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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 06/21/19940 0 MINUTES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING JUNE 21, 1994 Judy Woods Christi Houser Tim Clark Roger Lubovich Ed Allen Norm Angelo Jim Carroll Mike Sweeney Meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Judy Woods at 5:00 p.m., who advised that Chairman Jim Bennett was absent due to illness. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRIBUTION FOR DRINKING DRIVER TASK FORCE Lieutenant Mike Sweeney indicated that the Kent Rotary Club Foundation has donated $2500 to the Drinking Driver Task Force for the 1994 "Game of Life" Youth Wellness Conference, and the Police Department is asking that the Committee accept the donation. Houser moved to accept; seconded by Clark. Motion passed unanimously (3-0). UPDATE ON HEARING PROTECTION SYSTEM/CONTRACT Woods asked if this was the issue on tonight's Council agenda under bids. Chief Angelo advised that it is, but as a courtesy to the Committee they were providing a briefing prior to the Council meeting to answer any questions. Angelo advised that in the 1994 CIP there was a proposal to do a hearing protection system on the apparatus. He explained that in giving physicals every year, hearing loss has been noted in personnel, and research indicates that the noise levels in and around the apparatus could be a contributing factor. In addition, the noise levels are interfering with communications. Angelo advised that after a great deal of research, they are absolutely convinced that the proposed system will help to ease the burden. This system is set up to allow the crew to communicate without touching any buttons. On the way to an emergency, employees can start exchanging knowledge about what is at the scene, which cannot be done at this time. Currently the apparatus or pump operator is required to stay by their apparatus whenever they are pumping or working, and because of the noise, it is not uncommon for them to get into, a situation where somebody is calling them on the radio or calling to them personally and they cannot hear them. With this system, they are able to disconnect from the main radio on the apparatus and plug into a portable radio which leaves them hands-free to then walk around the apparatus, bring additional materials, communicate, respond, etc. Angelo further explained that they have two different radios in the vehicles, the 800 MHz and the VHF radios, and this system is compatible with both. Angelo advised that there is an $80,000 budget, they are spending approximately $60,000 of that, and are asking that other $20,000 be left in place to complete the radio project. Angelo further advised that this not actually a bid, it is a request for proposal. 0 MINUTES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING June 21, 1994 Page 2 of 2 Lieutenant Carroll explained that they went to a buyers guide out of two fire journals and sent faxes off to everyone who said they were in the business, invited them to send In a proposal, and they got back five proposals. Through previously established scoring criteria, Sigtronics, which has a local vendor (Bear Communications) in Seattle, came out number one. They were not the low bid, but the low bid did not meet the technical requirements. Angelo indicated that in the study they went over issues such as durability, exchange of parts, etc. But, in addition, as they ran the tests they found that as personnel went to emergencies, their blood pressure appeared to stay lower when they arrived, simply because of the fact that they could have clear communications and knew what they were headed towards — there was not the anxiety of wondering what they had. They felt they had a greater sense of control of the environment they were going in to, and it was reflective in their level of excitement and also their blood pressure. Clark asked where the headsets go when you pull in to a scene and unplug. Lieutenant Carroll advised that the pump operator will keep his on, and there are hooks in the center of the rig for the other headsets to be hung on. But, his guess is that they will be tossed on the seat. Carroll advised that Sigtronics has, by far, had the best record of incident and repair of anybody. They talked with the installer about what has worked and what has not worked, and getting the mounting jacks more towards the center of the vehicle has helped. It is a factor that has been taken into consideration, and they have included some spares parts and spare headsets in the bid as they do anticipate some loss. Clark moved to accept; seconded by Houser. Motion passed unanimously (3-0). PENAL CODE - EMERGENCY ORDINANCE Roger Lubovich indicated that about a week and a half ago they had a case at the Kent Municipal Court that was dismissed because of inconsistency of penalties. It was a minor in possession charge, which the state has variable penalties for the number of offenses. Kent does not have that, and the case was dismissed as unconstitutional. Lubovich stated that they were obviously concerned, so they drafted the proposed emergency ordinance to make the penalty provisions in Kent's code compatible and uniform with the state. Lubovich further explained that in doing research, they also found that there is new legislation that is will require this uniformity effective July 1, 1994. So, it was imperative that the ordinance be put in place immediately. Lubovich indicated that the emergency ordinance is on the agenda for tonight's Council meeting, and will become effective immediately upon adoption and the Mayor's signature. Houser moved to adopt; seconded by Clark. Motion passed unanimously (3-0). Meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.