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Olivia approves PSE contract to build electric-utility GIS mapping
Summary
City council approved professional GIS services by PSE to digitize the electric utility network, replacing paper maps, improving interdepartmental access and succession planning; council removed an optional windmill-export item to lower the cost.
Olivia City Council authorized staff to proceed with PSE’s proposal to create an ArcGIS map of the city’s electric utility, a step staff described as replacing paper maps and improving institutional knowledge.
Staff told the council the city currently stores electric-utility information on paper maps and that the PSE proposal would bring the electric network ‘‘into this century’’ by making details such as underground vs. overhead lines, pole counts and installation dates accessible to multiple departments. Staff said the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) discussed an optional ‘‘windmill export’’ feature that the PUC opted not to include to reduce the cost.
Supporters said a digital system would speed interdepartmental work (planning, EDA, engineering) and help with succession planning because utility knowledge is now largely held by individual staff. The project was described as a roughly six-month effort tied to updated paper maps and positioned as timely given the availability of fresh map data.
Councilmember Ferguson moved to proceed with PSE’s GIS professional services for the electric utility; Councilmember Howard seconded the motion. The council voted in favor and the motion carried.
Staff noted the PUC will revisit the optional windmill-export feature later if needed. Implementation will start with PSE building the base map; electric-department staff will then refine and maintain details over time.
