Agenda Item Name:
Title
Trunk Radio System (TRS) Discussion
End
Presenter:
Harold Theus, Chief
Tommy Crosby, Assistant County Manager
Description:
Trunk Radio System discussion and request for a Chair letter to the City of Gainesville Mayor
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Hear the presentation:
• Authorize the Chair letter
• Direct staff to engage the consultant, Federal Engineering to implement Phase 3 (Project Management and Implementation Support Services) in order build out a stand-alone county P-25 radio system that is owned and operated by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.
• Approve the budget amendment
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Prior Board Motions:
At the February 23, 2021 BoCC Meeting, Commissioner Prizzia, Assistant County Manager Crosby, Commissioner Alford, Commissioner Prizzia, and Commissioner Alford presented comments.
Commissioner Alford moved the following: SRA. 2nd Wheeler
• Authorize the Chair to execute an agreement with the City of Gainesville/GRU for the Trunk Radio System for this year only.
• Authorize staff to continue negotiations with GRU to develop a long term partnership agreement for the Trunk Radio System.
• Authorize staff to explore alternate plans for a County-wide radio system in the event the parties are unable to reach an agreement. The motion carried 5-0.
April 14, 2020, Staff presented presentation on the proposed ordinance. Board approved authorization to advertise ordinance to amend Ordinance #2016-06, to provide funding for the Radio Management System.
March 14, 2019, BoCC Special Budget Meeting, Commission directed the County Manager to review all the critical safety infrastructure needs in conjunction with the Sheriff and the City of Gainesville and bring back a proposed list that could potentially be used for a half cent sales tax referendum.
October 23, 2018, County Commission Commissioner Hutchinson moved to hear the presentation, discuss alternatives, and funding options. Also provide direction to staff. Federal Engineering recommends that the County continue operating on the current radio system managed by GRUCom, which is alternative 1 of 2 within the final report with the following changes:
1. Direct staff to return with some governance models they believe would be more functional.
2. Direct staff to return with Funding Options including tax initiatives and County debt.
3. Place this item on upcoming Joint City of Gainesville meeting.
4. Direct the County Attorney to work with the appropriate personnel to update County Ordinances to enable the building codes to provide operation of radios within building/structures.
5. Commissioner Chestnut, Commissioner Byerly, Commissioner Hutchinson, and Commissioner Byerly presented comments.
Commissioner Byerly exited at 10:28 a.m. due to obligations with the Canvasing Board.
Chair Pinkoson presented comments.
The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Byerly out of the room.
October 10, 2017, County Commission approved the RFP ranking and
authorized staff to negotiate an agreement.
November 14, 2016, joint City/County Commission meeting, both commissions
authorized the Radio Management Board to obtain a radio system consultant.
December 7, 2015, joint City/County Commission meeting, both commissions
authorized the Radio Management Board (RMB) to hire a radio system
consultant
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
The quote for phase 3 from the consultant is $79,435. The recommended action includes approval of a budget amendment to use appropriations set aside for this purpose.
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Strategic Guide:
Infrastructure
Background:
In previous board meetings, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has given direction for staff to negotiate one-year agreements with Gainesville Regional Utilities Communication (GRUCom) for the provisions of a Trunk Radio System (TRS). The County and GRUCom have now entered into a second year of these one-year agreements. Additionall,y the BoCC has given direction to staff to negotiate a long term relationship with GRUCom while exploring alternative plans.
County staff is requesting a letter from the Chair of the BoCC to the Mayor of Gainesville stating the BoCC’s intent to own and operate a Trunk Radio System. Additionally, staff is requesting direction to engage the consultant, Federal Engineering to implement Phase 3 (Project Management and Implementation Support Services) in order build out a stand-alone county P-25 radio system that is owned and operated by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.
The Trunk Radio System is used by multiple public safety and non-public safety agencies throughout Alachua County. The City and County are the two principle financers of the system. At the conclusion of a 20-year agreement, disagreements concerning funding methodology, cost allocations, and expenses rose. As a result, the BoCC passed a resolution pursuant to Chapter 164, Florida Statutes, initiating governmental conflict resolution.
Both entities agreed to one-year contracts until a more permanent solution could be found. The county expressed its intent to own and operate a radio system by either partnering with GRUCom or building out its own system. Additionally, other municipalities have expressed a desire for the County to own and operate the system.