Minutes of the Board of Director's meeting on June 9th were reviewed. GIS Manager Runnebaum noticed a grammatical error. Amendments were made. Director Francis moved to approve the amended minutes. Director Newman seconded the motion. The motion was adopted. Vote: 5 - 0.

Public Comment and Correspondence 

Treasurer Francis presented the financial report for July. The check for May sales tax has was received in the amount of $139,719.50. The check for June sales tax has been received in the amount of $121,842.73.The checkbook balance before payment of bills is $126,460.33. The bills submitted for approval total $75,088.22. After payment of all bills, the checkbook balance will be $51,372.11. The money market account balance is $132,383.03. Accounts receivable balance is $8,334.64. Receipt of all AR will bring the final checkbook balance to $59,706.75. Director Newman motioned for payment of all bills. Director Merriman seconded the motion. The motion was adopted. Vote: 5 - 0.

Commmittee Reports

Finance and Budget

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Technical Services

July 15th, 2009Technical Services Committee MeetingOn Tuesday, July 14th, 2009, the Technical Services Committee met at the Jasper County 9-1-1 Center, 13870 Dispatch Lane, Carthage, MO, in public session at 5:00p.m.Attending were: - Board Chairman Stephens, Director Lyscio, Director Francis, Director Rowland, Director Merriman, and Director Newman. Representing staff were Executive Director Rich Nordell and Administrative Services Manager Tiffany Chenault. Also attending was GIS Manager Mike Runnebaum. The meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Stephens at 5:06p.m. Unfinished Business Executive Director Nordell advised the committee that a vendor to install the new voice recorder had been decided on by staff. There were questions that arose from other vendors as to why there was not a formal Request for Proposal(RFP) process. Executive Director Nordell explained there were several factors that staff thought the RFP process would not apply such as the chosen vendor having the lowest quote and another equipment failure on the voice recorder which could have fallen under the State of Missouri emergency procurement statute 34.045. The chosen vendor had already been contacted to expedite the recorder installation due to the network card failure on the current recorder, however after discussing the situation with the Board attorney, it was decided to put the recorder back out for RFP to satisfy any compliance issues. The recorder was still functioning after the network card failure, but the system is antiquated. The RFP and public announcement were posted on the JasCo website, two newspapers, and also in the front lobby. The same vendor that had been chosen previously is the only one that has responded to the RFP. Executive Director Nordell also stated that the RFP was generic and there was nothing that specifically targeted the previously chosen vendor. Prices for the equipment were provided to committee members that included 5 years with maintenance.

