SARPY COUNTY E-911 COMMUNICATIONS

Minutes of the Meeting

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ADVISORY BOARD

May 4, 2005

5:30PM

The Communications Advisory Board Committee was convened in open and public session on May 4, 2005 at 5:30 PM, in the Sarpy County Board Meeting Room. The following members, alternates or representatives were present: Steve Betts, John Stacey, Pat Archibald, Travis Mayer, Boomer Strawn, Rod Buethe, Bob Lausten, Len Houloose and Bob Roseland. Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication in the Bellevue Leader and the Papillion Times.  Copies of the Proofs of Publication are on file in the Sarpy County Clerk’s Office.  All proceedings were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public.  

Buethe moved, seconded by Strawn, to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2005 meeting.

There was no Administrator’s Report.

President’s Report: President Mayer introduced Larry Lavelle, the new Director.  Larry reviewed his experience with the Sarpy System and his plans for transition to Sarpy County.  He intends to visit each jurisdiction to open dialogues. 

911 Supervisor Gable reported that thanks to one graduate at the end of March there are four in training.  Staffing is now twenty-four out of an authorized strength of twenty-seven.

President Mayer opened the FY 2006 budget discussion by noting the addition on the last page for the mapping software replacement.  Strawn inquired about the overtime budget and staffing.  Supervisor Gable indicated that the 2.8% increase is due to the dispatcher hire that did not materialize last year.  Larry Lavelle will investigate overtime needs this year.  Mayer read the “Declaration of Budget Support” Letter.  Lausten moved, seconded by Stacey, to authorize Mayer to sign the letter.   Motion passed unanimously.

Neil Johnson expressed disappointment with the Communications Technologist incumbent, who could not be replaced due to operational requirements.  The system is digital-capable again.  Console programming remains until the UPS repairs render it safe to do.  The UPS model was discontinued soon after it was purchased but we have a parts issue.  Larry Lavelle concurs that the UPS is the most important part of our system.  On behalf of Sarpy County Neil thanked Steve Betts and Steve Wisnieski of the City of Bellevue for their assistance in the system upgrade.  Neil proposed a Trained Spotter policy that would assign “Event 5” to volunteer, off-duty responders who are suitably trained and engaged in storm spotting.  The Sarpy County EOC could then coordinate the efforts of all spotters,  including REACT and amateur radio, in Sarpy County.  He also described the official Emergency Management Identification Cards.  Mayer asked for a written proposal for the next meeting.

Steve Betts asked about Standard Operating Procedures for using Sarpy County radios on the Douglas County system.  Larry Lavelle described the assignment process and indicated that user training is needed.

Elmer Martin indicated that fleet mapping continues.

John Prince reported that the Motorola Public Safety Software drop-dead dates have been revised.  Next year we will need to budget for that.  There will be a Net RMS demo on May 10 at the Papillion Police Department.  Net RMS replaces LRMS.

Lisa Rink updated Board members on the status of Homeland Security Grants.  Joe Mastandrea reminded Board Members that Local Emergency Operations Plan updates are due this week and that the second draft will be circulated next week.

Mayer presented two radio programming requests.  As part of the South Metro SWAT Team, Plattsmouth Police requested programming for two handhelds.  Strawn moved, seconded by Stacey, to approve this request.  Motion passed unanimously.  Fremont Fire did not specify a number of radios to be programmed on the Sarpy County System.  Request was tabled until the next meeting.  Mayer and Neil Johnson will contact Fremont to determine out how many radios they want to program and the anticipated uses.