2013-04-13 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council minutes

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of Houston and purchase all radios and supplies at a 30 percent discounted rate under the agreement the City of Houston has recently entered into with Motorola. Councilmember Martin questioned how long the City had the radio system. Police Chief Adcox responded the radio system has been in place for decades, and the current radios are five years old. Councilmember Engelken questioned if there was a mandate to replace street signs in order to be visible at night by the year 2016. Public Works Director Dave Mick responded the change was for text to be easily read, and he thinks there is no longer a mandate. Councilmember Clausen commented if the radios are purchased all at once they will all have to be renewed at once. Finance Director Michael Dolby responded funds are available. Police Chief Ken Adcox advised Council staff will move forward with the purchase of radios with a switch over to the City of Houston and the replacement of the consoles will be budgeted over the next few years. Mayor Rigby thanked Chief Adcox for his presentation. Fire Chief Mike Boaze commented he supports the console replacement for better communication. Chief Boaze informed Council the Fire Department is requesting to replace 85 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) units. Chief Boaze advised Council the options were to 1) continue existing practice of replacing SCBAs in a 6-year period or purchase and replace all 85 units at one time. Mayor Rigby questioned how much time equates to twenty-five percent in an air bottle. Fire Chief Boaze responded five minutes and advised after the proposed purchase, staff would like to put equipment on a replacement program. Councilmember Moser questioned if the firefighters were at risk. Chief Boaze responded yes, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Fire Chief Boaze advised Council if there is funding, he would like to move forward with the replacement of 85 SCBAs. Finance Director Michael Dolby informed funding is available. Council agreed to fund for the replacement of 85 SCBAs in the upcoming budget. Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs advised Council converting the current Naviline system to OneSolution that will better streamline the city processes internally and externally. Mr. Suggs also added the upgrade will take approximately 18 to 24 months, and the $450,000.00 total cost can be extended over a two-year period. Councilmember Martin questioned if OneSolution was previously Naviline and Sungard. Mr. Suggs responded yes. Mayor Rigby requested clarification regarding the audit performed of the Planning Department wherein Council was advised the department needed software for efficiency, and questioned why Finance and Human Resources were being suggested for software upgrades. Mr. Suggs responded processes and modules have been in place since 2011 that have not been utilized, and the IT Department was not approached during the audit regarding the capabilities of Naviline. Councilmember Martin commented that last year during the Budget Retreat, Council approved funds to convert from Naviline to Sungard and funds were not expended. Page 8 of 10 April 13, 2013, City Council Special Meeting Minutes