Equature $54,160.50

Nice $75,381.90

Eventide $69,491.11

Higher Ground $72,950.53

Board members briefly discussed the differences in the systems, including price and options. At 5:10p.m., Director Merriman left the meeting. Director Francis stated he had seen similar products work at other facilities and with the 90 day guarantee on the system was not concerned that the option would not work properly. At 5:13p.m., Director Merriman returned to the meeting. Director Merriman inquired why there was such a difference in price for the screen capture and it was explained that some of the vendors charged per seat while Equature just had a one-time fee because the option is browser-based and would not need to be installed on each computer. With the system being browser-based, it would also be able to be offered to other agencies if they were able to reach the Jasco network over a wireless connection. Director Merriman explained that the Commercial Electronics who manufactures the Higher Ground Recorder supplied Jasper County Sheriff's Office with their recorder when the same salesperson, Karen Holton, worked for Nice. After Commercial Electronics and Eventide received word that Jasco had made the decision to go with Equature, she contacted Director Merriman and told him about some of the issues with the Equature system. He stated after researching the product and getting references that were not on Equature's preferred customer list it was determined there was an even base of pro's and con's. He also understood that Jasco staff liked the idea of not having to use a proprietary system. Director Merriman thought that Executive Director Nordell made a good decision in wanting to go with Equature based on the price and offered features. Executive Director Nordell advised committee members that the bid closes on the voice recorder on Thursday, July 16th. Some of the system requirements are that is has 48 channels and is easily expandable. The timeframe for installation of Equature is the chosen vendor after the bid closes is approximately 3 days and travel time. It was also noted that the same recorder technician Monte Schmidt that works on the current Racal recorder will provide service for the Equature recorder offering familiarity with the failure on the current system and an already established relationship. Training for the recorder will be held at Jasco. Director Merriman inquired if Southwest Communications had any further information regarding the simulcast radio system. He stated he would like to Jasco to be ready to improve communications. Executive Director Nordell stated that last he was aware, J.B. with Southwest Communications was still waiting on one of his vendors to get back to him with information. Executive Director Nordell spoke to members about an article in AGL magazine discussing the difference between a simulcast radio system and a trunked radio system. The simulcast system would allow a responder to pick-up a radio, key it, and it would grab the closest frequency pair improving radio communications, however, it would also require that all the tower sites be linked together similar to a trunked radio system. The article recommended that tower sites not be linked via I.P. or through a standard phone line due to the delay and I.P. packets becoming corrupt. The main difference between simulcast and a trunked radio system is that it would allow the existing hardware to be used. Additional tower sites would be necessary to provide adequate coverage, but this would also allow for a more efficient transition to a trunked radio system several years from now. At 5:25p.m., Chairman Stephens left the meeting. Simulcast radio systems also still allow for single frequencies, where a trunked radio system pulls are the frequencies and there is no option for selection. Director Merriman stated that more repeaters would have to be purchased along with more tower sites that would need to be configured for proper location. A trunked radio system only has one site and would require all the agencies to contribute their frequency pairs. A minimum of 5 frequency pairs are required to set up a trunked radio system. JasCo only has 3 frequency pairs at this tie and would require other agencies to donate additional ones. Director Francis saw that the repeaters would be the only wasted item if a simulcast radio system was chosen first. The approximate cost per transceiver is $6,000.00. Director Newman suggested that the agency look five years down the road and consider what equipment will be necessary then. Executive Director Nordell stated there is nothing in place forcing agencies to use a digital system, but there is a narrowband requirement that goes into place by 2013. At 5:30p.m., Chairman Stephens turned the meeting over to Vice Chairman Rowland due to a work-related emergency. Executive Director Nordell emphasized there are several complaints involving Fire East coverage and also the northwest corner of the county that is covered by Fire West. Portable and mobile radio should not have to be replaced, but there are 92 pagers that cannot be re-programmed to narrowband. The approximate cost per pager is $350-$400.00. Voice pagers are still used because not every firefighter has a portable radio and cell phones are not recognized by Insurance Services Office (ISO) that regulates public protection ratings. Members suggested that options be found that would help lift the cost off those agencies for any upgrades, whether that is through grant funding or other means. Members all agreed that getting coverage throughout the entire county for all agencies is of utmost importance. Director Newman stated there is a new tower going up in Sarcoxie. Options were discussed for moving towers or locations for additional towers. Executive Director Nordell suggested that a professional company come in and conduct site surveys while working closely with Southwest Communications. Director Francis suggested that funds be set aside to budget for a consultant line item. The item can be used for consultants regarding tower sites, radios, and any other necessary equipment. Director Merriman stated that Jasper County Sheriffs Office is getting ready to receive their grant and might be willing to share in the cost for a consultant. He stated that he will be recommending to the Sheriff that he should invest part of the grant funding into a site survey. Director Francis agreed that efforts should be coordinated to improve communications. Director Lyscio suggested that we find out for sure if Jasper County Sheriffs Office would be willing to cooperate on the radio system project. Director Lyscio moved the meeting be adjourned. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 5:58p.m.

