HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070305 - VI-09VI-9
I'IASTINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT
MARK J. HOLMES, CHIEF
115 West 5th Street
Hastings, Minnesota 55033-1815
Business Office (651) 480-6150
Fax (651) 480-6170
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Hicks and City Council Members
Mark J. Holmes, Fire Chief~/~.- /~-
February 28, 2007
Request for Authorization to Transfer Funds and Purchase
Communications Equipment
As agreed to, the City of Hastings will be joining all other municipalities within Dakota
County in migration to the State of Minnesota's Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency
Response (ARMER). This system has been recognized as a solution for interoperable
communications and enhanced technology. For several years city staff has been planning
and preparing for this use. One major consideration through this process has been the
need to replace all radio communications equipment used by the cities police, fire and
emergency medical services.
In preparation for the future migration to ARMER and other technological needs
resulting from moving to centralized dispatch, we have been financially preparing
through contributions to ERF for the past three budget years. During this time, the fire
department has applied for and received $77,000 in grant funding for necessary radios
and equipment. The city will be purchasing all radio equipment necessary through the
State of Minnesota contract. In recent discussions with Motorola, the contract awardee,
the costs for the fire departments physical equipment will be $155,530.00. Recent grant
awards and a city match have satisfied $96.617.00 of this cost. Additional funds
necessary in the amount of $58.913.00 available in ERF would be used to complete the
fire department's project.
to recent discussions with City Administrator Dave Osberg and Police Chief Michael
McMenomy an unforeseen budget shortfall exists within the Police Department's radio
needs. I would also propose that the fire department's ERF savings as a result of our
grant award be used to assist the police department in fulfilling their communications
needs. The amount necessary for the police department budget shortfall would be
$29.580.00. Approval of the fire department's ERF assisting police would provide
personal radios for all police officers, mobile communications for an additional patrol
vehicle and radio communication capabilities for office staff.
FIRE SUPPRESSION - FIRE EDUCATION - FIRE PREVENTION - AMBULANCE SERVICE
Page 2
Mayor Hicks and City Council Members
February 28, 2007
It is anticipated that the new radio system and communications center in Dakota County
will be operational in November of this year. Due to a number of counties in Minnesota,
also moving toward the ARMER system, police and fire have agreed that we need to be
ahead of a perceived strain on private vendors for the purpose of purchase and installation
of communications equipment. Approval at this time will allow us to control the timing
and quality of the services necessary to meet our project deadlines.
If you should have any questions regarding this request, please feel free to contact me at
any time. My cellular phone is the best way to reach me at 651-775-5545. I will be
attending the March 5, 2007, council meeting, if you should have any questions at that
time.
Requested Action: Authorization to transfer funds from the fire department ERF and purchase
communications equipment for fire, police and emergency medical services in the amount of
$88,493.00.
cc: City Administrator Dave Osberg
Police Chief Michael McMenomy