Resolution No. 16-98
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND RATIFYING THE GRAND JUNCTION REGIONAL COMMUNICATION CENTER OPERATING AGREEMENT
RECITALS:
In 1979, the City of Grand Junction Police and Fire Departments and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department joined forces for the purpose of dispatching emergency services. At about the same time 911 service was first provided to the citizens of the Grand Valley. Sheriff Dick Williams, Police Chief Ed Vandertook and Fire Chief R.T. Mantlo spearheaded the union and oversaw the function of the operation, thus forming the Grand Valley Communication Center and Communication Center Board. The Board was informally constituted and, given its relatively inauspicious beginnings, did a good job overseeing the City’s continued operation of the Center. The City has operated the communication center under the name of the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center (GJRCC) and provided dispatching and 911 services since that time.
In 1989, the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County, the City of Fruita, the Town of Palisade, Clifton Fire Protection District and others signed an intergovernmental agreement, which agreement established the Grand Junction Emergency Telephone Services Authority Board, provided that a surcharge may be imposed to fund the continued operation of emergency telephone services, 911, in Mesa County.
In 1992 the GJRCC became automated with the acquisition of computer aided dispatch (CAD).
In 1996 the Federal Communications Commission issued FCC Order, docket No. 94-102, which requires that Public Service Answering Points (of which the GJRCC is one) provide 911 service for wireless (cellular telephone) customers.
In 1997 the Colorado legislature amended the law to allow 911 providers to collect up to a 70 cent monthly surcharge from all telephone users.
Given the increasing complexity of providing emergency dispatch and 911 services, the complexity and interrelationship of the Emergency Telephone Services Authority Board and the Communication Board and the fact that 911 is the most effective and familiar way the public has of seeking emergency assistance, the members of the Communication Board negotiated and entered into an intergovernmental agreement in late 1997.
This Resolution affirms, adopts and ratifies the actions of the Board members and commends them for their diligence and unfailing efforts in the continued provision of emergency communication and emergency response services to the citizens of the Cities of Grand Junction and Fruita, the Town of Palisade and the citizens of Mesa County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODIES SIGNING BELOW THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS DULY ADOPTED AND BY ITS ADOPTION THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ATTACHED HERETO IS ADOPTED, RATIFIED AND CONFIRMED WITH THE BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS THEREIN PROVIDED.
IN SUMMARY, THE AGREEMENT DOES AND PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING:
1. All employees of the GJRCC are employees of the Grand Junction Police Department. The GJPD manages the operations, employees and function of the GJRCC:
2. The City’s insurer provides coverage for most of the operations of the GJRCC:
3. The GJRCC Policy and Procedure Manual, adopted by the users on August 7, 1996 describes the policies and procedures for emergency communications:
4. A “user group” comprised of representatives of emergency service agencies shall monitor the needs of the agencies and serve to address concerns and strive to ensure the best possible service:
5. The Board shall meet and decide budgetary matters and other business in accordance with an established voting distribution and schedule of meetings:
6. The Agreement provides a process for resolving any budgetary impasse:
7. For the existence of the Board, operating under and in conformance with the Agreement, until the Agreement is amended or terminated by a majority vote.
This resolution may be executed in counterpart copies and shall be in full force and effect as if all signatures were appended to the same copy if counterpart copies are used.
BE IT SO RESOLVED THIS 18TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1998.
/s/ Janet Terry
Janet Terry
Mayor of the City of Grand Junction
Attest:
/s/ Stephanie Nye
Stephanie Nye
City Clerk
