Memorandum 11-113 PW Radios Replacement KPB Narrowband Project

M E M O R A N D U M 11-113

To: Walt Wrede, City Manager

From: Jan Jonker, Public Works Superintendent

Date: Thursday, August 04, 2011

Subject: Public Works Radios Replacement
KPB Narrowband Project

Discussion

As you are aware the KPB is currently undertaking a borough wide project to upgrade all two-way radio systems to the FCC required “narrowband” frequencies. This project includes upgrades to the Homer Police and Homer Fire Department systems. The borough is picking up costs for public safety.

Public Works needs to be switched over by 1-1-2013 to be legal or will be required to turn off our radio system by then. However, the public safety agencies on the peninsula will be switching over to narrowband right after Labor Day and so will Homer PD & FD. After that time Public Works will no longer be able to communicate with HPD or the Fire Department via radio.

If we don’t switch PW over now we will no longer have radio communications with HPD or HVFD and have to communicate with our on-call PW personnel via cell phone. This is less than ideal during emergency responses.

Recommendation

Approve the PW upgrade to the new narrowband system in conjunction with HPD & HVFD and as ProComm is contracted to perform this work for HPD & HVFD award this work to ProComm in the amount of $24,510.24.

This includes the purchase of the needed upgrade equipment, programming and installation and miscellaneous materials that will be required to complete the upgrade.

Fiscal Note

This is an unbudgeted item. Funds for this work to be provided from the Public Works Department General Fund Depreciation Account No. 156.395.