Agenda - 06-05-2012 - 7e - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Ua status of both coverage and capacity of the VIPER system in Orange County at no cost to the County. The Emergency Services Workgroup has been working with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Mike Hodgson, Manager of the VIPER system for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, has provided valuable information regarding the operation of the VIPER radio system in Orange County. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol does not have the technical expertise to evaluate coverage issues and make recommendations as to the best location for new towers. A technical analysis is required to provide accurate information to solve the coverage deficiencies. A coverage assessment, based on information from North Carolina State Highway Patrol, will provide the County with analysis of present coverage additional locations for supplemental sites to increase the coverage to an acceptable level. At the May 8, 2012 Emergency Services Workgroup meeting, Town of Chapel Hill Fire Chief Dan Jones made the motion that the Workgroup recommend to the Board of Commissioners that a technical consultant be hired, who will use the information and data that has already been collected, to make a recommendation on new towers, how many and where they are needed for maximum coverage. This consultant would work with VIPER, Emergency Services, Orange County Planning and users to determine the final result. This will be a part of next year's budget. New Hope Fire Chief Mike Tapp seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. On May 22, 2012 the Emergency Services Workgroup further discussed the need for a technical consultant and a Scope of Work for the needs assessment (see Attachment 2). County Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca made the motion to recommend to the BOCC that the County proceed with the Scope of Work at Attachment 2 and send a request for proposals to three vendors for a tower study: AECOM; Tower Engineering Professionals, Inc.; and RCC Consultants, Inc. South Orange Rescue Chief Matthew Mauzy seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact will be the costs of a Needs Assessment, which is anticipated to cost between $30,000 to $50,000 for a technical analysis of present coverage and additional tower site locations for supplemental sites. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) Approve the recommendation from the Emergency Services Workgroup to conduct a Needs Assessment for the VIPER System to improve County -wide coverage; 2) Authorize the Manager to sign a contract not to exceed $50,000 for the Needs Assessment; and 3) Plan to appropriate the necessary funds from the General Fund's Fund Balance as part of a budget amendment that will be presented for the Board's approval at the August 21, 2012 regular meeting.