Adopt Resolution #22-080 Approving Cost Sharing Agreement with Anoka County for 2022 LiDAR Flight Data

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #22-080 approving the attached Cost Sharing Agreement with Anoka County to allow 2022 LiDAR flight data to be used within the City’s GIS system to more accurately determine existing ground elevations throughout the City, which will help in evaluating existing drainage patterns, responding to drainage concerns, and to develop more accurate plans, maps and miscellaneous graphics.  

Background:
Anoka County has partnered with the State of Minnesota to collect high-resolution digital elevation data developed from airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) in the central Mississippi Minnesota region in the spring of 2022 (the “LiDAR Project”), under the State’s funding received from United States Geological Survey (USGS).  

Anoka County contributed $58,000 toward the LiDAR Project, along with other Minnesota counties, as matching funding for the State to remit to USGS for the LiDAR Project. Under the LiDAR Project, Counties are encouraged to share the resulting data with other public bodies or organizations, including but not limited to cities and townships, watershed and conservation districts, and other organizations that may directly benefit from the use of such data. Anoka County is therefore offering cities within Anoka County the opportunity to purchase rights to use the 2022 LiDAR data for a cost share of $2,500, which will go towards a portion of the County’s costs associated with the LiDAR Project. 

The attached agreement, which was reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney, commences upon signing and terminates on December 31, 2022.   

Notifications are not required for this case. 

Observations:
By executing the agreement the City of Ramsey agrees that the County is furnishing the LiDAR data on an "as is" basis, without representation or any express or implied warranties, including but not limited to, fitness for particular purpose, merchantability or the accuracy and completeness of the data. In addition, Anoka County does not warrant that the LiDAR data will be error free. However, if the City of Ramsey discovers any defect which impairs the use of the LiDAR data the City has the right to terminate the agreement.  
 
The last time the City purchased LiDAR data covering the entire City was around 2002 at a cost in excess of $70,000.  This data is still being used today for such purposes as evaluating drainage issues and patterns across the City.  This data is now 20 years old and a significant amount of new development has occurred since that time rendering some of this data unusable. Staff therefore proposes to purchase new data for use within our GIS system to better evaluate drainage patterns and issues, among other uses.

LiDAR technology has been improved over the years resulting in a significantly reduced purchase price for the 2022 data. 

Alternatives:
Adopt Resolution #22-080 approving the Cost Sharing Agreement with Anoka County for 2022 LiDAR Flight Data.  

The Engineering Department budgeted $2,500 for 2022 to purchase 2022 LiDAR Flight Data.  

City staff recommends adopting Resolution #22-080 to allow 2022 LiDAR flight data to be used within the City’s GIS system to more accurately determine existing ground elevations throughout the City, which will help in evaluating existing drainage patterns, responding to drainage concerns, and to develop more accurate plans, maps and miscellaneous graphics. 

Adopt Resolution #22-080 approving the Cost Sharing Agreement with Anoka County for 2022 LiDAR Flight Data.