City of Corvallis
Oregon
Alice Grucza, GISP
GIS Coordinator
alice.grucza@ci.corvallis.or.us
541.754.1742
City of Corvallis
Oregon
The City
GIS – Background/History
Key Decisions
Software?
Projects
City of Corvallis
Population: 52,540
Area: 14.02 square miles
Budget: $83.5M Operating
$11.9M Capital
GIS Staff: 3 FTE (Coordinator, 2 Analysts)
0.5 FTE Manager
City of Corvallis - Geographic
Brief History Information
System
1985 - Decision to do mapping digitally - AutoCAD.
1989 - First GIS software applications purchased (GEO/SQL
and Oracle on OS2).
1989-1993 - “Core elements” of GIS developed - parcels,
water, sewer lines. Topographic and planimetrics captured
within UGB (AutoCAD).
1993 - Benton County property database associated with
parcel spatial data.
1994-95 - Transition to ArcCAD and ArcView – ESRI
July 1995 - First ArcView users outside GIS trained.
1995-98 - Development & refinement resulted in 121
themes and first orthophotos covering entire UGB.
City of Corvallis - Geographic
Brief History Information
System
1999 - Development of GISMO custom interface - „common
portal‟ linking GIS/Data Warehouse/other data sources.
1999 - Present - Data Steward responsibilities agreed on and
formalized. Experiments with field data collection methods.
2000 - GISMO use extended to other city departments and
mobile installations.
2002 - Field data collection using ArcPAD on an iPAQ for
Streets Division (street light and sign inventory).
2003 – ICMA Grant - Playground Inventory and Maintenance
Management.
2003/2005 – Natural Features Inventory Project
City of Corvallis - Geographic
Key Decisions Information
System
Initial Software
Public Access to data. Never “marketed” GIS
Quality of data – accuracy builds confidence.
Build on small steps and successes. Recognize GIS is a
“long-term” investment.
New software – can be the needed key, or suicide.
Data stewardship concept. Users build and maintain the
system and retain responsibility for “their” data. Ownership.
Organizational focused GIS vs. departmental
Build a broad base of user support for the system.
Providing training and ongoing support are imperative.
Automation of routine processes is critical!
City of Corvallis - Geographic
Software Information
System
City of Corvallis uses ESRI software products.
Different software product for different needs and
purposes.
GIS - Geographic
Software Information
System
ArcView: Data Stewards for GIS data creation and
maintenance. Custom solutions.
Example: Custom ArcView data entry application for
site address maintenance.
GIS - Geographic
Software GISMO Information
System
GISMO - Custom Corvallis interface software.
Developed by PW with consultant (GeoNorth) in 1999.
Visual Basic and Map Objects.
Currently over 160 users - desk and mobile installs.
Data entry point for PW’s maintenance management
software.
‘Common portal’ to information from many different
programs, departments, sources, etc.
Links many data types to their geographic location. Example:
scanned documents
License cost is minimal (less than $90 each install)
Easy to use. Requires minimal training to use effectively.
GIS - Geographic
Software - GISMO Information
System
Designed for PW - now used throughout the
organization, Planning, Development, Fire, Police,
Dispatch, City Managers Office, Park & Recreation, etc.
The City of Corvallis Public Works Department
uses GIS and Data Warehouse technologies on a daily
basis
Mobile Mapping System
Fire Department
Laptops on first out
apparatus
4 engines
1 truck
1 command
vehicle
3 ambulances
GIS - Geographic
ArcPAD Information
System
ArcPAD first used by Street Division
for sign inventory
Successful – embraced by field
personnel
Has it‟s place in the toolbox
GIS - Geographic
Information
Software ArcPAD System
Why was this software/hardware combination successful?
No keyboard required.
Easy and simple to use.
Flexible – if crews want changes most are
easy and quick to do.
Portability – fits in a pocket.
Links directly to GIS – direct shapefile editing
Made the crew‟s work easier and more
efficient.
Vast array of add-on accessories for iPAQ
GIS - Geographic
Information
ArcPAD System
Field data collection
is a key component in
the Data Cycle
Provides a “tool” for
crews to manage their
systems
Faster turn around
time
GIS - Geographic
Information
ArcPAD System
ICMA Grant Project – Playground Equipment Inventory
and Maintenance Management Program
Expand technology to a low-tech department
Streamline regular reporting and management efforts
Add significant GIS features into the system
Low (and getting lower) budget opportunities
Eager staff looking for ways to improve service
Partnership with Oregon State University CS 461-462 Team
GIS - Geographic
Information
ArcPAD System
Custom programming
Web interface/database link
In use at P&R
Maintenance Idea of the
Year award from International
Northwest P&R Association
GIS - Geographic
Natural Features Inventory Information
System
Natural features and hazards inventory of entire Urban
Growth area
Scientific site inventories/assessments
2.5 year public process and policy development process
First test of GIS use as public policy decision tool
GIS - Geographic
Natural Features Inventory Information
System
Inventory of hazard and non-hazard natural features
within UGB:
Floodways, slopes, earthquake hazards, landslide
runout areas, riparian, wetland, wildlife habitat, and
isolated tree groves
Addresses Statewide Planning Goals 5, 6 and 7 (natural
features, water quality and hazards)
Balance protection of natural features with need to
provide housing and economic development
opportunities
Establish significance and protection levels – high,
some, none
Why use GIS in Corvallis?
Geographic or location base to most city information and
services (FGDC study says 80% of gov‟t data is location
based)
Better Information and Analysis tools for decision making
and communicating
Same information to everyone - not different versions,
dates
Public access to information
Record retained of changes over time
Dynamic resource - information increasing
Data + Mapping - production of custom maps
-- Better Customer Service!
City of Corvallis - Geographic
Information
System
It‟s simply ...
Smart Maps
provide
Smart Service
Delivery!
Geographic Information System
Citizens
Inventory
Geographic The World
Knowledge
Decision Support
Geography matters to the City of Corvallis!
City of Corvallis
Oregon
City GIS data (including orthos) available at:
ftp.ci.corvallis.or.us/pw/gis
PC Installation in Van
First installation
late 1999
Industrial PC case
Std. Keyboard
15” Flat Screen
Inverter mounted in cargo area
PC Installation - Meter Van
2nd installation,
done in early
2000.
Same PC case,
monitor and
keyboard (in a
slide-in tray).
Added a printer.
Inverter mounted
behind the
monitor.
Uses GISMO
and ArcPad.
PC Installation 1-ton Service Trucks
Most recent installations
DC-AC
Inverter
Dual 12v
Batteries
Infra-red
keyboard
PC is a slim-profile case, mounted behind the seat.
Has dual hard-drives w/additional cooling fans
Same flat-screen monitor
Keyboard is wireless (infra-red)
Has a wireless Ethernet network card