TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Grant Funds for VIPER Radio System
DATE: October 24, 2005
The attached resolution would authorize the acceptance of grant funds for implementation of a VIPER (Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) radio system. Enactment of the budget ordinance would authorize the expenditure of grant funds in the amount of $832,500, of which $262,500 would be dedicated to the purchase of hand-held radios compatible with VIPER Radio System and $570,000 would be used for the construction of a VIPER radio antenna for Chapel Hill.
BACKGROUND
In March 2004, the Police Department was notified by the Governor’s Crime Commission that it was eligible to compete for funds under the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In March 2004, a grant application in the amount of $832,500 for the purchase of 800mhz radios and a radio antenna system compatible with the existing VIPER Radio System was submitted.
The application was approved in May of 2004 and the funds are now available. A portion of the grant ($262,000) requires the Police Department to purchase the radios before the funds are dispersed. The balance of the funds ($570,000) will be drawn down by the State Highway Patrol as needed during the construction of the radio antenna. Any funds not encumbered by the State Highway Patrol for the construction may be available to the Police Department for the purchase of additional radios.
DISCUSSION
Over the last few years various emergency services organizations within the region have recognized the need to improve radio systems. The focus of the current initiative is to establish a system that provides for integrated communication between various emergency disciplines within the county, region, and the state. Orange County Emergency Management was designated by the State’s North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety as the lead agency in this effort. The North Carolina Highway Patrol has been tasked with establishing the infrastructure for the radio system throughout the State. The Police Department will work closely with the County and the State to ensure that the funds are utilized for their intended purpose. A Memorandum of Agreement has been established and authorized by the Town of Chapel Hill and the State of North Carolina. The funds are currently available and no match is required. Upon acceptance of the grant, the department will begin the purchase of radios compatible with the VIPER system.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopt the resolution and enact the budget ordinance which would amend the budget to authorize the expenditure of $262,500.00 for the radios, and for any non-expended funds reallocated to the Police Department after the completion of the antenna installation, with the assurance that the State grant funds have been earmarked to reimburse the Town once the radio purchases have been completed.
ATTACHMENT