PRESENT: B. Blanchard, G. Totman, P. Penniman, M. Lane, M. Robertson

STAFF: S. Whicher, County Administrator; M. Shakarjian, Capital Program Coordinator; L. Shurtleff, Director, Emergency Response; J. Wood, County Attorney; W. Skinner, Public Information Coordinator; U. Mukherjee, Administrative Services Coordinator

GUESTS: D. Kiefer, N. Schuler, Board of Representatives; J. Lalley, Cornell University, L. Withiam, E911 Operations Committee; B. Wilbur, Ithaca City Fire Chief; K. Lansing, Chief, Cayuga Heights Police Department; B. Harding, R. Flynn, G. Stevenson, Fire & EMS Chiefs Association

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting opened at 11:35 a.m. As some of the committee members were yet to arrive, Ms. Blanchard appointed Ms. Kiefer and Ms. Schuler as temporary members of the committee. She also welcomed the representatives of the Fire & EMS Chiefs Association and requested all present to introduce themselves.

ADDITIONS TO/DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 22 MEETING

It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the January 22, 2002 minutes with the recommended changes.

COMMUNICATION CENTER UPDATE

Ms. Blanchard spoke of a recent meeting with the Town of Ithaca and the City of Ithaca when issues related to the South Hill Communications Center were resolved and the basis for a legal agreement was finalized. She said Ithaca College could not participate in the meeting and a separate meeting with them will be held soon. Mr. Whicher later confirmed that the meeting has been scheduled for March 14. Mr. Wood mentioned that John Barney, the Town Attorney, has provided extensive material related to the lease and the Agreement is being revised accordingly. Mr. Whicher said that he was in the process of ascertaining the overall building size and the cost per sft. He said that Welliver McGuire and Franklin Properties have been asked for comparative estimates of building cost. A meeting with Franklin has been scheduled for next week to look at the site. Further information would be available in two weeks.

PAGING PROJECT UPDATE

Mr. Lalley said that the Paging Project has been included in the capital budget for 2002. A report on frequency analysis from ACD Telecom is expected by end-March. He expected to have a preliminary design by the next ComCap meeting. He was also looking at UHF and VHF frequencies for their coverage potential. He said he has discussed with Mr. Shurtleff, Mr. Miller and Mr. Wilbur, the purchase of new pagers by the EMS providers. In reply to a question by Mr. Lane, he confirmed that the new pagers would be able to handle voice.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UPGRADE

Ms. Shakarjian said that the comment period for the Draft RFP closed early February. She has discussed the comments with Mr. Shurtleff and Mr. Wood. Mr. Shurtleff is now in the process of making a detailed study of all the comments, some of which may be referred to NYSTEC. As many as eighty different issues have been raised.  Ms. Shakarjian mentioned that alternative solutions are being looked at and responses to the RFP are expected to include alternative approaches to meet requirements. In reply to a question by Mr. Penniman regarding how to contractually ensure satisfactory performance, Mr. Shurtleff spoke of the Acceptance Test Plan and withholding of vendor payment till it is met. Ms. Shakarjian pointed out that a design-based RFP is being avoided in order to avoid complications in case of unsatisfactory performance. In response to a question by Ms. Robertson, Mr. Shurtleff said that the RFP would include specifications for subscriber equipment such as two-way radios but not the number required. In reply to another question by Ms. Robertson regarding the effect on vendor base in view of the shift in emphasis to upgrade of the system, Mr. Shurtleff mentioned that only a limited number of vendors are available for the 800 MHz system. Ms. Shakarjian added that if we decide to reuse existing frequencies, we will have a lot of vendor choice. RFP will go out to additional vendors. In reply to a question by Mr. Lane on usage of existing two-way radios, Mr. Shurtleff said that depending on the frequency system chosen, a complete replacement of radios might be necessary. Mr. Lane pointed out the need to incorporate such expenditure in the capital project budget. The group briefly discussed the state of the existing system and decided to invite Midstate to ascertain the feasibility and cost of temporary fixes to the system. It was decided that the Public Safety Committee would meet on March 7 at 2 p.m. and Midstate would be requested to give a presentation at 3 p.m.

REPORT FROM NYSAC ON NYS BUDGET/SWN

Mr. Whicher referred to his visit to Albany along with Ms. Blanchard to attend the NYSAC Conference. He said that although there is a provision for $6.5 million for SWN design in the Governor’s budget, it was not certain that the money would be ultimately available for the designated purpose. According to James Kallstrom, NYS Office of Public Security Director, SWN is the number one priority. Ms. Blanchard regretted there was no unified county position to support Mr. Kallstrom’s priorities. She spoke of a proposal for an additional surcharge of 30c on phone lines to run the 911 system. Mr. Whicher mentioned that SWN has now upgraded its specification for the system to 97% mobile, 95% portable and in-building coverage. In reply to a question by Ms. Blanchard, Ms. Shakarjian said that she expected the RFP to go out in three weeks and responses are to be received in another 60 days.  She pointed out that the SWN RFP is expected to be released by end-February and the response time allowed is 120 days. Hence we are moving in sync with the State.  

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:58 p.m.
 

Submitted by Ujjal Mukherjee, Administrative Services Coordinator.