City of Gainesville - File #: 100841.

• File #: 100841.
• Version: 1
• Name: Next Generation Radio Project Update (B)
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: Passed
• File created: 12/15/2011
• In control: City Manager
• Final action: 12/15/2011
• Title: Next Generation Radio Project Update (B) This item requests that the Gainesville City Commission hear an update on the Next Generation Radio Project.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
12/15/2011	1	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass
8/29/2011	0	City Commission	No Action Taken

Title

Next Generation Radio Project Update (B)

This item requests that the Gainesville City Commission hear an update on the Next Generation Radio Project.

Explanation

On August 29, 2011, the Board of County Commissioners for Alachua County and the Gainesville City Commission heard a presentation from the Next Generation Radio Project Committee Chair, Gainesville Fire Chief Gene Prince, on the status of the Trunked Radio System (TRS) for Alachua County subscribers with options for extending the life of the system as opposed to replacing it.  After the presentation, Commissioners directed staff to move forward without a consultant to make a final recommendation on upgrading the current system.  

On November 17, 2011, the committee voted to recommend the proposal offered by Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRUCom) to upgrade the existing equipment, which will extend the life of the current system and support the transition to a P25 compliant system that will enhance interoperability within Alachua County and with other P25 compliant jurisdictions.  GRUCom's proposal extends the life of the current TRS and will allow users with analog, digital, and P25-capable radios to remain on the system until 2020.  The TRS will be fully supported by Motorola for the extended life of the agreement. This extension is recommended to allow time for new technology addressing both voice and data needs to be fully developed and provides a longer time period for users to incrementally replace their radio stock.  

Alachua County Fire Chief Ed Bailey will recommend to the County Manager and Alachua County BOCC that Alachua County approve an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Gainesville and Alachua County for Public Safety Trunking Radio Services dated November 9^th, 1999.  The amendment will provide for completion of the upgrade and the reduction of subscriber fees for the term of the amended agreement.

Fiscal Note  

The fiscal impact for the extension of the agreement including the upgrade of infrastructure for the General Government portion of the system is projected to be an approximate savings of $800,000 over the term of the extension.  Additional costs for replacement radios will be department-specific and are not included in this projection.

Recommendation

The Commission hear an update on the Next Generation Radio Project and direct the City Manager to execute an agreement with GRU to extend the life of the Trunked Radio System to 2020.