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Ennis approves $385,079 QIP purchase of OptiCom signal preemption to speed emergency response
Summary
The commission authorized use of Quality Incentive Payment funds to buy and install a GPS-based OptiCom emergency-vehicle signal preemption system at signalized intersections, funding the vehicle and intersection equipment at an estimated $385,079 and approving implementation steps including an MOU with TxDOT for state-owned signals.
Chief Evans and city staff presented an OptiCom GPS-based emergency-vehicle signal-preemption system and asked the commission to authorize QIP funds to purchase vehicle and intersection equipment. “It’s a priority control platform that preempts the traffic signals as emergency vehicles approach them, effectively giving us the right of way for the fire trucks and for the ambulances,” Chief Evans said, summarizing the technology and its public-safety purpose.
Chief Evans and a MoVision representative explained the choice of GPS-based units over older infrared emitters and cloud solutions and cited vendor and city examples of reduced crashes and faster response times. The staff estimate for intersections and vehicle equipment was $385,079; Chief Evans said per-vehicle hardware is roughly $6,600 and police equipment would be about $5,000 per vehicle if the city later chose to outfit police cars.
Commissioners discussed whether police vehicles or school buses could be integrated; staff said legal counsel would be consulted to confirm allowable uses of QIP funds and that the resolution could be amended in future if counsel approves. The commission moved, seconded and approved resolution G5 to authorize the use of QIP funds, then separately approved G6 to proceed with the system purchase and related agreements, including an anticipated purchase/installation timeline of roughly three to four months after ordering and MOU execution with TxDOT where required.
