06-27-2011 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item No: 7B Meeting Date: June 27, 2011 Type of Business: Council Business Administrator Review: ____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Nick DeBar, Public Works Director Item Title/Subject: Resolution 7801, Authorizing the Purchase of a Handheld GPS System from Frontier Precision, Inc. Background: A core responsibility of the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department is to manage maps and data records for the wide-variety of infrastructure that exists throughout the city. Most of this infrastructure is owned by the City, such as drinking water, wastewater collection, and stormwater collection systems; streets, traffic signage, sidewalks, and trails; parkland, athletic facilities, buildings, and trees. However, there is private infrastructure that the City has an interest in keeping records as well, such as water/sewer services, street lights, traffic signals, and the many various private utilities (electric, gas, communication, etc.) that is located in the City-owned rights-of-way. In addition to new infrastructure being constructed, existing infrastructure is maintained, repaired, and replaced – all of which needs to be tracked by the Engineering Division through the many different formats that are collected. Most of the as-built or record documentation is recorded as a hard copy or electronic plan. These individual drawings are stored and referred to on a daily basis for many reasons, including utility locates, public requests (consultants, property owners, etc.), project development (planning, design, cost estimates), construction, and maintenance. The City is developing a GIS (geographic information system) electronic base map that will integrate all these records and data in a single, comprehensive location. This will not only allow for more efficient and accurate recall of the records, but will be used for a tool to analysis, evaluate, and manage the infrastructure assets in order to extend the life cycle and keep overall cost down. We are currently in the building stage of the system, but the maintenance and upkeep (like the hard copy plans) will be ever-present. Discussion: In-field data collection and mapping of the City’s infrastructure can be done by a variety of means and methods depending on the accuracy level desired. For example, a topographic survey used to design a street project requires a high level of accuracy and is typically performed by a land survey crew using high-end survey equipment. Whereas, a tape measure can be used by a single person to calculate square footage for estimating cost for replacing carpet in a room. However, most in-field collection requires technology for spatial reference. The Engineering Division has researched data collection devices and met with vendors over the past couple years to find the best fit and value. It has been determined that a Trimble 6000 Series GeoXH handheld GPS system (see attachment) is an excellent fit and value, now and into the future. This system includes a handheld collection device, software, and accessories and is geared toward municipalities performing mapping and data collection. The system is designed to be integrated with the GIS software already owned by the City and allows one- person operation. Accuracy is within a decimeter (about 4 inches) and the device includes the next generation of GPS technology that eliminates the need to calibrate and adjust for site conditions and satellite positions, eliminating the need to be a GPS expert to use. These types