City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a professional services agreement in an
amount not to exceed $34,750 with NorthSouth GIS LLC (Los Angeles, CA) for
Enterprise Geographic Information System installation, migration, and application
development services.
BACKGROUND:
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a computer-based technology that
combines spatial data and relevant information about specific locations. This
technology provides a way to systematically collect and manage location-based
information that is crucial to local government. Approximately 90% of the
information generated and used by a City is location-based (addresses, parcels,
streets, etc). GIS is also commonly used as an analytical tool to enhance the
municipal decision-making process.
The uses of GIS data and GIS web applications have grown greatly both for internal
staff use and public access to information collected and maintained by the City.
Enhancements have resulted in improved flow of information, reduced amount of
time to access that information, and delivery of tools that empower users to do for
themselves what once required a GIS/IT professional (such as map creation and
analysis).
Meeting Date: 02/07/2011 Item Number: C-2
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with NorthSouth
GIS (Los Angeles, CA) to Obtain Professional Services for Enterprise GIS
Installation, Migration, and Application Development.
Contact Person/Dept.: Johnnie Griffing Phone Number: 310-253-5976
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (02/02/11); NorthSouth GIS,
Daniel Elroi (02/03/11)
Department Approval:
John Richo (01/26/11)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (02/01/11)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (02/02/11)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (02/02/11) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
The City has a robust GIS program that supports a wide variety of public needs and
departmental operations including:
• Public Safety E-911/Dispatch System
The Police and Fire Departments recently implemented a new computer
aided dispatch system where GIS mapping components are required for
dispatching calls for service. GIS data is also used to further enhance
reporting and data analysis.
• Transportation Bus Routing and Bus Stop Infrastructure
The Transportation Department depends on data that is developed by the
City’s GIS Program. Bus stop locations are surveyed using GPS equipment
which is processed and delivered for integration with SmartBus (the City’s
fleet dispatch and information system).
• City’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system
The City’s CRM provides an interactive mapping option where Culver City
residents can enter a location by identifying it on a map service. This
provides an optional method for identifying an issue when the physical
address is not readily known (such as reports of graffiti and abandoned
vehicles).
• Online Property Information Search (public and internal web
applications)
Culver City’s new Property Information Search tool replaces the original
PropInfo Search and General City online mapping utilities. The new mapping
tool is an interactive application which displays parcel data, aerial
photography, points of interests and various city infrastructure map layers.
Users can create custom maps, generate public information parcel reports
and search citywide geographical information databases.
• Engineering Division Sewer Management System
The Engineering Division of the Public Works Department has implemented
GIS technology to facilitate managing the City’s sewer infrastructure. End
users can search the sewer system online to obtain sewer line and manhole
information with associated scanned engineering drawings.
• Department Specific Map Development
On a daily basis, the IT Department receives requests from other City
departments to develop maps which are required for City
Council/Redevelopment Agency staff reports, presentations, and City
projects. City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Since its inception, the City’s GIS Program has utilized industry standard software
provided by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI). This is the
foundational software used to store and maintain GIS databases. Our current
infrastructure has several deficiencies in that the ESRI software is out of date and in
need of upgrade. Updating the GIS infrastructure would result in the following:
• Technological advancements made in database storage will transition from a
file-based decentralized storage to a centralized Microsoft SQL Server-based
repository using ArcSDE (Spatial Database Engine)
• Multiple users being able to edit data simultaneously
• Enhanced interface for staff power users who have the skills to edit data and
generate maps and analysis
• Streamlined user interaction with GIS data
• Integration with existing City systems (such as the permitting system and
business tax/license system)
• Improved performance
• Integration with GIS web applications by directly streaming data to end users
providing the most current information available
• Improved flexibility for developing in-house applications
Updating the City’s GIS infrastructure is a major undertaking as it will provide the
GIS foundation which will be used for at least the next 10 years. The underlying
databases and mapping layers will all need to be migrated to an enterprise
architecture. Given the complexity and large scale of this effort, there are not
sufficient staff resources currently available.
Staff recommends engaging professional services to assist with upgrading the ESRI
foundation software, migrating the current databases/map layers, and application
development to make current applications compliant with the updated architecture.
