Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to purchase cellular telephone service through the contract between the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) and Nextel of California, Inc. (Citywide)
Discussion
The Technology Services Department (TSD) is responsible for administering cellular telephone service for all City departments. Since 1990, the City has used cellular telephones for many reasons including their cost effectiveness for remote person-to-person communications, limited availability of radio spectrum, improved responsiveness to customers, and employee safety.
For departments under the City Manager's authority, department directors approve requests for cellular service based upon jOb duties. The City Auditor conducts regular reviews of cellular telephone usage.
In October 2002, the City initiated a process to reduce cell phone expenditures. As a first step, departments were asked to perform a zero base review of their mobile devices (e.g., cell phones and pagers) and to turn in or consolidate devices. In addition, in the summer of 2003, a voluntary stipend program was initiated, which allowed for employees who currently had a Cityissued phone to receive a monthly allowance to obtain their own cellular service. Since October 2002, we have reduced the number of phones from 1,258 to 1,028, a decrease of 230, or 18.3 percent. We also reduced the number of pagers from 1,210 to 617, a decrease of 593, or 49 percent. In the months to come we will continue to look for further opportunities to reduce devices where possible.
Currently, the City uses two vendors for cellular service, Nextel of California (Nextel> and Verizon Wireless (Verizon). Both providers meet our operational and customer service requirements; however, Nextel has become the primary provider due to its two-way radio capability.
Verizon Agreement No. 28112 expired on June 30, 2004, and will not be renewed. The amount spent with Verizon will be less than $100,000 annually requirin...
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