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Interagency
Communications Interoperability System (ICIS)
Cooperation |
Ms. Alvord, City
Manager, stated that this item was placed on the agenda to seek the
assistance of Supervisor Antonovich, noting the Supervisor had also
received a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Frederick Latham, City
Manager, City of Santa Fe Springs, member of the Regional Interoperability
Steering Committee (RISC) representing the Independent Cities
Association. She noted that Burbank was among the six cities which have
been working on the Interagency Communications Interoperability System (ICIS)
Joint Powers Agreement for the past four years. She stated that Burbank
took the lead along with the City of Glendale with the idea that law
enforcement and other agencies would be able to communicate with one
another, citing the success of the Fire Department which works with other
departments through the effective Verdugo System. She advised that Vice
Mayor Ramos, who has served as the lead in the City�s approach to Federal
legislators to seek funding for ICIS out of homeland security funding and
other sources, has been working proactively.
Ms. Alvord
stated that a lot of headway has been made with the ICIS cities, but
acknowledged that the system has to be Countywide. She noted that Burbank
does not want to lose any of the groundwork already laid and desires fair
representation due to the anticipated large amounts of funding at stake.
She noted similar concerns by City of Glendale City Manager Jim Starbird
and Police Chief Randy Adams. She highlighted the fact that the Federal
government has made it clear that only one major system will be funded and
as such, it was imperative that the parties be represented by one voice.
She emphasized Burbank�s position that the funding should be dispersed to
the ICIS structure, not individual agencies. She noted that the initial
focus will be on safety services for first responders, but ultimately the
system must trickle down to public works and utilities, which are also
vital and just as critical in emergency or disaster situations.
Captain Richard
Adams, representing the Los Angeles County (County) Sheriff�s Department,
briefly outlined the history of the Sheriff Department�s work on a
seamless system with a uniform Ultra High Frequency voice platform with no
patching. He advised that a Request For Proposals (RFP) on this project
will be completed in June 2007, which will encompass the requirements for
every agency in the County, including the 88 municipalities, to serve the
10 million County residents. He elaborated on the timeline for the RFP
upon receipt of the $2 million Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
funding. He added that the Sheriff�s and Fire Department�s system is
fragile, and cannot wait long-term; however, at this point, their RFP will
be held so that the system can be built from the ground up, and the
funding would come through the RISC structure.
Mr. Davis,
General Manager, Burbank Water and Power, stated that ICIS could be
expanded Countywide, as it was designed for that, and that the County can
take ICIS over when it is expanded. He added that the ICIS structure was
designed better than RISC because it included public works and is
relatively inexpensive. He expressed concern over waste and turning over
Burbank�s frequencies because they support safety services. Captain Adams
expressed concerns with the potential of sole-sourcing to Motorola, and
noted that the RFP could reveal that the ICIS system has a sustainable
backbone to be expanded upon, thereby addressing Mr. Davis� concerns.
Fire Chief
Pansini stated that in the meantime, there is funding competition and
inquired as to whether RISC can take over the ICIS portion and continue to
maintain its momentum. Captain Adams agreed, and added that there must be
one voice.
Ms. McGinley,
Legislative Analyst, Burbank Water and Power, stated that at the time when
ICIS was formed, there was no Countywide solution. She added that Burbank
chose not to wait any longer because waiting would jeopardize life and
property. She explained that ICIS provided a means to address the needs
economically, and since the City needed to replace its communication
systems, an agreement was made to meet that need. She noted that the
technical issues are not insurmountable, but rather, the issues are
governance and how cities can cooperatively work together. She expressed
Burbank�s concern over the $60 million investment. Captain Adams
addressed the governance issue, stating that he was in attendance at the
RISC meeting when this issue was discussed, and that Mr. Latham requested
that the City of Long Beach and ICIS-member cities be represented on the
commission of 13 governance members.
Mr. Davis
addressed the issue of frequencies, stating that notwithstanding the
funding issues, the City would have to keep its frequencies until the
coverage issues are solved, as surrendering the frequencies places the
City�s safety services in jeopardy in case RISC fails.
Police Chief
Hoefel expressed concern about the funding issue, and noted that if RISC
is still a concept today, it will be years if it ever becomes reality. He
commended Glendale Police Chief Adams� participation at RISC, but noted
that the UASI funding went entirely to the County. Ms. Pembedjian,
Supervisor Antonovich�s Office, stated that the $2.5 million in UASI
funding was for the Countywide interoperability study, and stated that all
vital departments such as public works, utilities and the health
department will be a part of the study. Chief Hoefel emphasized that ICIS
got none of the UASI funding and is expanding daily while the RISC system
comes together. He noted the Sheriff�s request that ICIS stop requesting
funding but stated that ICIS will cease funding requests once guaranteed
funding out of UASI grants. Captain Adams stated that for the next UASI
grant period, the County would be seeking the entire $15 million to start
building up the RISC infrastructure. He further clarified that the
Sheriff�s request was not that ICIS refrain from seeking funding, rather
that ICIS should not be represented as a Countywide system.
Mrs. Ramos
stated that from her perspective she was most interested in the efficiency
and effectiveness of taxpayers� dollars being spent. She stated ICIS
provided a means to replace communication systems and establish an
interoperable network through the region and was an efficient use of
money. She noted that ICIS is functioning Countywide, and that until
progress is made on the RISC system, the region needs an operational
system otherwise millions would be at stake in the event of a disaster.
She concluded that this is the most effective use and sought the County�s
cooperation.