Building and Grounds

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Personnel and Policy

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Public Relations

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director Nordell provided updates to Board members regarding the Jacob Logsdon property. He stated that Mr. Logsdon was willing to sell the property where the former ornament business was located and the wooded area west of JasCo for $75,000.00 which was half of what is owed on their current residence. He also stated that he would consider selling all of his property which consists of 79.5 acres. Based on a former appraisal that was conducted when the property was transferred to Mr. Logsdon from his grandfather, the appraisal amount was $365,000.00. Mr. Logsdon indicated the price for the property would be similar to the appraisal amount because of the balance on the property and the necessity of a home to be purchased for himself and a disabled brother. Executive Director Nordell had looked for other options for the property if JasCo were to purchase the full 79.5 acres, such as offering the property to be purchased by Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) for their crime lab. It had recently been determined that the crime lab will actually be built on the current property of the MSHP Satellite Office. Board members agreed to table the issue of the Logsdon property for now. The HVAC installation is still progressing. Condensers are set-up on their concrete pads with BC controllers that regulates flow between all the internal sensors. The computer room has been plumbed for its unit. The comm. room has one unit installed and the tubing completed for the other unit. Monett Heat and Air is planning on staggering units in opposite corners to ensure that if one unit fails the other will still operate. The comm. room units will be turned on Thursday. The Mitsubishi representative will be here the week of July 27th to inspect all the work before the system is turned over to Jasco. Installation is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. The Reverse 911 system was installed on June 3rd with training held June 4th and 5th. The system was recently used for a missing person in Webb City. During this scenario, it was noticed that the mass notification option on the system was not working properly. Reverse 911 determined that the technician that installed the system inadvertently did not turn that feature on. The notification was made to a little over 300 phone numbers and took approximately 31 minutes to complete using the 16 available phone lines through JasCo. Director Francis commended Executive Director Nordell for his work in coordinating efforts for the project with the City of Joplin, LEPC, and the Jasper County Commissioner's Office. Executive Director Nordell also mentioned that there is a water treatment plant in Newton County that is supposed to have the capability of mass notification within a 5 mile radius in the case of an emergency. The company currently has no system available to meet these requirements. Cherokee County has also expressed some interest in the system. A meeting has been scheduled with Newton County and Jasper County Commissioner's Office and the water treatment plant on Thursday, August 6th at 10:00am in the Joplin Police Department basement to discuss available options. Director Merriman mentioned that it would be helpful if a grant committee was formed to assist with upcoming grant proposals. Joplin Fire Protection recently conducted their quarterly inspection and recharged the fire extinguishers throughout the building. While technicians were onsite it was verified that there is a fire panel in the communications room for fire alarm pulls; there are no smoke detectors or alarms for the server room. Executive Director Nordell stated that fire is the primary concern for the room with the majority of equipment being contained in the room behind closed doors. Joplin Fire Protection suggested and quoted options for fire suppression ranging from $9,500 to $14,750. Executive Director Nordell would like to see a system put in place next year. Board members suggested installing generic smoke alarms and placing a security camera in the room that will allow TCO's to monitor the room. Because of recent issues with the heating and air units, three remote temperature units were installed to monitor the temperature in the server racks. Executive Director Nordell emphasized the importance of the equipment in the server room and that with no true off-site backup if equipment were damaged; personnel would be very limited in the services that could be provided. Director Merriman stated that fire suppression and an audible alarm is necessary for the server room. Director Francis moved to authorize Executive Director Nordell to purchase an audible fire alarm that will be put in motion with an external speaker for the server room. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. Executive Director Nordell stated that he had been contacted by the mayor of Sarcoxie asking if the Board would be willing to take over the activation of the storm siren for their city. Regulations would be followed as designated by the Emergency Management Office such a tornado warning would need to be issued by the National Weather Service, a confirmed tornado witnessed by a trained spotter, or winds in excess of 70mph. Board members agreed that Sarcoxie City Council would need to sign an authorization before Jasco took over the sirens. Executive Director Nordell stated he would attend the next city council meeting to discuss the issue. Southwest Communications has installed the second amplifier on Fire West. Executive Director Nordell attended the Iris Road Neighborhood Watch meeting on June 25th to discuss the Reverse 911 system with citizens. Director Rowland inquired if the Jasper County Commission was still considering a system to be able to activate the storm sirens with Reverse 911. Executive Director Nordell stated that there were only two systems capable of setting off the sirens with Reverse 911 that required modems and an increased mass call-out expense. They are still considering the option, but it is not as much of a necessity since Reverse 911 is now in place. Effective July 1st, Carl Junction Fire Department began providing fire suppression services for the Village of Airport Drive. Executive Director Nordell and Director Rowland will be attending the APCO conference in Las Vegas on August 16th-20th. Director of Communications for the City of Joplin, Paul Luttrell has retired. Sunny Goodwin has appointed to the position.

Unfinished Business 

New Business

The next Board meeting has been set for August 11th at 6:00p.m. Board members briefly discussed Duquesne Police Department and an incident involving a Jasco dispatcher status checking an officer that they had not been able to establish radio communication. A meeting will be scheduled with Duquesne Police Chief Tom Kitch and Joplin Police Department to discuss options in solving the communication problems.

Director Lyscio moved the meeting be adjourned. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 4 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20p.m.