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Home My WebLink AboutPR 18363: (MOU) WITH (SETRPC), COMMUNICATIO CAPABILITIES WITH BLACKBOARD CONNECT MEMORANDUM Port Arthur Police Department TO: John A. Comeaux P.E., Interim City Manager FROM: Police Chief Mark Blanton DATE: 5-27-14 Re: Blackboard Connect PR # 18363 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City of Port Arthur to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) to enhance the City's existing communication capabilities by the utilization of Blackboard Connect. BACKGROUND: This MOU is between the City of Port Arthur and the SETRPC to utilize the Blackboard Connect System. The original contract with Blackboard Connect was purchased in 2010 (Resolution 10- 116) for a total cost of$60,173.59. The Blackboard Connect for Government service will allow government leaders, including Department Heads throughout the City and First Responders to communicate important information quickly and reliably with voice, text, and email messages. The MOU will authorize the SETRPC to relay 911 data to Blackboard Connect for the purpose inputting citizen contact information for the City of Port Arthur to send important communication messages from the City of Port Arthur. The SETRPC has applied for a grant to pay for the region wide use of the Blackboard Connect System. It is anticipated that industry expenses for promoting the regional emergency alerting network will provide the required cash match; however if this is deemed an ineligible match or if expenses are sufficient to meet the full required cash match, the City of Port Arthur agrees to provide a pro rate match not to exceed $14,061.56 over two years. BUDGET/FISCAL EFFECT: Funds are budgeted in account#001-1101-521.61-03 STAFF/EMPLOYEE EFFECT: None. SUMMARY: It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City of Port Arthur to enter into a MOU with the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) to enhance the City's existing co u.icatil c.'abilities by the utilization of Blackboard Connect. Mark Blanton Chief of Police P. R. 18363 5/27/14 jt RESOLUTION NO. • A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (SETRPC) TO ENHANCE THE CITY'S EXISTING COMMUNICATION' CAPABILITIES WITH BLACKBOARD CONNECT, IN A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $14,061.56; FUNDING AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT NO. 001-1101-521.61-03. WHEREAS, Blackboard Connect for Government Services allows government leaders, Department Heads throughout the City, and first responders to provide emergency information, notices, direction, and reassurance to reach thousands of constituents in minutes, without having to invest in or maintain software, or additional phone lines; and WHEREAS, this service will allow government leaders and first responders to communicate important information quickly and reliably with voice, text, and email messages; and WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will authorize the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) to relay 911 data to Blackboard Connect for the purpose inputting citizen contact information for the City of Port Arthur to send important communication messages from the City of Port Arthur. The SETRPC has received a grant to pay for the region wide use of the Blackboard Connect System. WHEREAS, it is anticipated that industry expenses for promoting the regional emergency alerting network will provide the required cash match; however if this is deemed an ineligible match or if expenses are sufficient to meet the full required cash match, the City of Port Arthur agrees to provide a pro rate match not to exceed $14,061.56 over two years. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR: Section 1. That the facts and opinions of the preamble are true and correct. Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Port Arthur hereby authorizes the City of Port Arthur to enter the MOU, in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit "A", with the SETRPC to enhance the City's existing communication capabilities. Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ,ADOPTED AND APPROVED ON THIS day of A.D., 2014, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor: Councilmembers: NOES: Delores "Bobbie" Prince, Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: 44C Valecia Tizeno,/y •ttorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION John A. Comeaux, P.E., Interim City Manager Mark Blanton, Chief of Police APPROVED AS TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Deborah Echols, Finance Director Account No. 001-1101-521.61-03 (over a two year period Shawna Tubbs, Purchasing Manager EXHIBIT A FY 2014 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) Memorandum of Understanding Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement Between the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission(SETRPC)and the City of Port Arthur Regarding the City of Port Arthur's use of the Southeast Texas Emergency Alerting Network 1. PARTIES.The parties to this Agreement are SETRPC and the City of Port Arthur. 2.The purpose of this Agreement is for the local jurisdiction to acknowledge the SETRPC's application for 2014 Port Security Grant funds to provide regional access to the South East Texas Regional Emergency Alerting Network,to signify the City of Port Arthur's support of the project,and to set forth terms by which each of the parties will ensure the project's success. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES.The roles and responsibilities of each party are understood as follows: SETRPC agrees to: Administer the emergency alerting system • Ensure compliance with grant requirements Contact with and ensure timely payment to third party vendor for emergency alerting network services City of Port Arthur agrees to: • Follow Emergency Network Services guidelines as outlined in the Interlocal Agreement between SETRPC and the City of Port Arthur It is anticipated that industry expenses for promoting the regional emergency alerting network will provide the required cash match; however if this is deemed an ineligible match or if expenses are insufficient to meet the full required cash match,the City of Port Arthur agrees to provide a pro rate match not to exceed $14,061.56 over two years. 5. POINT OF CONTACT. Sue Landry Director, Homeland Security& Emergency Management Planning Division South East Texas Regional Planning Commission 2210 Eastex Freeway Beaumont,Texas 77703 Office: (409)924-7514 Fax: (409) 899-0826 Email: slandrv@setrpc.org Website:www.setrpc.org 6. OTHER PROVISIONS. Nothing is this agreement is intended to conflict with current laws or regulations of the State of Texas or local Government. If a term of this agreement is inconsistent with such authority,then that term shall be invalid, but the remaining terms and conditions of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.The terms of the agreement will become effective on the date found next to the signatures below. 8. MODIFICATIONS.This agreement may be modified upon the mutual written consent of the parties. 9.TERMINATION.The terms of this agreement, as modified with the consent of both parties,will remain in effect until the grant end date for an approved grant. Either party, upon 30 days written notice to the other party may terminate this agreement. APPROVED BY: Shaun P. Davis Executive Director Signature Date SETRPC Deloris"Bobbie" Prince Mayor Signature Date City of Port Arthur •