Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item # ___1___



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



October 5, 2004



Agenda Report # ____27___





TO: Mayor and Councilors



SUBJECT: Cooperative Agreement with Powertel/Atlanta, Inc., D/B/A

T-Mobile



INITIATED BY: City Manager's Office

_________________________________________________________________



Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a Cooperative Agreement

with Powertel/Atlanta, Inc., D/B/A T-Mobile to provide 311 dialing to their

customers in Columbus, Georgia, at no cost to the Columbus Consolidated

Government pursuant to the attached agreement.



Background: In March 2004, at the request of the Consolidated Government the

Public Service Commission designated the Citizens Service Center, a Division

under the City Manager, as a 311 Call Center to provide non-emergency local

government information and assistance to our citizens. The City Manager's

Office, by letter, contacted all of the land and cell phone companies

requesting them to make this service available to their customers.



Currently, Public Service Cellular is the only cellular company providing their

customers with this easy access service. We have received interests from other

cellular and land phone providers and will work with this accordingly.



Analysis: This three digit (311) dialing will make it more convenient for the

citizens of Columbus to contact their local government to ask questions, enter

a request for service, be transferred to other agencies, give comments and

suggestion on governmental services.



Financial Considerations: There will not be a cost involved for the Columbus

Consolidated Government.



Legal Considerations: The City Attorney reviewed this agreement and approved

for submission to Council.



Recommendation/Action: Approval is requested to enter into a Cooperative

Agreement with Powertel/Atlanta, Inc., D/B/A T-Mobile to provide 311 dialing to

their customers in Columbus, Georgia, at no cost to the Columbus Consolidated

Government pursuant to the attached agreement.