HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/21/06 Technologies
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TECHNOLOGIES BOARD
HELD ON
March 21, 2006
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The Regular Session of the TECHNOLOGIES BOARD of The Colony, Texas was called
to order at 6:30 P.M. on the 21st of March, 2006 at CITY HALL, in the City Manager's
Conference Room, City Hall, 6800 MAIN STREET, THE COLONY, TEXAS, with the
following Technologies Board members present:
Harshkumar Desai
T eRon Lawrence
Michael Lynch
John Marshall
Jack Turner
Jose Guia
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With six out of seven members present a quorum was establishrd and the following items
were addressed:
11.0 I Call Meeting to Order: 6:30 P.M.
I 2.0 I DISPOSITION OF MINUTES
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2.1 Acceptance of Technologies Board Minutes for a meet'ng held on February 21,
2006. (Board)
CITIZEN INPUT
None
AGENDA ITEMS
4.1 Emergency Notification System discussion on com uter dialing system to
citizens in case of emergency (Fire Chief Mike Nolen nd Police Captain Chris
Plemons)
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Shelli Henselmeier of Reverse 911 made a presentation on e emergency notification
system. After giving an overview of the company she detaile the Reverse 911 system.
She explained the basic plan includes 8 ports which is capabl of making 960 calls per
hour with is comprised of 2 calls per minute per phone lin. The cost for the basic
system is $25,000 per year plus 12% per year for mainte ance, which includes all
upgrades. Existing phone lines can be used for the ports. She aid 24 port systems are in
use for most average size cities. The installation takes one day d is followed by one day
of training for everyone that will be using the system. If di rent departments use the
system, there is a way to secure access between departme ts. There are additional
modules which can be added at additional costs. Mass call pr vides for Reverse 911 to
host phone calls at a cost of 20 cents per call. Other options in lude Line Grabber which
seizes existing phone lines for an additional $2,400 for 8 1 nes and Reverse 911.net
whereby a cooperative agreement is made by Reverse 911 co unities to share phone
lines. The City would be responsible for purchasing 911 da from the county, which
Shelli estimated would cost about $1,000.
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After the system is installed, an outbound call can be made to each phone number with a
prompt to press 1 or 2, etc. if the individual wants to receive qalls or opt out. Shelli then
showed a demo of how input is made for using Reverse 911 qotification. Ted Ringener
asked how long it would take for a replacement if, for example, the hard drive crashed
and Shelli will get the answer to that question. Ted also reviejwed the plan specifications
with the board. Harshkumar Desai asked Shelli whether t I ey out-source their phone
operation work to an offshore company. Shelli replied they d d not and said that all their
phone operation works are based in Indianapolis.
John Marshall discussed a comparison of the Code Red an the Reverse 911 systems.
There are different ways for Reverse 911 to be used such as tI r emergency situations and
also non-emergencies like road closures or reminders to chan e smoke detector batteries.
Potential problems like bottlenecking of phone calls were rais d, particularly if using the
Mass Call option. It was agreed that Mike Nolen and C . s Plemons will prepare a
memo to Dale Cheatham, copying the Tech Board, proposi g uses for the emergency
notification systems, benefits to the City, with cost compari ons for different usage for
each plan. They will also include estimated costs for emplo ees to oversee the system
and monitor those people who do and do not want to receive alls. Mike Nolen will also
explore grants available, such as a one time VASI grant to he pay for the system. John
Marshall said either system is effective and the board will r view the cost comparison
options at a future meeting.
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ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:0 p.m.
APPROVED:
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