HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2004-082
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Sponsored by: Shealy
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2004-82
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH N.
HARRIS COMPUTER CORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR UTILITY
BILLING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$183,950
WHEREAS, the City of Seward has been utilizing utility billing software that was developed
in-house from Alaska Electric Light and Power (AEL&P) since the late 1980s, has been receiving
servicing of the software from AEL&P, and the vendor is no supporting the legacy software; and
WHEREAS, the City has benefited tremendously from the professional knowledge and
experience of representatives from AEL&P who have provided computer programming services to
the City for more than 10 years, and the City has worked closely with AEL&P representatives to
research alternative utility billing software packages that meet the needs ofthe City; and
WHEREAS, after a two-year search of alternative software packages, both the City and
AEL&P have determined that N. Harris Computer Corporation's North Star software provides the
most cost-effective software solution to meet the needs of the City for processing billing for electric,
water, sewer, and garbage services of the City, with only minor software modifications, and our
concurrent purchase ofthis software will enable the City to continue to benefit from its decade-long
affiliation with the professional computer knowledge and experience of Alaska-based AEL&P utility
company; and
WHEREAS, Seward City Code 6.10.120 (9) specifically exempts the purchase of electronic
data processing software and hardware systems from competitive procurement requirements, and
while the City did not competitively bid this software purchase, staff did spend considerable time
researching software packages and found that North Star software is reasonably priced relative to
other packages reviewed, and does a better job of meeting the compatibility needs of our existing
utility billing services, as well as providing additional services that take advantage of new
technologies relative to the internet and electronic banking services; and
WHEREAS, City staffhave participated in two hands-on demonstrations of the software by
representatives ofN. Harris Computer Corporation and have identified a tremendous opportunity for
savings in both staffing and efficiency, and find that this software will meet our needs well into the
future, and support the purchase of North Star software.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2004-82
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a contract with N. Harris
Computer Corporation for the provision of customer information system, software, and related
professional services.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to approve annual software maintenance
support services for an amount not to exceed $20,000, on a year-to-year basis, subject to annual
appropriation, as mutually agreed by both parties.
Section 3. The amount of$183,950 is hereby appropriated from the electric enterprise fund
retained earnings account no. 501-0000-5-3050 to the capital outlay expense account no. 501-5410-
5930.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 26th
day of July, 2004.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
~/MJA~ JJ~~
Vanta Shafer, Mayo
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Dunham, Branson, Valdatta, Amberg, Clark, Anderson, Shafer
None
None
None
ATTEST:
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