Cloverdale council learns about geolocation for utilities

Friday, July 17, 2015

CLOVERDALE -- The Town of Cloverdale is considering implementing a geographic information system (GIS) for the utilities department.

Town Manager Wayne Galloway brought the idea before the council recently, and the council had requested more information. Tony Shriner, a consultant for WTH Technology, presented the council with an overview of the program at Tuesday's council meeting. The program would allow the utilities to assign GPS coordinates for each of the town's assets, such as valves, meters and manholes.

Shriner explained the GIS program is useful for several aspects of the municipality's inner workings, but the information provided Tuesday focused on the utilities. By investing in the GIS, this would allow installation of the program and training.

"This is a digital representation of your physical reality," Shriner noted.

Galloway noted a company informed him if the town were to put the GIS system in place, they would give Cloverdale a deal by creating the exact GPS coordinates for the town's assets for $8 a point, which he noted is about half the normal cost. This would then program each of the coordinates into the system. The town would then be used as an example as the project was discussed in the future.

If the town were to purchase an agreement with WTH Technology, it would have two editor's licenses, one user license and one system for $24,924.50.

"This is an investment, not an expense," Shriner stressed.

He referenced Galloway's earlier discussion about having 182 work orders in the month of June. Every one of those would be logged in the GIS and available for later review, including who put in the work order, what it entailed, who completed the project, how many people worked on the project and how long it took.

Digitized video scoping of pipes can be uploaded, as well as photos each time work is done.

Shriner said this would also save time for town employees. For example, if a new employee needed to work on a project and did not know where the valve was located, they could geolocate the area and find the exact spot without needing to track down another member of the team.

"If there is a foot of snow over the valve, the GPS can still locate it," Shriner said.

The program can pull detailed reports for a certain location, work done by a certain employee or any work done within a specified time range. If a line has ongoing issues, all of the information will be available at a single location.

Shriner noted, in his opinion, the best part of the program is the fact it is so user friendly.

"Even if you're not a software engineer, if you can take a mouse and click, then you can use this software," Shriner said.

Town attorney Allen Yackey noted this software is used by the county. Utilizing the GIS, whether the town decided to go with WTH or another, could save time and money in the future.

The council took the presentation under advisement.

Galloway said the replacement of the failing water meters throughout the town is making progress, but the town is short 180 meters. Utility Supply offered to sell the 144 on the store's shelf at a discounted price of $180 each.

Last year when the town priced the meters, the cost was $195 each. This would save the town about $26,640. The council approved the purchase of the meters.

The council voted to approve a contract with Wabash Valley Asphalt in the amount of $43,950 for work on Beagle Club Road. This would grind the asphalt down and replace a 3-inch grade.

Clerk-treasurer Cheryl Galloway said the Local Road and Streets budget has $40,000 budgeted for the project, and the town has enough money to cover the remainder of the project.

Jim Higgins introduced himself to the council Tuesday to consider as a future financial advisor. He is a CPA with London Witte Group out of Indianapolis.

Yackey had stressed in the past the town needed to have a financial adviser to assist with some issues that have come before the town recently. He said the most important aspect is being able to work well with an open line of communication with the adviser and he has had a positive experience with London Witte in the past.

Wayne Galloway met Higgins at an informational meeting and was impressed with his background, and asked Higgins to visit the meeting and give a presentation.

Jim Coy, with the Stardust Hills Homeowners Association asked the council to help with getting a property in the development cleaned up. He said the property owned by Don Gedert has "clutter" around it. Since the council has taken action on other properties around town, he requested they also consider taking action on this property, even if it meant just putting up a fence.

Coy referenced a settlement agreement from 2002, which took Gedert to court to address the issue.

Council president Coweta Patton said the issue should be addressed.

"I believe Stardust Hills could be the flower garden of this community. When others don't do their part, I consider it a slap in the face," Patton noted.

Yackey said this was the first time he had been made aware of the settlement agreement, and urged Gedert or his lawyer to contact him personally to discuss the matter upon his review.

Following the meeting, Gedert said he was upset Patton did not allow him to make a comment on his behalf regarding the issue. He said the settlement agreement allows him to use a 500-foot circumference around the barn for his business.

"All a fence will do is hide the area for thieves to work behind," Gedert said.

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