City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  March 18, 2003

Item No.:         4

Recommendation: That the Common Council approve and authorize the purchase and installation of 800 MHz radios for the Highway, Parks & Recreation, Engineering, and Fire Departments from Motorola, Inc., in the amount of $173,311.   

Background:  Milwaukee County has made available to all municipalities within Milwaukee County access onto their 800 MHz radio system. The Police Department successfully switched to the County system in 2000. The second phase of the transition would be to convert the remainder of the City’s 2-way communications to the 800 MHz radio system, except for the Fire Department. Our intent is to purchase a radio for their mobile command post, along with two portable radios, which would enable them to use the citywide communication channel in the event of an emergency.

Currently, all non-public safety City departments use a one-channel UHF radio system. This channel is shared, not only amongst themselves, but with other cities as well. In addition, the UHF radio system is more than 20 years old and will be difficult and costly to maintain in the very near future.

Converting to the 800 MHz system would increase the number of radio channels available, allowing each department to have their own. It would also enable the City to utilize the County’s 800 MHz infrastructure and discontinue the need to support the old UHF radio system. One of the most important benefits that will be realized in converting to the 800 MHz system will be the improved communications during a disaster or critical incident. The City will now have a dedicated, citywide channel that will be available to all 800 MHz users. This will allow all users to be on one common channel, greatly improving the communication network. In addition, in the event the critical incident or disaster is multi-agency in scope, the 800 MHz radios will allow all City users to switch to a countywide channel, enabling them to communicate with almost anyone in the County.

Fiscal Impact: The total cost for the purchase, programming, and installation of the 800 MHz radios will be $173,311. A cost breakdown by Department is attached for your reference.  Funds were designated for radios in the following amounts:

2001 CIP,        Engineering:                $  10,800

2002 CIP,        Public Works              $  60,000

2002 CIP,        Parks & Rec               $  30,000

2003 CIP,        Streets                       $110,000

                                    TOTAl:             $210,800

The old equipment will be sold, however, the value of the equipment is minimal.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert L. Kufrin

City Administrator

Prepared by:

Warren N. Endthoff

Administrative Captain, OCPD

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk