Minutes Archive

Emergency Telephone District Board Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2007

Present:	Allen L. Byam, Mike Olson, Jim Jenkins, Greg Purcell, Larry Hausman, Dale Peet, Eric Miller, Bill Hankinson

Also Present:	Rob Coles

Call To Order/Recognition of Quorum:
The January 16, 2007 Meeting of the Emergency Telephone District Board was called to order by Chairman Allen L. Byam at 8:;35 a.m., noting a quorum was present.

Agenda Review/Member Additions:
The Agenda was accepted as printed.

Approval of Minutes - December 19, 2006:
The minutes of the December 19, 2006 Meeting were approved as printed on a Motion by Mr. Olson, supported by Mr. Miller. Voice Vote - Motion Carried.

Financial Report:
Chairman Byam indicated the Financial Report through the month of December was included within the Agenda Packet. Any questions in this regard should be directed to Jeryl Schoepke of the Finance Department.

Compliance Review Report:
Chairman Byam advised the members that the Compliance Audit for the City of Battle Creek has been put on hold pending Jill Fish’s return to work. Further, he indicated that she had sustained a severe ankle/foot injury which required surgery. Larry Hausman indicated she was to visit her Doctor today, however, she is not expected back to work until the latter part of February, if then. Larry Hausman

Mr. Olson reported that the Compliance Audit went very well at the Marshall PSAP. Mr. Olson mentioned that Marshall had recently undergone a thorough Operations and Efficiency Study for Finance, Public Works, Parks & Recreation and the Police and Fire Departments. Explained that this was done by Plante and Moran and is done every four years as required by the Charter for the City of Marshall.

The Compliance Audit was very low key. The Committee reviewed Marshall’s revenues and expenditures, looked at their Policies and Procedures. The only “glitch” they experienced was that their Map Star program was not working and they are presently in the process of correcting that to get it up and running.. They reviewed their back up materials and Mr. Olson commented on the matter of the Training Funds that were not being utilized. He indicated that it that with a limited number of dispatchers it is very difficult to free them up for training and there is always the matter of having to pay overtime.

Further, Mr. Jenkins noted that E 9-1-1 dollars cannot be used for 800 MHZ training. It was determined that that this is perhaps something that the Compliance Review Committee should revisit.

Chairman Byam indicated to the members that the Compliance Review was comprised of the following individuals: Mr. William Charron, Chairman, Ionia County Central Dispatch; Sheriff Dale Gribler, VanBuren County Sheriff Department, Charles Nystrom, Barry County Central Dispatch, Mr. Steve Berenbaum, AT&T Michigan and Ms. Harriet Miller-Brown, Michigan State Police/State 9-1-1 Director. Mr. Byam commented that the make-up the Committee represented a very good cross section of individuals who were well versed in the 9-1-1 field.

Chief Miller advised the group that the training in the Albion PSAP had also gone very well. It too was very low key. They reviewed their FTO Book, looked at all of the Policies and Procedures which were in place. Chief Miller commented it was relatively easy to get the training dollars, however, he echoed the sentiment of Mr. Olson in that it becomes a financial problem for the department having to cover overtime costs. It was noted that they experienced cellphone problems in Albion. When using his cellphone (Nextel) the call went to Battle Creek and had to be transferred back to Albion.

Mr. Purcell advised the members that the Review Committee had stressed the importance of the Training Dollars and encouraged the PSAPs to take advantage of them. Chief Miller mentioned that the classes for Dispatchers are far and few between. And he also mentioned when Dispatchers are training, the issue of overtime always come into play.

Mr. Purcell commented that the Compliance Review for the County went very well. The Review Committee had received copies of informational materials prior to their visit (copies of the E 9-1-1 Plan, budgetary information for the years 2002-2003-2004 and 2005, copies of Indirect Costs, Wireless Training Funds, Revenues and Expenditures, Journal Entries and copies of all signed agreements with the PSAPs. They did have some questions regarding expenditures in 2002. Jeryl Schoepke indicated she would be providing additional information as requested. Basically, the expenditures in question were those attributed to the E 9-1-1 Coordinator and one staff person. Mr. Purcell provided the Review Team with background information on the activities of the E 9-1-1 Coordinator, indicating the main focus of the Coordinator was to complete a Feasibility Study for a proposed Calhoun County Consolidated Public Safety Communications Center as well as a complete inventory of all the towers within the county, including all appropriate photos and information.

Mr. Olson indicated he thought the Compliance Review process was very positive experience for everyone involved and Chief Miller concurred.

800 Implementation Update:
Chairman Byam advised the Sheriff’s Department has nearly completed their training. They are doing some training on Crimecog and Officer Cuatt from Albion is training with them. Their Command Staff still needs some training.

With regard to the Training Talk groups that training is nearly complete. Chairman Byam indicated Gordon Webb had asked him to extended his apologies he was unable to be here this morning.

Mr. Olson indicated the Battle Creek Tower is up and nearly ready to go. They are waiting for licensing from the ‘feds” at this time. Also, they are waiting for the installation of the T-1 line at the Battle Creek PSAP.

With regard to the fire repeaters, they are waiting for new radio heads. They need an updated version and this is supposed to take care of the problems they have experienced with the repeaters.

Mr. Olson indicated that both Marshall and Albion were happy with their equipment. Chief Miller indicated his department had trained with Marengo last Sunday.

Rob Coles indicated they are conducting training this week one half of their force today and the other half tomorrow. Their Mobiles are being reprogrammed (They were incorrectly programmed initially) These should be up and ready to go shortly.

Chief Haussmann advised the members that the issue of the “money for the move” would not be going to the Battle Creek City Commission tomorrow night., and further, there will be no T-1 line until the City Commission acts. Mr. Tsuchiyama wants the issue to go to the City Commission as a recommendation. Mr. Haussmann was asked if the Dispatchers still wanted to stay where they are. with the response being “yes”. The City Commission appears to be divided on the issue and there seems to be some pressure from the Battle Creek Police Department to keep the Dispatch Center where it is. Mr. Tsuchiyama has the proposal in final draft form to go to the Commission for a vote. At this point in time, the matter is still on hold as to whether or not the Dispatch Center will or will not be relocating to the old Fire Station #1.

Mr. Olson commented the Marshall Department of Public Safety is out there on the 800 system for Law Enforcement. Emmert Township is using their radios car to car and car to station.

Vermont’s 911 System
Chairman Byam has indicated that the item included in the Agenda for today was requested by Mr. Tom Hardy and since he is not here to speak to the issue, we will place it on the February Agenda

Member Comment:
None.

Public Comment:
None.

Next Meeting: February 20, 2007

Adjournment:
Moved by Mr. Olson, supported by Mr. Peed that the meeting be adjourned to the Call of the Chair, the time being 9:40 a.m.

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