HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-07 PACKET 08.A.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION
COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETI ITEM #
DATE
Finance
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
Robin Roland
DEPARTMENT HEAD
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Authorize the purchase of 9 Apple iPad 2s from Insight at a cost of $5,072.49 plus tax for a
total of $5,433.90.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve the purchase.
BUDGET IMPLICATION
BUDGETED AMOUNT
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
DENIED
DATE
REVIEWED
❑ PLANNING
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❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
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❑ PUBLIC WORKS
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❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
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❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
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❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
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❑
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
5,433.90
ACTUAL AMOUNT
APPROVED
DENIED
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® MEMO /LETTER: Memo from MIS Coordinator Jenny Jennings
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
Date
http: //156 .142.9.3 /intranet/Administration Forms /City Council Action Form - Read Only.doc
City of Cottage Grove
Finance Department
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
FROM: Jenny Jennings, MIS Coordinator
DATE: August 31, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
Consider approving the purchase of 9 Apple iPads for use by council members and
commissioners during meetings for viewing electronic packets and by staff members at internal
meetings.
E_ . • ►N
The goal of this project is to reduce or eliminate the printing and delivery of documentation to
staff and commission members, and reduce the staff time needed to prepare the packets.
Many different types of hardware were evaluated as we attempt to meet this goal — netbooks,
laptops, tablet PCs and even e- readers, with prices ranging from $170 - $1,090 per unit. We
looked for technology that would be easy to use for all skill levels, resistant to misuse, and
large enough to read comfortably but not too bulky.
Type
Model
Cost
Screen
Weight
Tablet PC
Velocity Micro Cruz
$170
7" color
1 lb.
Tablet PC
Apple iPad
$580
10" color
1.3 lbs.
Tablet PC
Motion Computing CL900
$1,090
10" color
2.1 lbs.
E- Reader
Nook Color
$249
7" color
1 lb.
Netbook
Notebook
Dell Inspiron Mini 10
Dell Inspiron 15
$399
$479
10" color
15.6" color
2.7 lbs.
5.2 lbs.
Both the Velocity Micro Cruz and the Nook Color have only 7" screens and would be
unsuitable for viewing the mixed documents types that make up commission packets. They
don't seem that much smaller than a 10" screen, but it works out to 24.4 square inches vs.
44.6 square inches on the 10" screens.
Honorable Mayor, City Council, and Ryan Schroeder
Page 2 of 2
The Motion Computing CL900 is much too expensive for this application. While its semi -
rugged case would be a nice feature, the cost and the limited battery life make it unfeasible.
Both Dell options have an attractive price, but would be much more bulky and cumbersome to
use. Since users do not often use the keyboard, more than half of the device becomes a
'stand' for the part that's really used — the monitor. There would also be issues with battery
life and power cords, since these low end devices typically only last for a maximum of three
hours on just the battery. Finally, we would need to purchase licensing for anti -virus software,
and keep both it and all other software patches up to date to keep the device secure from the
viruses and Trojans that are so prevalent with the Windows operating system.
The Apple Pad is the device that best meets all our needs. It is small enough to be
convenient, but has a screen that's large enough to read. It has a very intuitive user interface
that is easy for all levels of users. The battery life is exceptional so users won't need to worry
about power cables, and the device will boot up almost instantaneously. Advanced users will
be able to make notes directly on the documents, and email the modified document back to
themselves. Finally, the operating system is virtually virus proof, and is easy to reinstall in the
event that something does get corrupted.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the purchase of 9 Apple Pads for use by commissioners and committee members at
city meetings.