Minutes Archive

Emergency Telephone District Board Meeting Minutes

August 19,2008

Members Present:	Chairman Allen L. Byam, Lt. Dale Peet, MSP, Det./Sgt. Scott McDonald, City of Marshall, Jase Bolger, County Commissioner, Ken Tsuchiyama, City of Battle Creek, Mark Burke, Medical Control Authority, Brad Wilcox, Assistant County Administrator

Also Present:	Jill Fish, Battle Creek Dispatch, Tom Hardy, Alternate for the Fire Chief's Council, Lt. Tony Geigle, Emmett DPS, Gordon Webb, Motorola, Don Cathcart, RadioCom

County Staff:	Alyce McDonagh, Administration

Call to Order/Recognition of Quorum:
The Meeting was called to order by Chairman Allen L. Byam at 8:35 a.m., in the Administrative Conference Room of the Marshall County Building, noting a quorum was in attendance. Chairman Byam advised Administrator/Controller Purcell was attending the annual MAC Summer Conference and Nancy Mullett was on vacation.

Agenda Review/Member Additions:
The Agenda was accepted as printed noting no member additions.

Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the July 15, 2008 ETDB Meeting were approved on a Motion by Lt. Peet, supported by Mr. Burke -Voice Vote -Motion Carried.

Financial Report:
The July 2008 Financial Report was accepted as presented.

Consolidated Dispatch Update:
Chairman Byam advised the Committee that on August 12th the signing of the Interlocal Agreement, which is in and of itself a historic document, provides for the creation of a single and separate entity called the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Center, took place in the old District Court location where the Consolidated Dispatch Center will be located. The Agreement was signed by all the Participating Political Subdivisions As Signatories to the Interlocal Agreement creating the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority. Signing the document for the various participants were as follows:

Kate Segal, Chairwoman of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners for Calhoun County
Ken Tsuchiyama, Battle Creek Interim City Manager, on behalf of the City of Battle Creek
Bruce Smith, City of Marshall Mayor, on behalf of the City of Marshall
William M. Wheaton, Albion City Mayor, on behalf of the City of Albion
Robert P. Behnke, Chairman, Area Metropolitan Services Agency (AMSA)

Mr. Tsuchiyama commented that it is nice to finally be moving forward with the project, noting that the next important step will be to get the Governing Board up and running and that is critical.

Chairman Byam commented that he is hopeful that appointments to the Governing Board can be made by September 1 and no later than September 15th. Mr. Tsuchiyama commented that the Battle Creek City Commission would be placing his name, as well as that of Commissioner Chris Simmons as the representatives on the Governing Board for the City of Battle Creek. Scott McDonald commented that Brent Williams would be the representative for the City of Marshall to the Governing Board and Bob Keissling would be the Marshall representative on the Technical Board. Commissioner Bolger indicated he would be talking with Cindy Sink regarding a Township Representative. Mike Herman will be the Representative from the City of Albion on the Governing Board, with Eric Miller serving as their representative on the Technical Board. Frank Post has resigned as the Fire Chief's representative on the E 911 Board and the Emmett Township Board of Trustees has voted to appoint him as the Emmett Township Representative to the Calhoun County Central Dispatch Technical Advisory Committee, with Tony Geigle as his alternate. Tom Hardy has been appointed to serve as the representative to the Technical Advisory Committee for the Calhoun County Association of Fire Chiefs with Craig Roberts being named as alternate.

Gordon Webb advised the group that there had been a very productive meeting held earlier this month, at which time Motorola was preparing an outline of the scope of the project, to be completed within a month of the meeting, followed up by a cost proposal. Mr. Webb stated at this time that time line is no longer valid. He believes that this project need someone to be in charge, indicating that he is the pre-sale manager and down the road he will be turning the project over to a Project Manager. He stressed that it is critical that someone definitely needs to be in charge of the project.

Mr. Webb indicated that he was offering an invitation to all interested persons to attend Motorola's MPSCS Meetings (Roadshows) which will be taking place on September 9th at the Clarion Hotel in Kalamazoo and September 11th at the Kellogg Center in Lansing. These meetings will provide information on upcoming technologies and broadband improvements. Among the topics will be MPSCS Upgrades and Roadmaps. MPSCS Integrated Voice and Data, New Voice and Data Products from Motorola and Wireless Broadband and Mesh Networks. Gordon will provide more details via email.

Mr. Tsuchiyama commented that there had been a meeting with the Business Representative from the Dispatcher's Union and they will be meeting with the President's of each local, getting items on the table and moving forward. Chairman Byam indicated that it would be very good if we can get the Marshall and Albion folks involved as well.

Further, Mr. Tsuchiyama commented that he has spoken with Chris Olson and Mike Herman with regard to a number of rumors that have been circulating about the Center. He noted that the County needs to take the lead - there "has to be a head on a horse" and folks need to recognize that.

Mr. Tsuchiyama mentioned that the City and Motorola have a Purchase Contract in place which will need to be honored - is not sure how that is going to make this work under the current scenario, but is something the Governing Board will have to address.

Again, Chairman Byam stressed the importance of getting the Governing Board established and has indicated that he is hopeful appointees to both the Governing Board and Technical Board can be made on or before September 15th (as the "drop dead" date).

Brad Wilcox advised the members that he has been assigned to this project, and the County is in charge. He will be providing options, and ultimately the final decision is up to the Authority. The County will be advising what the options are and sharing that information with the Governing Board.

Commissioner Bolger stressed the importance of the formation of the Governing Board echoing the dates of September 1st and 15th as did Chairman Byam. The Authority has to be up and running in order to get the project on track. Noting there is no desire by the County to take Control of the project.

Chairman Byam commented that we have a very capable, talented person in Brad Wilcox and knows he will be able to carry out the Authority's wishes and maintain open communication. Further, he thinks very highly of Mr. Wilcox. There is no desire by the County to take control of this project, rather Mr. Wilcox will be the go-to individual and is in charge and overseeing the project. Again, there is much to be accomplished and Chairman Byam indicated this may take weekly meetings in order to get everything accomplished.

Formation of E 911 Plan Opening -Sub-Committee:
Chairman Byam suggested the formation of a Sub-Committee to work on the updating of the plan. Further, he noted that previously a lot of work had been done by Bob Muladore and that would serve as a good blueprint and would provide a lot of resource materials as well.

Members of the Sub-Committee volunteering were as follows: Eric Miller, Jill Fish, Scott McDonald, Dale Peet, Mark Burke, Frank Post, Tom Hardy, and Chairman Byam said he will be naming a representative from the Sheriff Department shortly.

There was considerable discussion regarding the Opening of the E 911 Plan. Chairman Byam noting that Nancy Mullett will be taking the lead on this item. Requirements are as follows:

The E911 Board needs to meet to review the existing Plan and identify changes/additions to be made. Once the Plan is rewritten it needs to be submitted to the Board of Commissioners as a "Tentative Plan" for approval.
Within 5 days of approval, the Clerk sends the Tentative Plan to all Cities, Townships, etc.
Within 45 days of receipt of the Tentative Plan, governmental entities have to opt in or of the Consolidated Dispatch Project.
After the opt in/out period, a Public Hearing is held on the Tentative Plan. The Hearing must be published at least 30 days ahead of time in two newspapers of general circulation.
Public Hearing -Final approval at same meeting or the following meeting.

Member Comments:
None.

Public Comments:
None.

Next Meeting:
September 16, 2008

There being no further items to discuss at this time, the meeting was adjourned to the Call of the Chair, the time being 9:05 a.m.

Calhoun County
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Marshall, MI 49068
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Fax: (269) 781-0140

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