January 21, 2004

 

Minutes – AL NENA Executive Committee Meeting

 

Location – BellSouth Alabama Operations Center, Birmingham AL

 

1.                  Meeting called to order and invocation – Roger Humphrey

 

2          Welcome – Roger Humphrey - President

Present             Roger Humphrey

                                    Roger Wilson

                                    Bill Brodeur

                                    Richard Holt

                                    Pat Hall

                                    Ray Preston

                                    Harold Parker

                                    Special Guest:  Johnny Hart

 

3.                  Special Agenda Report:  Johnny Hart, Chairman Public Relations Committee provided the Executive Committee with the following progress of his committee:

    1. Recommended more members of this committee be appointed to aid in getting the E911 message out statewide.  There are currently 8 members.
    2. Committee is considering a quarterly press release to be provided to all Alabama NENA agencies
    3. They are developing a slogan to be used for E911 awareness
    4. Considering a public awareness campaign to notify the problems with reduced funding

 

4.                  Review and Approval of October 14, 2003 Minutes - No discussion

Motion to approve – Richard Holt

                                    Second – Roger Wilson

                                    Motion Carried

 

5.                  Financial report - Richard Holt – Treasurer – Richard stated the financial report presented was after the expense of 2 Laptop Computers and 3 LCD Projectors that are to be used for NENA sponsored training classes.  These items were purchased to keep from renting them as was done in the past.  Pat Hall also reminded that the financial report was also after the expenses the chapter incurred in presenting the 4 training classes in 2003.

Motion to approve – Pat Hall

Second – Harold Parker

Motion carried – Financial Report Approved

 

6.                  Conference Report 2003 – Conference Chairman Bill Brodeur presented the final conference report to the Executive Committee for review, and for submission to the membership.  He explained that a line item of $ 175.00 was in the report listed as “To Be Transferred”.  This will be transferred to the NENA Chapter main account since the opening balance for the annual conference was $5,175.00 rather than the $5,000.00 as specified in the bylaws.  He explained that the Conference Committee expenses for 2004 were $9,975.96.  This was approximately $2,000.00 higher than previous conferences.  The explanation was that the Perdido Resort would no longer provide complimentary suites for the Chapter President.  He further explained that this was done by the Perdido Resort because AL NENA does not use the Perdido Resort for shrimp biol.  The Conference Committee also provided more “free” breaks such as ice cream breaks than in prior years.

Motion to approve – Roger Wilson

Second – Richard Holt

Motion carried – Conference Report Approved for presentation to membership.

 

 

7.         501©3 Report – Richard Holt reported that the AL NENA application for 501©3 status has been prepared and submitted to the IRS for review and approval.  The accountant expected to have the results back by early April 2004 in time for tax filing.  Richard reported that accountant expected either of two outcomes.  The first, but least likely, is that the Chapter may have to file tax forms from the earliest date the chapter existed and pay any back taxes plus penalty.  The other, and most probable outcome, would be that the IRS would forgive any past taxes since the filing is for 501©3.  The chapter will still likely have to file back year tax forms for records purposes only.  There was additional discussion about the chapter having 2 bank accounts. – the main chapter account, and also the conference account.  The executive committee concurred in requesting Richard contact the accountant and make sure he had reported everything in the application.  The committee further agreed to follow his recommendation if any changed need to be made to the application.  Roger Wilson stated he had been involved in 5 prior such applications, and that each of them had received the second and most favorable treatment.

 

8.                  Legislative Committee Report – Roger Wilson reported that the committee was evaluating their thoughts about opening the E911 legislation in the 2004 session.  They are considering the status of the states funding problems and will most likely not try to change anything on the wireline side in 2004.   The Legislative Committee is working actively with Wireless Carriers to address the funding issues associated with Wireless E911 funding.  They have a meeting scheduled with a representative group of Wireless Carriers to discuss these issues.   Roger also reported that an email went out from the State to approximately 30 ECD’s inquiring how their Wireless funds were spend and about how that income compared with the costs associated with handling wireless E911 calls.  They hope to reach consensus on a revision to the Wireless law that can be submitted for introduction in the 2004 legislative session.  Roger Wilson feels NENA should quickly try to get a public hearing scheduled to keep this from being held up in committee in an effort to kill it.  Bill Brodeur asked why Southern Linc was participating in the meetings due to their limited coverage area.  Roger Wilson stated they wanted to eliminate the perception that only the large nationwide wireless carriers were involved.  He stated they have prepared 2 drafts for legislation for increasing the Wireless E911 surcharge, and that both contain a clause that requires the ECD to meet the same 36 month implementation requirement as on wireline access lines.  Pat Hall requested an email be sent following the meeting to the Executive Committee members as to the status of that meeting.  Roger agreed.

 

 

 

  1. Managerial Training Report – Roger Humphrey reported, and presented a spreadsheet with data collected from the 4 Managerial Training classes presented in 2003 by the chapter.  There were 119 attendees and after the registration fees wire counted, the chapter subsidized these classes $10,277.57.  Roger Wilson requested the Executive Committee address the recurring issue of who can attend these classes, and if non-NENA members are allowed to attend, should they pay more than NENA members.  He proposed that the $50.00oer NENA member per class fee continue, and that non-members fee be increased to $100.00 per person per class.  In the report presented to the Executive Committee, the actual cost of the class to NENA for 2003 classes was $136.79 per student.  The committee reaffirmed that it is not the intent of Alabama NENA to make a profit from these classes, and that under the proposal by Roger Wilson, NENA will continue to subsidize all attendees including non-MEMA members.  This fee structure would also encourage non-members to join NENA since attendance at more than 2 classes at the non-member rate would cover NENA membership dues.  President Humphrey recommended this be presented to the membership for vote.

 

Motion – Roger Wilson.  “AL NENA will charge $50.00 per NENA member per class, and $100.00 per non-member per class for one day NENA sponsored classes.  Non-members will also be allowed to join NENA and register for a class at the member rate.”

Second – Bill Brodeur

Motion Carried – The motion will be presented to the membership in the 1st quarter 2004 Chapter meeting.

           

            Richard Holt stated that Jo Tranter, who had organized, facilitated, and attended these classes, had paid her own class fee.  He stated that she had worked extremely hard for no compensation to organize and present these classes.

Motion – Richard Holt – Authorize the organizer of these classes to attend at no fee

Second – Roger Wilson

Motion Carried

           

            Roger Wilson stated he felt Alabama NRNA should reimburse Jo Tranter for the $50.00 fee she had paid for each of the 4 classes she had organized and attended, for a total reimbursement of $200.00.

                        Motion – Roger Wilson

                        Second – Richard Holt

                        Motion Carried.

 

 

           

10.              Minimum Dispatch Standards – Bill Brodeur stated that everyone is interested, and Richard Holt replied that finding is a problem and there will be no further progress until a funding source is identified.

 

11.              Conference Report 2004 – Bill Brodeur requested suggestions for a theme for the conference and Positron Party.  He suggested offering to provide the member who suggested the winning theme for both the conference and the party one complimentary registration

Motion – Roger Wilson – Authorize the Conference Committee to offer 2 complimentary 2004 Annual Conference registrations to the winner of the theme contest.  Details must be provided along with the idea, and the suggestions must be received by March 15, 2004

Second – Richard Holt

Motion Carried.  Bill Brodeur will report in the April meeting the winners.

 

12.              LATA Reports:

    1. Birmingham – Harold Parker reported contacting 5 Jefferson County ECD’s to discuss Phase 2 and GIS/mapping concerns.  He hopes to have a Jefferson County ECD meeting in February.  The goal is to get every ECD within Jefferson County to have at least one NENA member.
    2.  Huntsville – Richard Holt - Nothing to report
    3. Montgomery – Pat Hall - Nothing to report
    4. Mobile – Not represented.

 

13.              Old Business – Richard Holt reported continuing problems with the AL NBNA Chapter Language Line Account.  He questioned if the ECD or the PSAP is the authorized user.  The problem seems to occur when an ECD does not participate in the AL NENA Language Line account, but a PSAP within their jurisdiction uses the Language Line.  Richard agreed to get an up to date listing of ECD’s within Alabama from the Alabama CMRS web site.

