SR-06-23-2015-3MCity Council Report
C.i�y r�l
Sousa Monica ".
City Council Regular Meeting: June 23, 2015
Agenda Item: —VA
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jory Wolf, Chief Information Officer
Subject: Termination of Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System
Joint Powers Authority Agreement and Execution of Joint Powers Authority
Agreement with the Interagency Communications Interoperability System
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to terminate a Joint Powers Authority agreement with
the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System and
2. Execute a Joint Powers Authority agreement with the Interagency
Communications Interoperability System for participation in a regional radio
communications system.
Executive Summary
In March 2009, the City entered into a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agreement with the
Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA -RIGS) to participate
in a countywide public safety radio and data network. There were no costs to
participate while the system was designed and a financial plan was being prepared. In
March 2014, LA -RICS released details of the system design and the costs to continue
participation. Staff has evaluated the system design and financial plan and has
determined that the system does not provide sufficient coverage and service to the
Police and Fire departments.
Staff recommends terminating the City's participation in the LA -RIGS JPA. The City
still has a need for interoperable and regional communications. Staff has evaluated
other options and now recommends the Interagency Communications Interoperability
System (ICIS) as the best option for interoperable and regional communications for City
first and secondary responders.
Background
The Police and Fire departments' radio system infrastructure is comprised of equipment
located at various sites throughout the City, in Los Angeles, and in Beverly Hills. The
Police Department's radio system utilizes digital encryption for security and provides
coverage throughout Santa Monica, including in- building coverage, and the entire
1 of 4
western portion of Los Angeles County. The system is fully interoperable with other
local law enforcement agencies, including those that provide mutual aid and mutual
assistance. The Fire Department's radio system provides coverage throughout Santa
Monica with in- building coverage in many facilities throughout the City. The Fire
Department utilizes regional communication plans for radio interoperability with other
agencies. The Police Department's radio infrastructure is nearly 20 years old and will
need to be replaced within the next few years as manufacturer support for the
equipment ends. The Fire Department's radio infrastructure is also based on older
technology and needs to be replaced.
In 2009, the LA -RICS JPA was established to allow the participating agencies to accept
federal funding for the construction and implementation of a regional radio and data
network. The intent of the system is to provide a single platform for radio and data
communications that includes regional coverage for all first responders as well as
options for secondary responders. LA -RIGS would effectively replace the City's existing
radio infrastructure and allow the City to discontinue the use of the public data network
services presently leased from Verizon Wireless. On March 18, 2009, the City joined
the JPA along with the County of Los Angeles and all other municipalities in the county.
There were no costs to participate in the JPA until a financial plan is established. The
JPA includes provisions for participating agencies to opt -out before the financial plan is
adopted by the LA -RICS board.
Between 2009 and 2015, LA -RIGS worked to establish requirements for a radio and
data network that would meet the needs of the region. The six year process included
publication of several requests for proposals to select a vendor capable of fulfilling the
design requirements established by LA -RICS. In March 2014, LA -RICS entered into a
contract with Motorola, Inc. to build the system and a financial plan was established.
Discussion
In March 2014, LA -RIGS published a draft financial plan and released information
regarding the design of the system, including proposed locations for infrastructure
2of4
equipment. LA -RICS proposes placement of one combined radio and data site at the
Mount Olivet Reservoir, located in the 900 block of Franklin Avenue. The proposed
single site, compared to the City's existing eight sites, would not provide sufficient
coverage for radio or data communications. The proposed costs to subscribe to the
system were approximately $300,000 per year. In comparison, current maintenance
costs to operate the existing system are approximately $100,000 per year.
Since the release of the draft financial plan, 14 cities that were originally part of the LA-
RICS JPA have decided to withdraw from the program, including Alhambra, Burbank,
Calabasas, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Manhattan
Beach, Monrovia, Palos Verdes Estates, Pomona, Santa Clarita and Torrance. The
cities of Culver City and Beverly Hills are in the process of seeking approval from their
respective Councils to withdraw. As cities withdraw membership in LA -RICS, costs
continue to increase for cities that remain in the JPA.
As it became apparent that LA -RIGS was not a viable option due to the proposed
number of sites and costs to subscribe, staff started planning for the purchase and
implementation of a new radio system for Police and Fire as well as secondary
responders. The system is being designed to integrate with ICIS, another existing
regional network presently being utilized by agencies throughout the county including
Culver City and Beverly Hills. ICIS is a very mature and robust regional network that
has been in existence for more than 15 years and was formalized as a JPA in 2003.
The system provides seamless coverage throughout Los Angeles County and is utilized
by 31 public safety agencies representing 22 cities, many of which have withdrawn or
are in the process of withdrawing from LA -RICS. There are no one -time or recurring
costs to be a member of the ICIS JPA, and membership may be terminated by the City
at any time. Membership in the JPA would enable the City to participate in the system
design and operation, and would enable the Police and Fire departments to seamlessly
communicate throughout Los Angeles County. Participation in the JPA would require
that the new radio system be designed to be fully compatible with the existing ICIS
infrastructure.
3 of 4
The LA -RICS system design includes interoperability with ICIS, so the City would still be
able to communicate with all agencies participating in the LA -RIGS program such as the
Los Angeles Police and Fire departments and the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire
departments, agencies that provide mutual aid and mutual assistance to the City. Staff
will return to Council with recommendations as plans to purchase and implement a
replacement radio system that integrates with ]CIS are finalized.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action. Staff will return to Council in the future with specific budget
actions for the procurement of radio equipment and related costs.
Prepared By: Eric Uller, Systems Analyst (Lead) - Public Safety
Approved Forwarded to Council
Jory Wolf, Chief Information OfficeB /8(2015
J,� 4uel e ea�ooks,Chlef'Aolf<eOW2015
Deinnis-J.PoWns, Interim Fire CH01912015
t,
Elaine M Polachek, Interim City M"gd(15
4of4
Reference:
Agreement No.10089
(CCS)