Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
05/11/2010
Agenda Report # 499
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Intergovernmental Agreement with LaGrange and Troup County
INITIATED BY: Engineering
Recommendation: Approve the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager
to execute separate Intergovernmental Agreements with LaGrange, Georgia and
Troup County, Georgia for the purpose of using the Columbus Regional 800 MHz
Radio Communication System.
Background: The City has operated an 800 MHz Radio Communication System since
1993. Through the years, other governmental agencies partnered with the City
to improve functionally and expand radio coverage range. The Columbus Water
Works, Muscogee County School District, Harris County Government and Phenix
City, AL partnered with the City to form a Columbus Regional 800 MHz Radio
Communication System. In 2006, the city of LaGrange acquired funding thru
Homeland Security grant to operate an 800 MHz Radio System in LaGrange remotely
off of the Columbus Radio System. Troup County has acquired funding and is
ready to join and expand the LaGrange Radio System to cover Troup County.
Analysis: The purpose of the two Intergovernmental Agreements is to formalize
their partnership with the Columbus Regional 800 MHz Radio Communication
System. The LaGrange and Troup County Radio System is licensed separately thru
the Federal Communication Commission and operates entirely independent of the
Columbus daily radio operations. Their Radio System only uses a device in the
Columbus Radio System known as the Smart Zone Switch and subsystems to allow
the LaGrange/Troup County Radio System to operate remotely from our Master
Transmission site.
As with previous partnerships, this is a win-win solution for all agencies. It
helps LaGrange and Troup County by reducing their overall Radio System cost
while providing a greater radio coverage area for Columbus radios. While both
Radio Systems operate daily without knowing that the other exists, we have the
ability to program certain radios for each agency that can roam anywhere
between Muscogee, Harris and Troup County. This provides Radio
Interoperability, which is a critical asset during natural/man-made disasters.
Another example is that the Sheriff Department could transport a prisoner
anywhere in the three county area while still having radio communications with
their office.
Financial Considerations: The Intergovernmental Agreements define the
responsibility for LaGrange and Troup County to maintain their own transmission
sites and radios.
Legal Considerations: Intergovernmental Agreements need Council authorization.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize Intergovernmental Agreements with the City
of LaGrange and Troup County, Georgia.
Troup County
City of LaGrange
RESOLUTION
NO. ___
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SEPARATE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA AND THE CITY OF LAGRANGE, GEORGIA AND TROUP COUNTY, GEORGIA FOR THE
PURPOSE OF MAKING THE COLUMBUS REGIONAL 800 MHZ RADIO SYSTEM AVAILABLE FOR USE
BY SAID GOVERNMENTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, GENERAL GOVERNMENT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
AND TO INSURE RADIO INTEROPERABILITY BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS.
WHEREAS, two-way radio communications is a critical element for both
Public Safety and general government services in providing services to our
communities; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus has operated an 800 MHz Radio Communication System
since 1993 having partnered with the Columbus Water Works, Muscogee County
School District, Harris County, Phenix City, Alabama in creating a Regional 800
MHz Radio Communication System thru Intergovernmental Agreements; and,
WHEREAS, the city of LaGrange and Troup County have acquired funding to
participate in the Regional 800 MHz Radio Communication System; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus has shown it is more economical for governments to
partner in radio communications plus provides the ability to directly
communicate with each other during both natural and manmade disasters; and,
WHEREAS, the individual Intergovernmental Agreements define the terms
and responsibilities of each governments partnership as previous
Intergovernmental Agreements; and,
WHEREAS, the City Attorney?s office approved for legal form and the
Engineering Department reviewed the Intergovernmental Agreements for
consistence with pre-existing agreements recommending approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:
THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE SEPARATE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT OF COLUMBUS,
GEORGIA AND THE CITY OF LAGRANGE, GEORGIA AND TROUP COUNTY, GEORGIA FOR THE
PURPOSE OF MAKING THE COLUMBUS REGIONAL 800 MHZ RADIO SYSTEM AVAILABLE FOR USE
BY SAID GOVERNMENTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, GENERAL GOVERNMENT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
AND TO INSURE RADIO INTEROPERABILITY BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS.
__________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on the
______ day of ___________, 2010 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of _____ members of Council.
Councilor Allen voting ______________.
Councilor Anthony voting ______________.
Councilor Baker voting ______________.
Councilor Barnes voting ______________.
Councilor Davis voting ______________.
Councilor Henderson voting ______________.
Councilor Hunter voting ______________.
Councilor McDaniel voting ______________.
Councilor Turner voting ______________.
Councilor Woodson voting ______________.
____________________________ _____________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk Jim Wetherington, Mayor
Attachments