Motion – Roger Wilson – Language Line billing will be to the ECD, not to individual PSAP’s

Second – Bill Brodeur

Motion Carried

 

 

14.              New Business –

    1. Critical Issues Forum, Washington DC, Feb 22-25, 2004

Last year, the chapter authorized paying expenses for up to 5 chapter representatives to the CIF.  Roger Humphrey requested guidance on how to handle 2004.  Last year, AL NENA ended up paying for only 2 attendees since all others expenses were paid by their agency, the CMRS Board, or their employer.  Currently 9 members have indicated they plan to attend in 2004. 

Motion – Roger Wilson – NENA will pay for the Chapter President’s expenses

Second – Richard Holt

Motion Carried.  Let the record indicate Roger Humphrey abstained.

Motion – Harold Parker – Authorize AL NENA to pay up to one half the expenses of a representative of Alabama Homeland Security to attend if Homeland Security will fund the other half.

Second – Ray Preston

Motion Carried.

 

    1. Alabama 911 State Association – Roger Wilson briefed the committee that Alabama NENA is forming a 911 State Association.  This group will not in any way replace Alabama NENA, and is being done to comply with the requirements of the 501c3 application.  Once approved for 501c3 status, Alabama NENA can no longer lobby for legislative changes.  The Alabama 911 State Association will be formed as a part of the Alabama Association of County Commissions.  An official meeting of the Alabama 911 State Association will be held following the conclusion of the Alabama NENA Chapter meeting on January 22, 2004

Motion – Bill Brodeur – Authorize the conference account to pay up to $100 per ECD in 2004 as dues to the Alabama State 911 Association for those ECD’s that choose to participate.

Second – Roger Wilson

Motion Carried and will be presented to the membership for vote.

 

    1. Alabama Wireless Board Appointment – President Humphrey stated that 2 members of the Alabama CMRS board need to be recommended by AL NENA for appointment in 2004.  Max Armstrong’s term expires in 2004.  The committee was unsure if Max wanted to be reappointed.

Motion – Roger Wilson – If Max desires to be reappointed, recommend Max, if not, recommend Bill Brodeur.

Second – Pat Hall

Motion Carried and will be presented to the membership for vote.

    1. Other Wireless Board Discussion included events concerning the CMRS Board Accountant.  The incumbent accounting firm resigned in November, 2003.  The CMRS Board released a bid for services.  2 Bids were received.  The high bidder was awarded the contract and was the previous incumbent accounting firm.  No other action taken.
    2. Roger Wilson requested to address the committee about events following the Executive Committee meeting held October 14, 2003.  Following conclusion of the Executive Committee meeting, an informal meeting was held between certain members of the Executive Committee and the Alabama NENA nominees/members of the CMRS Board.  Ray Preston did not attend that meeting due to a prior commitment and was not aware this informal meeting had been scheduled, therefore, there are no minutes of this meeting.  Roger Wilson stated he felt detrimental comments were made later that day by Bill Meadows, and requested a meeting of all members of the Executive Committee except himself to investigate any comments made.  Roger Humphrey then requested that Bill be contacted by Ray Preston since Ray was not a party to any of the events of that day to schedule a meeting.  Ray agreed to speak with Bill Meadows to determine if he was willing to meet with the Executive Committee.
    3. Roger Wilson stated that Homeland Security might be offering grant funding establish a communications backbone.  Roger Wilson is representing Alabama NENA on the Homeland Security committee.
    4. Bill Brodeur mentioned it is time for Nominations for Officers.  President Humphrey appointed Roger Wilson to chair the Nominations Committee.  Roger will recommend the committee members at the quarterly Chapter meeting in April 2004.

 

 

 

15.       Next Executive Committee Meeting:  April 21, 2004 at a location to be determined by Pat Hall

 

           

16        Motion to Adjourn-Harold Parker

Second – Pat Hall

Motion Carried.