GIS Website / Internet Application - 1630

To provide public access to a gallery of created maps and an interactive web application to view and query updated local GIS data hosted at mcaggis.com.

MCAG uses GIS Internet technology to allow members and the public to view the GIS data provided by MDSS. This service has proven to be a valuable tool that is utilized by many departments throughout all local jurisdictions and the general public.

Most of the jurisdictions within Merced County link to mcaggis.com for their online mapping purposes. Some of the jurisdictions link to the posted PDF’s of their planning maps. Others link directly to the GIS Maps Online (GISMO) for interactive mapping. This service is provided at no additional cost to the jurisdictions because it utilizes the same hardware and only one set of software licensing.

MDSS, Inc. will prepare this element under an agreement with MCAG.

MCAG has been hosting a public access GIS website since 1998. Staff updates PDF’s of General Plan and Zoning maps quarterly in the map gallery. The interactive map application allows the public to view and query property information, General Plan, Zoning and regional transportation projects. The web server also functions as MCAG’s FTP site for sending and receiving large files across the Internet.

The technology used to serve a GIS web site application continues to rapidly change. Over the past 10 years, the website, software and web server have had to change as well. MCAG currently utilizes ArcIMS, with Moosepoint’s GeoSMART software to program and run the interactive mapping component. This technology is currently being phased out and replaced with ArcGIS Server. The technology and the various programming languages involved with setting up and designing an efficient and effective GIS web site has increased substantially. To ensure limited downtime of the website during the conversion process, MCAG would hire a consultant who is an expert in this technology to perform the tasks of setting up the server and new website quickly and properly.

Some of the key features to be added to the new ArcGIS Server GISMO will be allowing jurisdiction staff access to be able to “mark up” the map on screen and immediately send a map with notes for revisions back to MDSS for additional quality control. Utilizing ArcGIS Server, the GIS data can also be made available as a map service for immediate viewing of GIS data layers after edits are made and posted. Depending on access and performance results, this could evolve into the resource for distributing GIS data instead of monthly updates on CD. Jurisdictions could have immediate access to all GIS data layers as they are being updated.