Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #_______________



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



Agenda Report #_____



TO: Mayor & Council



SUBJECT: Microwave Conversion for 800 MHz Radio System



FROM: Department of Engineering

________________________________________________________________________________

_______



Recommendation: Approve the attached resolution authorizing the purchase of

necessary equipment from Motorola Communications and Electronics, Inc. to

convert the existing analog microwave portion of the City?s 800 Megahertz Radio

System to a fiber optics based system to transfer voice/data between

transmission sites and the use of CBA 2001 Series Bond for this project.



Background: The City purchased the 800 MHz Radio System in 1992. Our Radio

System uses an analog microwave subsystem to transfer voice/data between the

Prime Transmission site (WXTX TV Tower) and the Remote Transmission Site (River

Road Tower). It also transfers voice/data to the 911 Center thru a microwave

link to the top of the Government Center. In 1998, the microwave industry

discontinued the manufacture of analog microwave converting entirely to digital

microwave systems.



The City?s 800 MHz Radio System has been at risk of a catastrophic failure due

to a failed and non-repairable microwave system. A single microwave failure

could eliminate radio communication of the 911 Center or take out one

transmission site leaving half of our county without radio coverage.



Analysis: A cost estimate to convert the analog microwave to digital microwave

exceeded $2.1 million. A search for alternated methods of transmitting

voice/data between sites found that it is more cost effective to use fiber

optic systems in lieu of microwave. Hence, a budget request was made each year

to replace the microwave subsystem. RFP #02-0017 is currently being advertised

to provide fiber optics services between transmission sites and is part of the

conversion project.



Motorola, our Radio System manufacturer, is responsible for converting the

microwave subsystem to a fiber optics based system at considerable savings as

compared to digital microwave. The City will be able to provide extensive

savings by planning this conversion work at the same time as the Harris County

simulcast site is being implemented by Harris County at their own expense in

accordance with our Intergovernmental Agreement. A copy of Harris County

Commission approval of this project is included as evidence of their commitment

to proceed.



? City cost with Harris County project $720,380.00

? City cost as separate project without Harris County project $830,420.00



Financial Considerations: This project is funded thru a $1,000,000 CBA, Series

2001 Bond in project account number 0552-200-2436-CBA-7733-40206010. These

funds are allocated for both the fiber optics services of RFP #02-0017 and the

material/equipment provided by Motorola.



Legal Considerations: The procurements and expenditures of this project and

the allocations of the Bond money require Council approval.



Action/Recommendation: Approve the expenditures for the conversion of

microwave to fiber optics for 800 MHz Radio system and the use of CBA Series

2001 Bond for this project





RESOLUTION



NO. _________



A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROCUREMENT OF THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND

SERVICES TO CONVERT THE EXISTING ANALOG MICROWAVE SUBSYSTEM OF THE 800 MHZ

RADIO SYSTEM TO A FIBER OPTIC BASED SYSTEM; AUTHORIZING THE PROCUREMENT OF

EQUIPMENT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION FROM MOTOROLA COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS,

INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $720,380.00 FOR SAID PURPOSES; AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CBA

SERIES 2001 BOND IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000.00 FOR THIS PROJECT.





WHEREAS, the City?s 800 MHz Radio System uses analog microwave

subsystems to transmit voice/data between transmission sites; and,



WHEREAS, the analog microwave equipment is no longer manufactured

placing the City?s 800 MHz Radio System at risk of catastrophic failure; and,



WHEREAS, the conversion of the analog microwave equipment to a fiber

optics based system is more economical to the City; and,



WHEREAS, Motorola Communications and Electronics, Inc. is the Radio

System manufacturer and has provided cost proposal to convert this system to

fiber optics based system in the amount of $720,380.00; and,



WHEREAS, funds are available thru CBA Series 2001 Bonds with a project

account 0553-200-2435-CBA-7736-40206010 already established; and,



WHEREAS, this is a planned project with the Directors of Finance and

Purchasing have reviewed this procurement recommending approval.



NOW, THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY ORDAINS:



I

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to purchase the necessary equipment

to convert exiting analog microwave subsystem of the 800 Mhz Radio System to a

fiber optic based system; and,

II.

Authorized the procurement of equipment and its implementation from Motorola

Communications and Electronics, Inc., in the amount of $720,380 for said

purposes; and,

III.

Authorization the use of CBA Series 2001 Bond in an amount not to exceed

$1,000,000 for this project is hereby authorized.



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the

_________ day of _________, 2002 and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of ___________ members of said Council.



Councilor Allen voting ______________.

Councilor Henderson voting ______________.

Councilor Hunter voting ______________.

Councilor McDaniel voting ______________.

Councilor Poydasheff voting ______________.

Councilor Rodgers voting ______________.

Councilor Smith voting ______________.

Councilor Suber voting ______________.

Councilor Turner Pugh voting ______________.

Councilor Woodson voting ______________.



_________________________________ ___________________________________

Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Bobby G. Peters, Mayor