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HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1988-0741 2 3 4 5 6 7' 8 9 10 11 12 13. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 911RES.889 INTRODUCED BY: PROPOSED BY: C DATE: Decembe: RESOLUTION NO. 88-74 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT EXTENDING THE JOINT OPERATION OF WHAT -COMM COMMUNICATIONS CENTER WHEREAS, Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham entered into an Interlocal Agreement beginning January 1, 1983 for the purpose of providing for all Whatcom County public safety agencies a .consolidated Communications Center, known as the What -Comm Communications Center; and, WHEREAS, the agreement terminates at midnight on the 31st day of December 1988;•and, WHEREAS, it is in the best .interests of all the citizens of Whatcom County to continue to provide efficient and effective communications service to the respective public safety agencies; and, WHEREAS, the What -Comm Administrative Board has reviewed and approved a new Interlocal Agreement continuing this joint service; and, WHEREAS, Section X, A states that the agreement may be extended in duration by mutual agreement of the participating parties provided that such extension is accepted by a legislative act of a majority of the users, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council accepts the Interlocal Agreement attached as Exhibit A extending the joint operation of the What -Comm Communications Center to the 31st RESOLUTION - 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. 14 15. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 day of 1994, and authorizes the County Executive to sign the agreement. PASSED this 15th day of December , 1988. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON WILLIAM P. ROEHL CHAIRMAN ATTEST: z RAMONA REEVES CLERK OF THE COUNCIL APPROVED AS TO FORM: RANDALL J: DEPUTY PRO RESOLUTION -2. , -CIVIL NG ATTORNEY 0 WHAT -COMM COMMUNICATIONS CENTER THIS AGREEMENT, by and between the County of Whatcom, a political subdivision of the state of Washington (hereinafter the "County "); and the City of Bellingham, a first -class municipal corporation of the state of Washington (hereinafter the "City "); other local governments of Whatcom County may receive communications services by signing a writing of agreement with the Board of Administration for What -Comm Communications Center. WITNESSETH THAT: WHEREAS, both the City and the County have combined their emergency communications centers in order to provide more efficient and effective communications service to their respective public safety agencies, and thereby to better serve the Public; and, WHEREAS, the County's Sheriff's Office and the City's Police Department have previously negotiated for the consolidation of their communications under the supervision of the City's Police Department, and, WHEREAS, R.C.W. 39.34 permits local governmental units to make official use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage, and WHEREAS, the citizens of Whatcom have approved by passage of initiative that it is in the best interests of the citizens of Whatcom County to have a consolidated public safety communications system with a 9 -1 -1 emergency telephone answering point, utilizing the best available communications equipment and taking advantage of the economies of scale, WHEREAS, it is the goal of WHAT -COMM Communications Center to serve the citizens of Whatcom County by providing an effective and efficient communication link between those people with a fire, medical or law enforcement emergency and those agencies which are designated to respond to such an emergency. 00230 (1) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 6766903 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and pursuant to the provisions of R.C.W. Ch. 38.52 and R.C.W. 39.34, the parties hereto do agree as follows: I. PURPOSE It is the purpose of this agreement to provide a mechanism whereby all. Whatcom County Public Safety Agencies may combine their law enforcement, fire and emergency medical communications dispatching services, by the establishment of a consolidated Communications Center (hereinafter the "What -Comm Communications Center "), operated by personnel of the City of Bellingham's Police Department. The parties further hereby intend to extend to all emergency service agencies of Whatcom County, including but not limited to general municipal police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical service units, the opportunity to receive communication services. II. DURATION The duration of this agreement shall be in effect the 1st day of January, 1989, and terminate at midnight.on the 31st day of December, 1994, unless this agreement is sooner extended or terminated in accordance with the terms hereof. III. ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL ORGANIZATION A. Administrative Organization: The parties hereto agree to establish a Board of Administration, which shall be the administrative policy - making agency for the Center. 1. The board shall be composed of eight members, to wit: The County Executive of Whatcom County; the Sheriff of the County; the Mayor of the City of Bellingham; the Chairperson of the 00230 (2) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 6766903 Bellingham City Council Public Safety Committee; one elected official to represent all of the rural fire districts joining herein, said elected official to be chosen by them; the Chairperson of the County Council Public Services Committee; the City of Bellingham Chief of Police, or designee; and, for other general authority enforcement of Whatcom County, one elected official to represent all of them, to be chosen by them. 2. The board may establish by -laws consistent with this agreement, should the need arise. 3. The board shall have the authority to: a. - Establish, via majority vote and in writing, broad policy guidelines for the operation of the Center; and, b. Determine annually, and review quarterly, the financial contributions of the parties hereto, and to make adjustments in the same if the Board determines that any of the parties hereto is bearing an unjust share of the costs of the Center. Decisions on financial contributions shall be made by a majority of the Board plus one vote. C. To approve the joining herein of any other user wishing to participate, by giving its approval by majority vote, without the necessity of re- submission of this agreement. to the legislative bodies of the governments participating herein; and, d. The Board may review the operational policies and procedures developed by the Operations Committee and the Communications Director. The Board shall have, by majority vote, power to finally resolve any disputes over operations policies. 