RESOLUTION NO. 55-10

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION OF THE 700 MHz “D BLOCK” OF THE RADIO SPECTRUM FOR A NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO AND BROADBAND NETWORK

Recitals.

Adequate, dedicated broadcast spectrum that is free from interference is essential for municipal first responders to communicate during emergencies. Public safety agencies have only been granted small sections of the radio spectrum over time and never enough to have all operations on a single frequency ban. Those facts cause concern for public safety operations needing interoperable communications.

In these days of advancing technology first responders are greatly benefitted by the ability to utilize mobile technology. Real time video and data, detailed pictures, high resolution maps and other electronic information that may be distributed by emergency dispatch systems is essential to achieving more effective and efficient emergency and disaster response. In emergency and disaster situations commercial bandwidth may be slow or blocked and public safety authorities may be denied the information that is vital to their response. Public safety needs a dedicated and secure access to a network.

The segment of the 700 MHz spectrum known as the “D Block” is uniquely positioned to provide a one time opportunity to improve first responder communications and emergency response capabilities. By and through this Resolution the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado does call on the federal government to provide adequate telecommunications spectrum and to create a secure and dedicated Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Communications Network for the use and benefit of public safety and emergency services agencies nationwide.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION does request that the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, through the respective authority of each agency, reallocate the 700MHz “D Block” of the radio spectrum to public safety for the purpose of building a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Communications Network and that in developing that Network that the agencies work directly with State and Local government to ensure appropriate governance of the D Block spectrum;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federal government must ensure that municipalities are included in all nationwide interoperability planning and that the developed Network and equipment for its use be accessible, affordable and enduring.

Passed and adopted this 13^th day of December, 2010.

             CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION

             /s/ Teresa Coons        

             Mayor and President of the City Council

ATTEST:

/s/ Stephanie Tuin      

City Clerk