HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - 28E Agreement to form "StoryComm" RESOLUTION NO. 19-004
RESOLUTION APPROVING 28E AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AMES,
STORY COUNTY,IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY,AND STORY COUNTY 9-1-1 SERVICE
BOARD TO FORM"STORYCOMM"
FOR THE CITY OF AMES
WHEREAS, the radio and paging system currently used by all City departments, including
Police and Fire,no longer meets the need of the users and needs to be replaced; and,
WHEREAS, the same radio system is used County-wide and has afforded public safety and
public service users with a level of"interoperability"(ability to communicate between different entities)
that has been beneficial; and,
WHEREAS, in 2017, recognizing the concerns of the radio users throughout the County, the
Story County 911 Service Board contracted with Mission Critical Partners(MCP), a radio consultant,
for an interoperable communications system needs analysis; and,
WHEREAS,Mission Critical Partners final report called for replacement ofthe current radio and
paging system; and,
WHEREAS,in January 2018,the City joined the 911 Board,Iowa State University,and Story
County to extend Mission Critical Partners contract to help develop and design a functional interoperable
communications system;to assist in the preparation of comprehensive specification documents for that
system; to assist in the preparation, solicitation, and review of proposals; and to negotiate a contract
agreement with the successful vendor; and,
WHEREAS,in October 2018,a Request for Proposals was issued through Iowa State University,
and two responses were received from two vendors, where review of those responses is currently
underway; and,
WHEREAS, the new radio system will coordinate with one of two existing regional and
statewide radio systems; however,the equipment and towers that serve Ames and other Story County
users will be owned by the local users; and,
WHEREAS,to facilitate the purchase of the new system and its on-going operation, the City,
Iowa State University,Story County,and the Story County 911 Service Board propose the formation of
a new entity to be known as StoryComm; and,
WHEREAS,an intergovernmental Agreement(28E Agreement)to achieve that goal has been
drafted,reviewed by the attorneys from all four entities, and submitted for approvals; and,
WHEREAS, important elements of the 28E Agreement include the following:
1. StoryComm's purpose would be to purchase equipment,services,and possibly land,that would
serve as the backbone of the new radio and paging system and to operate that system for the
benefit of the agencies involved.
2. StoryComm would be governed by a Board of Directors comprised ofthree voting members,one
each from the City, Iowa State University, and Story County. The Story County 911 Service
Board would be represented by three non-voting ex officio members. All decisions made by the
StoryComm would require a unanimous vote of the directors. StoryComm would establish a
budget and other operating procedures. The 28E Agreement provides that purchasing would
proceed through Iowa State University's processes.
3. The cost for the infrastructure would be shared equally by the City,Iowa State University,and
Story County. Infrastructure generally includes items such as towers,base stations, antennas,
radio and network management software, radio core equipment, backhaul equipment, power
stations,and licenses.It does not include individual radios or pagers.The cost for the purchase
and maintenance of those items would be the responsibility of each agency. The City's portion
of the infrastructure costs and new radios will be funded through a Capital Improvements Plan
proj ect.
4. On-going costs for maintenance and replacement of the system would be shared by users of the
system,including the other public safety and public service agencies throughout the County that
would benefit from use of the system but who are not party to the 28E Agreement. The 911
Board would contribute to the on-going costs as part of its emergency response mission. The
City's portion of on-going costs will be dispersed throughout the City Budget based on the
number of radios in each department. The cost should be similar to the annual radio rental and
towers fees paid by each department for the current system.
WHEREAS,in order to determine the City's final costs for the new system,the Mission Critical
Partners consultant and Iowa State University staffneed to negotiate the best possible costs and systems
with the two vendors; and,
WHEREAS,the negotiation process can only occur after the 28E Agreement is approved by all
four parties,and Story County and the Story County 911 Service Board have already approved the 28E
Agreement.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames,Iowa,that
the 28E Agreement with Story County,Iowa State University,and the Story County 911 Service Board
to form StoryComm for the purpose of establishing and operating a new interoperable communication
system is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 8'day of January,2019.
�A I JfAil
Diane. Voss, City Clerk Jo ai a, Ma r
Introduced by: Nelson
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Martin,Nelson
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 8"day of January,2019.