The city of Emporia must spend some money between now and 2013 to improve its communication equipment.
The question is should the city just do the bare minimum, do some quick fixes or perform some substantial upgrades to have better equipment in the future.
Specifically, the Emporia City Commission will look this summer at four funding options. They are:
A) Spend $191,100 to narrow-band the existing system to bring in into compliance.
B) Spend $129,600 to do some quick-fixes to existing equipment.
C) Spend $212,575 to move the Public Works Department to UHF. This allows for a common radio ban, another repeater for use and the city to move to a trunked system at a later date.
D) Spend $1.09 million to extend trunking countywide.
City commissioners know they have to do A and they can’t afford to do D right now. So the question is whether to do also do B and C.
Commissioners told City Manager Matt Zimmerman last month to present them with three options during 2012 budget discussions. At that time, the commission will decide how much to spend.
“I like to look at all three options, with the knowledge that at least the number one is going to have to happen in 2012 budget,” said Commissioner Rob Gilligan. “I don’t want to eliminate 2 and 3 without having looked at that budget.”
Any project will have to wait until 2012. The city did not budget money in 2011 for communications improvements and commissioners aren’t in favor of adjusting this year’s budget to include it.
The genesis for the push for better communication equipment came from the FCC. The city must meet FCC regulations that emergency communication meet narrow-banding requirements by Jan. 1, 2013.
The city hired Praecom Communication in September to perform a communication study. The cost was $32,365 though the city received a $17,702 grant, which reduced the city’s cost to $14,663. Lyon County was invited to participate in the study but declined.
The goal of the study was to evaluate existing radio communications systems, review regulation changes that affect the city’s radio system, review changes in technology that can apply to the city’s current and future operations and make recommendations for improvements.
There are problems at times with the current radio system. Sometimes it doesn’t provide adequate coverage in some buildings and geographic locations. Rural areas typically are the most troubled spots.
In talking with staff, Allen Underdown, president of Praecom Communication, found that the highest priorities for radio communication was reliable, accessibility, safety, improved dispatcher response and ease of use.
“We need to move forward,” said Mayor Kevin Nelson. “The study showed we have a lot of things to cure over time.”
Underdown listed several quick fixes in the study, such as obtaining the correct licenses for the rural fire departments and south tower site, moving repeaters from the Civic Center to either the city/county tower or the east water tank and moved the control station from the Police Department to the top floor of Civic Auditorium.
The city has 25 frequencies licensed in the UHF portion of the radio spectrum and four in the VHF band. Currently, police, EMS and fire use UHF repeaters. But public works and parks employees utilized the VHF portions of the band. Thus radios in public works vehicles can’t be utilized by police or fire employees, Underdown said.
Trunking is a radio system whereby the access and frequency selection of any specific transmission is computer controlled. The system consists of one or more control channels and several talk path channels, depending on the number of users accessing the system.
Underdown said that trunking does not improve coverage, but provides a set of features that will alleviate many of the problems the city has with the existing system.
As for the future, Commissioner Joel Phipps said he’s concerned about the bigger picture. A radio study group would be reasonable, he said.
He said everyone has a wish list. Before committing money for a state of the art system, they need to talk with school district and county.
“Those are conversations that have to be brought fourth,” he said.
Zimmerman didn’t disagree. But before talking with the other government entities, he wanted to get some level of commitment from city commissioners that they are on board financially with improvements.
“I don’t know if the county or school district would be willing to participate,” he said. “We do know there’s some benefit to us by having better interoperability. We presume the county would agree. But is it worth more money? We obviously haven’t had those conversations.”
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hmmmm,
steve??
how 'bout those mill leves??
poor planning by the city.... again...
June 10, 2011 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
to any one reading this... with a couple of minutes of reading, i found that the fcc mandated this in 2004!! why did the city wait until the LAST minute to make this change?
grrrrr bark bark
June 10, 2011 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
jeremey,
why didn't you research this and ask them?
June 10, 2011 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Wonder what the TOTAL expenditure the city spent in 2010 for STUDIES ?OHH WELL,as long as no one complains who cares.
June 10, 2011 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
good question.
i'm cranky today....
well maybe chris or jeremy can answer that?
June 10, 2011 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Is this another un-funded mandate from the feds?
What happens if the city ignores it? Will the FCC come in and take our walkie talkies away?
Will we be left helpless?
scarlett01_98,
Please don't expect any real investigative reporting from our local media that could ruffle some peoples feathers. It ain't going to happen.
