R2006-194 AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATION

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City Council Memo #06-6G To: Mayor Paul Osborne and the City Council From: Steve Gar City Manager �-( James A. A rson, Chief of Police � T � Re: Resolution Authorizing Application with the Northwest Municipal Conference in conjunction with the Emergency Telephone System Board Uate: November 27, 2006 Summary Recommendation- `I�his memorandum is written to obtain a resolution frorrz the City Council to authorize the police department to apply for funds up to $350,000 a��ailable from the Northwest 1�lunicipal Conference. The funds will be shared with the Ernergency Telephone System �3oard for the purchase of new 9-1-1 hardware and software. Background- Ii� [)ecember ui� 2005, the City of Decatur renewed a contractual agreement with the :ti1a�em County Emergency Telephone System Board, a seven member, county appointed b��ard ot c:ty and county public safety officials and �ne at-large civilian member, for the :�fticient operation and management of the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). �Che F:1�S�3 is �overned by state statute (SOILCS Section 750 et. seq.) to provide equipment niid funding for the answering of all 911 calls and maintenance �f a Master Street �3ddress Guide (MSAG). The PSAP, also known as the Emergency Communications Center is operated by the Decatur Police Department and is where all 9-1-1 calls are answered and dispatched for Nlacon County. �'he YSAP is operated by the Police Department. On Octuber 10, 20U6 the city learned of �l substantial tunding opportunity. This allows cities to apply for funds for improvements to 9-1-1 phone systems in the jurisdiction. While researching this opportunity, it was learned that the funds must be used to impro�-e local 9-1-1 service. Under the ETSB �ontract, the cit}� is not responsible for 9-1-1 equipment or maintenance, therefore a tentative agreement was made to apply for the funds to ��lp the ETSB with the purchase of the new 9-1-1 switch and software upgrade. 'I'he c�arrent 9-1-1 switch and software will not be supported by Motorola after 2007 and a search has been underway to find the appropriate replacement. Estimated costs for the switch and software are put at nearly $400,000. If funded, this project will offset this major expense for the ETSB. The ETSB will fund the remaining portion of the project beyond a•hat the grant will provide. �["he city hopes to enter into a county-wide consortium of g�rantees, Argenta, Forsyth, Macon, Maroa and Mt. Z.ion that have are also eligible for funds from the Northwest Municipal �unference if� they choose to participate in this application. The City of� Decatur will ser�e as the lead agency in effort. A commiriee appointed by� the Northwest Municipal