Title
Resolution to Approve Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement with Nextel for the Re-Banding of the 800 MHz Radio System KNIY845
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor owns and operates a one site, ten channel SmartNet 800 MHz trunked voice radio system, licensed with the call sign KNIY845. The radio system is used to support public service operations for the City and various other agencies in Washtenaw County including the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Washtenaw County Operations and Washtenaw County Road Commission, and as a backup radio system to Washtenaw County's Public Safety Radio System.
The City's radio licenses in the 800 MHz band are affected by the "Rebanding" initiative mandated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2004. Many 800 MHz public licensees filed interference complaints with the FCC against Commercial Mobile Radio Service providers who also operate in the 800 MHz band. These Commercial Mobile Radio Service providers operate on frequencies interleaved closely with sections of the spectrum authorized to public safety/service licensees, including the City of Ann Arbor. To resolve the interference problem, the FCC acted on July 8, 2004, by adopting Report and Order, Fourth Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Order (FCC 04-168).
FCC 04-168 identifies numerous requirements, guidelines, best practices and boundaries for the rebanding effort. Included in these Report and Order documents are administration guidelines for reimbursement of rebanding costs and schedules. In order to facilitate, coordinate and mediate the rebanding of licensees and Commercial Mobile Radio Service providers, the FCC has authorized and commissioned the auspices of a Transition Administrator or TA. The TA has scheduled the rebanding transition into four nationwide "waves." The waves are comprised of groups of National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) regions. Ann Arbor is included in Region 21, which is in the fourth wave of licensees to be rebanded.
The Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement is the vehicle that the TA uses to relocate radio systems users from their current frequencies to new ones. Because the City of Ann Arbor is the licensee of the 800MHz radio system KNIY845, the City is named as the Incumbent in this agreement and as so is responsible to perform various tasks related to the successful reconfiguration of the radio system including reviewing and approving invoices from several service providers, providing project oversight and performing technical support in support of the reconfiguration.
The City of Ann Arbor will be reimbursed for all of its time spent on the reconfiguration, up to $79,929.20.
The accompanying resolution authorizes the agreement between the City and Nextel West Corp. for the Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement as described above. It is requested that City Council approve this resolution.
Staff
Prepared by: Daniel Rainey, Director, Information Technology Services Unit
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, Financial Services Administrator and CFO
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor owns and operates a one site ten channel SmartNet 800 MHz trunked voice radio system, licensed with the call sign KNIY845;
Whereas, Radio system KNIY845 is used to support public service operations for the City and various other agencies in Washtenaw County including the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Washtenaw County Operations and Washtenaw Road Commission;
Whereas, Radio system KNIY845 is also used as a backup radio system to Washtenaw County's Public Safety Radio System;
Whereas, The City's radio licenses in the 800 MHz band are affected by the "Rebanding" initiative mandated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2004;
Whereas, The Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement is the vehicle that the Transition Administrator uses to relocate radio systems users from their current frequencies to new ones;
Whereas, As Incumbent the City is responsible to perform various tasks related to the successful reconfiguration of the radio system including reviewing and approving invoices from several service providers, providing project oversight and performing technical support in support of the reconfiguration; and
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor will be reimbursed for all of its time spent on the reconfiguration, up to $79,929.20;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the Frequency Reconfiguration Agreement between Nextel West and the City of Ann Arbor;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this Resolution without regard to fiscal year.