HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 9-1980 RESOLUTION NO. 9-80
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LEASE OF
THE QANTEL COMPUTER
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of South San Francisco
that said Council, having reviewed the Staff Report dated January 9, 1980,
a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A',, does authorize the City
Manager to negotiate and execute a lease of the Qantel Computer for a period
of six (6) months as. set forth in paragraph. 3 of the recommendations con-
tained in said Staff Report.
I hereby certify.that the foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced
and adopted by the City Council of the .City of South San Francisco at a
regular meeting held on the 16th day of January , 19 80,
by the following vote'
AYES-
NOES-
ABSENT:
Councilmen Ronald G. Acosta, Emanuele N. Damonte, Terry J. Mirri; and
Councilwoman Roberta Cerri Teglia
Councilman Wi 1 li am~. Borba
None
January 9, 1980
To: The Honorable City Council
Subject: QANTEL COMPUTER UTILIZATION
..
ACTION:
Direction to Staff
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Manager be authorized to enter into a six-month
lease with PSD Consultants for use of the Qantel Computer pending final determin-
ation of the computer's long-term utilization or other alternatives.
DISCUSSION:
In the 1979-80 budget.deliberations, Council approved a settlement with Qantel,
Inc., to pay one-half the maintenance contract obligations to Qantel and the other
one-half to a qualified Qantel programmer to review the present software and report
on the ability of the equipment and programs to meet City needs as outlined in
prior specifications. The report has just been received with the following
conclusions:
1. The present equipment can satisfactorily perform all the work set forth in
City's specifications for utilization and which were the basis-for prior
bids for software services. -
2. The prior software contract did produce three applications installed on .
the computer, but they do not perform in the manner anticipated by the City;
and it is not possible to merely modify such applications because of certain
technical constraints.
3. The cost.of re-programming the computer for all applications prev'iously bid
are as follows:
1. State Monitoring Reports
2. Equipment & Inventory Control
3. Sewer Rental & Permit Processing
Tota 1 s
Minimum Maximum
$ 4,8OO $ 6,000
5,200 6,500
6,400 8,200
$16,400 $20,700
_ 4. The current bu~dget provides $15,000 for such services,
EXHIBIT "A" TO RESt). NO.. 9-80
ADOPTED January 16, 1980
To: The Honorable City Council
Subject: QANTEL COMPUTER UTLIZATION
January 9, 1980
Page 2
In light of these conclusions, the City has the following options to consider:
1. Contract for software services for one application at a time. When the first
one is on line and operating, the second and then the third would be authorized.
In each case, twenty-five percent of the cost would be withheld until City is
satisfied with operative capabilities of the application.
2. Re-analyze the manual and computer~'s man-hour requirements to verify the cost
savings which would result from the authorzation of additional software ex-
penditures. It should also be ascertained that Plant-personnel have the
capabilities of properly utilizing such information.
3. Research the possibilities of selling the present equipment for a price which
would enable the City to recoup the approximate replacement cost and, possibly,
acquire other equipment better suited to its needs and, perhaps, in conjunction
with other Agency uses. This could also take into consideration a better equip-
ment environment where cleaner air and power voltage changes would be less apt
to affect equipment performance. This option should also include the possibility
of contracting for the most important applications on a Service Bureau contract.
It is unfortunate that the management situation .at the Sewerage Treatment Plant must
be considered in selecting the most appropriate option. In the absence of the Plant
Superintendent, there is no one who has been fully involved in the planning and
implementation of the computerized information system. Consequently,-the recommended
approach for ultimate decision-making is as follows:
1. A full review of program capabilities and requirements with present Plant staff
to bring them up to date 'so that they can then complete the analysis under Option 2.
(This can be done within the current Qantel ½- ½ Agreement at no added cost
to City. )
2. Concurrently with No. 1 above, explore the possible sale of the present equip-
ment to determine whether or not a reasonable price might be obtained and if
such a price would enable the City to utilize other methods of achieving its
information requirements.
3. Enter into a six-month lease with PSD Consultants whereby they would pay for
the monthly maintenance contract, plus $100 to the City, and whereby the City
could repossess the equipment, within thirty days if a decision were made to
proceed with Options 1 or 3. The City would be fully protected by insurance
and bond requirements.
The above-recommendations would enable the City to avoid paying maintenance costs
while giving full consideration to its best course of action. It would also provide
for flexibility in dealing with a complex problem in a rapidly-changing technological
area and organizational changes within the Sanitation Division.
C. Walter Bi rkel o
City Manager
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