Staff members are constantly searching out GIS data that is relative to the County.
3.Assistance to Real Estate with Tax Parcel Mapping. The Real Estate office of the Commissioner of Revenue is responsible for the maintenance of the tax parcel mapping data. The GIS Division staff assists in drawing in parcels and conducting research when needed.
4.GPS Data Collection. Often project requests by County departments require highly accurate data on site locations. A hand-held Trimble CE GPS (Global Positioning System) unit allows staff to collect this data in sub-meter accuracy.
F. DATA DISTRIBUTION
1.Printed Production. There are four HP 1050C full-color inkjet printers in the County's GIS. These machines allow for the production of paper maps in sizes from 8.5" x 11" to 34" x 44" and in a variety of media. The GIS Division also has a color laser printer connected to the network for all GIS staff.
2.Digital Distribution by Internet, CD, DVD. Many request the County's GIS data to be delivered in digital format. Files are distributed over the internet via e-mail and FTP. The division also has the capability to produce this data on CD's and DVD's when necessary.
G.DEPARTMENT AND AGENCY SUPPORT- GIS staff assists any and all of the County's departments that require or request assistance in the performance of GIS tasks.
1.Production of Final Products in Digital and Printed Form. Layout and design of existing data and analysis is provided in printed product, or in a digital form suitable to be used in presentations.
2.Complete Project Management and Production. Staff members perform projects, for other departments, agencies, and the public, from the concept and design stage to full analysis and final product production.
3.Training and Customization. In-house training at the GIS Division or other locations is conducted on an individual or small group basis. Staff members assist other agencies in customizing their GIS software interfaces to reflect and accomplish specified tasking.
H. PUBLIC ACCESS- The GIS Division continues to investigate and develop methods, whereby, the general public that does not have direct access to the County's LAN may have access to the GIS data, basic analysis, and printing of simple map products.
1.GIS Division Web Pages. The GIS Division web pages are currently hosted on the Frederick County web site and are maintained by department staff.
2.Intranet and Internet Access. Staff members continue to study and evaluate web sites, services, and capabilities offered by similar local government agencies in an effort to mainstream the County's interactive mapping and GIS web pages.
3.ArcIMS Development. ArcIMS and Freeance have been used to create, install and distribute the new Frederick County Interactive Mapping Site. The web site provides two services for general public access, with 2 additional services available only to County staff. These services provide a wide range of vector and raster data on Frederick County.
I. OTHER-
1.Metadata Development and Maintenance. The staff will continue to develop and update metadata based on state and federal standards ensuring Frederick County, data is compliant at all levels.
2.State and Federal Coordination. GIS staff handle inquiries for data and data exchange from such agencies as VDOT, VDHR (Historic Resources), VDEM (Emergency Management), VGIN (Geographic Information Network), E-911Wireless Board, SCS and the USDA. GIS also has a working agreement with FEMA to update the Flood Zone Maps.
3.Professional Memberships. GIS staff have memberships in the following professional organizations:
a. Shenandoah Valley GIS Users Group
b. VGIN ( Virginia Geographic Information Network)
c. VAMLIS ( Virginia Association of Mapping and Land Information Systems)
4. GIS Day. GIS Day is held annually by the County's GIS staff as a way of making the public aware of the vast amount of geographic data available to them and to educate them on the mapping services provided by the County.
