By Patty Montagno
Staff Writer
A 300 ft. radio tower location was approved at the July 20 Sachse City Council meeting. During the meeting, Fire Chief Rick Colemen explained that Public Safety representatives have been in negotiations with RCC Consultants and the city of Garland Radio Division to provide feedback from a request to build a radio equipment tower in Sachse.
Members approved the location to construct a p-25 digital radio tower to be constructed near the public works building and animal shelter.
The tower was recommended by both Motorola and Harris. The total cost of the P-25 project is $1.7 million dollars, originally $2.1 million, for equipment and the radio tower construction.
“The city of Garland Radio Division has agreed to pay the cost of the tower if the city of Sachse would donate the land needed for the project reducing the initial cost of the upgrade to $943,342,” he said.
Coleman explained that the public safety radio system has been mandated by the federal government to be upgraded to the P-25 by the end of 2016.
“RCC consultants was hired by the city of Garland Radio Division to conduct the project study,” he said. “Harris and Motorola have submitted proposals. The project contract should be awarded by August.”
Coleman said both vendors have requested a radio equipment tower be placed in Sachse to meet the project requirements. The city of Garland Radio Division has requested property at the city of Sachse Public Works site to build the tower at Garland’s expense.
“P-25 is a public safety communications standard dedicated to ensuring interloperability in communications,” he said. “The system is digital and is intended to provide fast and secure communications between local municipalities, state agencies and federal agencies. The goal of the tower is to improve protection of the public welfare.”
The current property is zoned PD-26 for the Verizon Cell tower. The P-25 radio tower could be approved under the same zoning designation.
The initial cost of the upgrade will be $943,342. The yearly maintenance fees for years three and four will be $21,587. The yearly maintenance fees for years five through ten will be $28,455. Those maintenance numbers would be phased in.
The process will go back to Planning and Zoning to prepare a zoning request for an amendment to the PD-26 classification. The city of Garland will then provide additional documents. The amended PD will be presented to city council at a future meeting. Completion of the project is scheduled for
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