The geographic information system, which would be implemented over five years at a cost of $870,000, would feature every tax parcel and have software to track permits and inspections. Information on the location of many public works projects, such as sewer lines and potholes, would be tabulated.
Fire departments could tap the system to see if there are utilities to disconnect on burning buildings, and engineering information would be just a point and click away from city planners.
''This allows us the ability to tie in a lot of information to maps,'' city planner Darlene Heller told the Planning Commission on Thursday. ''It gives us a lot of tools.''
Noting the importance of the system, the commission recommended that City Council approve the $25 million, five-year capital improvement plan. The plan is being funded through a proposed $2.82 million capital bond, $2 million Community Development Block Grant, the balance of previous bonds, future bonds and other grants.
Other projects proposed in the $7.56 million allocated for next year range from extending sidewalk and curb improvements in parts of the historic downtown to developing an erosion control plan for Saucon Park, which is in a flood plain.
In the mapping project, Heller said the city expects to spend $160,000 next year on beginning to enter data.
Some bulk data can be downloaded from Northampton County and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. City officials should be able to access that by the end of next year, Heller said.
''It would be nice if we could expedite the installation of GIS,'' Planning Commission member Lawrence Krauter said. ''Instead of five years, I would like to see it done in less time. I know has to be considered, but it's unfortunate we can't jump into this sooner.''
Heller said the city doesn't have a geographic mapping expert on staff and will be starting from scratch. It will take time to manually input the data into the system.
She said the city planned to use a consultant to manage the system.
Callahan, who did not attend the Planning Commission meeting, has said it will take ''political will'' for the city to spend the money to implement the system, which will increase efficiency and free up city employees' time.
Councilman Ismael Arcelay has called for more e-government, giving the public greater access to information on the Web.
Some city officials say the mapping technology is the stepping stone for making government information more user-friendly.
Autor: Nicole Radzievich
Quelle: The Morning Call, 25.09.2004
