R2002-209 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

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POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM Memorandum#02-70 MEMO TO: Mayor Terry Howley City Council FROM: David R. Slade, Acting Chief of Police�� DATE: November 13, 2002 ' SUBJECT: BACKUP RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. It is our recommendation that the City purchase reconditioned communications equipment from BARBECK Communications, Inc. We should purchase five (5)repeaters and one (1) controller at a substantial savings to the city and the taxpayers. The equipment is available locally at a reasonable price and carries a one-year warranty which includes parts and labor. The purchase of the two spare repeaters and one spare controller assures us of the availability of parts well into the future. It is critical that we act upon this proposal by November 21, 2002 in order to save the City$180,310. 2. We recommend using the $60,000 already allotted to this project from LLEBG funding for 2002/2004. We recommend paring down the overtime hireback line items from the 2001/2003 grant and the 2002/2004 grant by$39,690 to make up the additional funding necessary. We recommend that the City Council approve the re-allotment of$39,690 of the block grant moneys from the overtime hireback funds. This will allow the police department to enter into an agreement with BARBECK Communications to purchase and install this back up radio system. BACKGROUND: It is the responsibility of the City of Decatur Police Department to maintain, manage and staff the Emergency Communications Center(ECC)for the City of Decatur and the County of Macon. With the exception of Decatur Ambulance Service,the ECC is responsible for dispatching all countywide public safety services including all police, fire and emergency services. The City operates a trunked radio system that functions on 800 MHz radio frequencies. Currently,the city owns and operates this radio system. The communications tower is located at the Municipal Services Center at 2600 N. Jasper St. The current system is an effective operation as it stands, but there is a critical weakness in the system. If there is a failure involving the tower or the eyuipment at the tower site due to weather, a lengthy power outage, intentional vandalism or sabotage,the system could be compromised and out of service for three to five months leaving the city and county without any radio system.