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. ._... . ...... . . .::: . . <br />CITY OF COLTON - GIS <br />- <br />WHAT IS GIS? <br />A Geographic Information System -a GIS - is "a computer system capable of holding <br />and using data describing places on the earth's surface". <br />A`GIS is fundarnentally a database that also has #he ability to create maps at di#ferent <br />scales. The �mportant aspects of any GIS are: what it is, where it is, and how it relates <br />to other features (e.g., whieh roads link to form a network). This enables GIS to be an <br />analysis tool. This gives the user the ability to assaciate inforrnation with a feature on a <br />map and #o create new relationships that can determine the suitability of various sites <br />for development, evaluate environmental irnpaGts, identify the best location for a new <br />facility, and so on. ' <br />GIS AND THE CITY OF CQLTON <br />As we appraach #he 21� cen#ury, the City of Colton fias to remain competitive for new <br />business and develo�ment. Majar businesses and many consu►�ers are expeeting and <br />getting ir�formation immedia#ely. If the City of Colton cannot provide requested <br />inforrnation in a reasonable amount o# time, developers wili take their business <br />elsewhere. For example, #he cities of Ontario and Riverside have had major <br />development occur within their boundaries as their GIS sys#erns have rnatured. In this <br />age af information tecMnological revolution, survival of a municipality requires the <br />investment in eyen the basic version of GIS. <br />Some of the most abvious reasans #or implementing GIS at the City af Colton are: <br />faster drafting and reduced field time to prepare work order maps; faster production of <br />system maps, which impro�es safety as well as the efficiency of outage restoration and <br />system maintenance far the electric utility; the abili#y to test a greater number of <br />alternatives in #he conceptual design process; improved response to inquiries by staff <br />and #he pubGc; and redUced consumptEon of va(uable staff resources retrieving and <br />ver�fying redundant i�forma�ion. <br />j � �- - , � -- ,r <br />, <:,, „ , <br />�1 � - �-- z :_ : � <br />_. <br />, _,: . ,:- <br />