HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/07/2004 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 190, 2004, APPROPRI ITEM NUMBER: 19
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: December 7, 2004
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Dan Coldiron
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 190, 2004, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves in the General Fund
for Upgrading and Replacing the Development Tracking System and the Development Management
System.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This appropriation for the upgrade and replacement of the Development Tracking System ("DTS")
and the Development Management System will reduce the General Fund Equipment Replacement
Reserves designated for DTS by$251,470 leaving a balance of$129,759 in the reserve.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fort Collins has operated and maintained a software application known as the DTS since
1999. This application automates the departments of Building and Zoning and Current Planning
business processes. These processes include portions of the development review process, the
complete building permit process, as well as peripheral processes such as contractor licensing. The
software is a vital component to the operation of these departments.
The vendor that supplies this application, Accela, recently released the latest version of this
automated system. The City diligently researched the new software release and has deemed it a very
desirable upgrade. The new release will align this system with the current standards and direction
of the City's overall Information Technology strategies. This upgrade would also allow for the
processes of Building and Zoning and Development Review to be completely integrated within a
single application. Such integration will allow a more coordinated processing of development
review and construction permitting. The vendor is offering,for a limited-time,considerable pricing
incentives for existing software license holders. If the City agrees to upgrade by December 31,2004,
Accela will waive all licensing fees for the upgrade software, a total of$149,995. The upgrade to
the latest software release will be required in the future if the City continues to use this vendor's
products.
December 7, 2004 -2- Item No. 19
The DTS is funded through the collection of a minor surcharge from all fees that are collected by the
system. A part of these funds have been set aside each year in anticipation of the future need to
upgrade or replace this application. Given the licensing incentives and the enhancements that will
be gained by upgrading this application, it is requested that the sum of$251,470 be appropriated
from the DTS Equipment Replacement Reserve into the DTS program budget. These monies will
be used to contract for the services necessary to migrate the existing data and processes to the latest
version of the Accela product line, known as Accela Automation.
ORDINANCE NO. 190, 2004
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE GENERAL FUND
FOR UPGRADING AND REPLACING THE DEVELOPMENT TRACKING
SYSTEM AND THE DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins has operated and maintained the Development Tracking
System and the Development Management System ("DTS") software since 1999; and
WHEREAS, the DTS software is a vital component to the operation of the development
review process, the complete building permit process, and peripheral processes such as contractor
licensing; and
WHEREAS, City staff has researched the latest version of the DTS software and has found
that it will align with the current standards and direction of the City's Information Technology
strategies; and
WHEREAS, the vendor is offering to waive all licensing fees ($149,995) for the upgraded
software if the upgrade is made by December 31, 2004; and
WHEREAS,the DTS is funded through the collection of a small surcharge from all fees that
are collected by the system; and
WHEREAS, the unspent surcharge revenue is available from the General Fund prior year
Equipment Replacement reserves designated for DTS; and
WHEREAS,Article V,Section 9,of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins permits the City
Council to appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as
may be available from reserves accumulated in prior years,notwithstanding that such reserves were
not previously appropriated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from General Fund prior year Equipment
Replacement reserves the sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED
SEVENTY DOLLARS ($251,470),for upgrading and replacing the Development Tracking System
and the Development Management System.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 7th day of
December, A.D., 2004, and to be presented for final passage on the 21st day of December, A.D.,
2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 21st day of December, A.D. 2004.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk