HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2015-04-07 Item 2B - Resolution - Support Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) PropositionCity of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Haggerton
Finance and Safety Committee
FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Council Analyst
DATE: March 31, 2015
SUBJECT: Resolution supporting King County Proposition No. I on April 28, 2015.
ISSUE
The April 28, 2015 Special Election ballot includes a proposition to lift the lid of the existing
property tax levy to generate funding to replace King County's current emergency radio network
which is facing obsolescence.
BACKGROUND
The existing King County public safety voice radio system is nearly twenty years old and will no
longer be supported by its vendor after December 31, 2018. King County, the City of Seattle,
Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency cities, and Valley Communications Center
cities have entered into an interlocal agreement to work through implementation of a
replacement system to be known as Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN).
PSERN will replace aging components and establish new technology to support emergency
dispatch and incident scene communications.
On Monday, March 2, 2015 the Metropolitan King County Council passed Ordinance 17993,
placing on the April 28, 2015 special election ballot a nine-year property tax levy lid lift proposal
to fund the PSERN project. Based on 2015 home values, the cost to the median homeowner
would be $26.46 per year.
DISCUSSION
The proposed resolution expresses support for the passage of the levy and encourages
registered voters in Tukwila to vote to approve it. Per the requirements of RCW42.17A.555
regarding ballot measures, public comments will be accepted at the Council Committee
and full Council meetings where this topic is discussed.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee is asked to approve the draft resolution and forward it to the April 20 Regular
Meeting under New Business.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft resolution
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING SUPPORT
FOR KING COUNTY PROPOSITION NO. 1, REGULAR
PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR EMERGENCY PUBLIC
SAFETY RADIO NETWORK REPLACEMENT PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the safety of both emergency responders and those in need of
emergency services is dependent upon a reliable communications network for
emergency dispatch and incident scene communications; and
WHEREAS, the current King County emergency radio communications system
supporting 16,000 emergency responders county-wide is nearly 20 years old; and
WHEREAS, the current network was originally designed to cover a smaller
geographic area and population base; and
WHEREAS, the vendor supporting the current network will discontinue provision of
service and parts at the end of 2018; and
WHEREAS, the current network is subject to increased risk of component failures,
service outages, and dead spots in coverage, leading to critical response delays; and
WHEREAS, the current network is co-owned by the City of Seattle, the Eastside
Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA), the Valley Communications Center
(ValleyCom), and King County; and
WHEREAS, these entities are undertaking efforts to plan the replacement of the
current network with new components and technology to be known as the Puget Sound
Emergency Radio Network (PSERN); and
WHEREAS, to address the need for funding a reliable public safety radio network,
the King County Council passed Ordinance 17993 to place on the ballot for the April 28,
2015 Special Election a proposition to lift the lid of the existing property tax levy to
generate the estimated $273 million needed to replace the current network; and
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WHEREAS, if approved, funding for the capital, financing, and other costs
associated with the PSERN project would come from a levy increase of 7 cents per
$1,000.00 of assessed property value over a nine-year period; and
WHEREAS, the effective delivery of emergency services is an essential function of
the public safety responsibilities of local and regional government, and the City Council
recognizes the significant need for replacement of the King County emergency public
safety radio network;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The Tukwila City Council, by majority vote, hereby expresses support for King
County Proposition No. 1, Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Public Safety
Radio Network Replacement Project, placed on the ballot for the April 28, 2015 Special
Election, which proposes a nine-year $0.07 per thousand dollars of assessed value
county-wide levy, and urges all eligible Tukwila voters to vote to approve the levy.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at
a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 12015.
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney
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Kate Kruller, Council President
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
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