Back to the article, the commission should go with the cheapest option if they go ahead with this mandate. I have a feeling the "quick fix" would be in compliance just as long as a total new "state of the art system".
Would a new fancy system be nice? Sure it would.
Would I look good driving a new Audi A8?
Yes, but I can't afford it.
June 10, 2011 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hi steve,
the city can get grants from the dept of homeland security for narrow band equip.
if the city ignores it, they can and will lose their walkie talkies. the fcc will take them away. just like a radio station.
the gov't mandated this in 04, so why is the city doing it now, when the city is broke???
why not back on 05 or 06?
we seem to have money for rocks, why not essential items???
i prefer a 58 vette
and yes i'm in pain and really cranky...
June 10, 2011 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
hey where has the crank in chief been???
June 10, 2011 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
just cause i'm cranky, how come i'm the only one that knows this????
June 10, 2011 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
With the rumor of more layoffs at Tyson and might close for good. Why is the city even thinking of spending. Looks like another trip to Vegas for some fastfood stores is needed. Bet that could really bring in some tax dollars LOL
June 10, 2011 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
where are you all hearing of this rumour of Tyson closing?
I know several employees and they have not heard a word.
Before we all get upset about this, let's have some factoids, please.
June 10, 2011 at 9:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
If this is an unfunded mandate from the feds, I say, "screw them, and sue them". If they are the ones pushing this , then they should be the ones paying for it.
June 10, 2011 at 9:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Don't worry, that 130k spent on rocks will draw in tourists needed to pay for all of this!
Steve I have not heard this rumor either, but remember the last time they cut, there was not much notice then either.
June 11, 2011 at 2:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
steve, the city can get grants from the dhs if they apply.
ask sauder, the city has to be licensed by the fcc to use the airwaves
the faa rules rules the sky, and they can empty the sky in a matter of minutes, remember?. the fcc can empty the airwaves, too.
however why wasn't this upgrade done several years ago?
i have heard the rumors about tyson closing, but only time will tell..
June 11, 2011 at 5:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-says...
June 11, 2011 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
We need to re-establish the republic.
http://www.infowars.com/from-liberal-...
June 11, 2011 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
THENATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES [NLC] needs to file a petition for reconsideration as many cities are under water. If these expensive programs go ahead the communications budget computer will say, "this will not compute, this will not compute, this will not compute."
June 11, 2011 at 11:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpr4Bo...
June 11, 2011 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Our last election for city commission was a positive thing for Emporia. So many candidates put themselves out there, and ran for an underpaid and time consuming job. A job that no matter what you do, some will cheer your actions, leaving others looking for the tar and feathers.
Part of the job entails being a positive and progressive "cheerleader" for our city. All of our current commission members fill that requirement. During these tough economic times another part of the job is to try to keep spending and taxes down.
Our city leaders, including the city manager need to be positive, but that does not mean burying your head in the sand and hoping and planning for better times ahead. Planning for tough times should be the norm right now, business as usual will not work.
Right now the commission is studying the upcoming city budget, a long and arduous process. Their will be time for public comments and suggestions.
My suggestion to the commission came to me this week in the latest issue of Time Magazine. The cover story is "WHAT U.S. RECOVERY?" While it may not be the whole story, it contains several myths versus facts about our economy. It offers both the optimistic and somewhat pessimistic possibilities of our economy. ( Kind of like these forums.)
I urge all the commission, and city manager read the article, it offers yet another view they may not of thought of yet. The article can be found here:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/artic...
Thoughts?
June 12, 2011 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks for that link, Steve. It's a good read. Let me comment on the following that I pulled from the piece:
"The Republicans have pulled off a major (some would say cynical) miracle by convincing the majority of Americans that the way to jump-start the economy is to slash taxes on the wealthy and on cash-hoarding corporations while cutting benefits for millions of Americans. It's fun-house math that can't work; we'll need both tax increases and sensible entitlement cuts to get back on track. Yet surveys show 50% of Americans think that not raising the debt ceiling is a good idea — that you can somehow starve your way to economic growth."
Part of our problem is impatience. The American people are impatient, and understandably so since so many are out of jobs and trying their best to get by while prices keep rising uncontrollably as producers keep blaming rising gas prices. Its a vicious circle and we Americans are the victims.
But are we? Or are we like kids demanding cell phones because all the other kids have them. Look at all those people who rushed to buy homes that were WAY OVER THEIR MEANS. Look what happened when the housing bubble burst. You can't tell me that bankers and real estate agents aren't to blame. They were the parents knuckling under to their kids' demands. I want, I want. I want.