NorthSouth GIS (NSG) LLC is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. NSG specializes
in developing solutions based upon technology produced by ESRI. NSG is a
certified ESRI Business Partner and certified ESRI Authorized Developer. This
vendor has extensive expertise with implementing GIS solutions. Their municipal
client list includes the following:
• City of Los Angeles, CA (Planning, Police, Fire, and Harbor)
• City of Torrance, CA (GIS / Engineering)
• City of Denver, CO (Wastewater) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
The City also has a favorable past experience with this vendor. They were the
subcontractor for the development effort that produced the City’s current online GIS
web applications. They have a demonstrated track record of being knowledgeable
and highly skilled in the area of ESRI software and development tools. It would be
impractical for the City to engage another vendor to assist with updating the GIS
data environment and retrofitting the web applications as NorthSouth has intimate
knowledge related to our GIS development environment.
Per Culver City Municipal Code Section 3.07.085, professional services are exempt
from competitive bidding provided the contract is based on competitive quotations
whenever practical, as determined by the City Manager. In this case, as discussed
above, it is not practical to solicit competitive quotes, as NSG is a certified ESRI
Business Partner and Authorized Developer and specializes in working with the
City’s current GIS development environment.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Sufficient funding is available in the Information Technology Department operating
budget - Other Contractual Services (account 10124100.619800) to cover these
services. The expenditure from this account will total $29,750.
Additionally, this contract will include retrofitting the Sewer Management System with
the upgraded architecture. This would result in an expenditure from the Sewer Fund
(account 20466100.619800) in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
Authorization to contract with NorthSouth GIS would result in total expenditure not to
exceed $34,750.
ATTACHMENTS:
§ NorthSouth GIS LLC Proposal
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a professional services agreement with NorthSouth GIS to
implement an Enterprise GIS and GIS web application upgrades in an amount
not to exceed $34,750.00; and, City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
MEETING DATE: 02/07/2011
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of an Agreement with NorthSouth GIS (Los Angeles,
CA) to Obtain Professional Services for Enterprise GIS
Installation, Migration, and Application Development.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. NorthSouth GIS LLC Proposal & Not to Exceed Budget 1-5
NorthSouth GIS LLC
312 E. First Street
Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone (800) 866 5013
Fax (866) 378 5877
www.northsouthgis.com
January 2011 © NorthSouth GIS LLC Page 1 of 5
NorthSouth GIS LLC
Proposal for ArcSDE and ArcGIS v10
Migration Services
for
City of Culver City, CA
January 2011 NorthSouth GIS LLC – Culver City Proposal for ArcSDE and ArcGIS Migration
January 2011 © NorthSouth GIS LLC Page 2 of 5
PURPOSE
The City of Culver City has requested a quotation from NorthSouth GIS (NSG) for support services
related to the implementation of ArcSDE at the City, and the migration of its Esri GIS foundation
software from version 9.x to version 10. NSG believes that this migration is a significant step towards
expanding GIS at the City to a true Enterprise IT offering.
This document proposes various components related to this request, based on Time & Material
consulting services. NSG would be pleased to discuss these proposed components and adjust them
as our understanding of the City’s needs improves.
PROJECT SCOPE
NSG has divided the scope of work to three areas:
• ArcSDE Migration: Installation of an ArcGIS Server Database (formerly known as ArcSDE, and
referred to in this fashion here for clarity), hosted on an instance of SQL Server, and migration
of an initial set of data to this database.
• ArcGIS v10 Migration: Migration of all Esri ArcGIS Server software at the City to version 10,
including support for dependent software.
• Geocortex Upgrade: Migration of the City’s Geocortex Essentials to the latest version,
including migration of the City’s Parcel Search WebADF applications and Sewer application.
ArcSDE Migration
Migrating from a file-based geodatabase to a full-fledged SQL Server-based Enterprise ArcGIS
Server geodatabase will improve the City’s GIS in a variety of ways, with which the City is already
familiar. These include security, multi-user versioned editing, performance, and ability to support
both editing and web viewing. NSG recommends the implementation of ArcSDE v10, with the
version choice of SQL Server being dependent on the City’s current licensing level.
NorthSouth GIS (NSG) will provide the following:
• Data inventory
o An inventory of the City’s GIS data that will need to be migrated into ArcSDE, which
will be done with the City’s assistance
• Database and migration design
o NSG will design the geodatabase to support storage, editing and viewing of the
data, and design a migration process from the existing data formats.
