The Geographic Information System (GIS) is a key component to public works operations, maintenance and planning mechanisms, Snowflake Public Works Superintendent Terry Cooper explained to the town council last week.

Cooper asked the council to continue the G.I.S. Initiative Program by accepting a $38,250 proposal from Smallmelo Geographic Information Services.

Following his presentation, a motion to accept the proposal was passed.

Cooper noted that in 2010 Melodi King of Smallmelo helped the town start this initiative.

A power point presentation was made to show what has been accomplished and what remain to be done.

Town staff members will continue to work on the drainage master plan, landbase data sets and document linking, and Cooper noted that for this project they purchased a plotter/scanner, and are digitizing maps, easements, rights of way and legal documents. They have completed approximately 400 of the 800 plan sets.

The GIS has made progress with the wastewater line cleaning plan, and they now have a video link with the GIS to the sewer line, which will help the town down the road.

They have located on GIS all of the 1,833 assessed water meters, and have done an assessment of their condition and location. Putting this on GIS will allow the town to go back and make the necessary repairs to the meters more easily. They will continue to work on the drainage master plan, which is necessary to identify the needed improvements for flood control purposes.

The e911 project was initiated by Navajo County to improve emergency response. Cooper explained that this generates an addressing format that the town needs to develop and update.

The county has been provided with road names and existing addresses, but there is some work to be done on duplicate road names and some addressing is wrong, which throws off emergency services.

“This has already been done,” said Councilman Stuart Hensley, who suggested they contact Fire Map officials for more information on that firm’s computer program.

Hensley was asked to contact Fire Map and get the needed information.

Cooper noted that there was not a lot of money allocated to e911 this year because they have given Navajo County what was requested.