Title:
Approval of Ordinance to Create an Aerial Mapping Special Account
Recommended Action
Council Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to pass the ordinance to create an Aerial Mapping Special Account on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to establish an Aerial Mapping Special Account within the Special Accounts Control Fund.
Staff Contact:
Dean Walz, Fiscal Services Director, Administrative Services Department, 360.753.8465
Presenter(s):
Dean Walz, Fiscal Services Director, Administrative Services Department, 360.753.8465
Background and Analysis:
The background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
The City updates its aerial maps on three and nine year cycles. Aerial photography is updated every three years at a cost of about $45,000. Every nine years a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) update is done, at a cost of about $55,000. LiDAR uses light pulses, combined with other survey data to generate accurate, three-dimensional information about ground surface elevations. The ground surface elevations are used to correct aerial photography and for engineering and planning. City staff found that adding the cost of these updates at one time to the budget was difficult. Adding a smaller amount to the budget each year is predictable, and ensures that the City is able to regularly update this critical data, used by all City departments. The most recent update was done in 2015 when flights were done to update both aerial photography and LiDAR.
Staff recommends creating the Account to even out the budgeting for aerial map updates. Budgets within the Special Accounts Control Fund are not annual budgets and as such, do not lapse at the end of the year.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The City has up-to-date information necessary to support work done by staff in support of our community.
Options:
1) Approve the creation of the Aerial Mapping Special Account.
2) Do not approve the creation of the Aerial Mapping Special Account.
Financial Impact:
The 2016 budget anticipates the creation of the special account. $20,312 is included in the budget as a set-aside for future updates.