SARPY COUNTY E-911 COMMUNICATIONS

All minutes are considered "DRAFT" until they are approved at
the next meeting.

Minutes of the Meeting

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ADVISORY BOARD

May 7, 2008

The Communications Advisory Board Committee was convened in open and public session on May 7, 2008 at 5:05 pm, in the Sarpy County Board Room.  The following members or alternates were present:  John Stacey, Bill Bowes, Rolly Yost, Bob Lausten, Mark Wayne, Rich Uhl, Travis Mayer, Leonard Houloose, Ed Monnier, and Rod Buethe.

Houloose moved, seconded by Uhl to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2008 meeting.  Motion passed unanimously.

Director’s Report:  Lavelle reported that the two dispatcher trainees are doing well. 

Main UPS project completed and is running smoothly. Additional circuits were added and will be part of the Codespear project. 

Viper installation was completed and dispatchers started handling live calls on the new Positron piece on April 7th.  (Cost of $250,000 covered by Public Service Commission)  The Positron 9-1-1 phone system gives the dispatchers several new features and will carry us well into the future.

Rebanding project is ongoing.  Negotiating final proposal of cost estimate is near completion.

Radio ID’s were discussed.  Jim Tracy advised that of the eight we were given, four went to Papillion, three to Bellevue PD, and one to the Sheriff’s Department.

FY09 budget was discussed.  Lausten requested to know if new site had been identified and wanted to know when current bonds are retired if new center would be rolled into old one.  Wayne stated most likely this is the procedure and that it would not have to go to a vote of the public for new center.  Lavelle advised plans are still in the preliminary stage and that he estimates that we are at least 2 years out from a new center.  Our current limited space concerns, no backup site, and the radio system nearing end of life in two years are major items for consideration of new center at this time.

Lausten advised that with the end of the current interlocal agreement coming in April 0f 2009, why such a large increase in this year’s budget.  Lavelle explained that most of it is in personnel costs and the need for additional dispatchers. 

Houloose questioned the decline of E911 surcharge funds and why the state controls them. Lavelle stated that the decline of funds is due to the lack of citizens putting hard wire phones into their homes.  The county does not get any surcharge fees directly from wireless customers.  The money generated from the wireless fees are collected by the State and disbursed through the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

Stacey asked Wayne if he thought the county board would realistically approve a 27% increase in this budget.  Wayne stated there are several departments that are asking for additional personnel this year.  Would have to wait and see how the budget as a whole looks.

Discussion on whether to have Lausten sign letter of “Declaration of Budget Support” on behalf of the Advisory Board since the budget hearing is set for May 20th, the numbers don’t come back from the Budget Committee until some time in July, and it isn’t finalized until September.  Bowes motioned to let Director submit budget without letter.  The motion received a second by Buethe.  Lausten asked for vote by roll call:  6 voted yes, 4 voted no.  Motion carried.  Letter will not be submitted on behalf of Advisory Board.

Subcommitee Reports:  None.

General Reports: 

John Prince:  Vacancy in his area has been filled with gentleman who worked for a law enforcement agency in Florida.  The hire has background in report writing and scheduled to begin work on June 2.

FRMS – working with Midlands ER for connectivity.

Codespear Training - offering two different blocks of training, Lavelle will clarify training hours and who should attend.

Elmer Martin:  Has completed MDC reinstall of program to see screens at night.

Neil Johnson:  Motorola fire paging repeaters project will be well under way in the near future with the delivery of the parts in about two weeks.  Current radio system will be nearing end of life in 2010.

Emergency Management:

Lavelle advised that we did not receive any USAAI funding for this year.

Lavelle also advised that he believes funding has been secured for the following projects:  $850,000 upgrade for mobile, AVL, ATM, ATMM and $500,000 for pathway for radio system.

The department plans on posting job of Emergency Management Program Manager this month.

Houloose requested to know when county would be contacting cities in reference to negotiating new 800 MHz interlocal agreement.  Lavelle advised that as soon as the last draft is completed, the county attorney reviews it, the cities will be contacted. 

Motion made by Mayer, seconded by Stacey to adjourn the meeting at 6:14 pm.