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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Electronic Engineering - trunked radio equipment, pagers RESOLUTION NO. 18-433 RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR TRUNKED RADIO EQUIPMENT, PAGERS,AND RELATED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF AMES 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 July 11, 2017, the City Council awarded a one year 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, 2018, and that agreement allowed City departments to continue to receive radio services provided locally by Electronic Engineering Company; and, WHEREAS, at this time, the Police and Fire Departments are the largest users of the City radio contract,and 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 $205,000 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 the Ames, ISU, and Story County Communication Centers; and, WHEREAS, in addition, some of the handheld and mobile radios have been updated;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,under direction of the Story County 911 Board, a radio consulting firm was retained;they provided a review of the existing radio system and a series of recommendations; and, WHEREAS, in February of 2018 the City joined with Story County,Iowa State University and the Story County 911 Board to extend the agreement with the radio consulting firm;the second phase of the firm's work, which is currently underway, will present the City and its partners with alternatives for a new radio system; and, WHEREAS, it should be emphasized that it will take some time to develop alternatives, negotiate contracts, acquire equipment, and implement a new system; 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 extension with electronic Engineering Company is for one year beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019 and, WHEREAS, with 446 radios on the system, the total annual cost increase in the tower fee will be $7,236 across all City departments, and all other equipment prices will remain unchanged from the current contract. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa, that the one-year contract extension with Electronic Engineering Company to provide 800 MHZ trunked radio equipment, pagers, and related equipment and services from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019, is hereby approved. ADOPTED THIS 17'h day of July, 2018. i• 11dAU) Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John . Haila, Mayor Introduced by: Nelson Seconded by: Corrieri Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin,Nelson Voting nay: None Absent: None Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 17th day of July, 2018.