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The meeting began at 2:10 PM at the City of Lakes Building, City of Minneapolis.
Members present: State: Tom Eiber (DNR Forestry), Don Yeager (LMIC); Cities: Chairperson Rick Person (City of
St. Paul), Roger Carlson (City of Minneapolis); Counties: Tim Zimmerman (Hennepin County), Jane Harper, (Washington
County), John Connelly (St. Paul & Ramsey County Charter Commissions); School Districts: Robert D. Nelson
(Richfield Public Schools); Metropolitan: Kathy Johnson (Metropolitan Council), Michael Munson (Metropolitan Council);
Utilities: Dale Nikkola (Anoka Electric Cooperative).
Members absent: Business Geographics: Joe Ryan (Oppidan Investment Co.); Cities: Maria D'Andrea (City of
Robbinsdale), Judie Erickson (City of St. Louis Park); Private Research: Kent Treichel (Wilder Foundation); Utilities:
Mike Wood (Waypoint Technologies); Public Safety: Mark Tente (Lake Johanna Fire Dept), Dave Schroeder (Police Support
LOGIS); Private Consultants: Rebbecca Blue (SEH, Inc.);. Metropolitan: Marcel Jouseau (Metropolitan Council
Environmental); Academic: Will Craig, MetroGIS Coordinating Committee Liason (UM CURA); Counties: David Claypool,
MetroGIS Coordinating Committee Liason (Ramsey County).
Visitors: Rick Gelbmann, Metropolitan Council GIS; David Arbeit, MetroGIS Coordinating Committee Chairperson
Support Staff: David Vessel, Heidi Welsch
1. Acceptance of the Agenda and Meeting Summary
The meeting agenda was accepted by consensus. The meeting summary from June 12, 1996 was accepted by
consensus.
2. Direction from the MetroGIS Coordinating Committee
David Vessel and Rick Gelbmann explained that the Coordinating Committee had reviewed the Data Content Team
work plan. They support the work thus far and understand that the Data Content Team mission statement and membership
may change once the current goals are met. It was explained that the focus group procedure would be the foundation for
the proposed broader data modeling effort. It was also explained that a data modeling consultant will be hired by the
Metropolitan Council to facilitate a focus groups forum and the data modeling session and to prepare a final report.
Staff stated that it is important to understand that the consultant is for facilitation and not for identification of
the data.
David Arbeit also explained that the procedure is intended to be replicated for state interests if the grant,
that was applied for on June 26th, is approved. He also explained the grant application is for a demonstration project
to study how local, metropolitan, and state data needs in Minnesota are similar to and different from the seven
framework datasets affiliated with the federal NSDI program. The RFP for the consultant will be released on July 22,
1996 with a deadline of August 5, 1996.
There was some concern regarding the change in team plans. Where is the team's role in this process? It was
agreed that the team's role will be important in choosing focus group candidates, choosing the consultant, defining
expected outcomes of the focus groups forum, and defining questions which should serve as a guide for the consultant in
the break out focus group sessions. Team input will also be sought in reviewing the RFP's and selecting the consultant.
These questions will be included in the RFP as part of the expected outcomes. Staff is still sorting out its role and
is asking for team direction. Jane Harper and John Connely agreed to help staff review the RFP's and select a
consultant for the forum. The review will take place on the afternoon of August 5, 1996.
The current tasks of the Data Content Team are to:
- Identify focus group candidates
- Populate the focus groups
- Formulate rough parameters to guide the consultant
- Formulate draft questions for use in the focus groups
- Hold a 1/2 day forum of all focus groups on September 19, 1996
The forum will be in the afternoon of September 19th, 1996. The first half of the meeting will be an overview
facilitated by the data modeling consultant. The second half of the meeting will be broken into the focus groups. Each
focus group will be facilitated, but not necessarily by the consultant. The appropriate facilitation people will be
trained by the consultant on the morning of the 19th. After the forum, the consultant will compile a report which will
go to the Data Modeling Team. This team will be comprised of 1-2 members of each focus group along with representation
from the standards team and possibly the data access team and policy team. The data modeling session will build an
overall model for MetroGIS data needs.
There was some discussion of where the criteria for "core data" vs. "data" will be in the process. David
Arbeit explained that if data modeling is done properly, the outcome should be a clear understanding of what is core
data for the Metro Area. The expectations of what will come out of the focus group forum will help guide the consultant
to elucidate this information. The methods and questions used by the consultant within the focus group break out
sessions will help channel the responses as well.
There was some concern that regionally data needs will not be addressed by using this bottom up approach,
particularly if focus groups are filled with representatives of local units of government. It was agreed that this is
why it is important to get a good mix of individuals and organizations on each of the focus groups. David Arbeit stated
that it will be important to have regional representation (Metropolitan Council) in most of the focus groups.
3. Focus Group Participants
The team agreed that focus groups will be kept to a minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 participants. Candidates
will be qualified to represent their field. To the extent possible, focus groups will have a geographic balance. In
addition, there will be a balance of subgroups within the focus groups to the extent possible.
It was agreed that staff will do the contacting of potential participants. A team member from each focus group
volunteered to assist staff in the process of candidate selection and contact as follows: Tom Eiber, Parks/
Environmental Protection/ Natural Resources; Jane Harper, Community Development and Research; Roger Carlson, Property
Records; Rick Person, Public Works/ Utilities/ Transportation/ Communications. Lt. Gary Gary was suggested as a contact
to assist with Public Safety/ Judicial; and Lois Yellowthunder was suggested as a contact to assist with Human, Social,
and Educational Services/ Public Health (Code Enforcement, Licensing, Nursing)/ Libraries.
Staff will seek a commitment from candidates for the 1/2 day forum on September 19th. Staff will prepare
background information and topics/questions that candidates should be prepared to discuss at the forum. This
information will be sent to candidates prior to the forum.
See attached sheet for a list of all names suggested as focus group candidates during the meeting.
4. Focus Group Questions
The team reviewed two sets of questions. The first set are expected outcomes of the focus group forum. This
should serve as a guide to the expected outcomes for the consultant. The second set of questions will be used in the
break out session. Both sets of questions will be open to input from the consultant and will serve as a working drafts.
The team had the following input regarding the questions for focus group break out sessions: A question
regarding data proxy should be included. A question regarding the barriers to data should be included. The previously
prioritized data identification goals of the team ( core geographies; key identifiers; key logical linkages to tabular
data; and key organizations or data bases to maintaining data) need to be reflected in the questions. The team felt
that another expected outcome to be added to the first list is to determine the primary collectors of data.
Financial considerations of data needed will be dealt with in the Data Modeling session.
5. Next Meeting
- August 14, 1996 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Metropolitan Council Offices - 230 E. 5th St., St. Paul
6. The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
Prepared by Heidi Welsch, GIS Administrative Intern
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