1:30 PM, Thursday, May 26, 2005
Ivanhoe Room, Cornhusker Hotel

Minutes

Roll Call Present were (authorized to vote *):

Complete Meeting Agenda

MAJOR MEETING TOPICS

ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS

Mr. Miyoshi called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m.  Roll call was taken.  There were 10 members present.  A quorum existed to conduct official business. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Miyoshi extended an invitation for public comment to those non-Steering Committee members who were present.  There was no public comment.

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2005 MINUTES

There were no corrections to the minutes.  Mr. Miyoshi declared that the January 12, 2005 minutes stood approved as distributed.

 ELECTION OF STEERING COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Mr. Chaffin nominated John Miyoshi to serve a second term as Chair. Paul Yamamoto seconded the nomination.  Mr. Miyoshi accepted the nomination.  There were no other nominations.  The motion passed unanimously with Mr. Miyoshi abstaining.

It was noted that due to IT reorganization that Steve Schafer has resigned as Vice Chair and he will no longer be representing DAS on the GIS Steering Committee.  Steve Henderson will now be representing DAS on the Committee.  While Steve Henderson was not able to attend this meeting, John Miyoshi indicated that Steve said he was will to serve as Vice Chair, if that was the Steering Committee's wishes.  Mr. Chaffin nominated Steve Henderson.  Mr. Genrich seconded.  Mr. Miyoshi moved to close nomination and to call roll.  Mr. Chaffin seconded. Roll Call vote on motion to close and vote.  The motion passed unanimously.

 NEBRASKA STREETLINE CENTERLINE – ADDRESS DATA BASE

1. Report on NDOR Pilot Project to Develop System for Maintaining a Statewide “Best Available” Dataset.  Mr. Genrich reported that the project continues to progress and is on track.  There is still some work to do on the address database.  The next step would be to send the data to work with the Dept. of Natural Resources and the USGS on data integration and serving it to The National Map.  Completion of the project should be done by next GIS meeting in July.  After arranging for data availability through The National Map, maintenance will be done at the Dept. of Roads.  The E911 Addressing Project by the Public Service Commission has been put on hold.
   
2. MOU on Street Centerline – Address Database Stewardship.  The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a framework for coordination and cooperation between the Nebraska Department of Roads (“NDOR”) and the Nebraska Geographic Information System Steering Committee (“NGISSC”) (hereinafter also referred to as “Parties” or “Party”) for the on-going development, maintenance, and distribution of a statewide, geospatial street centerline/address database of the State of Nebraska. NDOR will be responsible for the technical and operational aspects of the agreement whereas GIS would assist with other aspects.  Local agreements are addressed in the agreement.  NDOR’s legal staff have yet to complete final review the document.  Addendum, NDOR will maintain database and that the data and metadata would be available to NDNR and The National Map.
   
3. MOU Addendum on Serving Centerline-Address Database to NDNR and the National Map.  NDNR will take the leading role in operating a NGDC that will work with the NGISSC and other entities to provide a central portal to facilitate online access to Nebraska-related data hosted on multiple servers. NDNR will also take a leading role in making arrangements with the USGS for the provision of online mapping services for Nebraska-related geospatial data to The National Map. The Parties agree that NDOR, NDNR, and NGISSC will work in cooperation to insure that the most current version of this “best available” statewide street centerline-address data is made available, via an online map service, in a manner that is compatible with the requirements of the NGDC and The National Map. 

Ms. Menke moved for conditional approval of the both MOU’s depended upon final NDOR/NDRN approval.  Mr. Genrich seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 NEBRASKA GEOSPATIAL DATA CENTER

1. Nebraska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse.  Mr. Zink asked for GIS Steering Committee member to actively support the idea of a Nebraska Geospatial Data Center and to communicate this with other agency staff. Following up on the request and MOU with the GIS Steering Committee, the NDNR has committed significant resources to develop the online presence of the Clearinghouse.  What is needed now is for other agencies to step up and document with metadata and list their geospatial data on the Clearinghouse.  This Metadata would then be made available for citizens to search and assist in accessing available data.  Agencies would be responsible for the type and quantity of data that would be accessible.
   
