TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

FROM: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2006

SUBJECT: STORM DRAIN LAYER ON GLOBAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Award a professional services contract to Lenocker and Associates for a not to exceed amount of $ 42,000.

2. Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute professional services contract documents with Lenocker and Associates.

BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS

City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been consolidating various facility of infrastructure such as: parks, trails, streets, parcels, aerials, zones etc. in to the City’s Global Information System.

In 2005 City of Rancho Palos Verdes conducted a pilot project to evaluate the feasibility of putting Storm Drain data into the Global Information System.

A comprehensive Storm Drain Layer in GIS can be a valuable tool for communication, analysis, and mapping. Some of the benefits are as following:

1. Capturing the entire storm drain infrastructure in GIS provides an efficient means of communicating data such as who owns or maintains a particular pipe or catch basin. With this information it would be easier to identify responsible agency like city of Los Angeles or Palos Verdes Estate etc. resulting in quick resolution and repair of storm drains.
2. Integrating storm drains with GIS will also provides for upstream and downstream flow tracing from a given point. This information is critical when responding to an accidental spill and to coordinate with the proper entities to protect public health and the environment.
3. Experiences with Storm Drain Best Management Practices (BMPs) can also be shared between agencies. BMPs can be correlated with water quality data to determine what works best in response to rules and regulations developed by water quality control board.
4. Comprehensive drainage maps can help maintenance and emergency response crews identify the location of facilities quickly and can be incorporated as a part of an overall asset management system.

DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS

To take advantage of benefits explained, staff recommends that storm drain layer should be added the existing GIS system. Staff submitted a request of proposal to three firms, Lenocker & Associates, PV Net, and DCSE Inc. Only one proposal has been received from Lenocker and Associates. Lenocker and Associates completed the pilot. Their performance was satisfactory. Based upon their performance and familiarity with the City’s GIS and storm drain system, staff recommends that a contract for creating storm drain GIS layer awarded to Lenocker and Associates. Staff believes the proposed fee to complete the project is competitive.

CONCLUSIONS

Adopting the staff recommendation will allow for the completion of the GIS Storm Drain layer.

ALTERNATE ACTION

The alternative action is to not put storm drain layer on GIS. The benefits outlined in discussion section will not be achieved.

FISCAL IMPACT

The FY 06-07 Water Quality Flood Protection budget includes $42,000 for this project. No budget adjustment is required.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jim Bell
Director of Public Works

Reviewed,

Les Evans
City Manager

Attachment: Proposal from Lenocker and Associates