TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an agreement with County of Orange (County) to use a license area at the County’s Santiago Peak Communications Facility (Santiago Peak) for public safety dispatching at an estimated annual cost of $2,360 for year one with an annual increase thereafter of 3.3 percent. The term of the proposed lease is one year and shall automatically be renewed for up to ten consecutive periods of one year, each subject to approval of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) presently uses seven radio channels for public safety dispatching. Four channels are used routinely throughout the day with three additional channels for special operations as needed. Police Department channel 7 (PD 7) is licensed to cover the Southern California area and is authorized to operate at Santiago Peak located in the Cleveland National Forest of Orange County. Due to the wide area coverage this channel is licensed for; it cannot be placed at the Signal Hill facility. Santiago Peak will cover Los Angeles and Orange County, making best use of this channel.
The choice of Santiago Peak was based on the cost of site rent, estimated annually at $2,360, and the availability of backup power systems, microwave links, and the County's ability to maintain the site to public safety standards as compared to privately owned sites. Placing City-owned equipment at this site would allow LBPD coverage of the greater Los Angeles/Orange County areas for car-to-dispatch and car-to-car communications.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson on January 28, 2009, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on January 30, 2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested at the meeting scheduled on February 17, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are budgeted in the General Services Fund (IS 385) and in the Technology Services Department (TS) to support this activity.
SUGGES...
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