City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: Daniel Sauer, Chief of Police
Date: 08/11/2026
Subject: Wireless Network Expansion - Howell Communications Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Services Agreement with Howell Communications Inc. to complete the labor and installation of the wireless network equipment on the Ripon Police Department Tower, Ripon Communications Tower and Mistlin Water Tower in the not to exceed amount of $13,350.00 (funding sources: Wireless Network Expansion Fund).
BACKGROUND:
The City currently operates a citywide point-to-point wireless camera network that transmits video from 100 cameras to the Police Dispatch Center. These cameras are located at various priority locations such as high-traffic intersection, areas with higher crime rates, and near water well sites. The camera video feeds are monitored and used by Police Department staff to investigate an incident that may occur.
Depending on the location of the camera, the wireless signal from certain camera locations (depending on line of sight) are transmitted to a nearby “collector” site before transmitting the signal to the server room at City Hall. The “collector” sites are currently located at the Ripon Police Department, Ripon Consolidated Fire District and Jack Tone Water Tower.
The wireless network that transmits these video feeds is currently experiencing slow connections, intermittent connectivity issues, and frequent camera failures. Staff is recommending certain improvements to the City’s wireless camera network system to resolve these issues.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The City’s wireless network was analyzed by Ric Small from Waypoint Network Solutions and Michael Silva, a wireless connectivity contractor. The following upgrades are recommended to improve the reliability and functionality of the wireless network:
Ripon Communications Tower at Doak Blvd: Install the equipment necessary for this location to be used as a “collector” site and transmit camera feeds to the server room at the Police Department.
Mistlin Water Tower: Install the equipment necessary for this location to be used as a “collector” site and transmit camera feeds to the server room at the Police Department. Police Department Tower: Install the equipment necessary to receive the communication feeds from the Ripon Communications Tower and the Mistlin Water Tower.
The City has purchased the equipment necessary to make these upgrades and another contractor has completed the necessary electrical upgrades to power the communications equipment. The final step to complete these improvements is for a contractor to install the communications equipment.
Staff contacted three (3) vendors for bids to install the communications equipment, including pulling the cables and aligning the equipment to communicate with the Police Department Dispatch Center. Howell Communications Inc. was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The total cost to complete this work is $13,350.00.
Staff is recommending the City Council approve the Services Agreement with Howell Communications Inc. and authorize staff to move forward with the project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the project is $56,269.30, which is summarized below:
Purchase of equipment: $29,049.35 (previously approved by City Council) Electrical improvements to power equipment: $13,869.95 (previously approved by City Council)
Installation of equipment: $13,350.00 (this contract) The funding for this project is the Wireless Expansion Fund ($60,000). The source of funds in the Wireless Expansion Fund are fees collected from new development.
Attachments:
1. Services Agreement for Howell Communications Inc
2. Quote from Howell Communications Inc