PRESENT: Chair: Ryan. Members: Carsky, Kaplowitz, Mosiello, Swanson, and Wishnie. Staff: Hoch, Vita.

ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Norman Jacknis, Chief Information Officer; Robert Gallagher, Director of Telecommunications; George Hosey, Chairman-CBAC.

Mr. Ryan called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.

The minutes of February 22^nd were approved and moved on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. Ryan asked the committee members to confirm the community outreach meeting date to be held at the Yorktown Town Hall on Monday, May 3^rd at 7 p.m.

Mr. Ryan stated that he had asked the Administration to discuss the Hudson River Estuary Marine Enforcement IMA (Item A) with the committee. Mr. Randolph said Commissioner D’Aliso needed to speak with the County Executive before addressing the issue.

Mr. Mosiello asked to distribute a copy of draft (Item B-1CC-9/22/98) for the Board to consider legislation prohibiting the sale of toy guns that are too realistic. Copies were also distributed to the Committee on Legislation as a joint referral.

Mr. Ryan will place the item on the Public Safety Committee agenda as Special Item B1.

*For additional information, a tape is on file.

Mr. Ryan asked Mr. Randolph to provide background information relating to the bond act.

Mr. Randolph said the Bond Act is needed to safeguard FCC licenses for the placement of six new frequencies. The bond constitutes a Type II action under SEQRA which need no further environmental review.

Mr. Mosiello recalled the FCC’s allocation of the six new frequencies with the stipulation that if the County did not use these channels within five years, the County would lose them.

Mrs. Swanson was in favor of the act, but was unclear why bonding was needed.

Mr. Wishnie said that this is not 911 funding and the channels are needed for 60 Control. This item will also be discussed again in the Budget Committee today. He moved the Bond Act.

Mr. Ryan said that FCC requirements would be satisfied as long as the stations are used.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the Bond Act was approved 6-0.

Mr. Ryan asked the members to review the draft blueprint and to submit ideas and amendments to them as soon as possible.

Dr. Jacknis then joined the meeting and Mr. Ryan asked him for a summary of the bond act.

Dr. Jacknis gave a brief summary of the six frequencies and answered questions raised by the Committee members.

• The FCC granted 6 frequencies for fire dispatch

• The County needs to organize the frequencies with a modern "trunk" system
• Since the frequencies were purchased a while ago and have not been used, the FCC threatened to take them away, forcing the County to:

1. File a formal request to the FCC that will allow the County to adopt a Pro quote policy? and keep the frequencies and,
2. The FCC said the County must use the frequencies even though they are not a full department/or at compliment.?

• The Bond Act represents the bare minimum number of transmitters needed to establish the County’s claim to the use of the frequencies
• The County can build on top of the transmitters to get to the trunk system, establish the lines and use the frequencies
• Other bond acts will follow on this project for Board approval
• Six frequencies are to be used to properly dispatch fire ground communication from 60 Control to Mutual Aid, etc.
• Several channels are used for the proper care and handling of services, not to be confused with 911 calls. These will be used at a fire scene for constant communication
• The six frequencies are only a part of the FCC grant originally requested. The County will work with local agencies in order to swap lines and to establish a more modern system
• There is no updated information regarding the release of the 311 system.
• Improper use and abuse of the 911 system will be looked into further
• County is trying to look at modern approaches and introduce more competition. Erickson has been invited into the negotiations. Motorola has a monopoly on this equipment.
• The bonding money is only for basic transmission equipment, not for EMS, fire, or any other radio system. The equipment is one part of a long term project in which bonding is necessary

• The number of cell phone antennas on the Grasslands tower has reached the limit which was one of the reasons for loss of power during the summer at the reservation

• DPW has a project underway to upgrade the electrical service and install a larger generator

Through the Chair, Mr. Hosey asked how many frequencies 60 Control currently has licensed. Mr. Gallagher said that it has the use of 3 low band frequencies (46-14-46-26-33) and may use others that are licensed globally for interagency communication.

Mr. Hosey also asked what percentages of the County fire departments have radio equipment that is compatible with the six new frequencies. Mr. Gallagher only Yonkers operating on UHF.

During a meeting with emergency and disaster staff and local fire officials, Mr. Ryan observed that many want to see a clearly how the County will be taking, how the system should work, and to make sure the proper direction will be taken.

Dr. Jacknis said that not all volunteers and fire personnel need to be equipped with radios to use these frequencies. This is onlyfor dispatch and higher level officials communicating with 60 Control.

Mr. Gallagher said that the Fire Chiefs’ major concern is with Mutual Aid and ground communication and there is a plan being addressed now, awaiting response from all Fire Chiefs with their comments and/or suggestions. A regular meeting of the Career Fire Chiefs will be held on Wednesday, March 10^th. Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Albanese of DES have been invited and will forward any pertinent information to the Chair.

With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m. on the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie.