04-10-2008 VC WS-MMINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
• APRIL 10, 2008
Present: William Manuel, Mayor
Darryl Aubrey, President Pro Tem
Dr. Edward M. Eissey, Councilman
T.R. Hemacki, P.E., Councilman
Jimmy Knight, Village Manager
Leonard Rubin, Village Attorney
Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk
Absent: David B. Norris, Vice Mayor
ROLL CALL
Mayor Manuel called the meeting to order at 8:03 p.m. All members of Council were present,
except Vice Mayor Norris, who was out of town. All members of staff were present.
Public Safety Director Steve Canfield gave a brief update on the Commission for Accreditation
for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) process.
PUBLIC SAFETY 800 MHz RADIO SYSTEM
• Chief Canfield distributed a handout titled Police Radio Issues to the Council. Chief Canfield
detailed the types of radio systems and reported on problems encountered in using the current
VHF system Chief Canfield noted that North Palm Beach is one of only two police departments
in Palm Beach County still using the VHF system. Chief Canfield discussed the benefits of
using an 800 MHz system, including the ability to access a national mutual aid channel. Chief
Canfield advised that the Village has been paying annual fees to the Municipal Public Safety
Communications Consortium (MPSCC) and noted that although the MPSCC previously selected
M/A Com for the radio system, M/A Com has not developed the necessary infrastructure for the
system, with July or August as the latest implementation date given. Chief Canfield reviewed
the pros and cons of other options, such asusing astand-alone system through Car Com or
joining the Palm Beach County radio system Chief Canfield discussed the costs associated with
each of the three choices and recommended joining the Palm Beach County radio system Chief
Canfield reviewed two options regarding the Palm Beach County system, which differ in price
according to the amount of equipment initially purchased and the possibility of paying the
County access fee over three yeazs.
Discussion ensued on available funding. Chief Canfield advised that $12.50 of every traffic
ticket is set aside in a fund to be used for communications issues, and noted that the Village
currently has $154,067 in this fund. Mr. Knight reported that no money is appropriated in the
current budget for this expenditure; however, $297,141 is presently available in Council
Contingency, or the Council has the option to use funds from the undesignated reserve account.
• Discussion took place on implementation and payment for the system from time of approval.
Chief Canfield advised that Motorola anticipates having all equipment functional in two months.
Minutes of Village Council Workshop Session held Apri110, 2008 Page 2 of 2
Mr. Knight made it clear that joining the Palm Beach County radio system does not mean
moving our dispatch to the County -that it is strictly an infrastructure issue.
• Council consensus was to move forward with the project using option 2.
Staff will further define the cost, draft a contract, and provide funding sources at the next
Workshop Session on April 24, 2008.
ADJOURNMENT
With no fisher business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m
Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk
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