Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy and Adams County Joint Emergency Telephone System Board met May 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

9 members present: Joint ETSB Chairman and Quincy Alderman Mike Farha, Quincy Alderman Jeff Bergman, Quincy Alderman Richie Reis, Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley, Adams County Board Member Ryan Niekamp, Adams County EMS Chief John Simon, PSAP Representative John Myers, Adams County Public Member Sue Hester, and Adams County Rural Fire Association Representative Tom Bentley

0 members absent.

Also present: 9-1-1 Director Steve Rowlands; 9-1-1 Dispatch Supervisor Becky Lyon; 9-1- 1 Telecommunicators Terri Blair, Nick Burry, Shawna Gerding, Mitchell Provow, Sidney Shackleton, Judy Vahlkamp, Michelle Waltman, and Rebecca Ward; First Assistant States Attorney Todd Eyler; City Attorney Ryan Schnack; Attorney Chris Schuering; IAM

District 9 Business Representative Kevin Broemmer; KHQA Lynsey Whitaker

Quorum Call. Joint ETSB Chairman Mike Farha called the meeting to order and indicated a quorum was present.

Ryan Niekamp made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2019 meeting and Richie Reis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the minutes were approved.

9-1-1 Joint ETSB and IAM 822 Union Contract 2019-2022.

ETSB Chairman Mike Farha stated that the purpose of this special meeting was to hear from the union regarding their new proposal on the union contract. He recognized IAM District 9 Business Representative Kevin Broemmer and asked him to present the proposal.

Kevin Broemmer explained the union’s new proposal for the contract. He stated he believed the problem with getting the previous agreement ratified was due to grandfathered employees not paying 15% of their health insurance. He also stated that the union’s new proposal is the same previous tentative agreement language addressed by the ETSB on April 17, 2019, except now, in addition, all employees will pay 15% of their health insurance premium.

Chairman Mike Farha stated that the original tentative agreement was discussed in great detail in executive session at the April 17 meeting and that the only change is that the union now agrees that all 9-1-1 employees will pay 15% toward their health insurance. He noted that if the contract should pass, that 9-1-1 would be the only entity in the City and County paying 15% of their insurance.

Chairman Mike Farha asked if there were any questions or comments, there were none. He stated that he would entertain a motion on the union proposal.

Tom Bentley made a motion to approve the original tentative agreement as amended by the union that all 9-1-1 employees pay 15% toward their health insurance. Jeff Bergman seconded the motion.

Chairman Mike Farha asked if there was any discussion. There was none. He asked 9-1- 1 Dispatch Supervisor Becky Lyon to call the roll.

A roll call vote was held; 7 Yes (John Simon, John Myers, Jeff Bergman, Tom Bentley, Rob Copley, Richie Reis, Mike Farha); 2 No (Sue Hester, Ryan Niekamp). The motion passed and the 2019-2022 union contract was approved.

Other Business.

Chairman Mike Farha asked if there was any other business to discuss.

Ryan Niekamp asked Steve Rowlands about the status of the new radio system and the email he sent out that there were some technical problems with some of the operational testing.

Steve Rowlands stated that they cut the ACSD frequency over to the new system to operationally test. He stated that it did not meet his standards and that he reverted ACSD back to the old radio system. He said there were some expected difficulties in regards to the new radio system. He stated that the receive/vote/retransmit process was not performing as needed and that WirelessUSA and Motorola are addressing the technical issues. For the time being ACSD and all other agencies will be operating on the old system.

Ryan Niekamp asked if there was a programming issue.

Steve Rowlands stated it was a complex issue, but the issues were to be expected and more testing and tweaking is needed.

Chairman Mike Farha stated that the Joint ETSB always held an executive session if necessary and that there were several requests to hold an executive session to discuss personnel issues. He asked if there was a motion to move into executive session. There was no motion made.

Executive Session. None.

Next Meeting. The next quarterly meeting of the Joint ETSB is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 5.15 p.m.

Meeting Adjournment. Richie Reis made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tom Bentley seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

http://www.co.adams.il.us/911/minutes/minutes190508.pdf