01-10-85 Safety Comm Minutes4:00 P.M. January 10, 1985
SAFETY COMMITTEE
The meeting was held in the Conference Room. Present were Chairman Schindler, Committee
members Saverud and Grainger, Councilman Manning, Mayor McDowell, City Attorney Neier,
Police Chief Stefanie, Assistant Chief Don Hellman, Officers Clark, Fisher and Dyer,
' Fire Chief Doty, Assistant Chief Larson, FBI agents Steve Fiddler and Jerry Biederstadt
and Dan Black of the Daily Inter Lake.
Chairman Schindler opened the meeting, turned it over to Chief Stefanic, who introduced
the FBI men. They gave a presentation on the recent arrest of fugitives involved in
the Brink's armored car robbery.
Radio System
Chief Stefanic reminded the committee that his department has reserved the $35,000
Revenue Sharing funds from last budget --anticipates that would be about halftheamount
needed to replace radios to high band to make us compatible with the rest of the state.
He asked if the commitment is firm enough to allow the department to convert to the new
system. He wants specs drawn up, to see actual prices, etc. and would like to go ahead
as soon as possible. He asked if the committee were willing or if they would .prefer
to wait until we have the second half of the money. He reports that the Sheriff's
office is still in the process of budgeting and converting; they have some equipment
but replacement probably won't be completed for the next two years.
Fire Chief Doty stated that he is at the point where the department needs a new radio.
The present radio has to be moved here for control; temperature, loss of electricity
and other problems affect radio use in its present location on the hill. He stated that
he requested $11,000 in last year's budget but is unable to find it. If still available,
with P.D. $70,000, we are looking at $81,000 to start with. _
Mayor McDowell stated that he would like to get .together with both departments and plan
for a July time frame. He feels we should avoid registered warrants or lease plan.
C. Saverud asked about lead time on a system such as this and was told that the console
particularly would take about 6 weeks, the remainder of the equipment is pretty much
stock equipment. Chief Stefanic felt it would be deliverable 8 weeks or so from order
date, plus some length of time -probably a month or two -for installations.
S. Saverud felt that the commitment was made last year, it will take time for bids to
go out and we should proceed right away. If necessary, warrants can be registered
pretty reasonably for a few months. This would be less costly than a lease/purchase
plan. We should proceed under the assumption that the other half will be included in
next year's budget.
Chief Stefanic stressed that he did not want to buy some equipment now and the rest
later. The key factor he is looking for in this system is infallible communications
throughout city limits. He wants written into theproposaland specs the-requir-
ment to transmit to and receive from anyone in the city with reliability.
Discussion followed of monitoring with a typical scanner, anyone can even with high
band. Equipment can be purchased to scramble and descramble signal. The bid process
was mentioned. Both Chief Stefanic and Chief Doty stated that they want quality
equipment that will last a long time. The possibility of buying through the state was
discussed, but there is a probability of mixture of items to get their bid prices.
We wantr.to be really careful to get a,completely compatible system.
Reinstate Sergeant's Position
Chief Stefanic requests the position be reinstated in the Police Department. The
committee agreed to recommend to Council that this be done.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20.
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