Council favors sharing GIS tech with MEDC

McCOOK, Neb. — Although no formal vote was taken, the McCook City Council Monday night appeared in agreement to use city funds in hiring a specialist for the city’s GIS web page.

The cost, estimated at $70,000, would be split with the McCook Economic Development Corp. City Manager Nate Schneider said Monday night that Andy Long of the MEDC is favorable to the cost sharing, using LB840 funds.

The item will be brought to the council as a voting item at the July 16 meeting. Schneider said this morning the item would request the council’s approval for a contract with a company but declined to name a company, saying he’s been in talks with several. He also said that as it’s for professional services, by state law the city did not have to take bids, in contrast to a public improvement project.

Monday night, Schneider told the council the city could pay for its half incrementally in two years, at $17,500 each.

The specialist would acquire data for the city’s GIS web page. A geographic information system (GIS) map captures, stores and manages spatial or other data that potential developers can use when considering McCook. For the city, it would locate water mains, storm sewers, fire hydrants, curb stops, manholes and other data that potential developers can use when considering McCook, Schneider said. Developers/manufacturers can study the data for storm sewer capability for their building and locating water/sewer lines for fiber optic projects underground. Citizens also would be able to access information about water mains and sewer systems about their own home or for potential purchases.

With some records on water and sewer mains still only on paper, the system would finally be able to permanently store that information, said Jesse Dutcher, City of McCook Utility director. In response to a question by Mayor Mike Gonzales, Dutcher said city staff would also be able to update the map regarding repairs and other data.

City staff first started to collect data on its own in 2015 for a GIS web page but the process was time-consuming as staff could only do it when not doing normal job duties, Schneider said. Since that time, Schneider said he’s been in discussions with sales representatives from GIS companies that have reported that the systems used now are extremely user-friendly and “light-years ahead” of what was used 10 years ago.

Councilman Gene Weedin asked if there would be additional costs and Schneider cited communities the size of McCook, such as Wahoo and Crete, Neb., that have five-year contracts with GIS companies that gradually decrease costs as the city becomes more proficient in using the system.

Councilman Bruce McDowell said he talked to other city managers about a GIS web page and all were favorable, he said. He expressed concern that some records of water and sewer lines are still only on paper and “it’s time we enter into the 21st century.”

Council member Janet Hepp also voiced her approval, especially in locating existing water and sewer mains. It would be extremely beneficial for lots with two houses, she said, where sewer lines could be accurately located.

Schneider said the GIS company would take about a week to locate all the pertinent information in the city, then log that into the system. He said the project is time sensitive and would like to see it done sooner rather than later, due to potential developers on the horizon.