City Council tables 911 system upgrade decision again

The Madison City Council once again tabled a decision on the proposed Emergency 911 system upgrade during Monday night’s meeting.

The council tabled a decision on the measure in December and then again two weeks ago, and the council remained split on the matter Monday following a decision to adopt the system by the Huntsville City Council.

The Madison County Commission is expected to vote on the matter at its next meeting.

The current proposal by E-911 is to raise residential monthly fees nearly 150 percent, up $1.18 from 82 cents to $2 and businesses 50 cents from$2.25 to $2.75 to cover a digital upgrade to equipment and to unify county and city systems.

The 25-year agreement would cost the city $10 per emergency responder radio, which amounts to approximately $400,000 in maintenance fees per year once all radios are purchased.

Questions over that 25-year agreement were raised Monday night by council member Larry Vannoy, who said the city should have an out in the agreement.

“We’re talking a lot of money for radios, and they won’t last forever,” Vannoy said. “I would like to see us have an opt-out if there are technological advancements that are cheaper down the road.”

There is currently an opt-out clause in the contract after 10 years, but Vannoy said he would like for the city to be able to opt out at any time during the contract given six-months notice.

Taylor Edge, executive assistant to the mayor, said the $10 per radio rate is locked in, which could save the city a lot of money as more municipalities and entities, like hospitals and the Redstone Arsenal, are added to the system.

“From a long-term cost, this is much cheaper,” Edge said.

Regardless of whether the council chooses to go the digital direction or maintain the current system, Council President Tommy Overcash said something must be done to the system now, and he would rather the city be a partner in the digital system rather than a customer.

“I’d say we’d be a partner if we were a member, but we have no representation,” Vannoy refuted, saying the city of Madison has no representative on the E-911 board, which is recommended by the county commission and appointed by the governor.

“I want an opportunity to say ‘thanks, but no thanks,’” Vannoy said.

Council member Jerry Jennings also questioned how the city could fund such an expensive project.

“I would like to see the mayor, the finance director and the (police and fire) chiefs get together and put a plan together to figure out how we’re going to pay for this,” Jennings said. “I think it behooves us to have some sort of financial analysis beforehand.”

Police Chief Larry Muncey said 20 percent of the radios would be purchased the first year, 30 percent more the next year and the final 50 percent in three years in an effort to implement the system, while also obtaining cheaper prices on equipment.

However, Mayor Paul Finley said the cost of the project should not be too much of a concern since the current communication system is going to have to be replaced soon.

“Funding is not the problem,” Finley said. “One way or another, we’re going to have to fund our communication system.”

Once the proposal is resubmitted with the 180-day opt-out clause, it will then be brought back up for a vote before the council, with or without the clause, at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

In other council actions:

—Finley gave an update on the Hogan Family YMCA. Finely said to deal with the rapid increase in membership, the YMCA has had to clear space for 8- addition parking spaces. The spaces are being built on the site of the proposed swimming pool, which raised concern from some council members.

“The deal of a 50-meter pool is not negotiable,” Jennings said.

Finley said although membership has surpassed expectations by far, figures are having to be reworked to account for the current enrollment and rates.

“We’re probably still 18-20 months away,” Finley said of the YMCA building the outdoor pool. “It’s not going to be anytime soon.”

—Public Works Director Dana Stahl announced that 50 tons of debris has been removed in just three weeks since the street sweeping project began. Main city thoroughfares have been swept at night, and crews will start sweeping residential areas next week during the hours of 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

—Accepted allocation of $5,000 from Rep. Mike Ball for Dublin Park flooring repairs.

—Approved annual appropriation of $1,500 to the Madison Disability Advocacy Board.

—Approved annual appropriation of $21,375 to the Mental Health Center of Madison County.

—Finley proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

—Proclaimed April 1 “Paint the Town Purple Day” in honor of the Madison’s Relay Life For Life event. The measure passed 6-1, with council member Tim Cowles voting against the proclamation. Cowles citing the American Cancer Society’s misuse and allocation of funds for his reasoning for voting against the measure. Madison’s Relay For Life event is scheduled for April 29.