You're right, Steve, business as usual will not work. But that's another part of the problem. If we can't starve our way to economic growth, something many Emporians are advocating, then what?
We are not a big economy. On the one hand, sitting tight and minding the purse strings by not spending any more than absolutely necessary may be the thing to do. On the other hand, how can we attract commerce if we don't spend? The trick is to replace what we do spend as soon as possible and not keep buying new stuff like there's no tomorrow. We must have something for rainy days like having to buy police equipment.
It's a vicious circle, yes, but if big corporations are hiding cash in preparation for whatever they believe is coming, why should we be different? Yes, that does not allow for growth, but man, oh man, we must learn to be patient and live not within our means, but BELOW our means. We've got to have a margin.
One thing for sure, buying rocks to attract tourists will never fly. I wish the people in general were aware of all this before so much money was wasted on those damn rocks. That would have purchased the police equipment needed. Too late now. We need to put the skids on the RDA.
June 12, 2011 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
The article is rather sobering isn't it?
On page 4 this caught my eye:
"And let's not forget the youth-unemployment crisis. There's now a generation of young workers who are in danger of being permanently sidetracked in the labor markets and disconnected from society. Research shows that the long-term unemployed tend to be depressed, suffer greater health problems and even have shorter life expectancy. The youth unemployment rate is now 24%, compared with the overall rate of 9.1%. If and when these young people return to work, they'll earn 20% less over the next 15 to 20 years than peers who were employed. That increases the wealth divide that is one of the root causes of growing political populism in our country."
What will the unemployment rate be when the next crop of college students graduate in December? I am seeing this in my own small business. I have a couple of employees with degrees who want to get out in the REAL WORLD, and get a grown up job.
They want to make their mark on the world, but the job market is pretty tough right now, so it's an iffy chance to make the change. At the same time we have an ad for help wanted at the bar and the applicants have swarmed in, ( almost all college grads, and 1 with a masters degree). For a minimum wage job ! Boy, has that come full circle from the old days of college students working their way through school to get a better job.
No easy answers, I just think that we and our children and grandchildren are going to really suffer our own impatience and sense of entitlement.
That is just one more reason to have strong leadership at all levels. Elected officials who will do what is best for us all in the long run and not just for the voters in the next election.
We also need to return to the values of individual responsibility , and accountability.
So far the field for the next presidential election is looking pretty sad, but I am hopeful that at least our local leaders will step up to the hard job ahead of them.
June 12, 2011 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Nice post Create, we as a community of concerned tax payers see the pimples and boils in this town that our past and some current leaders fail to address.Its now a priority in this economic downturn to turn this ship around with a community goal that will end with Emporia once again becoming a prosperous community it once was....Simply spending millions to preserve 40 plus modest paying jobs does not sound like a community goal I can wrap my arms around....I have espoused multiple times the goal of increasing students at ESU and the tech college would be a major infussion of capital into Emporia. Increasing students at ESU insure that the state of Kansas continues to see ESU as a vital state asset, and provides much needed economic growth for Emporia.....
June 12, 2011 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
You're absolutely right on the money with regard to increasing student populations, sail. We are a community that values Education and we demonstrate that by providing a place for our two institutions. But we seem to end it there.
Both our schools are perfect for young people. Where one cannot fill the needs for some, the other can. Not all kids are suited for a 4-year degree, and we can serve those kids with our technical college.
The problem is that the powers that be continue to look at small industry. In the meantime, we continue to allow an unacceptable drop out rate at the high school. What are we doing so that our young people can be a part of a more highly skilled workforce? It seems that we are looking the other way and pretending we aren't sliding into a totally minimum wage economy. We'll never make it at this rate.
June 12, 2011 at 7:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
Back to the rradio issue, Emporia Police had opened their NEW dispatch center at the end of 2003-beginning of 2004 with all new radio equiptment. Couldnt this had been done then? Just a stupid thought like I know anything. Just buy the damn rock, raise our water rates and anouther 0.5 cent sales tax hike and we should be looking good again.
June 13, 2011 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I sense your frustration, Free4all. I think it's going to come to all that you say. Like we can control it.
June 13, 2011 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...
free 4 all, that has been my point. i did find out thru a few minutes of research that the city can apply for a grant thru homeland security to get the new narrow band equip. why didn't the efd get new equip when epd did?
and quit raising water rates!
jmo!
June 13, 2011 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )