Facilities & Communications
May 3, 2017
NOT APPROVED
Tower Update
Lieutenant Shawn Grusendorf stated they have easements out
on the Alma and Bolivar sites that are currently being signed. Once they are
received back, they can complete the power at those towers and get them up and
operational. Lt. Grusendorf stated they received the next round of grant funds
in the amount $911,523, which will help with the install of equipment on these
towers. Lt. Grusendorf added there is another grant coming out for $20 million,
but it is not a grant you apply for. It is based on where they feel there are
loopholes, and he feels confident they can show we have a pretty good amount of
loopholes with towers but no equipment. Lt. Grusendorf stated he is unsure how
much money they would receive, but feels confident they will be in line to
receive some. Lt. Grusendorf stated the electric has been completed in the new
equipment room for the install of new console equipment purchased through
Motorola. Lt. Grusendorf thanked Public Works Deputy Superintendent Dean
Scholes and his men for completing this work, adding everything looks great.
The Angelica tower construction has restarted, and they are now back full speed
ahead. Legislator Fanton asked who does the final hookup to the generators and
towers. Lt. Grusendorf stated Stephen Fleischman from F & F Electric, Inc.
handles all of the installation as well as the maintenance. Lt. Grusendorf
added they purchase all of their generators through him which has saved them
$70,000. Legislator Ungermann stated that Public Works has spent $38,742 on the
Angelica, Bolivar, Grove, and Granger sites, and asked how they plan to go
about getting that money back into their budget. Lt. Grusendorf stated he
doesn’t know, its money they aren’t allowed to pay for out of the grant, but it
saved them from going out to bid to have work done on these sites. Legislator
Ungermann stated he understands that, but it takes money away from Public Works
Superintendent Guy James’ budget, adding it’s almost $39,000 he no longer has
to spend. Lt. Grusendorf stated he can always ask for more money, but its work
that needs to be completed as well as a shared service throughout the County.
Legislator Graves stated he feels County Administrator Tim Boyde is aware of
this, adding we have a contingency fund that could cover that, and he’s sure
Mr. Boyde will do the right thing.
Legislative Chambers Sound System
Facilities & Communications Committee Vice-Chairman
Charles Jessup stated he wanted to have a discussion with the Committee
regarding the sound system issues they’ve had recently and the possibility of
upgrading it to better standards. Legislator Fanton stated he would like to
just get the sound they do have distributed better. Legislator Ungermann asked
how long the current system has been in place. Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby
Riehle stated she’d have to confirm, but believes it’s been in place more than
25 years. Legislator Ungermann stated there’s beginning to be a problem, and he
recalls previous Office for the Aging Director Kim Toot coming to meetings and
stating they need to do something about a sound system, adding he’s sure anyone
sitting in the back of the room can’t hear what’s going on up front. Legislator
Graves stated sight and sound is important especially with the types of
messages they are trying to convey, and asked if the IT Department would be
capable of overseeing something like that. IT Director Keith Hooker stated he
has reached out to three vendors and has spoken to two on specific requirements
on the size of room and what they are looking for. He is hoping to get a quote
by next month to bring back to the committee. Legislator Graves asked if sight
and sound are both included. Mr. Hooker stated, yes, ranging from plain voice
to video to recording and posting it online, as well as power screens, and
televisions being placed throughout the Chambers. County Administrator Tim
Boyde stated he had a discussion with Mr. Hooker after the last Board meeting
because he, sitting up front, was still unable to hear the presenter they had,
and is often unable to hear because of the sound system. Mr. Boyde went on to
say he has seen many different types of systems, and provided a couple of
examples, one of which is placing microphones at the Legislator’s desks, as
well as a bird’s-eye camera in the back to digitally record the meeting that
would be tied into a good recording system in the event Journal Clerk Sarah
Decker needs to refer back to them. Mr. Boyde stated it comes to down to
wanting all the bells and whistles or enough to look like we’re in the 20th
Century.
Pre-Paid Phone Surcharge
Lieutenant Shawn Grusendorf stated that the state has
approved a local law for each County to go after a surcharge on pre-paid phones
in the amount of $.30 per phone. Lt. Grusendorf suggested we go after that
charge and offered to do additional research if needed. Clerk of the Board Brenda
Rigby Riehle stated we have a local law now, and asked if this is an additional
$.30. Lt. Grusendorf stated this is for pre-paid phones, adding that right now
we just collect on landlines and cell phones. Committee Vice-Chairman Charles
Jessup requested that Lt. Grusendorf move forward with additional research.
Refer to Lieutenant Shawn Grusendorf
