From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for funding to the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District Public Safety Answering Points Assistance Program (PSAP), in the amount of $79,530 to purchase 9-1-1 related equipment and supplies
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye and Communications Manager Aubry Insco
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Tarrant County 9-1-1 District Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Assistance Program will reimburse the City of Grand Prairie 9-1-1 Communications Center for 9-1-1 related equipment and supplies. The City of Grand Prairie has been allocated $79,530 for Fiscal Year FY2017 and may seek reimbursement for 9-1-1 related equipment and supplies before August 31, 2017. Examples of 9-1-1 allowable expenses are: recording and maintenance costs, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems upgrades and maintenance costs, software, professional and training services, dispatch center furniture, computers and other related items.
The Communications Center staff recommends the funds be utilized for following items under this reimbursement program:
• Continuing Education and Implementation Training
• Licensing Fees
• Maintenance Contracts
• Software purchases
As the City’s Communications Center seeks to stay procedurally and technologically progressive, several projects are necessary to continuously improve the level of services provided to the citizens and visitors of the City of Grand Prairie. One such ongoing effort is the regular offering of Continuing Education and Implementation Training to its staff. During the course of 2017, the Communications Center will continue to enhance the level of services provided by utilizing international call screen protocols; that will subsequently generate licensing fees for computer software. Additionally, training expenses will pay for overtime generated while new and existing employees are attending the required certification training.
The Communications Center is currently operating several software systems that provide essential public safety services for the Police and Fire Departments. These software systems, i.e., Emergency Medical Dispatch call screening software. “Criticall” applicant screening software and the “Eventide” Public Safety recording system require maintenance contracts to cover their needed support and service. The Communications Center will utilize the funds from the reimbursement program to cover the cost of these maintenance contracts.
The Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee reviewed this item on October 31, 2016, and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
Financial Consideration
There is no cash match requirement for this funding source. Purchase of these items will be entirely through the Public Safety Answering Points Assistance Program funding with no City match required.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR FUNDING TO THE TARRANT COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINTS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,530 TO PURCHASE 9-1-1 RELATED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
WHEREAS, the Grand Prairie Police Department wishes to participate in the Tarrant County
9-1-1 District Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Assistance Program;
WHEREAS, the City will provide a cash match of $0 to the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District;
WHEREAS, in the event of loss or misuse of Tarrant County 9-1-1 District funds, the City of Grand Prairie assures that the funds will be returned to the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District in full;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS THAT:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to apply for and accept an award in the amount of $79,530 to purchase 9-1-1 related equipment and supplies.
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 1st day of NOVEMBER, 2016.