Minutes Archive

Emergency Telephone District Board Meeting Minutes

June 19,2007

Members Present:	Chairman Allen L. Byam. Vice-Chairman Michael Olson, Bill Hankinson, Jase Bolger

Excused:	Greg Purcell, James Demarest

Also Present:	Rob Coles, Larry Utterback, Tom Hardy, Ken Tsuchiyama, Frank Post and Jim Zoss

Call To Order/Recognition of Quorum:
Chairman Allen L. Byam delayed the meeting until 8:40 in hopes of getting a quorum. At 8:42 the meeting was called to order. Chairman Byam indicated that due to the lack of a quorum, there would be no official business conducted.

Agenda Review/Member Additions: - None

Approval of Minutes
Due to the lack of a quorum, the Meeting Minutes for April 17,2007 and May 18,2007 are to be placed on the July Agenda for approval.

Chairman Byam indicated that SB 410 and 411 will be coming up for a vote shortly in the Michigan Legislature. These bills replace the current funding formula for State and County 911 services. The current funding sunsets at the end of this year and counties need these bills to continue offering 911 services to their citizens. Chairman Byam noted these bills are not to be confused with the other House Bill 4852 (a bill that would fund many different aspects of public safety, but not 911.) SB410 and 4 11 will assure stable funding for county 9 11 and parity for communication providers. (Parity is achieved by including all devices capable of reaching 9 11 .) Chairman Byam encourages support of SB410 and SB411.

Financial Report:
Chairman Byam indicated the Financial Summary was included in the Agenda and reflects monies taken in through May, 2007 with checks having been sent out to the PSAPs.

800 Implementation Update:

Battle Creek Issues:

Jim Zoss advised the Committee that Battle Creek is still experiencing problems (missed calls, no traffic heard from dispatch on mobiles, no traffic from dispatch on portables, difficulties hearing calls, can not hear dispatch talking to other unit, missed officer traffic, missed dispatch traffic, unable to get radio traffic in car, inability to transmit, etc.) Mr. Zoss indicated that Motorola would be providing some wave mobile antennas to be installed on the identified mobile radios that have been experiencing problems to see if that would enable the units to move off site as well as being less susceptible to local interference. Battle Creek has, and continues to have an unusually high level of interference.

Mr. Zoss advised that Motorola has brought in their "National Interference Team" to evaluate the situation. They have their own mobile unit and they will be checking some 54 locations throughout the City. He is confident they will be able to sort out the issues and correct them. Mr. Zoss believes part of the problem relates to interference issues with the Nextel Towers next to the bus garage on Columbia Avenue. It is believed Nextel will be addressing this issue and may result in the adjustment of the down tilt on their antennas. There may also be as problem with a Centennial System co-located on the site.

Mr. Zoss commented Battle Creek is surrounded by Nextel Towers which are likely a contributing factor to the issues. It was noted that Battle Creek has a large area of interference and problems are experienced intermittently.

Mr. Zoss lauded RadioCom for their work. They were responsive right out of the chute. They are working diligently to help correct the problems.

Chairman Byam asked if the Motorola Team would be visiting Springfield and Emmett and Mr. Zoss didn't know. Sheriff Byarn indicated that his Department had not experienced any significant difficulties since switching over to the 800 System. Mr. Zoss commented that Battle Creek has a significantly higher volume of calls than anyone else on the system. Motorola personnel will be meeting with BCPD Officers to review the problems and assure them they are working on correcting them.

Dispatch Move

Mr. Tsuchiyama advised the Committee they hope to have some drawings from the Architect so they can be finalized and go out to bid. Tames they are looking toward the end of the year for the move.

Encryption Update

No mobiles have been encrypted as yet

Dispatch Staffing Update:
Mr. Tsuchiyama recalled that approximately 6 or 7 months ago, Dispatch hoped to add two additional positions. They in fact did hire two dispatchers, since that time some dispatchers have resigned, and now find themselves with two vacancies once again. Mr. Tsuchiyama indicated they will be getting with their Human Resources people to see about getting the vacancies filled.

Region Five Emergency Management/Homeland Security Communications Related Projects:
Larry Utter back-provided information to the Committee, following up on items that had been introduced at an earlier meeting by Sgt. Mike Garland of the Michigan State Police., i.e., grants being completed at the regional level and various phases of the 5th District Emergency Management Homeland Security Planning Board Interoperability Project,.

Mr. Utter back indicated that Bill Troskey, who has been selected as our representative and working on the TIC-P (Regional Interoperable Communications Plan) had passed out data forms for completion at the Fire Chiefs Council Meeting. This is an ongoing project, work in progress, and commented that Mr. Troskey was an excellent choice for the project. Mr. Utterback noted that the estimated completion for the project is March, which will be the end of the grant period.

Mr. Utterback made a presentation to the members of the Committee on a proposal presented to Calhoun County By CODERED . The CodeRed Community Notification System is a high-speed telephone communication service available for community notifications. CodeRed employs a one of a kind internet mapping capability for geographic targeting of calls, coupled with a high speed telephone calling system capable of delivering customized pre-recorded emergency messages direct to homes and businesses at the rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour based on a thirty second message length.

Code-Red uses community population to determine the needs of each community and resources that need to be available to the area. The cost for a one year contract with renewals would be as follows:

CodeRed system Setup - Included
Up to 150,000 minutes system time annually - included
Initial database - included
Initial customer supplied data upload - included (911 data, utility data, etc.)
CodeRed user pass codes for up to 5 groups or individuals - included
24/7 technical support - included
500 Testing and Training System minutes - no charge
Initial CodeRed system distance training - no charge
Design and web hosting custom Database Update Page - no charge

Calhoun County's Annual total - $37,500

Mr. Utterback advised the members that 5th District Regional Homeland Security Planning Board would pay for only the first year of the Emergency Notification System. After the first year, another funding source would be needed.

Mr. Hardy asked if more than one system was going to be reviewed and Mr. Utterback indicated he could certainly arrange demonstrations of other systems.

Mr. Utterback commented he would like to have demos from the other carriers scheduled prior to the July meeting at which time he hoped the committee would be able to make a recommendation to him to enable him to make a request to the Regional Homeland Security Planning Board to approve funding for the purchase.

Albion/Marshall Consolidated Dispatch
Mr. Olson advised they hope to have a completed report ready by August 1, 2007 to present to each of their town councils (Marshall and Albion} further, they have been looking at the space in the County Building Formerly occupied by 10th District Court. Marshall Township will be going to the 800 system shortly.

Comments:
Mr. Post indicated that interoperability between police and fire continues to be an issue and wondered if anything is being done at the local level. Mr. Post strongly believes this should be a much higher priority.

Next Meeting - July 17, 2007. Chairman Byam noted this is the second month without a quorum.

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