Agenda - 03-02-2006-5f - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Emergency Management staff has characterized the existing 9 -1 -1 consoles as antiquated and in failing condition. The consoles were installed in 1993 with an expected life span of 10 years. New parts are no longer manufactured for the consoles and repairs must be made using second -hand parts. This grant offers a two -fold opportunity - to replace antiquated equipment, and to procure the keystone equipment necessary to migrate onto the statewide partnership 800 MHz radio network. The radio consoles will allow telecommunicators to interact with field responders such as dispatching them to emergencies, and receiving information from the responders on their situations and needs. It is especially important for responder safety to have reliable console equipment so assistance can be provided to the responders in an emergency. The portable radios requested in the grant will further allow the County's emergency response agencies to move toward migration onto the statewide partnership 800 MHz radio system (VIPER). As portable and mobile radios make up a substantial portion of the overall cost of moving to the system, any grant funds that can be received toward the project will reduce the burden upon local agencies. If this grant is accepted, staff hopes to have the equipment in place by October 2006. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is a 25% cash match required for this grant amounting to $338,290. The County does not have to have all funding available at the time of award receipt, rather the money must be available at the time reimbursement is requested, as the county will be reimbursed 75% of the amount of its submitted invoices. Staff proposes that the County's match come from the fund balance and on -going revenue received in the Emergency Telephone System Fund from the 50 -cent per month telephone subscriber surcharge imposed by Orange County. An additional $210,996 in grant funding is being applied to this project from earmarked federal funding and competitive grants, previously awarded and accepted by the Board last year. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: • Accept the grant award; • Approve the Contract with the City of Durham, pending final review by staff and the County Attorney, and authorize the Manager to sign it; • Authorize staff to designate the matching funds from the fund balance and the Emergency Telephone System Fund • Authorize the purchase of associated equipment from State Contract up to the amount of the total project of $1,564,156 as allowed by the grant guidelines; and • Authorize staff to administer paperwork and project reports as required by the grant guidelines.