Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Information Technology

TO:	David Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Micah Seybold, GIS Coordinator
CC:	Alan Landis, Purchasing Specialist
DATE:	November 1, 2012
RE:	2013 Digital Color Aerial Photography and LiDAR project

I. 2013 Aerial Photography and LiDAR project   On September 28, 2012 the City and Douglas County released a request for proposals through the Douglas County purchasing process for new county wide half foot resolution color aerial photography and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) elevation data for specific areas to be captured in early 2013. 

II. Orthophotography and LiDAR datasets   The aerial photography to be collected is known as orthophotography.  Orthophotography is aerial photography from which camera tilt and ground relief distortions have been removed. It has the same scale throughout and can be used as a map.  The process of orthorectification uses elevation data to correct terrain distortion associated with each image.  LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors collect elevation data used in the orthorectification process.  The last orthophotography update was done in 2009.  Aerial photography is a valuable resource used daily by city staff to help accomplish tasks and answer questions that are specific to their jobs.  The information is also accessed frequently by citizens and engineering/design firms via the City’s interactive GIS webpage.

III. Purchase Options   On October 8, 2012 Douglas County received sealed bids on behalf of the City and County.  Three proposals were received from Surdex for $59,116.00, Kucera for $74,418.00 and Photo Science for $78,715.00.  A selection committee of three county and three city employees reviewed the proposals and selected Surdex.  The City will be responsible for $19,832.47 of the $59,116.00 total.  The split is based on percentages of UGA and requested LiDAR update areas.

IV. Project Funding The 2013 Aerial Photography and LiDAR project is funded 66% by the Utilities Department and 33% by Public Works/Stormwater Division.  This project was budgeted in 2013 for $40,000.00.  

Utilities Department	501-7-7110-2325	$13,287.75
Public Works / Stormwater	505-3-3910-2147	$6,544.72
	TOTAL:	$19,832.47

V. Action Requests Information Technology is recommending that the City of Lawrence authorize the City Manager to sign the contract with Surdex for the 2013 aerial photography and LiDAR project and to approve payment to Surdex not to exceed $19,832.47.