COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes of the November 6, 1996 Meeting
5:30 PM

The Communications Advisory Board Committee was convened in open and public session on November 6, 1996, at 5:30 PM, in the Sarpy County Board Room. The following members or alternates were present: John Stacey, S. P. Benson, Erv Portis, Louie Post, Robert Wollenburg, Rolly Yost, Tom Koksal, Travis Mayer.
Absent: Mark Wayne, Mark Stoddard, John Strawn, Pat Archibald

Sarpy County Commissioner Meyer was present.

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.

Benson moved, seconded by Post to approve the minutes of the October 2, 1996 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Dan Peterson presented the Director's Report. AMT attempted installation of MDC software, but it failed to interface with the computer. Corrected software was mailed to Sarpy County today. The Technical Working Group meeting came to an understanding of what is included in Phase 2. A timeline is due this month. The digital upgrade is installed and working. A flash upgrade must be provided to 175 radios. Any digital problems should be reported so they can be addressed. Procedures for contacting dispatch on digital may need to be developed. For now, field units can request dispatch meet them on LE Digital. Stacey reported that, earlier today, dispatch requested a field unit meet them on LE Digital talk group, and it worked well. Peterson reported that LE Digital will not be recorded until Motorola provides a link to the RACAL recorder. One more dispatcher is expected to complete training next month, and another in January. One employee is in 40 hour remedial call taker training. Peterson requested all Board members review the mailing list to ensure that they are getting information updates in a timely fashion. Dr. Theresa Hatcher, an Emergency Room doctor at Midlands Hospital, has volunteered to act as 911 Medical Director. Peterson is checking with the County Health Board, and will accept her offer if there are no objections. Rocky Mountain Helicopter will handle Life Flight and Sky Med requests, but this should be transparent to field units. Peterson updated the dollar damage from the September 25 lightning strike from last month's estimate of $4,000 to $5,800.

Portis indicated his pending departure as President as he will assume new duties as Chief of Police in Jackson, MI. This will require an election for the office of President at next month's meeting.

Peterson reported the REACT subcommittee recommended talk groups for the REACT mobile radio. They were presented in a User Agreement and approved. Benson asked if criteria had been developed for outside agency participation. Peterson responded that such rules were determined to be a liability in some cases by a subcommittee, so such criteria were not developed. The subcommittee recommended that all future requests be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Yost reported that he sent out a letter about OPD helicopter communications. Examples include response to felony in progress, lost persons, and pursuits. Other requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. OPD will be forwarding a set of their SOGs. According to the terms of the helicopter grant, OPD cannot request reimbursement for helicopter mutual aid. Portis reported that he would commit to contributing to an OPD helicopter radio when provided a user and helicopter mutual aid agreement. Benson indicated that he will request the radio contribution at the next City Council meeting.

Post asked for a report from Neil Johnson of Motorola about poor paging signals and noise opening pager squelch after the nightly pager test. Peterson will ask Mobilecomm to investigate. Betts reported that squelch closes automatically after 20 seconds. Cable TV signals could be audible during this period.

Portis asked for approval to write and sign a letter to the Bellevue Leader and the Papillion Times thanking Sarpy County Commissioners Meyer and Woodle for their contributions and leadership in Public Safety Communication. Benson moved, seconded by Mayer, that Portis draft and send such a letter. Motion passed unanimously.

After determining the agenda for the December 4, 1996 meeting, Stacey moved, seconded by Benson, to adjourn at 5:55 P.M. Motion passed unanimously.

Return to the Sarpy County Communications Center Page

Created November 8, 1996