Staff proposes Motorola radio replacement, vehicle and fire apparatus orders; long lead times noted for pumpers and ladders

Bruce, city staff member, told the board the city's Motorola 7000‑series radios are no longer serviceable and recommended replacing 85 radios across departments to maintain communications.

"We need to replace all of those radios. I think it's a total of 85 across the city," Bruce said; staff presented a total project cost split among police (equitable sharing funds), fire and other departments for replacement.

The police department discussed a 60‑day pilot test of a license-plate recognition system (FLOC) and staff identified a $60,000 budget request should the city proceed to purchase after the pilot. Board members asked for worst-case operating costs and how many years remained under prepayment on existing systems.

Ronnie, fire department representative, addressed apparatus replacement lead times: "The current lead time for a pumper... would be no less than 24 months and it could be out 2 36." Ronnie advised the board that signing a letter of intent locks in price at current dollars and is a common procurement tactic to avoid escalating costs. He also said ladder trucks could have delivery timelines of 48 months or longer.

Staff listed a summary of one-time and personnel requests, including several leased vehicles, replacement of an IT vehicle and document‑imaging server, parks trucks, and the fire/police radio replacement. No formal procurement decisions were made at the workshop; staff recommended early procurement planning because of long lead times and rapidly rising equipment costs.