GIS Needs Assessment for the City of Missoula Prepared by Geodata Services, Inc. June 6, 2016 1 Table of Contents GIS Needs Assessment Methods and Procedures .................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 3 Detailed GIS Needs .................................................................................................................. 5 User Interviews on GIS Data & Workflow Analysis .................................................................. 7 User Questionnaire .......................................................................................................................... 7 Department Interviews .................................................................................................................... 9 Development Services ‐ Planning ...................................................................................................... 11 Development Services ‐ Transportation ............................................................................................ 12 Development Services ‐ Engineering ................................................................................................. 13 Fire Department ................................................................................................................................. 14 GIS Services (Information Technology) ............................................................................................. 15 Missoula Redevelopment Agency ..................................................................................................... 18 Parks and Recreation ......................................................................................................................... 19 Police Department ............................................................................................................................. 21 Public Works ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Other Departments not Interviewed .............................................................................................. 23 Other Organizations Collaborating with the City ............................................................................ 24 Interaction with other Asset and Operations Software ................................................................... 24 GIS Data Layer Inventory ....................................................................................................... 26 External Data ................................................................................................................................. 28 Land Base Sources .......................................................................................................................... 28 Data and Workflows – Current Situation ........................................................................................ 29 2 GIS Needs Assessment Methods and Procedures This document is a geographic information system (GIS) needs assessment for the City of Missoula. The Executive Summary follows with an overview of the GIS system in the City of Missoula and a summary of the GIS needs. This is followed by survey results from City GIS analyst staff on their best practices, experience and type of data storage. The report follows with details summarizing interviews for each department and a summary of hardware and software needs for enterprise database implementation. The needs assessment concludes with a summary of the data inventory of the map layers maintained by City departments and the current workflow for GIS layers between departments. GIS data was compiled from all identified City departments representing the data status during a two week period from late March to early April, 2016. The only known exception to this data collection was the developed park asset layers maintained by one of the divisions within Missoula Parks and Recreation. The goals of the project were: ● Assess the existing geospatial operations and needs for the City ● Document the spatial data layers currently being maintained by the City ● Assess the analog data and associated workflows that could logically be added to the GIS ● Inventory and review the existing GIS data and prepare a citywide summary ● Identify a federated workflow to allow greater coordination and data sharing among City GIS departments A summary of the City of Missoula GIS hardware and software needs have been prepared by a collaborative partner, ASYNC GIS, Inc., and are available in a separate report. Executive Summary The City of Missoula has maintained GIS programs in several departments for the last 15 years. Six years ago there were four GIS analysts maintaining the core data sets and maps that analysts handle today to support all departments. A staff half the size as it was moved from Public Works to Information Technology. Today they maintain parcels, easements, storm water and waste water systems, street centerline data, and other projects as assigned. The core GIS layers are currently maintained in a geodatabase using SDE and Microsoft SQL tables; layers are accessed by other departments through thin clients and workstations via virtual department servers. The City of Missoula IT Department is planning to implement a new server configuration, replacing the older SDE servers to direct connections to SQL GIS database and an enterprise 3 GIS database. The City is also planning on implementing Portal for ArcGIS to handle internal and external web services, web maps and GIS web applications. Approximately 14 additional City staff across six of the seven departments currently utilize GIS data and software to help perform their duties. Each staff member typically maintains their own datasets to support their department’s needs using a combination of common GIS file formats including file geodatabases, shapefiles, and CAD drawings. A dozen additional City departments were not specified to be interviewed or examined in detail for GIS needs. In most instances it was because they did not have GIS staff or workflows, and in a few instances, such as the health department, the GIS support is handled by Missoula County staff and departments. Although the City and County maintain separate staffs and operations, there are some overlap areas through various departments on the urban fringes. The City maintains some data officially outside the city boundaries. One issue complicating data sharing and collaboration is that Missoula County uses Novell spreadsheet software and the City of Missoula uses Microsoft Excel. Historically, some web map services were published by the City with ArcGIS Server, and more recently with Esri hosted ArcGIS Online. There are no two way data dependencies currently between departments, and there are no multi-user versioned geodatabases or GIS feature classes. The City of Missoula maintains an enterprise license agreement (ELA) with Esri that is used for core ArcGIS desktop GIS creation and analysis, but no ArcGIS extensions are currently used. Four separate software systems with GIS or mapping relationships and connections are in operation workflows with City departments: ● New World (utilized by the Police and Fire Department and 911) ● Automation (a program created by Accela, used by many departments for permitting, licensing, code compliance, service requests, and asset management) ● BuildingEye, a web based program for displaying city permits and sewer connection records (accessible to departments and the public) ● Data View (a no-longer functional ArcIMS based application that was used for address locator functions as well as viewing sanitary sewer connection records and as-built drawings. An online map displays the as-builts. A versioned enterprise database is needed, with feature level metadata activated to track user edits and date and time stamps will increase efficiency and collaboration city-wide. One example cited was preparation of an oversize trails and city asset map for offset printing for public distribution. The process resulted in a single point in time inter-departmental trail feature class. There are no workflows to continuously maintain modifications. A centralized versioned geodatabase would be required to handle multiple users and edits. Continuing education for all GIS analysts is needed, focusing on editing in versioned enterprise geodatabases, and using file geodatabases for all project work. There is a need to migrate the expanded core GIS data 4 layers that currently remain in shapefile format into the enterprise geodatabase. Additional continuing education for all City GIS staff on the use of domains and subtypes would increase data quality and accuracy and improve workflow efficiencies. There is also a need for geodatabase standards. We recommend the City consider adoption of the Esri local government data model along with evaluation of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) data models for citywide address model, street centerline and administrative boundaries. Departments, consultants, citizens, students and other agencies have GIS workflows requiring access to active and historic geospatial data sets developed by the City. There are needs for scripted workflows to replicate core enterprise geodatabase content into formats that are maintained on public and internal data portals, deprecating