Laserfiche WebLink
<br />April 7, 2004 <br /> <br />Mr. Kris Nelson <br />Center for Urban & Regional Affairs <br />University of Minnesota <br />3330 HHH Center <br />301 19th Avenue South <br />Minneapolis, MN 55455 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. Nelson, <br /> <br />The City of Roseville is pleased to be able to collaborate with a broad array of <br />organizations in the support for the application for a Technology Opportunities Program <br />(TOP) Grant from the United States Department of Commerce. <br /> <br />Roseville has been involved with geographic information systems (GIS) since 1993 and <br />has produced many maps, reports and GIS applications to assist our decision-makers in <br />understanding the complex issues within our community. GIS technology has also <br />allowed us to streamline many processes and provide better service to our public. From <br />the outset, it became clear to the City that we could gain greater efficiencies in utilizing <br />this technology if we collaborate with others in the quest for obtaining data, knowledge <br />and other shared resources. These shared resources cover a greater array of characteristics <br />as well as represent a larger geography than just our community. It has always been <br />apparent to us that we do not and cannot operate in a vacuum. <br /> <br />We understand that applying this technology in appropriate ways can provide us with <br />opportunities to gain an insight into the nature of our communities. Roseville is excited to <br />be able to be part of a joint effort to collect, maintain, integrate and update information <br />that can assist in enhancing community development and economic development. Faced <br />with the reality of shrinking budgets, we are enthusiastic about the potential for <br />developing an information system that describes communities consistently so that we can <br />compare our world with our neighbors and help to better interact with them from a range <br />of housing, employment and transportation perspectives. <br /> <br />Roseville brings a significant degree of GIS experience to this collaborative effort. We <br />have been able to not just create GIS products but importantly have taken the vital next <br />steps of applying the results in a wide array of scenarios in order to make a positive <br />impact on our City. The City GIS staff and its Community Development Director have <br />been recognized by MetroGIS among a group of exemplary volunteer leaders in <br />metropolitan GIS development. <br />The City will commit a significant amount of in-kind contribution over the life of this <br />grant, if successful. We would estimate that approximately 20 hours per month could be <br /> <br />Page 1 of2 <br />