To approve an Interlocal Agreement by and between the City of Plano and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) in the amount of $16,641 for the acquisition of 2024 LiDAR data for the Engineering Department; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. Approved

Geospatial data is occasionally purchased from the North Central Texas Council of Government (NCTCOG). In the past, the City Council approved the purchase of orthophotography, planimetric, and LiDAR data multiple times.

The City of Plano participated in the Spatial Data Cooperative Program (SDCP) managed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) for many years.  This program facilitates the purchase of spatial data for local government entities in North Central Texas.  Potential data acquisition includes high-resolution orthophotography, LiDAR data, and various derivative products, such as digital elevation contours and planimetric data.  Due to the collaborative effort, the cost of these data is shared, resulting in cost savings for the participants.

This Interlocal Agreement is for the City to participate in the Spatial Data Cooperative Program (SDCP) for data captured in 2024.  As part of this agreement, the City would like to purchase the 0.5-meter resolution airborne LiDAR data.  LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a surveying method that measures the distance to a target by illuminating that target with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor. Differences in laser return times and wavelengths can then be used to generate digital 3D representations of the target. LiDAR data is collected at a density sufficient to support a nominal pulse spacing of 0.5 meters or less (i.e., with no less than four points per square meter). This data is processed with GIS tools and used to create a terrain surface for the entire city and generate updated contour lines and topographic maps. Topographic maps provide detailed information about the terrain, elevation, and physical features of an area important for planning infrastructure projects, performing land erosion studies, evaluating landscape changes, and identifying areas of flooding.

The City is authorized to purchase from a cooperative purchasing program with another local government or a local cooperative organization pursuant to Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items.

Funding for this item will be available in the 2023-2024 Municipal Drainage Administration budget, within approved budget appropriations. This request is to authorize the purchase of data products through an Interlocal Agreement between North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and the City of Plano, in the amount of $16,641.36.

Approval of this agenda item will support the City’s Strategic Plan goals for Critical Success Factors of Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods, and Excellent Innovative and Accountable City Government.