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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1990MINUTES EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEMS BOARD December 27. 1990 Members Present: Fire Chief Raymond Brooks, Police Chief: Ernest Jacobi, Police Commander: Vern Larson, Alderman Ann Rainey. Emergency Services and Disaster . Coordinator: Max R+sbin. Alderman Margaret cold Members Absent: None Staff Present: Patrick Casey Presiding official.: Alderman Ann Rainey, Chairman Summary of Action: The meeting was called to order at 10:36 a.m. Alderman Rainey began the meeting with an overview of the duties of the Emergency Telephone Systems Board (ETSB). The board needs to begin to look at what it should be doing, how money can be spent and the needs of the Fire and Police Department. Alderman Rainey introduced Herb Hill, Assistant Corporation Council and requested that he review some of the duties and respond to questions that were presented to him prior to the meeting. Mr. Hill responded that the ETSB in broed terms has the duty and responsibility to design an enhanced 9-1-1 communications system and to authorize the expenditure of funds to pay for its implementation and operation. That the ETSB has broad powers within this area to determine what is necessary and how implementation should proceed. Mr. Hill responded to the following questions: When can the ETSB begin to spend monev? The board can begin to spend money as soon as it receives it. The money, however, can be spent before it is collected by the floating of bonds and incurring a debt which must be repaid by the collected funds. what are the requirements to submit a plan? The board must submit a tentative operational plan to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) twelve months before the targeted operational date and a final plan six months before the targeted operational date. What are the requirements for the board to adopt bylaws or a constitution? Currently the ICC does not require the board to adopt bylaws or a constitution. However, the board can choose to adopt guidelines if they feel it is necessary. Who is exempt from the network connection charge? The City of Evanston, Cook County, State of Illinois and the United States Government, including the Postal Service, are all exempt from the service charge. The board can decide to allow other exemptions. the ICC however would review each exemption on an individual basis. The ICC would not look favorably on exception of school districts. Discussion continued on the definition of billable connections and exempt lines. The definition of billable lines aro those lines that are billed and collected by Illinois Bell Telephone. Illinois Bell lines are not considered billable lines. Max Rubin stated that he had spoken to the Illinois Bell 9-1-1 group and they stated that the following categories were billable lines: residential, business, D.I.D (Direct Inward Dialing), hotel, coin operated, intrastate 800, intrastate watts, latta lines, answering service, and dormitories. Exempt lines include channel circuits, non -dialing alarm circuits, non -dialing computer lines, interstate 800 and watts lines, and suspended service lines. Alderman Rainey requested from the Police and Fire Department an overview of what the expected needs are. Chief Jacobi began by stating that the Police and Fire Departments had been meeting for quite sometime to discuss the enhanced 9-1-1 system and that they had come up with a list of immediate and future needs. However, the first item that must be completed is a contract with Illinois Bell, followed by the creation of a mapping system to show the communication boundaries, and finally the installation of the 9-1-1 phone system. The ETSB should consider the use of a consultant to evaluate the presents in house systems and to suggest new and better ways of communicating with the public and the Fire and Police Forces. Such a study should include, but not be limited to, the need for new communications counsels, computer assisted dispatch, radio systems maintenance costs and personnel needs. Alderman Rainey requested that the section allowing the surcharge to be used for personnel services by pointed out. Mr. Hill pointed out that Section 2-12-2 F of Ordinance 133-0-90 states that cost of personnel attributed directly to the operation of the system may be paid for from the surcharge. Alderman Rainey expressed her concern. as a elected representative of the taxpayers, that the public may be concern over seeing a S .75 surcharge on their bills for the rest of their lives. Alderman Wold referring to a memo dated May 11, 1990, that it seems that after the initial start up costs were complete that there would be an opportunity to reduce the surcharge and still pay for some additional personnel costs. In addition Alderman Wold stated that the surcharge would most likely have to remain at $ .75 for three or four years but after that the City should be in the position to reduce that amount. Mr. Hill stated that legally if the fund reserve grew to an excessive point that the board could become the target of a taxpayers suit to reduce the amount of the surcharge. Alderman Wold expressed that the constituents they she has spoken to understand the surcharge and desire the most effective response system possible. Alderman Rainey at this point expressed concern over the enormous list of equipment and associated costs that the enhanced 9-1-1 system is going to create and that the board not exceed the amount the surcharge will generate. Lt. Larson responding to a question of implementation stated that Illinois Bell could be operational within eighteen months after the signing of the contract. Chief Jacobi thought that the system could be in place sooner, due to the fact that the necessary equipment is becoming more available within the state. Mr Rubin asked if the equipment is becoming less expensive and suggested that the equipment costs may come down before the actual installation begins. Chief Jacobi stated that he can put together a time table for the first year of the implementation period. Alderman Wold requested that the items be prioritized so that it is clear what must be done first or what equipment must be purchased. Discussion turned to the hiring of a consultant to study tho entire police and fire communications. Alderman Rainey Requested information from other communities regarding the use and scope of consultants used. A major expenditure during the first year may be for a consultant and that it is to the boards advantage to research outside communities to determine how this work is beginning accomplished. Alderman Nold inquired if Ameritech or Illinois Bell offer a consulting service in this area. ht. Larson responded that Ameritech does some consulting work. Alderman Rainey requested at the next meeting that representatives from Ameritech and Illinois Bell appear and provide information regarding 9-1-1 and respond to questions that the board may have. Kr. Rubin stated that he had spoken to the Illinois Bell 9-1-1 group and they seemed eager to appear. That during the purchase of the Civic Center phone system purchase the cost of 17.00 for a consultant was a wise expenditure and that as a result the purchase was a more informed and educated decision Alderman Wold requested that the parties involved put together an RFP so that the board would be that much closer and ready to go. Chief Jacobi responded that he could provide some examples of RFP's used in this area. Alderman Rainey ask Mr. Rubin what the needs are for the Emergency Service Center. Mr Rubin responded the need compared to the Police and Fire Department is small. An upgrade in the radio communications which would be a small expense in the area of two to five thousand dollars. The Board discussed a meeting scheduled and agreed on the attached schedule. There being no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 11:22 a.m. Emergency Telephone Svstems Board 1991 Meeting Schedule DATE LOCATION TIME January 31, 1991 2404 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. February 21, 1991 2401 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. March 21, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m.. April 18, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. May 16, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. June 20, 1991 2404 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. July 18, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. August 15, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. September 19, 1991 2402 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. October 17, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. November 21, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. December 19, 1991 2403 Evanston Civic Center 7:30 p.m. (?ZD i�Yek 0 "TCL4A-= N o-o '7 1 �� rnu�w.�� a�� � �i ski