Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the October 28 meeting, the Rushford Council welcomed City Engineer Derek Olinger of Bolton & Menk. Onlinger discussed the mandatory migration of the city’s Global Information System (GIS). The proposal transitions Rushford’s current web GIS platform to ESRI’s ArcGIS cloud-based server.
According to Olinger, the city currently has a corporate subscription through Bolton & Menk, which set up the program and mapping. Bolton & Menk then provides the city with the appropriate login information. The company which provides the background software is no longer allowing that. The change will require Rushford to hold its own licensing and customize the application.
The software is used daily by both city staff and the Public Works Department as it is used on the water, sewer, electrical, property boundaries, and additional infrastructure information. Bolton & Menk will assist with the transition, which will provide the city with additional functionality of the GIS.
“With the current mapping, we take in property information from the county’s GIS, and a couple of times a year, we need to take a snapshot of that information and plug it in with city’s information. There’s time in order for us to do that. With this new system, that just happens automatically,” added Olinger. “It’s more functional because it’s always right and we don’t potentially have some inaccurate information that’s aged.”
The new licensing will have an ongoing cost of $1,200 per year. In addition, the estimated one-time fee to make the switch is $13,880. Councilor Jim O’Donnell noted the steep cost and Councilor Leigh Volkman expressed concerns over engineering costs for projects and if the city could turn around and charge engineers for use of the GIS information if Rushford holds the licensing.
“Yes, it is expensive,” acknowledged Olinger. “It’s time consuming to switch it over.”
The fee was estimated based upon the hourly fee for GIS personnel to do the work. Their rate is $120-160 per hour. With the cost though, Bolton & Menk includes ArcGIS online deployment, data migration to ArcGIS online, internal GIS web applications including utilities, zoning, parcel, planimetrics, transportation, and pavement management layers, GIS field mapping through GPS collection, and training of city employees with the platform. The web applications will be compatible on any device.
The city is required to purchase the minimum quantity and licensing levels: Creator, Mobile Worker, and Viewer. All have limits to what information can be viewed and edited.
“It comes down to data management and you don’t want everyone to have access to that,” added Olinger.
Bolton & Menk expects to complete the transition over the winter. ESRI is requesting a plan in place by the end of the year. While covered under the current contract, Olinger noted the city is entering into a contract with ESRI and could have a additional contract allowing Bolton & Menk to have access.
“We do want you to have this,” said Olinger. “It makes our lives substantially easier, It makes the random calls that come in go a lot more quickly. In some of those examples, we wouldn’t have to do that anymore. It all comes down to how you plan on using the system.”
“It’s a very valuable tool. When it comes down to it, it’s worth it,” responded O’Donnell.
“It’s got many layers and many uses for a city operation. There’s no doubt about it,” added City Administrator Tony Chladek.
The council unanimously approved the conversion and development of a contract with ESRI.
In other news, the council also unanimously approved certifying all past due utility bills to Fillmore County for collection with property taxes. The properties at 201 West Stevens Avenue and 203 West Stevens Avenue will be assessed for a combined $1,735.34, plus 5% interest and any additional fees charged by Fillmore County. According to City Clerk Kathy Zacher, she’s been told one of the properties will be torn down.
During the Consent Agenda, the council completed the annual review of deer hunting policy/rules and regulations within the city. To date, only one issue came up with hunting related to a hunter unsure of the allowable areas.
The council also clarified the Economic Development Authority discussion of the last meeting regarding the next course of action following the completion of the public survey for the former Farmer’s Win property. According to the agenda, feasibility studies will evaluate: housing (rental), housing with green space (not event space), entertainment/event space/green space with all buildings/structures removed, and entertainment/event space/green space with some buildings/structures to be refused. Further public engagement will be conducted following the feasibility studies. After which, the city will look at the reuse design and get further feedback on the design.
During reports, it was noted that MnDOT will proceed with the demolition of the house on West Stevens Avenue/Highway 30.
Public Works is preparing the Ice skating rink for the season. The city would appreciate donations of used ice skates.
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