HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - July 1, 1998 (52)CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Authorize Installation of Police Radio Infrastructure by Motorola, Inc. to Support
New Radio Frequency Awarded by FCC
DATE: July 1, 1998
PREPARED BY: LARRY D. HANSEN, CHIEF OF POLICE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council approve the release of funds ($38,000) from the
1997-1998 budget for the purchase and installation of police radio infrastructure, by
Motorola, Inc., to support a second repeated radio frequency.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Since January of 1996, the Lodi Police Department has been applying
to Regional Frequency Coordination Agency (APCO), and the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) for approval of one to two
additional repeated VHF radio frequencies. This is a very long and
competitive process due to the limited number of frequencies that become available. The current VHF frequency
spectrum is virtually at maximum carrying capacity and frequencies do not come available unless agencies relinquish
their assigned frequencies. That situation occurred in 1997 when the Sacramento Police Department relinquished six
frequencies to install an 800 MZ radio system.
As the Lodi Police Department had been involved in the application process prior to the announcement of
Sacramento's radio change, we were granted one of two frequencies we had requested. We were very fortunate to
obtain any of the vacated frequencies, as several larger agencies were in the application process with needs similar
to ours. The only alternative to obtaining an additional frequency would have been to completely change over to an
800 MZ system at a substantial cost.
We are requesting that due to the critical nature of integrating existing Motorola equipment with new repeater
equipment, that Motorola, Inc., State and Local Government Division be used for the purchase. Motorola was
involved in our recent Mobile Data Computer radio infrastructure installation, site engineering, and repeater coverage
study. The new repeater will be required to operate through our existing combining scheme, and does require
engineering support from Motorola, Inc. It would be inadvisable to have another vendor integrating with our existing
equipment.
FUNDING: Funding was approved in the 1997-98 City Budget and is part of the Police Capitol Improvement
Projects. The amount approved under new radio channel infrastructure was $40,000.
Approved by:
Vicky McAthie
Finance Director
cc: City Attorney
APPROVED:
4, Q. 121a4VI"J
Larry D. Hanse
Chief of Police
-- City