The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

February 13, 2013

Beckley Council agrees to MetroGIS

By Wendy Holdren Register-Herald Reporter



Members of the Beckley Common Council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement Tuesday between the City of Beckley and the Raleigh County Commission to form a MetroGIS (Geographic Information System) Committee.

Mayor Emmett Pugh said the county has already approved the agreement, which will allow the city and the county to maintain and update data, as well as help oversee and manage the region.

The agreement “will allow the City and County to eliminate redundant data collection, reduce overall costs, and ease system administration, as well as help ensure that all users have access to an up-to-date geographic database and provide for GIS access even in times of extreme disaster.”

IT Director Bill Kelly said the system is already used heavily by his department, the 911 Center, and the Sanitary Board.

He said he is working with chief code enforcement officer Bob Cannon to coordinate data and the Beckley Police Department to tie in crime data.

The project has been in place for several years, Kelly said, and has worked well in mapping across the city and the county.

A Master Equipment Lease-Purchase Agreement for a new fire truck was also unanimously approved Tuesday night.

Treasurer Gary Sutphin said the five-year lease will be paid for by the fire levy fund; he also noted the interest rate was extremely low at 1.89 percent.

Council also approved the appointment of Robert Rappold to the Housing Authority. His term will expire June 30, 2017.

Councilman Ron Booker requested in the future that Mayor Pugh send council members a biography of any individuals being recommended for appointments.

Pugh agreed to do so.

In old business, councilman-at-large Tim Berry asked Kelly if the IT Department was still working on getting tablets for council members.

Kelly said Council will soon have iPads with pre-installed mobile apps.

The next meeting will be Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

— E-mail: wholdren@register-herald.com

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