Travis County Commissioners Court
August 15, 2006
Item A3
Since we have you there, a 3 is to consider and take appropriate action on agreement for capital area council of governments, capcog, to use total 911 allocation to fund buildout in equipment for backup, public safety answering point that we know as p sap for Austin and Travis County.
>> good morning, again, pete baldwin. Basically what happened here is once we built out c tech, we knew that we had a primary combined transportation emergency communication for all of our 911 calls to go to. However, we lack an adequate backup site if something should happen to that facility. The current -- the only thing that we have currently is a backup -- as a backup is the old Austin police department building down on -- down on i-35, fourth floor, where -- where the city used to be housed. We would just be trying to cram everybody back in there. We have had the opportunity now to co-locate with the capital area planning council as they move their offices and do -- do a lot of remodeling. The source of these funds are from the -- from the 911 fee that is allocated to each phone line and the ending balance of every year goes to the largest counties. Now, over the past 2004 to 2005, we have encumbered a total of -- of roughly $1,541,000. This money can only be spent on 911 equipment, enhancing your 911 capabilities basically. It's not something, not just a pot of free money. The city and the county have worked with capcog and we feel that it is in our best interests to go ahead and apply the county's share of it. Instead of the taking it from capcog and then turning it around and giving it back to them. Allow them to draw against our 675,000, I believe. Yes, 675,000 on this buildout of a backup 911 p sap, a couple of advantages, it gives us a good place to go in the event something should happen. Secondly it's co-located with some facility where equipment will be tested, we will know that it operates, it's not like going to what we call a cold backup site, go in and turn the lights on, hope they work, dust off the cob webs. This can also be used as training back up. It would be the department of emergency services recommendation that we allow capcog to draw against the county's 675,000 on this buildout. We currently have a letter from the city of Austin stating that all of their portion of the 800 something that they have will be used for the 911 backup center.
>> 100% of the 1.5 million will be this project. This has been in the works now for several months. Almost at every executive committee meeting. They have moved to a location, they are building out the backup space, they need the equipment and so ...
>> right.
>> move approval.
>> second.
>> discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> I move that we authorize -- do you want me to send a letter. Authorize mr. Baldwin to send capcog a letter on behalf of the Commissioners court indicating our use of the project and use of the funding for the project. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you, mr. Baldwin.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, August 16, 2006 12:08 PM