TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2020
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into an agreement with the GIS Consortium to share Geographic Information System data for underground facilities
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into an Agreement with the GIS Consortium (Consortium) to share Geographic Information System (GIS) data.
The Consortium is an organization of Chicago-area communities unified by a common goal: to share resources, information, staffing, and technology so that municipalities can optimize the value of GIS.
The Consortium and the District have both compiled GIS data on underground facilities, including tunnels, sewers, force mains, structures, outfalls, watermains, etc. Since the Consortium members’ infrastructure overlaps and feeds into the District system, there are many commonalities in terms of operations and maintenance. Also, expansions, upgrades, and other changes to either system could affect the other governmental entity. Therefore, close coordination and sharing of data is beneficial between the District and the Consortium. Data such as atlases and as-built drawings have been exchanged in the past, but GIS data is more accurate, comprehensive, and accessible.
The Engineering Department has determined that it will be mutually beneficial to the District and the Consortium if GIS data for underground facilities is shared. The proposed agreement will allow mutual access for specific limited purposes to the District and the Consortium without cost. Based on the foregoing, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to enter into an agreement with the Consortium to share GIS data. It is further requested that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, the Executive Director and the Clerk be authorized to execute said agreement on behalf of the District, as well as any documents necessary to effectuate the transaction and conveyance, subject to approval by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:KMF
Recommended, Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for June 18, 2020