Gogebic County to Take Over MDOT Communication Tower in Marenisco

BESSEMER, MI - Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - The Gogebic County Enhanced 911 Committee held it's regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday in the Basement Conference Room of the Gogebic County Courthouse in Bessemer. Attending the meeting Thursday were: Jim Loeper, 911 coordinator; Rachael Paquette, Assistant 911 Coordinator; Julie Ann Giackino, Gogebic County Administrator & Committee Secretary; John Suutala, Michigan Township Association Representative; Don Bennetts, City of Bessemer; Bob Morin, County Commissioner; Mike Wiemeri, 911 Committee Chairman; Ken Jacobson, Gogebic County Firefighters Representative; Ted Finco, President of the Gogebic County Firefighters Training Council; Leroy Kangas, Chairman of the County Board; Larry Sanders, Gogebic County Sheriff; Dick Caudill, Watersmeet Township Representative; Sue Cestkowski, Gogebic County Sheriff's Department; Bruce Mahler, Marenisco Police Department; and Scott Voit, Gogebic County Sheriff's Deputy. Representing the media at Thursday's meeting were Lou Bonagura, webmaster of IronwoodInfo.com, and yours truly. There were no members of the general public at the meeting.

The Committee began their meeting by approving the current agenda and the minutes of the previous meeting. Chairman Wiemeri then opened the floor to comments from concerned citizens. Since there were no members of the general public in attendance, there were none.

The Budget - Jim Loeper presented the current budget, as of July 31st to the Committee. According to the budget, the current fund balance is $49,705.51. Loeper explained that the travel expenses were over budget, but he explained that this should be expected with all of the ongoing negotiations relating to the Michigan Public Services Commission (MPSC) decisions earlier in the year.

According to Loeper, everything thing else is on budget. Loeper welcomed any questions. Leroy Kangas asked how the workman's compensation insurance was collected. Loeper explained that it was collected once yearly for the 911. The Committee unanimously approved the budget as stated.

AT&T Rate Increase - Loeper presented a copy of an AT&T bill that was received at the beginning of the month. The bill was for the radio circuit lines used to provide 911 service through Negaunee. He stated that rates have increased by 21% for the year.  He told the Committee that he has contacted the company regarding the increases. He was told by AT&T that the contract that was originally signed expired in June. Loeper told the Committee that the increase means the cost of this service will equal $43,000 annually.

Loeper told the Committee that he was researching the possibility of bypassing AT&T completely by getting on the "800" microwave towers. He said the problem is that the repeaters that are currently in use are basically obsolete and incompatable with the microwave system due to the huge size of the equipment. New repeaters that would be compatable with the 800 tower system cost approximately $22,000 each.

Loeper told the Committee that AT&T was down in Lansing complaining about the rate increases to them. Loeper reminded the AT&T reps that their fees are constantly rising as well.

Loeper told AT&T that he will not pay the increase until the issue is fully examined. "It's just ridiculous!" Loeper exclaimed. Loeper told the Committee that he will continue to work to resolve the issue with AT&T, and he will let the Committee know the results as soon as possible.

Michigan Public Service Charge Appeal - The Committee went into closed session to discuss the MPSC rate change legal appeal.

Legislative Action Committee - Loeper provided the Committee with sample copy of a bill that they are trying to present to Congress. Evidently, the Legislative Action Committee has found a sponsor for the bill, and it may soon be presented for approval. This action was taken to insure that local counties still had the rights to set their own rate charges for 911 service. According to Loeper, the telephone companies are doing all they can to stop county-by-county rate charges -- instead, they favor a state-wide 911 surcharge when they have control over what is charged.

911 Authority - Eight U.P. counties have signed on so far, including Gogebic. Two more counties will soon be signing at the beginning of the month. Loeper said he hopes to have 14 counties signed on when it's all said and done. Loeper said Menomonee seems to be the only hold-out in the U.P.

Loeper told the Committee that a set of bylaws have been drafted that will be circulated to the Authority members. According to Loeper, several larger downstate coordinators have praised the U.P. for their actions.

911 Sub-Committee - There hasn't been a meeting since the last 911 Committee meeting. He reminded the Committee that several other communities have been contacted but there is little that can be done at this time.

Central Dispatch Committee - Loeper told the Committee that he had submitted a contract to Dick Adams. According to Adams, the contract language is fine. Adams also said he sees no problem with the contract. Loeper said the contract needs to be submitted by the first of October. The exact amount of the contract was still uncertain. Ken Jacobson suggested tabling any action on the contract until the Committee finds out what is going to fund it. According to Loeper, if nothing is done, the old contract just rolls over at the current rate, unless they opt out. The Committee agreed with Jacobson, and they tabled any action on the new contract until funding sources and amounts are properly identified.

Marenisco Tower - Loeper told the Committee that he received a call from Bob Raisanen a while back stating the the communication tower owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)  will be decommissioned. According to Loeper Marenisco's Fire Department repeater is housed on that tower.

Raisanen told Loeper that MDOT has offered Marenisco the tower. If Marenisco doesn't take the tower, according to MDOT, they will simply tear it down. Loeper said that he and Bruce Mahler examined the tower and noted that it was in extremely good shape. According to Raisanen, routine maintenance is a must with all MDOT equipment.

Raisanen told the Committee that the tower could be turned over to the County instead considering the repeater was for emergency services anyway.  Loeper told the Committee that building a new tower would cost approximately $1 million. The Committee agreed to accept the Marenisco tower. Larry Sanders asked if space could be rented on the tower once the County owns it, and the Committee agreed that it would be a good way to generate income for the County.

The next meeting will be announced and will probably be at the end of September or the beginning of October.