Resolution No. 07-17 - 2017 (Word Version)

CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO

RESOLUTION NO. 07-17

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT REQUEST TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS FOR THE 911 SYSTEM PROJECT

RECITALS.

This request is for authorization to submit a request to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for a $200,000 grant, with a local match of $300,000 for the 911 Telephone System Project. This project will include the upgrade or replacement of the 911 telephone system, integration of Text to 9-1-1 into the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system, and a microwave link that will become a backup connection for 911 system connectivity to the Garfield County 911 Center.

The GJRCC and the Garfield County 911 Center share a 911 telephone system. This configuration allows for each 911Center to back each other up in case of a catastrophic event at one of the sites. The 911 Telephone System servers are located and both sites and connected via fiber. Several times over the past few years, the fiber connection between GJRCC and Garfield 911 Center has become unstable while CenturyLink performs maintenance on the line. This caused the 911 system to fail, in that, it prevented 911 calls from being answered from either 911 Center. A better network monitoring solution and updated 911 software is necessary to ensure that the system will be able to detect software issues, connectivity fluctuation and hardware failures so that it can react in a manner that keeps the 911 system operable. The first phase of this project would be to issue a Request for Information (RFI) to determine the best solution on the market and one that meets the network monitoring criteria and system functionality that we need.

Garfield County 911 Center is the backup 911 Center for the GJRCC. If there is a need evacuate the building or a critical system failure occurs, then Garfield County 911 Center will handle the 911 calls for the GJRCC. They also provide 911 call handling when all of the 911 lines are busy. The second phase of this project is to build a microwave link from GJRCC to the Garfield County 911 Center. This will provide backup connectivity in case the fiber between here and there is cut or becomes inoperable for some reason. Basic 911 call information would then be passed back and forth from GJRCC to Garfield County 911 using this microwave connection.

Once the system is procured and in place, the last phase of this project is to continue moving toward Next Generation 911 capability. This would include the purchase of firewalls, routers, and switches that would be used on an Emergency Services Network proving the ability to seamlessly route emergency call information to other 911 centers in our region of the state. It also includes the integration of Text to 9-1-1 into the CAD system. This will provide the dispatcher the functionality to text back and forth with citizens directly from the CAD window where the same call will be dispatched from. This prevents the dispatcher from having to copy and paste the information from one system to another, saving valuable time.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council of the City of Grand Junction supports submitting the grant request to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs for $200,000 for the 911 System Project, in accordance with and pursuant to the recitals stated above and authorizes the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement with DOLA if the grant is awarded.

Dated this 18^th day of January, 2017.

/s/ Phyllis Norris

President of the Council

ATTEST:

/s/ Stephanie Tuin
City Clerk