00230 (3) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 6766903 e. Prior to budget approval by the Administrative Board, they and the Communications Director will meet with the Council Finance Committees of the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County to review the Center's budget. Other user cities within Whatcom County will be informed on an annual basis of the budget process including the Administrative Board's budget review process and the Councils' Committees budget review process. B. Operational Organization: Operational supervision of the Center shall be conducted by an Operations Committee. 1. The Operations Committee shall be composed of a delegate of the Sheriff of Whatcom County, the Chief of the City of Bellingham's Police Department or his delegate, the Center's Director of Communications, who shall sit ex- officio and without vote, the County's Emergency Services Director; the Chief of the Bellingham Fire Department or his delegate, a single Fire Chief from the rural fire districts, who shall be chosen by the rural fire district Chiefs, and who shall represent all of them; and, a single Police Chief representative from the general authority law enforcement agencies other than that of Bellingham, who shall be chosen by the general law enforcement agencies, and who shall represent all of them; The Administrative Board may approve additional members of the Operations Committee on petition of a user desiring representation thereon. 00230 (4) 2. The Operations Committee shall meet at least quarterly, and shall have direct authority over the operations policies of the Center. In this connection, it shall: a. Review and approve the written operations guidelines of the Center, City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Louie street Bellingham. Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 b. Resolve all disputes over Center operations between users, and between users and the Center, subject to review by the Administrative Board, C. The Committee shall review the adequacy of equipment, personnel, and other financial needs, and shall make recommendations for budget and staffing changes to the Administrative Board where appropriate, and, d. Have authority to recommend for appointment by the Mayor selection of a Director of Communications. 3. Decisions reached by the Operations Committee shall be by a vote of the majority of the membership, plus one vote. IV. JOINING OF OTHER USERS Other governmental bodies or emergency service organizations of the Whatcom County area may make use of the services of the Center, by: A. Executing a writing, in accordance with the applicable laws of the state of Washington, agreeing to be bound hereby in all respects, including bearing a proportional share of the financing of the Center, and, B. Upon approval of the joining of a new user hereto, the Administrative Board shall recompute the financial contributions of the various parties hereto, and shall inform them forthwith of their adjusted contribution for the current calendar year. V. THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM AGREES TO: A. Staff, operate, and maintain the Center, using employees of the City. 00230 (5) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 B. The City shall employ and assign the selected Director of Communications, who shall supervise the day -to -day operations of the Center. The Director shall be responsible to the Bellingham Chief of Police and the Operation Committee for the staffing and direction of all personnel employed by the Center, for budget preparation and management, and for the efficient operation of the Center, including the development of operating policies and procedures, scheduling, supervision and maintenance of liaison with the other users of the Center. C. The City shall maintain records and statistics of the operation of the Center, and shall furnish a monthly report of activities of the Center, and of each user's utilization of the Center. D. The City shall provide the following communications services: 00230 (6) 1. A 9 -1 -1 emergency telephone answering point for the receipt of calls for emergency and other assistance; 2. The development and utilization of a computer aided - dispatch system for emergency vehicles and units, and provision of necessary information thereto, 3. The maintenance, insofar as is possible or convenient, of records of current warrants, wants, stops, stolen vehicles and property, 4. The sending, receipt and advice of all teletype messages addressed to or from parties hereto that are pertinent to the operation of the communications center or the dispatching of their public safety personnel. 5. The performance of other tasks and services necessary and proper for the efficient operation of a comprehensive emergency communications system. City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lollie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 E. The City shall provide only a direct ring down service terminating in the U.S. Border Patrol Dispatch Center in Blaine through which all emergency calls for police service within the corporate boundaries of Blaine, Lynden and Sumas shall be directed for dispatching. F. The City shall establish a special revenue fund known as the Public Safety Dispatch Fund. The fund is to account for the receipt and expenditure of all monies related to the 9 -1 -1 telephone operation. The operations within the fund shall be the responsibility of the Bellingham Police Department and will be administered by the Director of Communications in accordance with those policies established by the Center's Board of Administration. VI. THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM AGREES TO: A. The Administrative Board is responsible for the location and leasing of the facility and space of the center. B. The County shall collect a County -wide telephone excise tax as established by County Ordinance and make-it available to the City of Bellingham within three days of receipt for deposit into the Public Safety Dispatch Fund. C. The appropriate county officials must approve or authorize any alterations to the facility prior to work done. County officials also have a right to inspect and assure that the facility is in compliance with existing building regulations. VII. