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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: James Dahl, MIS Director
DATE: January 23, 2015
SUBJECT:
A resolution seeking the use of professional services from Mr. Dennis M. Smith for optical fiber infrastructure consulting services in the amount of $80.00 per hour not to exceed $40,000.00 annually for the MIS Division.
PURPOSE:
The expansive size and continual growth of the City's fiber infrastructure requires a great deal of field work by someone with intimate knowledge of the physical fiber design. In addition to growth to fulfill City network needs, the infrastructure continues to expand to provide transport to traffic signal and OnLight fiber.
BACKGROUND:
Mr. Smith has been involved one way or another with the City's optical fiber infrastructure design since its inception in 2004. Over the past three years Mr. Smith has acted as MIS' eyes in the field during construction projects, emergency fiber fixes, etc. This experience gives Mr. Smith a unique level of proprietary knowledge other vendors do not possess.
DISCUSSION:
Per the City's agreement with OnLight Aurora, OnLight will be expanding the optical fiber network into new areas. Ultimately, this new fiber will be owned by the City. Therefore, it is important the City of Aurora MIS Division have input into construction and design to ensure the interests of the City are upheld.
The number of ongoing and scheduled MIS projects has created a need for contracting out some of the design and field work. As a vendor who has been involved in City of Aurora IT fiber and cabling projects Dennis Smith is extremely knowledgeable about the City's fiber infrastructure. As such, he is uniquely qualified for this purpose.
Mr. Smith's standard consulting fee is $100.00 per hour. However, the MIS Director has negotiated a discount of 20%, so the rate for this agreement is $80.00 per hour. The agreement will be ongoing, and can be canceled at any time by either party. This is not an exclusive agreement, and does not prevent the use of other fiber contractors.
This is an as needed agreement and there is no minimum number of hours. However, given the fiber infrastructure related workload in 2014 Mr. Smith's billable fees met the $25,000.00 approval threshold, and MIS was not able to fully utilize his services.
There are funds available in MIS account numbers 340-1232-419.73-86, 101-1232-419.32-36.
The Finance Department has been contacted to ensure that Mr. Smith does not have outstanding debt with the City.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
There should be no impact on the general public, or other departments and divisions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution approving the use of professional services from Mr. Dennis M. Smith for optical fiber infrastructure consulting services in an amount of $80.00 per hour not to exceed $40,000.00 annually for the MIS Division.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the MIS Division is in need of an experienced consultant to ensure the integrity of fiber optic and conduit infrastructure expansion; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dennis M. Smith has a unique combination of knowledge and experience with the City of Aurora's fiber and conduit infrastructure that is not otherwise available; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dennis M. Smith has submitted a proposal to perform field related fiber infrastructure consulting serves to the City of Aurora at a rate of $80.00 per hour.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approves the use of professional services for fiber infrastructure consulting from Mr. Dennis M. Smith at $80.00 per hour in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 annually for the MIS Division.