HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.23.2009 (3)•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 23, 2009
3:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt.
Members absent: Getty, Hart.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be
approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Getty, Hart. Motion carried.
Barb Berquam, Coordinator Black Hawk County EMA, explained the CodeRed System.
CodeRed is designed as a web based system so calls can be launched from anywhere in the
world and they are never tied to any one computer. CodeRed is a basic emergency calling
system that uses existing data base for particularly land lines, but can be used on multiple phones
such as home, cell phones, car phones, etc. It has a web -based interface so people can add other
devices that they want to send web base alerts. The total cost for the CodeRed System for Black
Hawk County is $31,250.00 and Waterloo's cost would be based on a per capita basis.
The CodeRed Emergency Alert System can be used during natural disasters, man-made disasters,
health department messages, search and rescue, public works, crime, etc. The system is
geographically enabled so an area can be highlighted so that calls will only go to the area
highlighted. The system allows for 125,000 minutes annually, and the minutes are deducted
from the minute bank in 6-second increments for connected calls only.
The CodeRed System includes weather warning. Citizens can volunteer to receive a warning
message any time severe weather threatens the local area. CodeRed uses the new polygon
warnings methodologies to target only areas in the projected path of inclement weather. The
CodeRed people will help to market the system. The total cost for the city for both Code Red
systems is $24,838.00. The CodeRed System understands there are some limitation based on
local limitations, but they guarantee 1,000 calls per minute.
Councilperson Greenwood stated he thought it would be more beneficial if it put out text
messages to cell phones. Councilperson Cole agreed that a lot of people use cells phone but
added that a lot of elderly folks don't know or understand text messaging. Tom Jennings, Police
Chief, noted that the system does include text messaging, e-mail, etc. Ms. Berquam noted that it
would take one hour to call everyone in Waterloo.
Doug Carter, Fire Chief, noted that 24 Iowa counties are using CodeRed. The weather warning
system automatically tracks a storm and targets the affected areas.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked what would be the overage charge for any minutes over the
annual 125,000 minutes included in the contract. Ms. Berquam will check with the company on
any overage charges.
Mayor Hurley noted that the cost for the first year would be paid by BHC Emergency
Management. The council will have to decide if they are comfortable obligating future councils
from 2011 and beyond.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Cole
that the meeting be adjourned at 3:49 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Getty. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk