City holds first reading on dispatch software | News

Bryan City Council Tuesday night took the first step toward getting software to allow the police department to move toward Next Gen 911 services.

Council approved first reading of an ordinance to purchase cloud-based software for the system at a total cost of $209,000 over five years, with $92,000 of that being paid in the first year.

Both the city and county are moving forward with Next Gen 911 systems, but there has been discussion on whether there should just be one main dispatch center run by the county or if there should be one for the county and another for Bryan.

For city officials, the main answer to that question seems to be one of safety for the residents of the city.

Bryan Fire Chief Doug Pool said he has heard concerns from residents about the possibility of eliminating the city dispatch center.

“They did not want us to get rid of dispatch,” Pool said. “They’re very happy with what the city dispatchers are doing. They do something completely different than what the county does.

“Both organizations are needed, they both do phenomenal jobs, they’re all professionals,” the chief added.

Currently, any 911 call made on a landline within the Bryan city limits goes to the Bryan dispatch, but any 911 call from a cell phone is first directed to the county emergency communications dispatch.

Under the Next Gen system, those cell emergency calls from within Bryan would go to the Bryan dispatch. If the call is for fire or police, the call stays at the Bryan station, but EMS calls would be transferred to the county. Any emergency call from outside Bryan would go to county dispatch.

Pool said, especially with calls for police assistance, having a city dispatcher is important.

“They need to be able to getthat information, maintain that contact with the person on the phone as things are changing,” Pool said.

Council President John Betts said he heard a concern about the city spending the money on the dispatch and then the possibility of it being disbanded anyway in a couple of years. This likely arose from someone telling him the county’s Next Gen 911 board may vote to disband the city dispatch.

“I’ve sent that question on to our legal counsel for some guidance,” Mayor Carrie Schlade said. “We are reviewing some conversation and some revised code because we think that there is some incorrect guidance out there.”

She also noted she has a seat on that board and she does not recall there being any discussion during any formal meeting of the board about voting to disband the city dispatch. She added if those votes are being discussed privately, it could be a violation of the state’s Sunshine Laws.

“With that being said, we’re getting an attorney’s opinion on whether that board actually can do that,” Schlade said. She also added that if there is only one central dispatch center, that board would be dissolved as there is “no legal obligation under ORC (Ohio Revised Code) to have those boards.”

Schlade also pointed out, directly answering Betts’ question about the cost, that if the agreement is canceled for the software at any point the city does not need to pay the rest of what is owed.

Betts also disputed a claim he said he received that council is only receiving one side of the story.

“I’ve talked with two or three (people) that are absolutely convinced we need to have one (dispatch),” Betts said.

However, he said he has not yet had a satisfactory answer when he asks the question comparing financial matters to those of safety for city residents.

“I’m interested in the concept of community safety,” Betts said. “Am I going to have a quicker, better response with our own dispatch, or not? Tell me we’re not and why. I can’t make it any more simple or plain than that.”

He reiterated the willingness of council members to hear different viewpoints, however, and urged residents to come to a meeting and give their input.

“We have begged for people to let us know your thoughts,” Betts said, adding that’s why council is taking three readings on this issue. “We are open as a council for you to come over the next month, the next two meetings, to share your thoughts.”

As far as the financial burden, Schlade also said there would be some expense to the city if the dispatch was eliminated, since it would still have to have call takers available for after hours issues. In addition, she said there could be expense added to the county since the city dispatchers are able to take bonds after hours, meaning people do not need to go to the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio overnight for certain crimes. The county pays for beds used at the facility.

Councilwoman Mary Leatherman said she has been asked whether additional dispatchers would need to be hired if the city keeps its dispatch and sees more calls due to the 911 calls from inside the city.

Pool said the state sets dispatcher staffing levels based on call volume, and he believes the current levels would be sufficient. Bryan Police Capt. Jamie Mendez said dispatch currently has six on staff, with one part-time person awaiting training. Schlade said the city has adjusted the budget to allow for six.

He also said the number of police or fire calls will not change.

“We may see more cell calls for ambulance service, but knowing what our call volume is with that and the overlap, our dispatchers should be able to deal with the numbers that we have.”

In other business, council:

• Held a public hearing on expanding the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area to include 317 W. Butler St. and later in the meeting agreed to the expansion. The owners of that property will not sell liquor but requested the change so alcoholic drinks can be brought into the establishment if in DORA cups from other businesses with a liquor license.

• Passed, under suspension of rules and as an emergency, an ordinance to prohibit sleeping and camping on city-owned property.

• Approved a revolving loan fund agreement for Jinx Holdings, LLC, Yahraus, Inc., and Ryan R. Jinks, individually, and Karen A. Jinks. The funds will be used to purchase a building a 1109 S. Main St. that will lead to the retention of seven full-time jobs over a three-year period.

• Approved a building permit for interior renovations at 677 N. Main St., which is owned by the Williams County commissioners. The 155 square foot building will be used for county office space and renovations are estimated at $1.3 million.

• Learned the fire department responded to 39 fire calls and 99 emergency medical service calls in August.