sr-022310-1b~r
ity Council Report
City of
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: February 23, 2010
Agenda Item: 16
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jim Hone, Fire Chief
Subject: Donation of Used and Outdated Radio Equipment to the City of Houston,
Texas
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to donate used and
outdated radio equipment to the City of Houston, Texas.
Executive Summary
The Fire Department has installed new radio equipment to replace older equipment no
longer supported by the manufacturer. Santa Monica's old radio equipment will be used
by the City of Houston's Fire Department to bridge an upcoming gap in their system.
Council approval is required for the donation because City property is normally disposed
of at auction.
®iscussion
The Fire Department has replaced its radio infrastructure and has no use for the
previous system, which was purchased decades ago has been unused for more than
two and a half years. The old radio equipment has exceeded its useful life and the
component parts are of no value to Santa Monica.
Although the City of Houston, TX is currently purchasing a new radio communications
system for its Fire Department, it is 2 - 4 years away from being operational. The
equipment donated does not. represent a complete system and thus would only be
useful to an agency that already had a system and needed spare parts to stretch the life
of their system as is the case in Houston. The City of Santa Monica's older radio
equipment will provide enough spare equipment and parts to extend the life of
Houston's communications system past the date the new system becomes operational.
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The City of Houston will be responsible for transporting of the equipment to Texas.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The current value of the radio equipment is minimal. The expense incurred in disposing
of it any other way than the proposed donation would exceed its value. Houston is
saving the City of Santa Monica significant preparation, shipping and disposal cost. If
Houston did not pay for the removal and shipment additional costs would be incurred by
the Gity of Santa Monica in the removal and disposal of the equipment. Santa Monica's
Purchasing Agent approves the transfer of this equipment to Houston.
Prepared by: Benjamin M. Steers, Systems Analyst -Public Safety
Fire Department
Forwarded to Council:
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Rod Gould
City Manager
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Approved: