HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 18, 1991 (40)y OF
CITY 4F LODI
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AGENDA TITLE: Public Works Local Area Network Purchase Concept
1VEEMU DATE: December 18, 1991
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED AC'i'ION: That the City Council authorize staff to proceed with the
acquisition of a microcomputer local area network at a cost not
to exceed $30,000.
BACKGROUND P440FA ATM- As part of the 1991/92 operating budget, the City Council
approved the purchase of a microcomputer local area network
for the Public Works Departmenc. This purchase was a major
part of the previously approved switch from a minicomputer -
based, limited use, drafting system to a more flexible, less expensive microcomputer -
based system. This switch was approved by the Council in March 1991 (Exhibit A).
The budget request for the network (Exhibit B) was for $49,000. In light of budget
restrictions, it was decided to phase the work; thus $30,000 was approved in the
budget with the fol'owing funding:
$7,500 Sewer Fund
$7,500 Water Fund
$7,500 Gas Tax
$7,500 Equipment Fund
Nzv that Ae have completed the drafting switch to microcomputers, the need for the
local area network to share drawings and the plotter is more critical than ever. In
our budget request vie assumed vie would go to bid for a complete turn -key package.
However, through our research and preparatory training vie have concluded that the
City would be better served by purchasing the various system components separately
and setting up the network ourselves. W would still obtain price quotes on the
components from various vendors. W will save resale markup and installation
costs. W will also be able to select and purchase the components on our schedule
rather than specifying and purchasing everything in one lump sum. W propose to
make limited use (not to exceed $2,000) of a local consultant to help select some of
the hardware and assist in the initial set up.
In this way, our staf ` will have a much better knowledge of the system and will be
able to add users and make system changes without an expensive on-going support
contract. Thus "e will save money in the long run as well as in the short term.
APPROVED
THOMAS A. PETERSON
Publ is Wc& Local Area Network Purchase Concept
December 18, 1991
Page 2
The components of the system will cost less than $5,000 apiece, so our normal
informal purchasing procedures can be used. However, vie do wish to obtain Council
approval for the specifying of a Hewlett-Packard (HP) file server. The file server
is the most critical component of the system and HP is well known for reliability
and quality. All the existing microcomputers to be networked are made by HP, thus
network administration will be simpler.
The network project includes some new work stations. For this and for future new
microcomputers to be added to the network, vie wish to investigate the use of "clone"
machines in order to reduce costs. In order to be consistent with either our system
or the Finance and Personnel departments*, vie ask that Council limit the
specification to either HP or HIQ microcomputers. The purchase of HIQ computers for
Finance and Personnel was recently approved by the 'City Council.
FUI\IDNG Sewer, Water, Gas Tax and Equipment funds (25% each, already included in
budget). No additional funding needed-
Jac
eededJac L. Ronsko
Publ'c Works Director
Prepared by Richard C. Prima, Jr., Assistant City Engineer
JLR/RCP/lm
Attachments
cc: City Attorney
Purchasing Officer
CPWLOCAL/TXTW.02M (CO.COM)
December 6, 1991
i OF
CITY OF LODI
Exhibit A
COUNCIL COMMUNICAT1,0N
AGENDA TITLE: Acquisition of Drafting Computer and Software for the Public Works
Department - Engineering Division
NEEM DATE: March 20, 1991
PREPARED BY: Publ is 'Works Director
RECOMMENDED ACTI01`l: That the City Council approve the purchase of a microcomputer
from Hail -Mark Electronics and software for drafting and
appropriate $14,100 for the system.
BACKGROUND ll4UFA1AJ - The Engineering Division has been using a dedicated
computer drafting system (Accugraph) since 1987 for mapping
and construction plans. This system runs on a minicomputer
with three terminals. Hardware maintenance and software
support/upgrade costs are approximately 58,700 per year. The system is due for an
upgrade due to reduced response times, mainly in working with large City maps.
Upgrade options include upgrading the minicomputer microprocessor and disc storage
system; and upgrading the software to Accugraph's next product, which would require
purchase of Unix -based workstations (new computers) . Thereferred alternative,
however, is to replace the system with a microcomputer (PC) based product "AutoCAD".
