Memorandum
REPORT TO:
City Commission
FROM:
Jessica Ahlstrom, Water Conservation Program Manager
Shawn Kohtz, Utilities Director
SUBJECT:
Authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) for Website Hosting and Support Services for the Bozeman Drought Monitoring Tool
MEETING DATE:
September 15, 2026
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Agreement - Vendor/Contract
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) for Website Hosting and Support Services for the Bozeman Drought Monitoring Tool.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
BACKGROUND:
In 2015, the City entered into a Professional Services Agreement with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) for the development of a Drought Management Plan and Drought Monitoring Tool. The Drought Monitoring Tool evaluates water supply data to support data-informed drought management decisions. Data include Hyalite reservoir volume, area streamflow, area snowpack and five regional drought indices. A drought score for each index is developed, weighted, and collectively used to generate an overall drought score, which corresponds to drought stages outlined in the 2022 Drought Management Plan.
The 'OPTX' website hosts real-time and historical data for local and regional indices, allowing for streamlined integration into the Drought Monitoring Tool. Support services require an annual subscription, as outlined in the attached Professional Services Agreement. Support services include performing and storing backups of the website and databases, performance monitoring, service improvement, and routine maintenance. Website hosting and support services will continue to provide staff with the needed resources to efficiently and consistently run the Drought Monitoring Tool throughout the year.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:
None.
ALTERNATIVES:
As suggested by the Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS:
Total costs are not to exceed $2,000.00 per year and will be paid for from the Water Conservation Division approved budget.