Presenter demonstrates sidewalk-inventory tool; council questions $10,400 one-time cost

Presenter Marcus shared a sidewalk-inventory application and showed how the system breaks sidewalks into 6-foot segments for photo-based evaluation and later replacement. Marcus demonstrated a table view with filtering and said the city would own the data if Sunrise built the system for Mount Pleasant.

The council asked technical and financial questions. Committee member (S6) asked whether the data could be exported for use in Excel or other systems; Marcus replied the table can be filtered and exported and that the tool can be added to the city's existing GIS and posted on the city's online system. "You would own the data," Marcus said, adding Sunrise would build the inventory in the city's system.

Cost drew particular attention. Committee member (S4) called the price "a lot of money for software to track sidewalks" and questioned ongoing usefulness. Marcus and staff explained the pricing they were discussing: a $7,000 add-on to the city's online subscription to add the tool and a $3,400 one-time sidewalk-evaluation fee, which committee member (S4) summarized as a total of "$10,400." Marcus said he did not expect additional recurring fees beyond the city's existing online subscription access.

Staff argued the inventory has risk-management value. Committee member (S6) said the trust's risk program makes the city more "defensible in court," explaining that a documented priority system demonstrates active maintenance rather than negligence. S6 also said participation in the trust's program offers premium savings: about 5% this year (roughly $5,100) and up to 20% after continued participation, plus employee training paid by the trust.

Councilors also discussed alternatives and timing. Some members noted lower-cost prototypes or AI approaches but said such options lacked the inspection, photo upload and assignment tracking features of the presented tool. Staff said an initial digital inventory could be completed by the end of the summer, while a paper-based approach might take about a year to compile.

The council did not vote on procurement during the work session. Next steps identified in discussion included clarifying whether any ongoing subscription fees would apply, confirming the deliverables in Sunrise's proposal, and confirming how the inventory will integrate with the city's GIS and capital-improvement planning.