2. Draft Metadata Standard for Possible Recommendation to the NITC for Consideration.  Mr. Zink noted that the GIS committee had previously passed a motion urging agencies to document their geospatial data with metadata and had discussed the notion of developing a geospatial metadata standard.  This issue was discussed at the last meeting and Mr. Zink was urged to develop a draft standard.  Mr. Zink noted that he had developed a draft standard for the Steering Committee's consideration for recommendation to the NITC Technical Panel.  Mr. Zink noted that in developing the draft standard he had intentionally not included database that were spatially referenced with only street addresses.  Discussion followed regarding policy issues, datasets and documentation included in the draft metadata standard.
   
   Ms. Lang moved to approve the draft standard to be forwarded to the Technical Panel and the NITC for the review and approval process.  Ms. Menke seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.
   
3. Metadata Development Plans-University of Nebraska Libraries.  The University has been working on data development but only limited progress has been made so far.  Mr. Zink indicated that we still needed to explore other alternatives to encourage and assist agencies to develop metadata.
   
4. Possible FGDC Grant to Support Metadata Training and Development.  There are funds available for grants up to $25,000.  Mr. Zink has been in communication with the University of Nebraska Libraries, as well as the Conservation and Survey Division, and other entities for partnership with GIS.  The grants would be utilized to conduct metadata training workshops.  The submission deadline is mid June.  Mr. Zink will continue to pursue partnerships that are willing to commit staff time. 
   
   Ms. Menke moved to support the FGDC grant provided that a grantee partner is found.  Ms. Lang seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

REPORT ON MAJOR CITIES HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGERY INITIATIVE

Mr. Chalmers and Mr. Zink reported on the progress of this project.  They noted that their very short time frame to complete the project (because of HHSS funding constraints) was a major determining factor in how the project was organized and implemented.  Due to the time frame, they worked within an existing contract with the Central Platte NRD with Cornerstone Mapping for the imagery.  In the end, eight communities expressed an interest and were selected:  Lincoln, Lancaster County, Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Norfolk, Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney.  Problems arose with the Scottsbluff area imagery and that will likely need to be reflown next year.  If this type of project is done again, it would beneficial to have in place an organization structure that could assist in spearheading this type of effort.  Mr. Chalmers stated that the creation of a consortium or corporate entity would be beneficial to pool the resources necessary to do a project like this again.  The entity would need to be one in which state agencies could participate.  One model that was discussed was the State of Missouri's MORAP.  MORAP is a non-profit entity created to facilitate the pooling of public and private resources for joint geospatial-related projects in the area of natural resources.

NATIONAL HYDROGRAPHY DATASET FINDING

Josh Lear, Nebraska’s DNR, has been the lead person. As of the end of April 2005, it is estimated that it will require an additional $130,000 in cash contributions to complete this statewide surface water features database development effort. These cash contributions would be used primarily to pay UNL student digitizers to develop digital mapping of stream and lake banks. If other agencies will commit to an additional $90,000 in cash contributions over the next 2 ½ years, NDEQ has pledged an additional $40,000 towards meeting the needed $130,000.

Mr. Chaffin moved that the Nebraska GIS Steering Committee urge other state agencies and other cooperating entities to commit/pledge financial resources to enable the completion of this valuable multipurpose dataset NHD Project.  Mr. Miyoshi seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Chalmers and Ms. Lang requested that their agencies be contacted for a financial contribution.

A REVIEW OF GIS STEERING COMMITTEE STRUCTURES AND ORGANIZATION

Mr. Zink noted one of the Steering Committee's long-range strategic goal was to "Strengthen the Coordination Capacity" of the Steering Committee.  The GIS Steering Committee was originally authorized by the Legislation in 1991.  Since then, new members and agencies have been added to original membership, but the basic structure and tools available to the GIS Steering Committee have changed little.  However, during this same period the nature of GIS technology and the needs and expectations of state GIS coordinating entities has greatly changed.  Mr. Zink suggested that it is time to review the GIS Steering Committee structure.  Mr. Zink also noted that the IT organizational structure within state government is undergoing a significant review and restructuring and so this is also an opportune time to review the GIS coordinating structures.   Mr. Zink also noted that there are two national models that have been developed for state GIS coordination.  One developed by NSGIC, focuses on the GIS Coordinator role, and the other developed cooperatively between the FGDC and NSGIC focuses on the state GIS coordinating councils.  Mr. Zink and Mr. Miyoshi recommended forming a committee to review the documents to make a recommendation to the group.

