Mississippi Geographic Information Systems and Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing

The Policy Advisory Committee meeting included a presentation and discussion of the Draft Interim Report, "A Strategic Plan for Remote Sensing and GIS Coordination in Mississippi." The Legislation Task Force presented recommendations on funding, staffing, and addressing quorum difficulties at Council meetings. A status report was given on the Request for Qualifications, including details about the Proposers Conference. The Data Procurement Standards Task Force provided an update, and the Technical Users Group (TUG) activities were reported on.

The Policy Advisory Committee convened its first meeting, where the Chairman provided an overview of the newly created Council and the Committee's role in its success. Historical developments leading to the Council's creation were reviewed, along with similar efforts in other southeastern states. A draft outline for the Council's responsibilities was presented, covering the Mississippi Digital Earth Model, standards for purchasing hardware, software, and data, establishing a clearinghouse/warehouse, developing a delivery system infrastructure, and funding priorities for the 2004 legislative session. Information Technology Services responsibilities were also reviewed.

The meeting included discussions on MDEM layer development activities, the Gulf Region Base Mapping Program, and parcel publication. Updates were provided on the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) project and the GIS Portal/Clearinghouse development. The council also discussed the strategic/business plan and the 2009 Annual Report.

The meeting included a briefing on efforts to bring courthouse records into a coordinated, publicly accessible information system. An update was provided on correspondence sent to city, county, and state governments affected by House Bill 861, informing them of the Council's operation and requesting updates on RS/GIS activities and planned projects. The Council was also briefed on the FEMA map modernization project and MDOT's plans for a statewide aerial photo mission. Discussions also covered the plan required under HB861, the formation of a Policy Advisory Committee and a Technical Users Committee, and a letter to inform parties that the Council is Mississippi's official RS/GIS coordinating authority.

The meeting included a presentation on the Strategic Plan Report, focusing on coordination and funding issues, and the recommendation to hire a full-time GIS Coordinator. There were discussions about the MDEM layer development activities, particularly the statewide road centerline project. An update was given on the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) project and the transition into the Risk MAP Program. Also, GIS initiatives by other state agencies, especially the GIS Task Force Flood Response Team's work on the Mississippi River flood, were presented. Education and outreach efforts, including ArcGIS 10 courses and the Mississippi Geospatial Clearinghouse, were discussed, along with updates on the GIS Portal/Clearinghouse development.