Ms. McGinley
stated that ICIS has been supportive of a regional system and clarified
the misunderstanding about the City representation of ICIS as a Countywide
solution. Captain Adams added that the perception of competition of funds
came about as a result of a statement from Senator Feinstein who stated
she was familiar with ICIS and thought that it was the Countywide
solution.
Supervisor
Antonovich inquired why the County was starting from scratch if there was
a system in place which already encompassed 80 percent of the County.
Captain Adams responded that a report from the original study concluded
that in order to achieve a seamless communication, a single-platform
system had to be developed and that ICIS should refrain from expansion and
become a part of the system. Ms. McGinley stated that ICIS is a single-
platform seamless system which is fully integrated and operates within 80
percent of the County. She added that although ICIS is not Project 25
compliant, she would like to see the network become Project 25 compliant,
noting the associated cost of $18 million, most of which could be covered
by the $15 million the County anticipates receiving. Mr. Davis inquired
why the County would not simply take over ICIS and have interoperability
today, and then all the agencies could purchase Project 25-compliant
radios thereby saving significant funds. He stated that Countywide
interoperability could be achieved in 12 months. Captain Adams reiterated
the results of the study by two nationwide consultants, RCC Consultants
Inc. and Thayer Consultants.
Chief Hoefel
emphasized that currently, ICIS covers 80 percent of the County and any
agency could join with minimal funding required. Supervisor Antonovich
restated the City�s position that the County should allocate the resources
to achieve the other 20 percent and in the meantime proceed with the
upgrade, which could take seven to 10 years to develop. Chief Hoefel
noted that in the interim, the region could have five years of Countywide
coverage for a relatively-small cost. Supervisor Antonovich inquired
whether funding was keeping ICIS from doing this and Chief Hoefel
responded that the cities have so far invested $59 million of local
funds. Ms. McGinley added that ICIS has received a total of $500,000 in
Federal funds, and that the money was not spent on studies. Supervisor
Antonovich inquired as to the price for the other 20 percent component and
Mr. Davis responded it was approximately $2 million. Supervisor
Antonovich inquired as to why the County would not be willing to
contribute the $2 million, and Captain Adams responded that there would be
significant debate that there is currently 80 percent seamless coverage
and on the validity that $2 million would be necessary to bridge the gap
of the outstanding 20 percent. Supervisor Antonovich stated that ICIS is
an interesting concept and that communication is vital to ensuring public
safety during a crisis. He recognized that RISC is a work in progress but
that the concerns raised warrant careful review, and that the Sheriff
needs to consider them.
Mayor Campbell
noted respect for both sides of the issue, and stated that Mr. Davis and
Chiefs Hoefel and Pansini are not just concerned with costs, but with the
potential of jeopardizing lives. He stated that both sides have expressed
a desire to work together to achieve the common goal and thanked everyone
for participating.
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Metropolitan
Transportation Authority Tri-City Line |
Vice Mayor Ramos
stated that she sits on the San Fernando Valley Governance Council of the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and commented on the input
received prior to studying the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Tri-City Line. She added that the MTA had been given approval for this
line, which is proposed for June or July 2007, and inquired as to its
implemented schedule.
Mr. Cano,
Transportation Deputy, County of Los Angeles, stated that the goal of the
proposed express service is to link three major rapid transit systems (the
Gold, Red and Orange Lines) which meet in North Hollywood, thereby
creating a point-to-point high speed commuter service which is not
currently available. He added that Supervisor Antonovich and City of
Glendale Mayor Najarian, who is also an MTA Board of Directors member,
proposed the concept and requested staff to look into its implementation.
He noted a discussion with regard to duplication of service with the Los
Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) line but clarified that they
are two completely different concepts with regard to ridership. He
concluded that the express line will go forward as a pilot project so that
this corridor has a visible tangible link to the current MTA system and
will provide great congestion relief in through-corridors for those
communities from valley to valley.
Mrs. Ramos
stated Line 549 now connects to the Red Line, and that she assumed one of
the problems, besides marketability, was the number of stops being made in
Pasadena, the odd stop in Glendale and in the Media District in Burbank.
She inquired as to whether there was any plan for a stop in a location
next to the Bob Hope Airport, where major employers reside. Mr. Cano
responded this is precisely why it was imperative that City staff meet
with Mr. Richard Hunt, MTA General Manager, to develop the route, noting
the possibility of exploring a reverse shuttle between the Airport and the
Red and Orange Lines which stop in North Hollywood. He stated that the
express service currently available is a State Route 134 connection from
Pasadena to Burbank, to help generate ridership.
Mrs. Ramos
inquired as to whether there is a substantial time difference in
comparison to the LADOT line. Mr. Cano responded that the express line
will take 34 minutes compared to the LADOT time of approximately 36
minutes, adding that the MTA line would eliminate the variables involved
with traffic as well, and noted that the biggest issue is marketing.
Mrs. Ramos
expressed frustration with public funds being spent on two systems, but
noted the MTA�s hope that their line will be more efficient. Mr. Cano
stated that there are funds available for this demonstration project,
which are not eligible for main line operations. Mrs. Ramos offered
assistance in marketing both lines, noting the City is committed to
increasing public transportation to reduce vehicle traffic.
Dr. Gordon
inquired as to how the MTA assesses impacts to local communities in terms
of the added traffic. Mr. Cano responded that the MTA utilizes a model of
anticipated traffic impacts based on data sources. Dr. Gordon inquired as
to whether input will be solicited from community residents and Mr. Cano
replied in the affirmative.
Supervisor
Antonovich commented on the progress of working with the MTA to reinstate
the Interstate 5 Freeway funding and was hopeful the situation would be
rectified.
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