City of Dover
Delaware
Delaware
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on December 8, 1997, at 6:45 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Leary, Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller, Mr. Truitt and Mayor Hutchison.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weller moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilman Leary, Councilwoman Malone and Mr. Merritt. Noting the recent resignation of Mr. Schaefer, Mr. Pitts was deputized to serve as a temporary member.
Purchase of 800 MHZ Radio System
In accordance with the City of Dover Budget for fiscal year 1997/98, Council authorized an amount of $384,684 for the purchase of a digital 800 MHZ radio system for the Police Department. Chief Faulkner reminded members that the State of Delaware is currently in the process of converting all emergency communications to a digital 800 MHZ radio system. He stated that State H.B. 400 provides State funds to assist cities and towns in making the necessary purchases for this conversion and that $209,821 is currently available to the City for this purpose. Therefore, the total available funds for this purchase is $594,505.
Staff has identified the components needed, have priced those components in accordance with the State Contract with Motorola C & E, Inc., and have determined that the available funds will meet the needs of the department. Staff recommended approval of the purchase of the 800 MHZ radio equipment from Motorola C & E, Inc., at a price not to exceed $594,505. It was noted that one component of the system, which will be needed for future upgrade, will not be available for several months; however, staff requested that a purchase order be submitted prior to December 31, 1997 to avoid a scheduled price increase.
Mr. O’Connor informed members that the New Castle County Police Department has recently converted to the 800 MHZ radio system and that eventually, this transition will occur in Kent and Sussex Counties. He relayed the importance of having the ability to communicate with all municipalities.
Mrs. Malone relayed concern with the State of Delaware requiring municipalities to convert to the new radio system without providing full funding for this type of transition.
Mr. Christiansen relayed to members that in the spring of 1998, some local legislators will be meeting on this issue to discuss alternatives to fund this transition with the possibility of monies being derived from the 21st Century Fund. He stated that the Vice-President of the Delaware League of Local Governments has advised that there are some legislators that are in support of fully funding this transition.
Mr. Lambert asked if there were any plans in the future for the Fire Department or the Ambulance Service to convert to the new system. Responding, Mr. Carey stated that the Fire Department will be ordering the new radio system within the next week. He stated that the State has allocated separate funds, in the amount of $1.8 million, for Ambulance and Fire Departments in Kent County to off-set the costs involved to convert to the 800 MHZ radio system. Mr. Carey explained that the State will provide an 800 MHZ radio system for each radio system being replaced by the Fire Department.
Mr. Leary stated that this is a statewide program and relayed his appreciation to the Delaware League of Local Governments for their hard work in obtaining funds.
Mr. Leary moved to recommend approval of the purchase of 800 MHZ radio equipment from Motorola C & E, Inc., at an amount not to exceed $594,505, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Mr. Leary moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
RRC/nh