[Vision2020] E911

[Mark Seman]

I know council members have heard a lot more testimony & presentation than I
have and they needed to make a decision, but I'm dismayed this was the final
vote.  We do gain certain advantages for the cost of $377k, but we also lose
most of that expenditure across the state line.  I also have concerns of
Latah having to follow suit in the near future because the City was not
willing to partner with the County... there goes another $600k +/-.  Even
though it may have been a longer process to acheive a similar service, I
think the partnering would have provided a greater long-term benefit for the
residents of the county as a whole.

I still appreciate the Council's efforts...even if I don't agree.

Mark
***   *****   ***
Mark & Heather Seman
Full Circle Studios
828 South Washington, Suite B
Moscow, Idaho 83843
v 208-883-3276
f 208-883-0112
FCS@Moscow.com

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]On
Behalf Of Jon Kimberling
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 10:22 AM
To: Debbie Gray
Cc: Vision2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] E911


Debbie- thanks for the question. By a vote of 4-1, we determined to
negotiate a contract with Whitcom. The City has been studying this issue for
4 years. Our equipment is beyond it's useful life. I didn't feel we were in
a position to wait any longer. The overriding factors for me in going with
Whitcom were the immediate savings to taxpayers and the access to the safety
features of enhanced 911. Phase 1 technology tells the emergency people what
cell tower the cell call is using. Phase 2 provides far more precise
location information- within feet of the caller.

Instead of contracting for 5 years, we intend to contract for 3 years with
two one year renewal options. That keeps the door open to working with Latah
County. I also wouldn't be surprised if Latah County eventually explores the
possibility of partnering with Whitcom. Idaho does not have the
infrastructure today nor the money to build the infrastructure for the
enhanced services. I certainly get the impression that government is being
encouraged to cooperate wherever possible, including across state lines. If
you have a cell phone using a Washington 509 number, you are paying taxes to
the State of Washington right now. Plus, the court decision a few short days
ago determined that you can take your land line phone number with you and
perhaps use it as your cell number. I've heard predictions that this will
cause another huge increase in the number of cell phones.

I know this was fairly general. If you have specific questions, let me know.

Jon Kimberling
Moscow City Council

----- Original Message -----
From: "Debbie Gray" <dgray@uidaho.edu>
To: "Jon Kimberling" <jon@n-k-ins.com>
Cc: "Vision2020" <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] E911


> Jon, What was the outcome of these meetings? (Sorry, I don't get the local
> paper)
>
> Debbie Gray
> dgray@uidaho.edu
>
> On Wed, 12 Nov 2003, Jon Kimberling wrote:
>
> > As many of you may be aware, the City equipment that is used for
> > dispatch and to provide our 911 services is in need of replacement. The
> > City has held several meetings within the last year to discuss what
> > direction we should take. The most recent meeting was on November 5th
> > wherein the Council heard presentations from Sheriff Jeff Crouch for
> > Latah County and Patty VonBargen from Whitcom regarding the potential to
> > partner up with either entity.
> >
> >
> > Jon Kimberling City Council
> >
>
> Debbie
>
> %^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%
>   Debbie Gray      dgray@uidaho.edu      http://www.uidaho.edu/~dgray/
>   We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to
>   have the life that is waiting for us." --Joseph Campbell
> %^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%
>

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