• Installation and configuration
o At this time NSG proposes to only install one instance of ArcSDE, the City’s main
repository, i.e. not the Police Department’s instance. Staging or replication
instances are not proposed at this time.
o NSG will implement permissions to the database after discussion with the City.
o The City will be responsible for installing and configuring all necessary Windows
Server and SQL Server software, after prior consultation with NSG
o The City will be responsible for purchase and maintenance of all software, including
Esri licenses for the appropriate number of CPU cores NorthSouth GIS LLC – Culver City Proposal for ArcSDE and ArcGIS Migration
January 2011 © NorthSouth GIS LLC Page 3 of 5
• Data migration
o NSG will assist the City in loading three map layers into the repository and instruct
the City in methods to complete the migration.
ArcGIS v10 Migration
The City should migrate its desktop ArcGIS software and its ArcGIS Server software to version 10
at the same time as its migration to ArcSDE 10.
NorthSouth GIS (NSG) will provide the following:
• Dependent application inventory:
o An inventory of the City’s applications that are dependent on ArcGIS and therefore
may be impacted by the migration. Required upgrades or mitigation steps will be
determined and described.
o NSG will not perform the physical upgrades of ArcGIS desktop software or licenses.
o The City is responsible for purchasing and obtaining all installation software.
• Upgrade ArcGIS Server to v10
o The City already uses ArcGIS Server 9.3.1. NSG will upgrade this to v10, and make
sure that map services are still accessible in v10.
o NSG will assist the City in integrating orthos into the ArcGIS Server services.
Geocortex Upgrade
Geocortex Essentials will need to be upgraded to version 3 in order to maintain compatibility with
Esri’s v10 software. NSG recommends that the City retain their new Property Info application that
uses Web ADF technology for the time being. However, since the underlying Web ADF technology
will cease to be supported by Esri in the not-too-distant future, NSG will advise the City on its
migration to the Silverlight Viewer that is expected to be released by the end of December 2010.
NorthSouth GIS (NSG) will provide the following:
• Geocortex Essentials Upgrade
o Upgrade the software and configure it
o Ensure that the Web ADF application continues to function
o Ensure that labeling works form ArcSDE in the application
Additionally, NSG proposes to replace the Sewer application with Latitude’s new configurable
Silverlight Viewer, which will be available with version 3.3 in early 2011. This viewer will provide all
the current functions of these applications and substantially more capabilities, which the City can
choose to include or leave out. Furthermore, NSG proposes to enhance the Sewer application to
make it perform faster and provide more user functionality. Actual enhancements will be designed
with the City.
NorthSouth GIS (NSG) will provide the following:
• Implement Silverlight Viewer NorthSouth GIS LLC – Culver City Proposal for ArcSDE and ArcGIS Migration
January 2011 © NorthSouth GIS LLC Page 4 of 5
o Evaluate and as necessary tune the map documents used to publish the City’s
ArcGIS Server map services for use in the Geocortex applications
o Implement one instance of the application for the Sewer application, with the same
features as the current Silverlight application
• Design
o Design application enhancements as agreed with the City during initiation
BUDGET
NSG’s rates through the end of 2011 are:
# Classification Hourly Rate
1 Sr. GIS Consultant $180
2 GIS Consultant $150
3 Project Mgr. $150
4 Sr. Developer $135
5 Int. Developer $120
6 Jr. Developer $105
7 Sr. Analyst $135
8 Int. Analyst $120
9 Jr. Analyst $105
10 Cartographer $120
11 Sys. Architect $135
12 Bus. Analyst $105
13 DB Designer $135
14 SW QA $105
15 HW/SW/Network $135
16 Admin $105 NorthSouth GIS LLC – Culver City Proposal for ArcSDE and ArcGIS Migration
January 2011 © NorthSouth GIS LLC Page 5 of 5
NSG’s proposed Time & Materials, Not To Exceed budget is as shown:
# Item Deliverable Cost Duration
1 ArcSDE Migration • Inventory
• Installation
• Configuration
• Load three core layers
$17,750 1 month
2 ArcGIS v10 Migration • Report
• ArcGIS Server Upgrade
$6,000 2 weeks
3A Geocortex WebADF
Upgrade
• Software upgrade
• Updated Property Info
Application
$6,000 2 weeks
Sub-Total $29,750
3D Design of Silverlight
Sewer Enhancements
(optional)
• Implement new Sewer
Silverlight Viewer
• Design for Enhancements
to Sewer Application
$5,000 2 weeks
Sub-Total $5,000
Total $34,750 3 months