HomeMy WebLinkAboutE911Minutes_2009_07_16East Central Communications Council Meeting
City Hall meeting room
July 16, 2009
8:30am
Board members present: Dennis Falken(County Commission), Mike McClemans(City Council), and Don
Larson(County Commission)
Others present: Todd Struwe(Emergency Mgnt.), Jeff Miller(BPD), Darrell Hartmann(Fire Dept), Bob
Hill(Zoning), and Marty Stanwick(SO)
Members Absent: Jeff Weldon(City Manager) and Mark Stratton(Communications),
Call to order: Meeting called to order by Dennis Falken. Don Larson/Mike McClemans moved to
approve the minutes of the June 25, 2009 meeting. All present voted aye. Motion approved.
Addition to the Agenda:
Bills :
Jeff went over the nonrecurring bills. Larson/McClemans made a motion to approve the
bills. All present voted aye motion approved.
Old Business:
Larson mentioned he visited with Thompson about the Bullberry, Justice Lite, etc. and if they
are considered capital items. Miller stated the items are listed under capital rather than under
operating expenses, as this is not something purchased every year. He explained Justice
Lite is a records management program which is part of our E911 system and is an upgrade to
the computer programs in the police vehicles. Bullberry is the compatible program used by
dispatch that would have to be upgraded. Falken expressed concerns of the problem with
software is it does not have any value when it is done.
New Business:
Falken explained E911 budget used to be two funds; one operated by the City and one
operated by the county. The County would transfer $170,000 to the city to show revenue of
the E911 budget on the city side. This budges is combining both the city and the county and
having one budget as apposed to having two separate budgets. The board approves the
expenses.
Falken serves on a state committee which is scrutinizing how the 911 funds are being spent
and legislators are concerned it is not being spent in the right places. Out of the wireless
surcharge, $.75 for prepaid wireless is used for the 911 coordinator. Standards are b eing set
by the state for dispatch centers. There are currently 36 dispatch centers in the state which 6
cannot keep up with the surcharges.
Falken stated that some money was spent out of the county that was surcharge money. We
are going to take $247,000 of the surcharge money and transfer it into the city’s budget.
Falken also stated that Weldon mentioned the county has never paid out of the county’s
budget the city has paid $226,000 out of city money to run the dispatch center. The last
meeting everyone agreed that the county will budget $95,000 to help run the dispatch center
in 2010 and the city would budget $190,000. This budget now is going to put all the money
into one budget instead of having two separate budgets. This board approves the
expenditures of the $.75 surcharge and ensures the money is being spent on 911/dispatch
services. Falken stated next year’s city personnel cost is $466,000, which the entire $247,000
surcharge revenue could be applied towards.
Falken questioned the amounts in the General Supply lines for the individual City and County
Budgets and how they are going to merge into one as well as the amount budgeted for 2010.
Falken also questioned the budget covering the phone lines, specifically the T -1 lines. Miller
is going to visit with Finance Officer Rita Thompson and City Manager Weldon and get the
information being requested. Miller will then email that information out to the committee.
Miller shared the end of year balance has always generated a surplus of funds. Howe ver, in
the 2010 budget, there will be less of a surplus than what was seen in 2009. Falken stated
the money in the revolving fund is being transferred into the operating budget. If that
continues, there would only be around $42,000 in reserves in 2010 as compared to$125,000
in 2009. Concerns were raised about what to do if a major expenditure is needed that wasn’t
budgeted for, but all agreed that they would contribute if that were to occur.
Stanwick raised the question of manning the dispatch center and if 75/25 was adequate.
Miller stated they will need to do whatever is mandated by the state. If the state mandates
100% of the time to have 2 dispatchers on duty, personnel costs and overtime pay will
increase, which is not projected in the 2010 budget. Falken doesn’t believe there is a need for
2 dispatchers on duty at the same time 24/7. With currently being one dispatcher short, Miller
stated they are already accumulating overtime, and to meet the needs of 100% with 2
dispatchers on duty, he estimates hiring 2 additional dispatchers.
Falken asked if Miller or Mark Stratton could track what percentage of the time is there 2
dispatchers on duty; 100%, 75%, 50% etc. Miller clarified right now is not the best time to
track this being one dispatcher short and schedules are not representative of what would be
actual if all the dispatcher positions were filled.
In regards to the Pictomerty system, Falken feels everyone is on board: city, county, fire, etc.
The cost to the individual entities will decrease with the addition of more stakeholders. Larson
mentioned SDSU may also want to be involved.
Miller mentioned a $500,000 matching grant to update our wireless system to phase two.
Falken mentioned some money will be coming in to the E911 budget from prepaid wireless,
which is part of the matching grant money people can apply for. Struwe mentioned the grant
money may be able to be used for new/additional software or upgrading the Bullberry
software. Miller is planning on visiting with Lee Axdal for more clarification.
Hartmann mentioned he is currently working with City IT Tech, Reed Walter, on getting rid of
the air cards, and using hotspots, thus eliminating the yearly and monthly fees. The
Pictomerty system would let the East Station receive the routing information only. The Fire
Dept. doesn’t have to do complaints or backgrounds.
The E911 Agreement needs to be reviewed to be certain it reflects the dispatch services.
Falken would also like the Joint Powers Agreement reviewed and updated to include what
services are being provided and by whom (county 1/3, city 2/3). The auditors should also be
visited with about this incoming money, to be certain all is handled in the correct manner.
The next meeting is set for October 15, 2009 at 8:30am
Regular quarterly meetings are held in January, April, July, and October on the 3rd
Thursday of the month. Discussion of the budget is held in May.
Adjournment
Submitted by Chris Larson