One PC with a copy of AutoCAD was approved in the current budget and has been
purchased. A described in the attached "Special Allocation Request", the system
has performed far better than anticipated and most of the maps on the old system
have been transferred to the new system. To fully replace the old system, vie will
need to: 1) add two more PCs with AutoCAD, and 2) link the PCs on a local area
network (LAN). W are still investigating appropriate network hardware and software
911d Will .m_ace this regruest in the normaludget cycle. However, we have an
immediate need for me of the two additional PCs. Our technicians find themselves
"in-between" on which system to use for some tasks and vie must manage both instead
of one system. W cannot function on only on2 drafting PC. In addition, the City
can save approximately $2,700 this fiscal year by cancelling hardware maintenance
and software support on the old system.
W also request to purchase this PC from the same vendor vre used earlier this fiscal
year. That purchase, which included four other microcomputer systems for use
elsewhere in %he Department, was done under a formal bid. Hall -Mark Company was the
low bidder and has performed satisfactorily and has offered this system at the same
price (or lower on some components). Their price is still lower than the
manufacturer's (Hewlett-Packard) latest quoted price including a government
discount. Thus, we feel it is in the City's best interests to waive the formal
bidding process for this purchase.
APPRQYED
THOMAS A. PETERSON
C;ty Manager `�"•`•
R.
e` Exhibit B
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT '
REQUEST NETWORK
1991 - 1992
Fund Code: See Below
Account Code : REPLACEMENT I Tax $ 3,000
Trade-in $
Object Code:
J UST I FICATION:
This request is for the purchase of hardware and software for a local area network
(LAN) to interconnect the Department's microcomputers. This is needed in order to
share data files, storage devices, and output devices. It will also provide an
economical and efficient way to connect the Department's microcomputers to the
AS1400. The system will be administered by existing Public Works staff with vendor
scppert.
This item was conceptually approved by the MIS Committee last year. At that time, a
number of basic criteria were still being considered. These have nm been resolved as
follows:
° Drafting System - Last year, the upgrade path for the drafting system consisted of
three choices:
1) Upgrade the existing HP 1000 microcomputer.
2) Upgrade the Accugraph software to the next product line which would require new
computers (UNIX -based workstations).
3) Switch to AutoCAD which would run on PCs or workstations.
W have determined that AutoCAD on PCs is a viable, lower-cost solution.
° File Server - Without the need to connect the HP 1000 or a workstation, a PC-based
file server is the appropriate choice.
° Network Software - Based on the Electric Utility Department's choice in network
software, recent announcements by both Hewlett-Packard and IBM, and reviews and
articles in industry publications, we are comfortable with Novell Netware.
° Wiring - With completion of the City Hall addition still two years away, we propose
to use lcw-cast, unshielded, twisted pair wiring, surface -mounted.
This proposal also includes additions to the drafting system which will provide a
system comparable to the old system 1Ae are in the process of replacing. It will also
add a program module (WildCAD) to the surveying system that will integrate it with the
drafting system (AutoCAD) .
RESOLUTION NO. 91-235
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL
APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A LOCAL AREA NETWORK
FOR THE LODI PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, Lodi Municipal Code, Section 3.20.070 authorizes
dispensing with bidding procedures for purchases of supplies or
property when the City Council determines that the purchase or method
of purchase would be in the best interests of the City;
MOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lodi City Council hereby
approves the specification of a Hewlett-Packard file server and either
Hewlett-Packard or HIQ micro computers for the Public Works
Department. Hewlett-Packard has previously been specified for the
Public Works Department and has provided quality equipment and
service. HIQ of Sunnyvale, California, with a service outlet in
Stockton, California, has been recommended by the City's contracted
consultant, Morada Corporation of Lodi, based on HIQ's price and
ability to service their equipment locally, and HIQ is also furnishing
equipment to the Finance and Personnel Departments.
Dated: December 18, 1991
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 91- was passed and adopted by the
Lodi City Council in a regular meeting held December 18, 1991 by the
following vote:
Ayes: Council Members - Pennino, Sieglock, Snider and Pinkerton
(Mayor)
Noes: Council Members - None
Absent: Council Members - Hinchman
At,) `A.
Alice M. Re mche
City Clerk
91-235
RES91235/TXTA.02J