City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Daniel Sauer, Chief of Police
Date: 03/12/2024
Subject: Radio Tower Upgrades
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve and authorize the purchase of radio tower equipment for Channel 1 to replace the current outdated system in the not to exceed amount of $119,304.46 (funding source: General Department Capital Fund).
BACKGROUND:
The Ripon Police Department provides dispatch services for the City of Ripon, City of Escalon and City of Lathrop. Ripon Police Department and Escalon Police Department share Ripon PD Channel 1 for radio communications. Lathrop Police Department is monitored on a separate channel. There was a T-1 connection (point-to-point link) which allowed Ripon and Escalon to share the same channel. Based on this set up, the Ripon Communications Center was monitoring two radio channels.
On May 15, 2023, the T-1 connection between Escalon and Ripon was permanently disconnected by the provider, TPx Communications. The line was discontinued by TPx because they are moving away from outdated T-1 technologies. Unfortunately, Ripon PD was not made aware of this until two weeks prior to the disconnection. Ripon PD communicated to TPx that this line was servicing 911 emergency services, but were informed by TPx that an extension was not possible.
The T-1 disconnection prevented Ripon and Escalon from sharing Ripon PD Channel 1. La Rue Communications added an additional channel in the Ripon Communications Center for Escalon to communicate on a separate channel. This presented a challenge, as now the Ripon Communications Center was monitoring three separate radio channels. This quickly overwhelmed the Communications Center, causing an officer safety issue due to missing pertinent radio traffic.
In September 2023, La Rue Communications installed a device (converting analog to digital) in hopes that Ripon and Escalon would be able to share Channel 1 again. After months of testing and usage, this has proven not to be a long-term solution. The device has proven to be unreliable, randomly shutting down at various times, causing a public safety issue due to not being able to communicate with Escalon.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Staff requested a proposal from La Rue Communications for the replacement/upgrade of equipment that will make it possible for Ripon and Escalon to share Ripon PD Channel 1 again.
La Rue Communications has recommended this replacement/upgrade of equipment of Ripon’s radio communications system, even if the City were not providing dispatch services for the City of Escalon. Staff were aware this upgrade needed to be eventually completed based on a survey that was completed by La Rue Communication in 2021, but the T-1 disconnection expedited the urgency to complete this project.
The estimate from La Rue Communications and the list of equipment to be purchased is attached to this staff report. It should be noted, Escalon Police Department will reimburse the City of Ripon 50% of the cost for the Zetron hardware & software, and 10 hours of labor to install the equipment, totaling $7,531.33. In addition, at the recommendation of La Rue Communications, Escalon Police Department is purchasing a repeater to improve communications with the Ripon Communications Center.
In addition, a quote for switches and routers from CDW-G needed to complete this project has been included. The switches and routers will establish the connection from Escalon to Ripon via an IP address.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 does not include these costs for the replacement and upgrades that are being recommended. The City of Ripon’s fiscal impact for the upgrades and replacement of the equipment for radio Channel 1 would not exceed $119,304.46, after reimbursement from the City of Escalon. This expense will be funded by the General Department Capital Fund.
Attachments:
1. La Rue Communications Quote
2. Switch & Router Quote