HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-83 Public Safety min u tur apart
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Olo tt t Mount= Council of ilir Oitig of f outs Nrnb PUBLIC SAFETY
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The March 23, 1983 meeting of the Public Safety Committee was called
to order at 3 :30 p.m. by Councilman-John J. Harris, Jr. in the Council
chambers.
Persons in attendance included Councilmen McGann, Taylor, Harris,
Beck, Crone, Zielinski, and Voorde, Citizen Member Richard Thomas, Eli Miller,
Sheriff William Richardson, Fire Chief John Goorde, Richard Hill, Commissioner
Henry Ferratti, Fire Chief Gene Goddard, Mr. Lowe, Harvey Shaffer, Dennis
Shaffer, Richard Brieley, Michael Howe, Charles Shaffer, Glen Zubler, Chief
Hargraves, Paul Bodnar, Marchmont Kovas, Dick Maginot, various other members
of the township fire and police departments, various members of the news media,
and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilman Harris noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss
the feasibility and advisability of joining together to establish a county
wide emergency communication and dispatch system.
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Councilman Voorde noted that approximately two weeks ago he approached
the Board of Public Works with regards to a county wide communications system.
In light of the fact that the City of South Bend was receiving bids for
communications equipment in the amount of approximately $226 , 000, he thought
an effort to touch base with all of the various surrounding communities would
be in order prior to reviewing such an expenditure. He noted that he was in
contact with Mayor Kovach who informed him that the City of Mishawaka would be
combining their -communications systems for police, fire and EMS this year for
an approximate cost of $200, 000. He noted that he contacted Sheriff
Richardson and was informed that he also hoped to have an appropriation for
improved communications equipment for the county. Councilman Voorde noted that
the idea was not new or unique, and that studies on this topic have been going
on for the past ten years. He nro ed that such an idea would have technical,
financial, and urisdictiona]�an.o ems
would have to be addressed, but that a
preliminary /Reefgparties would be advisable to see if it was an idea "whose
time had come. "
Eli Miller, Vice-President of Community Development for the Area Chamber
of Commerce then passed out information to the ouncil members. He noted that
in the summer of 1980 an inter-loca) t°as�EnEoe c was established to study
long range planning. One of the activities resulting from this study was a
need for a unified .emergency communications system. In the summer of 1982 a
consensus was reached that a unified communications system should be a goal
of the community. He noted that the study included the number of emergency
vehicles within the area, the number of personnel, the number of staff support,
and an inventory of all available equipment. He noted that bids were received
from Motorola and Advance Communications of 'G E. He closed by complimenting
the City for the idea of combining the police and fire systems, and the Mayor' s
decision to delay the filing of the appropriation ordinance. He closed by
stating that the Chamber of Commerce and Project Future wholly support a
unified communications system.
Sheriff William Richardson complimented the many organizations for their
work in this area. He noted that ideally a unified communications system
should be built together to serve the tax paying public. However St. Joseph
County was not ready financially at this time. He noted that presently within
the county there are eight ambulance services, fourteen fire departments,
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Public Safety
five school corporations, a County Highway Department, a County Police Depart-
ment and an airport. He advocated that a committee be appointed to prepare
an overall plan which would assure that each system would be fully compatible
with another. He believed that a study was not necessary but rather a plan
of implementation. He noted that if the City of South Bend would go ahead
it would not hurt the County so long as all of the systems could inter-connect
electronically.
John Goorde of Liberty Township and North Liberty stated that his area
had a good system and did not want to be a part of a county wide system.
Richard. Hill stated that the City of South. Bend was willing to work
with others so that all systems would be compatible with each other.
Commissioner Hank Ferratti complimented the City for moving ahead in this
area. He noted that at the present time the County did not have the funding
sources available however he hoped that all systems would be compatible with
one another.
Mr. Lowe briefly discussed the enhanced 911 service which the City
of Indianapolis is pursuing which would be marketed in the Evansville and
South Bend area. The cost of ,such a service would be extremely high.
Mr. Nelson Garber of German Township stated that he was representing
nine of the fourteen fire departments which have been operating a cost
effective communications system for some time.
Harvey Schaffer of the Lakeville Fire Department stated that the
system should be left as it is and it would be too costly to be involved.
Mr. Dennis Schaffer, the person who wrote an article to the Voice of
the People stressed that there is a communications problem. He believes that
anyone who lives south of New Road is treated like they live in a different
country.
Richard Bryley, the Police Chief of Lakeville clarified the emergency
situation where a boy was hit in a driveway by his father' s vehicle which
prompted the letter to the voice of the people. He believed that all of the
satellite communications which were tied into the County Police Department
were working effectively.
Mike Howell, Chief of Police of North Liberty stated that despite the
fact that the County Police Department has outdated equipment that the staff
operates competently. He believed centralized communications was a necessity.
Charles Shaffer of Lakeville stated that we should all put our guns down
and throw ;` . 911 out. He believed that the people should be educated as to
who to call.
Gene Goddard, Mishawaka Fire Department Chief said it would be impossible
to tie everyone together now however, we should look at the feasibility of
working toward that goal in the future.
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Glen Z.u.bler of the South Bend Communications Department stated that
he helped in drawing up the bid specifications. He noted that it would take
alot of time and work for a centralized dispatch system. He briefly discussed
the "dirty 911" system which could be purchased from Indiana Bell for
approximately $30, 000.
Councilman Voorde noted that the head of the South Bend Communications
Department should meet with Mishawaka officials to make sure that each
community' s equipment would be compatible with one another.
Chief Hargraves, the EMS Chief of Mishawaka stated that we should all
keep the lines of communication in working toward a common goal.
Paul Bodnar discussed a County Council study done approximately four to
five years ago which noted the political difficulty and the financial difficulty
of combining all systems.
Councilman Crone had various questions and was informed that via the
"Eileen system" that the County and City police units could talk with one
another in their cars without resorting to a telephone line.
Eli Miller reinterated the need to keep the discussions going. .
Councilman Beck believed that a piecemeal plan would be best and saw
no need for a delay in filing the appropriation ordinance. Councilman Taylor
also voiced a lack of need for a delay.
Following much discussion and several motions, the following amended
motion was made by Councilman Beck and seconded by Councilman Taylor: that the
Public Safety Committee recommend to the Mayor that the appropriation ordinance
for the communications equipment be filed, that a vehicle of communication be
established to work toward the goal of compatabilitt of all communication systems,
and that Councilman Voorde be made a part of the ongoing group to oversee this
project. Motion passed 3=1.
Councilman Taylor then requested Mr. Hill to make the South Bend bid
specifications available to interested communities. Upon questioning by
Councilman Crone, she was informed that the bids were valid for thirty days
however each. bidder was contacted and agreed to uphold their bid price for
90 days. Councilman Taylor then made a motion seconded by Councilman Beck
that the meeting be adjourned. Meeting was adjourned at 5 :0.0 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John J. Harris, Jr. , Chairman