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT: A. Radio frequencies: 00230 (7) Each participating user, while retaining its ownership or license City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottle Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 right to the radio frequencies used by the user at the time of joining in this agreement, agrees to permit use and routine operational control of those frequencies by Center personnel. Each user shall be responsible for renewing its own frequency licenses at the end of the respective license periods and to maintain their base radio stations; repeaters and other radio support equipment. B. Liabilities: Except as provided to the contrary in R.C.W. 38.52, the City of Bellingham agrees to hold harmless participating users from any claims against those users directly resulting from actions or omissions on the part of any employee or agent of the City acting in• conjunction with this agreement; provided, however, that in the case of any claim or lawsuit resulting from actions by employees or agents of the City when acting in conjunction with this agreement, where the said action was taken as a result of erroneous information received from one of the participating user's officers or employees, who was negligent in transmitting the information to the City employee or agent, such user shall assume responsiblity for and hold the City harmless from any such claim or liability arising from the information generated or transmitted by that user. C. Disputes between parties: Should a dispute arise between two or more participants hereto, the parties shall resolve the same by: 1. Submitting the dispute to the Operations Committee for resolution by negotiation and mediation. 2. If the Operations Committee should fail to resolve the same, or should one of the parties to the dispute find the solution tendered unacceptable, the matter shall be submittei*oigeittoarn CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Slreel Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 00.2.30 (8) Administrative Board for final disposition, in accordance with this agreement. VIII. FINANCES A. It shall be the responsibility of the Director of Communication to prepare an annual budget request which will include all necessary and required revenues and expenditures. Such budget shall include as expense items an amount for liability exposure or insurance coverage as well as a sum sufficient to cover the Citys costs of providing support services to the What /Comm Community Communications Center together with all other reasonable and necessary expenses. B. Commencing January 1, 1983, for all user agencies except the Rural Fire Districts, and commencing November 1, 1983, for the Rural Fire Districts, the participating parties shall pay to the City of Bellingham on a quarterly basis, pursuant to this contract, their financial contributions for the cost of operation of the Center. User agencies will be billed each quarter for their estimated proportional share of the yearly operating expenses of the center. Bills will be adjusted the first quarter of each year to balance any overpayments or underpayments of estimated bills for the previous year. C. Computation of the distribution of financial contributions: 00230 (9) 1. The overall computation shall first be determined by the percentage of usage (calls- for - service) between the -two major functions served by the Center of law enforcement and fire: (e.g, during a given quarter police utilized 80 percent of the calls- for - service and all fire functions utilized 20 percent). Each function shall be responsible for that percentage of the quarter's operating budget. • City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottle Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 a. The formula for further computing financial contributions for police agencies is as follows: [(Total Law Enforcement Cost) times (.75) times (Population)] plus [(Total Law Enforcement Costs) times (.25) times (usage)] equals the police user agencies' financial contribution. b. The formula for further computing financial contributions for fire agencies is as follows: [(Total Fire Cost) divided by total number of calls- for - service] times [each agencies' calls- for - service] equals user fire agencies' financial contribution. WHERE: "Population" means the expression, in percent, of a user's population as a proportion of the entire population served by the Center. The population figure shall be based on the last general census, updated by the latest estimates available from the state of Washington or such other method as may be selected by the Administrative Board. "Usage" means the expression, in percent, of a user's use of the services of the Center, as compared to the total usage by all users. Usage shall be determined by a count of the user's "units of use ", which is defined as an. incident which results in an emergency services unit being dispatched, or an event number being assigned in conformance with the procedures established by the Communications Director. Once each month the City will provide a listing of Event Numbers assigned to each user during the preceeding month, as well as a set of management reports based on the data generated for that 00230 (10) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Loltie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676.6903 agency. If figures regarding units of use for an entire year are unavailable for either a participating user or for the entire system, the City may extrapolate the available figures in order to determine either the yearly units of use attributable to a user, or the annual units of use of the entire system. "Financial Contribution" means the proportion of the Center's total annual budget paid by a user, expressed as a percentage of that budget. The Contribution may be reduced on a pro rata basis if the user participates in the Center for less than a full year. The total financial contribution shall be determined by calculation of all planned disbursements and then subtracting all other anticipated revenue sources except that to be paid by the user parties. "Calls- For - Service" means each user's "units of use ", which is defined as an incident which results in one or more emergency services unit being dispatched and /or in a report or event number being drawn. Where financial contribution, population, usage, and calls for service are used, they will be as defined above. D. In the event a budget shortage occurs, the Administrative Board may assess each user an additional levy, based on the above computation of financial contributions. E. The Center may accept gifts and donations, and may apply for and receive grants of money or equipment from other governments. Grant applications shall be prepared under supervision of the Operations Committee, and shall be submitted on authority of, and with the approval of, the Administrative Board. IX. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT A. Initially, the County and the City of Bellingham agree to combine 00230 (11) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham. Washington 99225 Telephone (206) 6766903 all communications center equipment owned by them respectively, or to be obtained by them for this purpose, into equipping the Center. B. Center equipment shall be in the custody of the City of Bellingham, but ownership shall remain in the contributing agency. The City of Bellingham shall be responsible for the maintenance of all such equipment in good repair and adjustment, normal wear and tear excepted. Upon initial receipt of custody of equipment from any user whatsoever, the City of Bellingham shall enter it into a master inventory, describing the equipment fully, including its condition on receipt. Should any user withdraw from this agreement as provided herein, equipment owned or controlled by it shall be returned to it within 90 days of the effective date of withdrawal. C. Other users joining herein may contribute equipment to the Center in accordance with the foregoing. Should another user, upon joining herein, decide to maintain dispatch services or active base stations in addition to services received from the Center, it is understood that operational net control remains with the Center, absent agreement by the Administrative Board to the contrary. X. MODIFICATION, WITHDRAWAL AND TERMINATION A. This agreement may be modified or extended in duration by mutual agreement of the participating parties under the following circumstances: 1. The Administrative Board and the Operational Committee agree on the necessity for modification or extension; and, 00230 (12) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676 -6903 2. The Administrative Board submits, in writing, a proposed modification or extension to all users currently joined herein; and, 3. The modification or extension is accepted by legislative act of a majority of the users joined herein. Modifications shall be effective 30 days after the last acceptance by a user's legislative body that constitutes a majority of users. B. Withdrawal: The parties hereto or a participant may withdraw from this agreement only by legislative act of its governing body, communicated to the Administrative Board in writing. Such withdrawal shall be effective on midnight of December 31, of the year in which notice of withdrawal is tendered and in no case prior to that date. Request to withdraw by either party hereto shall require 6 months advance written notice. C. Withdrawal may be imposed upon any user under the following circumstances: 1. The Communications Director determines that a consistent pattern of abuse of operational policies by a user's personnel exists, and such determination is communicated to the Operations Committee in writing. 2. The Operations Committee shall consider the recommendations of the Communications Director, and shall attempt to obtain compliance with operational policies by the abusing user. If this fails, the Operations Committee shall make its written report to the Administrative Board. 3. The Administrative Board shall attempt to resolve the abuse by negotiation, if this fails, the Administrative Board shall have the authority to terminate the user's services hereunder and exclude the user herefrom, acting by a vote of the majority of the Board plus one vote. City of Bellingham 00230 ( 13 ) CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676 -6903 4. Involuntary withdrawal as described by the foregoing shall be effective 90 days after the Administrative Board renders its decision. D. Termination of this agreement may be accomplished by the following: 1. The Administrative Board shall have the authority to recommend termination of this agreement to the legislative bodies of the users' governments. Upon acceptance of the recommendation for termination by a user's legislative body, that user shall be deemed to have withdrawn, in accordance with the foregoing. 2. Users desiring to continue hereunder after a recommendation for termination may renegotiate this agreement, in accordance with the provisions for modification provided herein. 3..' Termination of this agreement shall be effective no less than 120 days from the date of the recommendation for termination by the Board. E. General Terms 1. This agreement contains terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties. The parties agree that there are no other understandings, oral or otherwise, regarding the subject matter of this agreement. 2. The City shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. They shall take affirmative action to insure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Such action shall include, 00230 (14) City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 t.ottie Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 676-6903 but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotions, or terminations; rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training including apprenticeship; and participation in recreational and education activities. They agree to post, in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment, notices identical to those used setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause. In all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by them or on their behalf, the parties shall state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. They shall cause the foregoing provisions to be inserted in all subcontracts for any work covered by this agreement so that such provisions will be binding upon each user. 3. Each party agrees to aid and assist the other in accomplishing the objectives of this agreement. 4. The agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors and assigns. EXECUTED this the day of COUNTY: Attest: Clerk of the Council Approved as to form: �' --- . Z Deputy Prosy uting Attorney 00230 (15) , 1988 for WHATCOM Whatcom County Executive City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottle Street Bellingham, Washington 98225 Telephone (206) 6766903 EXECUTED, this the �day of elIq 2524e � 1988, for the CITY OF BELLINGHAM: Attest: i ce Dire-10r pprov d as to form: City Attorney Depar mental Approva 00230 (16) �)�JL Tim Douglas, Mayor City of Bellingham CITY ATTORNEY 210 Lottie Street Bellingham, Washington Telephone (206) 61