September 2008 GIS News

Immersive GIS to Engage Citizens Like Never Before
by Corey McKenna

Aug. 1, 2008 -- California state government is gearing up for a renaissance of geospatial information systems--one in which citizens can see and touch the data relevant to critical questions such as where are they going to live and where are their kids going to go to school, while business owners will be able to interact with the data that will guide them in determining whether or not to locate their business in California.

Click here to read the full article

Sonoma County GIS Day, Nov. 19, 2008: "Sustaining Our World Through GIS"

The webpage for Sonoma County’s GIS Day (https://gis.sonoma-county.org/GISDay.htm) has been updated with information for this year’s event. As new information becomes available this site will be updated to reflect the changes.

As you peruse the site you will notice that there is plenty of opportunity for you to participate in this year’s event. If you wish to present, have a demonstration booth, submit a paper/digital/animated map for the map gallery, or help sponsor the event, please contact one of the following co-coordinators:

• Trae Cooper , City of Petaluma, 778-4330, TCOOPER@ci.petaluma.ca.us
• Kevin Lacefield , County of Sonoma, 565-2109, klacefie@sonoma-county.org
• Walter Moody , Ray Carlson & Associates, 571-5501, Walter@rcmaps.com
• Bette Smith , City of Santa Rosa, 543-3212, BSmith@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us
  

Geospatial Information Systems a High Priority as State Officials Make Progress toward Statewide Coordination
from Teri Takai, Chief Information Officer

July 29, 2008 -- In May, Governor Schwarzenegger called for the creation of a task force to develop a statewide strategy to enhance Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) technology for environmental protection, natural resource management, traffic flow, emergency preparedness and response, land use planning and health and human services. GIS is a technology which utilizes geographic mapping that is layered with data, allowing users to navigate in an environment where they can visualize scenarios in unlimited new ways.

This month, Governor Schwarzenegger also launched a GIS application aimed at helping parents, students and educators - http://www.schoolfinder.ca.gov. The website allows parents to easily find and compare schools side-by-side on data such as graduation rates and Academic Performance Index (API) scores, as well as information on student support services and advanced placement courses, in a one-stop easy-to-navigate Web site.

Public Records Access Amicus Brief: CGIA Position

The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) recently won the lawsuit enforcing California's Public Record Act by requiring Santa Clara County to provide its GIS parcel basemap at the cost of duplication, instead of its current price of $ 158,000. The County appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeals agreed to receive arguments on the case until April 30. Bruce Joffe, Principal of GIS Consultants Inc, composed an Amicus Brief regarding the importance of public access to GIS data.

As the Amicus Brief delineates, beyond issues of copyright and national security, this case impacts the GIS community because it involves "certain technical information about GIS basemaps, and the benefit to the public that they enable when they are made available as governmental public records." In short, the Amicus Brief is important because it is about "enforcing the public record law as it is written, as endorsed by the California Attorney General, and as validated by the Superior Court. Santa Clara County is exercising its right to appeal the decision, and this judicial procedure is all part of the process by which the public's right to keep its government accountable can be made real."

After reviewing the Amicus Brief within the context of an ongoing lawsuit, the Board decided that it did not want to take a position either for or against one of the parties in the lawsuit. Instead, the CGIA Board would prefer being in a position of supporting a negotiated settlement that balances the interests of both parties, with an emphasis on making data accessible to the public.

Read the full Amicus Brief here.

CGIA Board Position on AB1978
After careful review, the CGIA Board has taken an advisory position to oppose AB1978.

Proposed state legislation AB1978 would amend the State of California Public Records Act to modify the meaning of the term “software” which is currently exempted by the Public Records Act. Consequently, a state or local agency could to sell, lease, and license the “software” (including mapping systems as defined below) for commercial or noncommercial use.

Current law requires state and local agencies to make their records available during regular business hours and, upon request, to provide a copy of a record upon payment of any applicable fee, unless an exemption from disclosure applies. Additionally, the current law allows a state or local agency to sell, lease, and license the software for commercial or noncommercial use.

The CGIA Board Position on AB1978 is available for download here.

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CGIA extends a special "Thank You" to the California Resources Agency for their hosting of our web site. This special arrangement reflects the close working relationship that exists between our two organizations and our mutual interests in using geospatial technologies to improve government services.