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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1986-01-24 MEMORANDUM : TO : Town Board FROM : Peter M . Lovi DATE : January 24 , 1986 RE : Engineering computer system First of all , let me apologize for not being with you this afternoon . However , to do have a prior engagement at the SEQR conference in Albany . I have revised the configuration for the engineering computer slightly from what was originally proposed to be bid . The savings available by purchasing some of the componants separately from mail order vendors is substantial . In addition , I can be certain that we are getting exactly the system that is needed . The cost of the computer , graphics card , monitor and printer described below is roughly $ 4 , 357 . I suggest that the Town purchase this system from the listed vendors and put the plotter and digitizer out to bid . ENGINEERING MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM : COMPUTERS PC ' s Limited AT ( 8MHZ clock speed ) , Intel 80286 processor , 1024K system memory , 30 MB hard disk , 1 . 2 MB floppy drive , combined floppy / hard disk controller card , 2 serial and 1 parallel port , clock / calender with battery backup , 192 watt power supply , 7 expansion slots . COST : $ 2 , 694 from PC ' s Limited DISPLAY : Amdek 722 monitor ( 16 color with monochrome switch , 640x350 pixels with 4 gray tones in monochrome , ) with Quadram QuadEGA color / graphics card ( includes 256K of video memory and supports MicroSoft Windows ) COST : $ 510 from Computer Mart ( monitor ) $ 595 from Quadram ( graphics card ) PRINTER : Epson FX - 286 ( 200 cps draft mode , 40 cps near - letter - quality mode ) COST : $ 558 from Computer Mart TOWN OF ITHACA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING January 24 , 1986 At a Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , at 12 : 00 noon , on the 24th day of January , 1986 , there were : • PRESENT : Noel Desch , Supervisor Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman Marc Cramer, Councilman Patricia Leary , Councilwoman ABSENT : Henry McPeak, Councilman Gloria Howell , Councilwoman Robert Bartholf , Councilman ALSO PRESENT : Lawrence Fabbroni , Town Engineer John Barney, Town Attorney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance . Supervisor Desch stated that he appreciated everybody caning together on such a short notice . CUTER AIDED DESIGN WORKSTATION FOR THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Supervisor Desch stated that Town Planner Peter Lovi has prepared a proposal ( copy attached ) . He noted that funds were available for the proposal . The Supervisor went on to say that the total system will cost more than $ 5 , 000 , which will not be bid . He stated that there was a fear , after looking at the specifications , we might end up making it impossible for .anyone to bid . If the specifications were less restrictive , we might end up getting a system we do not want . Councilwoman Raffensperger asked what the proposed system Would be used for? Town Engineer Lawrence Fabbroni responded , support for Planning , Zoning and Engineering . A replacement for the system we now share with the Accounting Department . We have problems getting access to the present system. He went on to say that the basic core system is the unit we need to operate . Town Engineer Fabbroni again • stated that they have problems getting access to the present machine which causes a two or three day delay in the middle of a project , while waiting to get to the machine . Town Engineer Fabbroni stated that his department has needs for the system for maintenance needs and in-house projects . He noted that the word processor has enabled the Engineering Department to avoid the need to go to two secretaries . We will not have to farm out work . This system will maintain records . The overall cost is $ 10 , 000 , as compared with the word processors , which cost $ 13 , 000 . He stated that he felt the payback time would be one and one-half Town Board 2 January 24 , 1986 years . Town Engineer Fabbroni stated that there was a need to get the Zoning records and the Building Inspectors records on the computer , but that access time is always filled up . Connie Allen noted that there was a need to get the equipment out of the present room . Town Engineer Fabbroni added that Peter Lovi has talked to local vendors . Peter has a lot of friends who are computer programmers and after talking with them , Peter came to the decision that the people at Word Pro could supply a system which is integrated . He went on to say that if the equipment were purchased from one vendor at one time , then the Town should go to bid . He questioned , why go to bid and pay $ 1 , 000 more for something that will be less suitable • for the intended functions . The Word Pro equipment is adaptable to add terminals at under $ 1 , 000 for each terminal . He stated they were thinking of something with a five year life . Supervisor Desch remarked that we haven ' t made any mistakes on computer acquisition so far . Town Engineer Fabbroni added , the digitizer and autocad would be bid . Town Councilman Cramer questioned 32 bit versus 16 bit and compatibility of software . Town Engineer Fabbroni acknowledging Councilman Cramers concern over compatibility , stated that they would look into the compatibility question . Supervisor Desch asked , how important is compatibility? Town Engineer Fabbroni responded , that he would hate to loose any data that we already have available . Councilman Cramer asked who will maintain the service on the hardware ? Supervisor Desch responded that he was sure someone could be found to maintain the hardware . Town Engineer Fabbroni noted that the problem seems to be with the solfware , not the hardware . Town Attorney Barney asked if the PC was limited to a local supplier? Town Engineer Fabbroni responded no , Intel Products also handle them . Town Attorney Barney questioned , if you purchase from Intel Products and it doesn ' t work , who will fix it? Town Engineer Fabbroni responded , we will box it up and send it back to them . Councilman Cramer stated that he had no problem with purchasing equipment from a catalog . He went on to say that he has bought from a catalog himself , and if it doesn ' t work you just pack it up and mail it back , no problem. He went on to say that he does have a problem with interfacing and getting quality merchandise at a definite price . Cadcan systems are an extremely inexpensive way of getting into the system . Town Board 3 January 24 , 1986 Town Engineer Fabbroni remarked that he had learned that color displays were hard on the eyes with this system. Councilman Raffensperger asked what was the total cost? Town Engineer Fabbroni responded , about $ 10 , 500 . Councilwoman Leary questioned , with bids ? Town Engineer Fabbroni responded , everything - with bids and out right purchase . Councilwoman Leary remarked , when the original hardware was purchased you must have gotten technical help , you are not asking • for technical support , do we have people who have the ability to get out the bugs ? Town Engineer Fabbroni responded , we are only getting assurances that it will interface . Supervisor Desch suggested that the proposal be approved , subject to satisfactory responses to Councilman Cramers concerns . Councilman Cramer responded that there was a degree of need to move forward because of the Accounting Departments full time need of the present system . Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that the Town Board had not budgeted this amount of money . She questioned the money for the printer . Supervisor Desch responded that at the February Town Board Meeting , Revenue Sharing money would be reallocated for the Building Inspector ' s car , records protection plus the printer . Councilwoman Raffensperger asked if there were potential Revenue Sharing fund available to cover the cost? Supervisor Desch responded yes , we did not allocate all the available funds as we were not sure of the total amount that Congress would appropriate . RESOLUTION NO . 12 Motion by Councilman Cramer ; seconded by Supervisor Desch , RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorize the purchase of a computer aided design workstation for the Engineering Department subject to discussions and resolution by Councilman Cramer with Town Planner Peter Lovi on the interfacing question . ( Desch , Raffensperger , Cramer and Leary voting Aye . Nays - none ) . Councilwoman Raffensperger asked if the Board could receive a list of the major equipment already purchased and how it is presently being used and how it will be used in the future . Supervisor Desch added , we need to know the special programs and haw the equipment is used for these programs also . APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS FOR YEAR ENDING DEC',ENIBER 31 , 1985 RESOLUTION NO . 13 Town Board 4 January 24 , 1986 Motion by Councilman Cramer ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorize the following appropriation transfers for year ending December 31 , 1985 : Transfer to : A7140 . 400 Playgrounds and Recreation Contractual $ 111 . 65 Transfer from : A5630 . 400 Bus Operations $ 111 . 65 ( Desch , Raffensperger , Cramer and Leary voting Aye . Nays - none ) . • ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned . Town Clerk