Geographic Information System
Connect Ontario/GeoSmart Overview
Connect Ontario/GeoSmart Project milestones accomplished to date
In September 2001, an organization-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) was identified as a key technology for Chatham-Kent. By providing access to mapping and location-based information, managers and staff can use the viewing and analysis capabilities of GIS to enhance business processes and decisions. The general public can use the viewing capabilities of GIS to assist with obtaining information and location of points of interest and possible investment.
Achieving this type of capability requires a set of technology and organizational initiatives. The key events and activities required, include:
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Building the geographic datasets that provided the information base for the enterprise GIS. This includes data for properties, natural features, municipal infrastructure and administrative areas.
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Deploying the technology infrastructure, GIS software and spatial databases that support the enterprise GIS.
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Developing the GIS applications that support the various business needs of the users in each of the departments in the Municipality.
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Setting-up a three-year implementation project to develop and integrate the components of the enterprise GIS, beginning in 2002.
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Establishing a Centre for GIS to provide a corporate focus for implementation and support of the enterprise GIS.
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Obtaining development funding to support the implementation of the enterprise GIS.
Orion Technology and Prior & Prior Associated Ltd. developed the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Implementation Plan and Municipal Council approved the project in January of 2002. The project schedule, developed by Chatham-Kent and Orion Technology, proceeds through to the year 2005. Grant funding has been obtained from GeoSmart and Industry Canada. We are continuing to pursue sources of funding and strategic partnerships to share development and data costs and enhance the overall value of the GIS to the community.
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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has secured a contract for 1.5 million from the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Natural Resources to develop and expand access to new e-business applications, services and transactions; community and government information, local business, employment and tourism information; as well as develop innovative geographic or geospatial information systems so that municipal services can be planned and delivered more efficiently. The amount represents a contribution of $500,000 towards the GeoSmart initiative and $1,000,000 towards the Connect Ontario initiatives. All items expensed within the project plan represent a .50 cent dollar return from the Connect Ontario/GeoSmart fund.
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Connect Ontario/GeoSmart
Project milestones accomplished to date include:
1. Implementation of a robust, fully redundant firewall that allows for the implementation of virtual local area networks (VLAN's), virtual private networks (VPN's), intrusion detection systems and a variety of reporting mechanisms. This device is the initial start point for the evolution of a full-scale municipal security model.
2. Network connectivity to rural libraries and service centres within the municipality has been established allowing access to the internet, central library services, municipal network services and e-mail.
3. A request for proposal has been recently awarded to a local firm to implement and deliver a full web-based Content Management System. A Content Management System manages all of the website information in a "database-type" format. Individual departments will now be responsible for creating, editing and posting their own information to the website thereby improving efficiencies in information delivery and turn-around time. In addition, departments will identify when information should be "posted" and "removed" as well as flag and prioritize time-sensitive information. This ability will enable our Municipal "home" page and key departmental pages to continually change to reflect time-sensitive or urgent pieces of information. This system provides the foundation for the move into e-Service delivery and the vision that the municipal web site will become the primary corporate repository for information.
4. There has been a recognized need for an enhanced centralized Internet based community events calendar and events planning calendar to better serve all of Chatham-Kent. Implementation of such a program was accomplished in April of 2002. This particular initiative is expected to increase the number and exposure of community events throughout Chatham-Kent as well as reduce the number of conflicts in event scheduling.
5. Implementation of the software and hardware required to enable on-line registration of recreational programs and browsing for facility booking information has been accomplished in April of 2002. The Municipality is expected to pilot this project in August of 2002 with full access provided to all constituents in December of 2002. This project will allow the residents of Chatham-Kent the capability to review, register and pay for participation in recreation programs and browse for facility information and bookings from the convenience of their home, office and/or other internet connected location.
6. Orion Technology has provided the GIS software called "On-Point" which includes a web client feature with query & viewing capability and a robust data warehouse.
7. An address database for GIS use is being finalized and delivery has been scheduled.
8. Forty-seven GIS applications have been packaged into 4 application suites which are currently in development and include:
▪ Property, Planning and Building
▪ Infrastructure, Project & Work Management
▪ Emergency Response, Dispatch and Planning
▪ Economic Development and Marketing
9. 2500 square km's of Digital Ortho Photography (Aerial photography) is complete and in use.
10. Staffing of the positions required to establish a Centre for GIS is complete.
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