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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Contract to provide radio equipment, pagers, and related equipment RESOLUTION NO. 15-389 RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT TO PROVIDE TRUNKED RADIO EQUIPMENT, PAGERS, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA WHEREAS, the 800 megahertz (MHz) trunked radio system provides for interactive communication between many City work groups and departments,as well as with the Story County Sheriffs Office, Iowa State University, Mary Greeley Medical Center, and all of Story County's other emergency responders; and, WHEREAS, on June 25, 2013, City Council awarded a contract to Electronic Engineering Company for 800 MHz trunked radio equipment,pagers,and related equipment and services for City departments; and, WHEREAS, the contract provided for lease of general radio equipment, law enforcement equipment, equipment installation and maintenance, and paging equipment and services through June 30, 2015; and, WHEREAS, radio equipment furnished under the contract includes portable and vehicle radios,base station radios,and specialized law enforcement communication equipment,and the City currently has approximately 375 radios leased and 19 radios purchased under this contract; and, WHEREAS,the City no longer leases pagers,but will maintain the pricing and availability of pagers on this contract for unexpected needs; and, WHEREAS,interactive communication with public safety agencies throughout Story County also occurs on this radio system; and, WHEREAS,the total annual cost for radio equipment and related services is approximately $230,000 per year; and, WHEREAS, the Story County E-911 Board completed a study of the current radio system in the Fall of 2010, and the Board's consultant recommended that the County begin planning for a new radio system due to the aging equipment and limitations of the current radio technology; and, WHEREAS, since that time, the radio consoles have been replaced in each of the Communication Centers, and some of the handheld and mobile radios have been updated; and, WHEREAS,these changes allowed the City to extend the life of the current equipment,but have not eliminated concerns about reliability of the core system; and, WHEREAS, in response to these concerns, staff created a Radio Communications Team to evaluate existing communication systems/providers in the area who might offer a viable alternative to the City's existing system,and the team recognized that there are changes in technology and new Federal regulations that the City will need to consider; and, WHEREAS, work on identifying radio alternatives continues at the present time, and it should be emphasized that it will take some time to develop an alternative plan, and the implementation of such a plan will require a significant capital investment; and, WHEREAS, until a feasible plan can be established and implemented, continuation of the current radio contract is in the best interest of the City; and, WHEREAS, the proposed contract with Electronic Engineering is for two years beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2017. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the contract with Electronic Engineering Company of Ames,Iowa,to provide 800 MHz trunked radio equipment,pagers,and related equipment and services for City departments from July 1,2015, through June 30, 2017, is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 23rd day of June, 2015. Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor Introduced by: Goodman Seconded by: Betcher Voting aye: Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Goodman,Nelson, Orazem Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 23rd day of June, 2015.