From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) with the City of Fort Worth to provide access to the City of Fort Worth's "P25 Interoperability Network Regional Master Switch" at a cost of $1.90 per radio subscriber connected to the Network (estimated 1140 subscribers at an estimated cost of $2,166 monthly or $25,992 annually)
Presenter
Steve Dye, Chief of Police and Mike Taylor, Assistant Chief of Police
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The City of Grand Prairie covers 81.4 square miles, is the 5th largest city in the Dallas - Fort Worth region in land mass, and is situated in three counties (Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis). Law enforcement agencies in this region are increasingly reliant upon the cooperation of each other in both procedural matters and in the use of technological advances. Law Enforcement activities often extend beyond the boundaries of the City limits which make it incumbent upon local agencies to mutually cooperate and communicate across geo-political boundaries to effectively serve and protect their respective constituents.
The City currently operates the new P25 Motorola radio system which provides highly technical communications throughout its boundaries. However, in order to achieve and maintain the necessary open regional communications and interoperability, the City of Grand Prairie must connect with the City of Fort Worth's "P25 Interoperability Network Regional Master Switch".
The City of Fort Worth's "P25 Interoperability Network" provides access to 50 "Interoperable Communications" talk groups for participating agencies. Participating agencies may leverage these P25 Interoperable talk groups as an interoperability network for inter-agency emergency response communications and are presented as a shared resource.
Vernon's Texas Statues and Codes Annotated (VTCA), Local Government Code 791, The Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act, provides that any one or more local governmental entities may contract with each other for the performance of governmental functions and for the joint use of facilities or services for police protection and for the promotion and protection of the health and welfare of the inhabitants of this State and the mutual benefit of the parties.
The cities of Fort Worth, Mansfield, and Irving have installed and now operate the new Motorola P25 radio systems. The cities of Grand Prairie and Arlington are in the installation process of the new systems with the expectation that the City of Grand Prairie will be prepared to operate on a live status by mid-June of this year.
Participating in this Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) for the connectivity and sharing of resources will provide the Department with seamless radio communications with the cities of Arlington, Mansfield, Fort Worth, Irving, and will provide enhanced coverage throughout the Tarrant County region. At a cost of $1.90 per radio subscriber connected to the Network, the City expects to connect 1140 subscribers at an estimated cost of $2,166 monthly or $25,992 annually. The anticipated funding of the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District's "P25 Radio Interoperability Assistance Program" would cover the subscription costs.
The Finance and Government Committee reviewed this item on June 2, 2015 and recommended it be forwarded to the Council for approval.
The Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee will review this item on June 3, 2015, their next scheduled meeting.
Financial Consideration
At a cost of $1.90 per radio subscriber connected to the Network, the City expects to connect 1140 subscribers at an estimated cost of $2,166 monthly or $25,992 annually. This funding will be paid for through the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District's "P25 Radio Interoperability Assistance program".
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING / INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT (MOU/ILA) WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE "CITY OF FORT WORTH P25 INTEROPERABILITY NETWORK REGIONAL MASTER SWITCH".
WHEREAS, The City of Fort Worth operates the "P25 Interoperability Network Regional Master Switch" that provides access to 50 "Interoperable Communications" talk groups for participating agencies.
WHEREAS, the City of Grand Prairie wishes to participate in a Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) with the City of Fort Worth to have access to the "P25 Interoperability Network Regional Master Switch".
WHEREAS, the Vernon's Texas Statues and Codes Annotated, Government Code, 791, the Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act, provides for such an agreement between two or more local governmental agencies for the joint use of facilities and services for police protection and the promotion and protection of the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the State of Texas and the mutual benefit of both parties;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
SECTION 1: the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, does hereby authorize the City Manager to enter into a mutual Memorandum of Understanding / Interlocal Agreement (MOU/ILA) with the City of Fort Worth for access to the "P25 Interoperability Network Regional Master Switch".
SECTION 2: this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in accordance with the Charter of the City of Grand Prairie and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 2ND DAY OF JUNE, 2015.