City Beat: CU ownership of radio system causes concern

|tab|

A proposed agreement between the city, county and City Utilities for a trunked radio system connecting the three entities was the subject of debate between Motorola and Ericsson, the two companies that bid for the $26.5 million contract, at City Council's March 20 meeting. |ret||ret||tab|

Although Motorola's bid came in higher than Ericsson Systems,' CU's Board of Public Utilities approved Motorola's bid Feb. 23, and the Greene County Commission approved its proposal March 20. Council will vote on the issue during its April 3 meeting. |ret||ret||tab|

The 800-megahertz system would replace an outdated 1950s radio system and allow city and county emergency agencies and CU to communicate with each other when needed, according to Police Chief Lynn Rowe, who spoke in favor of Motorola's proposal. |ret||ret||tab|

Robert T. Forrest, president of CTA Communications of Lynchburg, Va., which evaluated the bids from Ericsson and Motorola, said Motorola's is the best and most effective system and would best serve the needs of the city, county and CU. |ret||ret||tab|

Ericsson attorney Tom O'Neill asked council to table the bill and reconsider the bids, saying the bidding process was not accurate and questioning Motorola's ability to provide the coverage needed.|ret||ret||tab|

The proposal calls for the city and county to put up $6.67 million to acquire, install and maintain the system and stipulates that CU would own and operate the system, a detail that clearly made Mayor Lee Gannaway and some council members uncomfortable.|ret||ret||tab|

Gannaway said the agreement benefits CU over the city and county by allowing the utility to own and operate the system, and Councilwoman Teri Hacker nodded in agreement. |ret||ret||tab|

In other business, council voted 7-1 to rezone a tract of land at the northwest corner of Lone Pine and Battlefield Road to a planned development district to allow Bill Jester's development of a convenience store, retail and office space. |ret||ret||tab|

The development will also include a portion of an Ozarks Greenways trail that Jester agreed to construct at his own cost. Southern Hills neighbors have expressed concern about flooding in the area. |ret||ret||tab|

First reading bills other than the radio system included a bill approving the preliminary plat of Charity Baptist Church, located on the northeast corner of Kansas Expressway and Sunset. |ret||ret||tab|

This bill was tabled. Council also heard a first reading bill authorizing the purchase of real estate at 818 N. Franklin and 826 N. Franklin for the municipal service center. |ret||ret||tab|

Also heard was a first reading bill authorizing the Public Works Department to assist the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a pilot study for the revegetation of mining waste sites in Jasper County.|ret||ret||tab|

Two resolutions were passed unanimously in the meeting. Council adopted the Capital Improvements Program for 2000 to 2005 and passed a resolution recognizing the importance of the census. |ret||ret||tab|

A second reading bill approving the preliminary plat of Mount Vernon Lodge, located on the east side of South Glenstone south of Sunshine was tabled until April 3. |ret||ret||tab|

The remaining second reading bills, which were all rezoning bills, included rezoning about 8 1/4 acres north of Sunset west of Fort from a single family residential district to a planned development district. |ret||ret||tab|

This area would be developed as a nursing and retirement home complex by Springfield Care Centers LLP, owner of the James River Care Center. |ret||ret||tab|

This bill was also tabled because the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval while city staff recommended denial. |bold_on||bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]