Agenda

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City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

12/10/2019

BACKGROUND

In April 2005, the State of Texas wrote the Texas Interoperability Channel Plan (TCIP) to improve the day-to-day and disaster communications for radio systems. The Memorandum of Understanding authorized the use of certain radio frequencies by emergency response organizations as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes permissions and guidelines for use of interoperability or mutual aid radio channels and also imposes certain protocols, procedures, and obligations upon jurisdictions hereby authorized to use state-licensed radio channels held by the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS). Council originally approved the MOU in April 2007.

On December 7th, 2017, The Texas Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan’s Strategic Advisory Group finalized and voted upon the revisions to the TSICP.
The revisions included:
1. Updating Statewide Coordinated P25 Radio Unit Identification (ID) Plan guidance
2. Added new 700 MHz Air-to-Ground Channels
3. Added new UHF and VHF Federal Interoperability Channels
4. Added reminder: Fixed base repeaters as secondary use – all frequencies
5. Updated MOU to reflect new Air-to-Ground and Federal Interop Channels
6. Changed section headings to match with NIFOG color shading
7. Updated VHF and 800 MHz CTCSS tones in compliance with the NIFOG

GOAL

To obtain authorization from City Council for the City Manager to sign Memorandum Of Understanding With The State Of Texas For The Texas Statewide Interoperability Channel Plan.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Grants permission to the City of Schertz to use State Interoperability radio channels during emergencies in the region as well as the State.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

To obtain authorization from City Council for the City Manager to sign Memorandum Of Understanding With The State Of Texas For The Texas Statewide Interoperability Channel Plan.

FISCAL IMPACT

None

RECOMMENDATION

Approval of Resolution 19-R-164.

Attachments
19 R 164
MOU City of Schertz