“G I S” Beginning
by Hannah Billings

Imagine walking into your back yard with a shovel. If a random spot were chosen to start digging, what would the shovel run into? Water lines? Sewer lines? Maybe even gas lines? What is the best way for developers to know what lines are on an empty lot? A solution is in the works, and presented by an unexpected party - the City of Berea.

For several years, discussion of implementing a Global Information System (GIS) has been floating around the City. On September 11, 2002 the first meeting was held of a committee of people who are interested in seeing this idea become a reality.

This would give Berea a map that is almost an exact replica of the city, that is easily altered as changes occur; something that is currently unheard of. Each building, street, phone line, electric line, water line, gas line and numerous land markers would be plotted using a Global Positions System tool (GPS). The GPS tool uses satellites to locate the exact longitude and latitude that the tool is resting at. Therefore, workers could take the tool to each specific landmark and be able to walk away with their coordinates. Then, longitude and latitude of the specific landmark are then placed on a conventional map.

To make this a reality, numerous business would have to work together to collectively label a single map. Dale VanWinkle, Codes Administrator for the City of Berea, shares that this is the perfect time to begin such a project. The CESEPP, an agency in charge of Emergency Preparedness due to the Bluegrass Army Depot, has been given funds through the Federal Government to make maps of the area. The maps would include everything from roads to city limits, and even watershed basins. The City of Berea is hoping to work closely with CESEPP due to the fact that they will be doing a GIS system of the area.

Numerous local businesses are already working with the city. VanWinkle shares in his GIS Synopsis for the counsel and mayor, “There have been over 15 agencies or departments involved and over 30 different persons have attended at one time or another.” To date, the meetings main functions have been to share ideas and form an organization to how the committee will function best in the future. There are three subcommittees that are currently underway. The Chartering/Partnership Committee is working to find an efficient way for all of the separate representatives from businesses to communicate and work together. The Software Committee is researching to find software that will be most efficient for the project and then reporting for the committees to decide as a whole. Finally, the Networking Committee is hoping to find the most efficient way for information to be shared between all of the agencies in cooperation, to therefore provide proper upkeep of a single map.

The Committees are also looking at how other cities have formed a GIS system for their town. They are able to discuss what has worked in the past to hopefully help Berea in the future. Paul Schrader, a Code employee for the City, shares that the map will also show topographic land forms and be on a 50 scale map that can be used for development as well. Schrader feels that the committee will decide to hire consultants in the future to help guide their work. However, he notes they won’t hire a company to perform the whole project for them. This is mainly because the finished project will need to be altered as the town grows and changes; local workers need to have the knowledge to perform the upkeep. Schrader feels that the biggest hurdle they are currently facing is how they are going to finance the overall project. He feels the outcome will be beneficial for everyone and is excited about the progress already taking place.

“The current process and progress of the GIS Mapping Consortium is currently in its infancy stage, but has moved from a crawling stage to its feet and beginning to walk. We have a long way to go, but with persistence, hard work, and patience, a very strong and well designed, shared mapping program will be put in place for present and future generations to benefit.” – Dale VanWinkle, taken from synopsis submitted to Mayor

This is only the beginning of what we will soon hear about the GIS system, and BereaOnline.com hopes to keep you informed as progress takes place. For more information about the City of Berea or its employees visit www.cityofberea.com