Title
Discussion of issues relating to entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Airobotics.
Body
Summary:
Earlier this year, the company Airobotics opened an office to serve the greater Houston area and Mr. Tim Culp, formerly of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, began working for them in the position of Vice President of Community Relations. Airobotics is a commercial drone company which offers many applications including inspections, surveying, mapping, etc. They have an interest in developing municipal applications and recently approached the City about conducting trial services for us at no cost. These services would include flying drones over a one square mile portion of northeast Deer Park to make the following assessments:
a. Pre-incident assessments of roadways, foliage, drainage systems allows for plans to be developed about vulnerable areas and threats
b. Pavement Condition Index - fly roadways and observe concrete pavement for assessment and grading
c. Drainage ditch assessment / inventory - drainage ditch conditional assessment pre-/post-disaster for future FEMA / insurance funding requests
d. Building assessment - building conditional assessment pre-/post-disaster for future FEMA / insurance funding requests
e. Water leak detection - infrared scan of large diameter / older water pipelines for leak observation. Perform this flight after a period without rain.
A copy of the proposed study area is included with this packet. Of note, it does not involve flying over any residential subdivisions within Deer Park. The areas to be studied include industrial/commercial areas and city facilities. While there is no fee for their services, Airobotics has asked the City to sign the attached Memorandum of Understanding. This document has been reviewed and approved by City Attorney Fox. On Tuesday evening, Mr. Culp and other officials with Airobotics will be present to discuss their company, their proposed work, and the Memorandum of Understan...
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