HomeMy WebLinkAboutVI(I) Approval and Authorization with INVENSYS for Acquisition of the VXU for Auto-Read System for the Water Department Agenda 12-02-2003
enter of Good Item VI I
Mayor eche
caller
< LI�I11�, Commissioners
S. Scott Vandergrift i „' '{;. , Danny Howell, District 1
Scott Anderson, District 2
City Manager '' .,. ► Rusty Johnson, District 3
Jim Gleason _ J iNancy J. Parker, District 4
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STAFF REPORT
DATE: October 22, 2003
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: Robert Holland, Utilities Superintendent
THROUGH: David Wheeler, P.E., Director Public Works
SUBJECT: Purchase of VXU with Computer and Vehicle Radio Read ADD-ON for
Auto-read
ISSUE:
Should the Mayor and City Commissioners approve the acquisition of VXU with computer and
vehicle radio-read ADD-ON for Auto-read system for the City of Ocoee Water Department at a
cost of$22,600.00.
BACKGROUND:
For the past ten years the Utility Department has been converting from visual read to touch read
meters. This conversion has significantly reduced manpower required to read the meters on a
monthly basis. Technology has provided an other leap in meter reading and manpower
reduction. The purchased a hand held radio read unit a few years ago to use in reading the
meters at the Vintage of Lake Lotta apartment complex and to test the radio read technology.
The hand held unit works well but requires fairly close proximity to the meter. The vehicle radio
read unit will allow for a wider range of meter reading; basically one person could read the entire
city within one day. This would free up personnel to be used for other necessary tasks within
the utility operations.
The Water Department currently has meters that were purchased from the INVENSYS
Company, which are being converted or are in the process of being converted to a radio-read
system. The VXU and computer with the ADD-ON for the Auto-read system will enable staff to
read the meters from a vehicle and the information would be transmitted to the computer, which
would be downloaded into the billing system.
DISCUSSION:
This request is coming before the Commission, as it has been approved in the CIP fiscal year
budget and per the "Purchasing Manugl" all acquisitions that exceed $15,000.00 must come
before the Commission for approval prior to purchase. This addition of equipment will greatly
enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the meter reading process by computerizing the data
and expediting the meter reading process.
City of Ocoee• 150 N Lakeshore Drive•Ocoee,Florida 34761
phone: (407)905-3100•fax:(407)656-8504•www.ci.ocoee.fl.us
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Commission waive the Purchasing Manual policy of competitive
bidding and allow the Department to use INVENSYS as the "best source" vendor.
Staff then recommends the City Commission approve the purchase of the VXU and computer
with the ADD-ON for the Auto-read system in the amount of$22,600.00 from INVENSYS, which
is compatible with the City's existing metering configuration and software.
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