Ms. Lang moved that the Nebraska GIS Steering Committee authorizes the formation of a GIS Enterprise Coordination Advisory Committee. This Advisory Committee is charged with leading the Steering Committee through a process of reviewing its current structure, authority, and capabilities relative to today’s GIS enterprise coordination needs and evolving national models for state GIS coordination. The Advisory Committee is further charged with making recommendations, by September 2005, to the GIS Steering Committee for policy and operational changes to enhance the capabilities of the GIS Steering Committee, and its associated members and partners, to better address the evolving GIS coordination needs of today’s enterprise GIS.  Mr. Lash seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

LAND RECORDS MODERNIZATION

1. Update on Land Record Modernization Legislative Initiatives. Mr. Miyoshi reported that LB565, the Nebraska Land Information System Program Act had a public hearing, but has not been voted out of committee this year.  Funding is the issue.  There will be another opportunity to pursue the bill next year.  In the meantime, the committee should look at other funding options.  Mr. Zink was urged to convene a meeting of the various interest groups supporting the bill to discuss follow up strategies.
   
2. Advisory Committee on Land Record Standards.  Mr. Zink reported on the progress of the advisory committee that the GIS Steering Committee had authorized to develop land record modernization standards based on the possibility of the Legislature passing the Nebraska Land Information System Program Act LB 565 (or a similar state/local partnership for land record modernization).  The Advisory Committee had developed some draft standards and prepared to circulate this draft standards to various interest groups to solicit their feedback and potential bring them to the Steering Committee for adoption and possible referral to the NITC or other bodies for consideration.   
   
   Ms. Lang indicated that she appreciated that work of this Advisory Committee.  Ms. Lang said it would be very helpful to her if these standards could be adopted in some form, at this time, so that they would be available for reference as her Department moved forward with an RFP in this area.  Ms. Lang moved to adopt the Draft Standards for Land Record Modernization with the possibility of revision pending public comment and legislation.  Mr. Langtry seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

 DRAFT GIS STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE

 Following discussion, by group consensus the proposed 2005-2006 meeting dates were adopted.

 US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY UPDATE, RAY FOX

Mr. Fox reported that regretfully, the hoped for Nebraska USGS Liaison Position has not been filled.  The Central Region, which Nebraska is part of, has stated that this postion is a high priority.  June 16th is the deadline for FGDC grant proposals related to National Map and metadata.  The 50 State Initiative is calling for each state to have a plan that will address their GIS data needs.  The plan will be revisited annually.  The aerial photography development team in Missouri has come to realization the state cannot get this done in one year.  Missouri wants 2 foot imagery and 6 inch imagery for some cities and counties.  The plan is to divide the state in half and talk to vendors per price quote so that cities get what they want.   It is anticipated to have the project done by July 2008. 

NEBRASKA GIS/LIS ASSOCIATION – 2005 NEBRASKA GIS SYMPOSIUM

The symposium is running smoothly. There are 250 attendees this year.   Several agencies were recognized for their accomplishments.  Ms. Sebree is on the GIS/LIS Board and Mr. Langtry is serving as President.  The board wants to begin planning earlier this year for the 2007 symposium.

 REPORT ON GIS ACTIVITIES FROM MEMBER AGENCIES

Mr. Langry reported that Lincoln/Lancaster County is developing their GIS plan.  The plan includes a conversion plan to incorporate multiple databases to be converted to one GIS/geodata system.  An ad hoc committee of managers has been involved in the development of the plan.  A GIS Coordinator may be hired.

Ms. Menke reported that DNR has also been working on the conversion of multiple databases into one geodata system.

Mr. Chalmers informed the committee that the CDC has changed guidelines for their Bio-terrorism grant monies.  As a result, Nebraska has lost about $500,000 in new grant monies.  Grant funding is becoming a very competitive process.

Mr. Yamamoto reported that DEQ has purchased an ESRI online map server license.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business. With no further business, Mr. Miyoshi adjourned the meeting at 3:39 p.m.

Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Larry Zink.

"P"=present, "A"=absent, "+"=voting for, "-"=voting against, "NV"=not voting