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