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The third cost area is to address poor reception areas. Pleasanton is unique by the fact it is surrounded by foothills. They have pockets within the community where radio reception and other types of communication are very difficult. The City frequently receives calls about people losing cell phone reception, and many people have cable television because TV reception is most likely very poor, as well. Staff has worked closely with EBRCSA and feels confident they are placing antennas at the appropriate location that will minimize poor reception areas. Nevertheless, consultants indicate that equipment will still need to be installed to address poor reception. Also, the Stoneridge Mall has historically been a difficult location, and therefore, cost is estimated to be $300,000. The fourth cost area is the cost of maintaining and operating the system. EBRCSA is implementing a $7 million infrastructure project, and with it, license agreements, administrative costs, upgrades, and making sure the system is well maintained. The way cost will be addressed is that each participating agency will be required to pay a monthly maintenance amount per radio. For Pleasanton, this will equal $116,000 a year. Mr. Bocian presented a summary of the total breakdown of costs: $512,000 for the infrastructure; $750,000 for radios, and $300,000 for improvements, which totals $1.5 million. In addition, there will be on -going annual costs of $116,000. He noted that when the Council approved joining the JPA in 2007, there was a one -time cost of $30,000 to join. He summarized agencies are required to enter into a project operating agreement, which is the legal document used to set the requirement for the EBRCSA. EBRCSA will own the system, will retain ownership of its infrastructure, and are required to keep it in good repair and operation. It allows for unlimited usage and the EBRCSA will provide an annual budget for the Board's review. The City may also withdraw at any time since the City is paying up front and not taking on debt service. However, no one is planning to withdraw from the system, as this is a tremendous improvement for public safety and radio usage. The system will also be insured and EBRCSA will maintain the financials. Mr. Bocian said staff recommendation is for Council to authorize the expenditures, the purchase of the radios, the system upgrades, and to authorize execution of the project operating agreement. Lastly, Mr. Bocian said the system may be available for Pleasanton at the beginning of 2011. Vice Mayor Thorne said at one point in time there were major jurisdictions that did not sign onto the system, and he confirmed these included the cities of Oakland and Berkeley and East Bay Regional Park. Councilmember McGovern questioned and confirmed that four special districts hold interest in the system, which included Zone 7, DSRSD, East Bay Parks and BART. She noted that in 2007, they approached LAVTA who did not join. In thinking about Katrina, she would hope that some effort is made for first responders to be able to move large numbers of people. Mr. Fialho explained that if LAVTA decides to join the system, they will be able to communicate. He added that there is a $30 unit cost per month for each radio that each agency has, and this number may be reduced as more agencies join on. Vice Mayor Thorne confirmed with Mr. Fialho that $2.7 million has been set aside for acquisition. Revenues are not growing, and the City will need to find about $120,000 a year to operate the system. Mr. Bocian noted that one of the offsets is that not much money will need to City Council Minutes Page 9 of 10 September 21, 2010