DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON STATE SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CONGRESS ON SURVEYING AND MAPPING THURSDAY JULY 17, 2008 @ ANGELOS RESTAURANT IN BELLEVUE Attendees: Tim Leach, James Ray, Julie Csisek, Ben Petersen, Pat Beehler, Gavin Schrock, Randy Sleight, Mick Sprouffske, Steve Reding, Tamara King, Jon Warren The meeting began at about 6:30 p.m. with a technical presentation by Tim Leach. PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS: The topic was Tims Master of Science in GIS research: A Geodatabase for the Washington Council of County Surveyors (WCCS) Data Warehouse. The idea for the project began while Tim worked with Larry Signani, PLS of WH Pacific, Inc. to establish a survey network for the Muckleshoot Tribe. Tim was interested creating a form of WCCS template for GIS. The geodatabase is ESRIs latest structure for storing geospatial data. His project was divided into three components: Database Design Review, Investigation of Test Data, and Tools for ArcGIS. The WCCS database template remains valid with those he investigated. He used smaller field names to make the geodatabase compatible with shapefiles. During his investigation of test data, he created data validation tools. GIS analyses are typically performed on datasets within a single projection. Tim showed the results of tests of that examined nearness, duplicate point records, and field completion among WCCS test datasets from multiple jurisdictions. There were differences in the way jurisdictions used the database. With GIS analysis tools, you could see the location of survey projects, and where there might be anomalies in warehouse data. It was clear that GIS people would have to interface with survey offices to import data. Finally Tim explained how tools could be created within Python, VBA, and Model Builder (an ESRI geoprocessing toolbox) to help GIS people use WCCS data in ArcGIS. The presentation was well received by those in attendance. Gavin noted that he may use the shapefile compatible fields if he can update the WCCS warehouse. DINNER MEETING: Chairs Report: Chairman Tim Leach iterated that a primary goal is to have a presentation every month providing an alternative venue for professional education. At the advice of Julie Csisek (formerly Morland), Instructor, Surveying Engineering Program, Renton Technical College, Tim made the executive decision to lower the student dinner price from $15 to $10. Tim noted that we should make it clear in meeting notices that non-members are welcome. He mentioned that it would be worthwhile to find out if the LSAW might be interested in meeting notices via their mailing list. Treasurers Report: Treasurer Tamara King reported that current statements show that WSS-ACSM has a positive balance of $2,040.46 in checking and $1,063.70 in savings. Secretary's Report: James Ray reports that he has resurrected the wss-acsm.org web domain and has partially updated the web pages. He suggests that we consider offering a web bulletin board so as to give members in other parts of the state a chance to participate without driving so much. This led to some discussion of how the chapter can leverage technology to encourage participation and membership. Pat Beehler suggested videoconferencing. Others suggested making video recordings of meetings in order to webcast them or share them with public access television stations. Julie Csisek says that Renton Tech frequently gets requests for night classes and extra materials including LSIT remedial material, and that this would be a good way to share and teach. Minutes: Minutes from our July 19th meeting were unanimously approved. Old Business: We still need to coordinate a trip to the bank to update signature authority for the newest officers. We sent out dues notices and they are arriving at the post office box. We will have to make sure that they are getting picked up and deposited in a timely fashion. Tim and James held a coordination meeting concerning the website. New Business: In dinner discussion following Tim Leach's presentation, it arose that it will cost approximately $12,000 to upgrade the WCCS database to new modern database software. Since WCCS uses this, and SRCW will need a database to keep the height modernization data in, it was moved and approved that WSS-ACSM will write letters in support of effort, to the State of Washington and City of Seattle. Pat Beehler, NSPS president, spoke about National Surveyors' Week. Currently there are 42 sponsors for that bill. Sept. 25th is lobby day, if you are going to be in Washington, D.C. That day contact your representatives and senators for an appointment that day. So far only 2 Washington legislators are supporting, Baird and Dicks. NSPS, along with IRWA, is getting some support for the railroad ROW abandonment legislation, and there is apparently a congressman who will support it. Jon Warren wants to pursue the webcast/videotaping as new business. Gavin Schrock says he can help (but not in September.) Pat Beehler wonders about the non-surveyors' feelings about the current redefinition of surveying legislation. (We noted that of the members present, only Tim Leach was a non-surveyor.) Gavin Schrock commented that in Germany and Japan, surveyors do cadastral work, where the GIS component is supervised by surveyors. Gavin brought up the idea of Geocracy GIS is in the hands of the public now even kids can map with Google Earth. Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Next Meeting August 21st: James Ray will be presenting at our next meeting. He will be exploring some of the techniques he has developed utilizing Total Stations.