Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve Phase 1 study for Trumbull County 911 relocation amid split vote
Summary
The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to begin Phase 1 of a planned Trumbull County 911 dispatch relocation, authorizing architects and consultants to produce structural and space studies and renderings; commissioners debated workplace conditions, staffing shortages and funding methods.
The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to authorize Phase 1 of a proposed relocation and renovation study for Trumbull County 911 dispatch, permitting selected architects and consultants to produce structural, engineering and space studies and cost renderings.
The approved Phase 1 work authorizes Philip Sekanick, Inc. (architects) to work with MCM Consulting Group, Inc. (consultants) and engages a structural engineer identified in the agenda as Phillips Mechanic, Inc. The agenda listed three amounts associated with Phase 1: $18,300 to Phillips Mechanic, Inc.; structural engineering services not to exceed $30,000; and $45,561 to MCM Consulting Group. The authorization is intended to provide the county with cost estimates and renderings needed to seek funding for a relocation.
Commissioner Malloy and President Rick Hernandez supported moving forward. They described the current 911 facility as cramped and in poor condition, saying staff have long worked mandatory overtime, faced denied leave requests, and have operated in a building that was not intended as a permanent dispatch center. Hernandez said the current basement location has had flooding, asbestos concerns and insufficient space and that a move would “put new life in the 911 system” and improve working conditions for dispatch staff and public safety responders. Malloy said the board had paid for feasibility work previously and that a unanimous recommendation from a 911 review board named Cortland as the preferred location.
Commissioner Bernard voted against the authorization, saying he agreed 911 needs to move but that the county lacked a clear funding plan and that he did not want to commit additional taxpayer dollars without a firm financing strategy. Bernard said he wanted a consultant retained earlier to present a funding plan before proceeding.
The motion to approve was seconded and recorded as: Commissioner Malloy — yes; President Rick Hernandez — yes; Commissioner Bernard — no.
Ending: With Phase 1 approved, county staff will receive engineering and space analyses and cost estimates to guide funding decisions for a future relocation; the vote leaves open financing questions that commissioners said will be addressed as cost information becomes available.
