City of Rochester Department of Public Works to host the Minnesota Governor’s Geographic Information Council

The City of Rochester Department of Public Works will host the May 28, 2008 meeting of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Geographic Information in Rochester, Minnesota. The council will meet from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Room 424 of the University Square Building.

Most of the meeting will be devoted to six presentations by area professionals, primarily from the City of Rochester and Olmsted and Goodhue Counties. The presentations will focus on various geospatial technology applications including uses of GIS in flood control monitoring, response to electric network outages, and crime mapping; Goodhue County’s new GIS User Group, and Olmsted County’s roadway network database, as well as its comprehensive land use evaluation system.

Members of the public and policy makers interested in geospatial technology are encouraged to attend. For more information, including an agenda, maps, and driving and parking directions, see the council’s website: www.gis.state.mn.us [1] or contact Nancy Rader at 651-201-2491 in St. Paul or Dan Flatgard at 507-328-2432 in Rochester. A box lunch will be provided for attendees who RSVP to Nancy Rader by Thursday May 22.

The meeting continues the council’s emphasis on reaching out to its constituency by holding meetings around the state. "These traveling meetings provide valuable input into GIS activities statewide and expand the reach of the Governor's Council," says Rick Gelbmann, chair of the Minnesota Governor's Council on Geographic Information and GIS manager at the Metropolitan Council.

"We want communities to know that we’re here to work with them in developing up-to-date geographic resources throughout our state.”

The Governor’s Council on Geographic Information works to promote policies and practices that lead to effective, efficient use of geographic data and technology.

The council also encourages partnerships and cooperative approaches to the use of high tech geographic information systems.

The Land Management Information Center, in the Office of Geographic and Demographic Analysis of the Minnesota Department of Administration, provides administrative and technical support for the council. The Land Management Information Center also offers data, mapping and project design services to enhance the effective use of geographic information and technology.

Contacts

• Nancy Rader
  651-201-2491
  gis.council@state.mn.us [2]
• Dan Flatgard
  507-328-2432
  dflatgard@rochestermn.gov [3]