October 14, 2003, version 2

 

Minutes – AL NENA Executive Committee Meeting

 

Location – Perdido Resort, Orange Beach, 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

                                    George Williams

                                    Jo Tranter (for Educational Course report)

                              Harold Parker

3.                  Review and Approval of July 23, 2003 Minutes

Item 10 corrected to read Pat Hall

 Motion to approve – Roger Wilson

                                                Second – Bill Brodeur

                                                Motion passed 

 

4.                  Financial report - Richard Holt – Treasurer

Motion to approve - Bill Brodeur

Second - Ray Preston

Motion carried.

 

5.                  Election of Executive Committee 2004 Officers

1st VP – Bill Brodeur

Secretary – Ray Preston

Treasurer – Richard Holt

Motion to approve – George Williams

Second – Pat Hall

Motion Carried

 

6.                  Committee Appointment Report:

President Humphrey provided a spreadsheet containing all committee appointments.  Harold Parker requested his telephone number be changed to 205 877-8634

                        Motion to approve – Richard Holt

                        Second – Ray Preston

                        Motion Carried

 

7.                  Wireless Issue Discussion

-         President Humphrey will meet with the CMRS Board to discuss the issue described as follows.  Currently, the AL CMRS Board contract with Boucher has gone from an initial $52,000 annually to a proposed $145,000 annually for accounting and administrative services.  Governor Riley has challenged this cost and has not allowed the contract to be signed.  Roger Wilson also discussed the fact that ex-CMRS Board Chairman Lee Helms has offered a proposal to provide accounting and administrative services.  Discussion also indicated that there was interest by the CMRS Board to contract with AL EMA for the services of Art Faulkner to serve as the day-to-day administrative liaison for the CMRS Board.  A fact-finding meeting is scheduled for 2:00 PM October 14, 2003 to discuss these issues with the members of the CMRS Board present at the AL NENA Conference.  In a prior meeting with the CMRS Board, President Humphrey stated AL NENA supports the CMRS Board hiring or contracting with an individual to replace the Accountant and Board Attorney for day-to-day administrative and support issues for the CMRS Board.  He further recommended the CMRS Board consider Art Faulkner for this position.  It appears Art could be contracted from AL EMA to serve in this capacity.  Governor Riley has requested Col. James Walker, Director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, to develop a draft contract for Art’s services.  The intent is to use existing resources as much as possible by the CMRS Board to reduce administrative and support costs by outside contractors.  President Humphrey indicated there are basically three options available to the CMRS Board, with those options as follows: 

1.      Hire a full time employee of the CMRS Board

2.      Hire through another state agency and then contract them

3.      Contract with an outside source as is currently done.

Also stated was that Lee Helms had offered a proposal to provide services for option 3. Richard Holt stated he felt the CMRS Board should hire a full time employee to provide administrative and support services.  His concern is that if a contractor is used, a more lucrative contract may pull that person away from critical service with the CMRS Board.  Pat Hall asked if the desire is to move all administrative and support tasks away from the existing Accountant and Attorney to a CMRS employee in order to reduce costs?  Yes is the AL NENA Executive Committee consensus.  Then, annually, an audit could be performed to assure the work is being accomplished properly.  Roger Humphrey stated that Lynn Boucher has done a good job.  President Humphrey requested the Executive Committee formally provide him with a direction to take in representing AL NENA in this issue.  The following motion was submitted:  “The Executive Board of Alabama NENA supports the position expressed by President Roger Humphrey to the CMRS Board”

Motion to approve – Richard Holt

Second – Roger Wilson

Motion Carried

 

           

8.                  Legislative Report -  Roger Wilson

-         Roger Wilson – Planning to open the E911 Legislation to allow increased funding.  The Wireless Committee is also in discussions with 2 wireless carriers presently who indicate initial support for an increase in the wireless E911 surcharge to cover Phase 2 costs.  George Williams asked if existing funding would support implementation of Phase 2.  The answer by Roger Wilson is that there is insufficient funding for cost recovery of Phase 2 and that additional revenue is required.  Roger also stated that the FCC stated wireless carriers may not refuse to implement Phase 2 even if cost recovery is not available.

     

9          Managerial Training for 2003

-         Jo Tranter reported the cost to AL NENA for the class instructor and materials is about $3,000 per class. The cost for the classroom and lunch is approximately $1,500 per class.  This comprises a cost of $4,250 - $4,500 per class taught to AL NENA.  AL NENA is charging enough to recoup approximately $1,500 per class.  Richard Holt reminded all present that in a 501.c.3 environment AL NENA will not be able to keep excessive funds in reserve without having to report to the IRS.  Roger Wilson stated that this training is intended as Managerial Training, and not Dispatcher Training.  He requested the Executive Committee develop firm guidelines for who can attend and how much classes will cost in 2004.  He stated non-members of NENA should not be allowed to attend or have to pay more than NENA members.  Bill Brodeur requested clarification on whether the increase in dues for National NENA in 2004 will result in any additional dues remittance to the Chapter.  President Humphrey replied that the entire increase would go to National.  President Humphrey requested the opinion of the Executive Committee for continuing the Managerial Training in 2004.  Motion made for the Executive Committee at the January, 2004 Executive Committee Board Meeting to determine criteria for attending NENA sponsored Managerial Training classes, and for the cost of those classes.

1.      Motion – Roger Wilson

2.      Second – Pat Hall

3.      Motion Carried

-         The next class is scheduled for early December, 2003.  The specific date is still to be determined.  The subject is GIS.  Consensus of the Executive Committee is to proceed with this class and allow AL NENA members to attend for $50 with an early registration period; thereafter non-members may register at a cost of $65.

-           

10        Minimum Standards

-         Jo Tranter reported the Minimum Standards has accomplished all that can be done without funding source for the training necessary.  She reported that Minimum Standards training funding would be included in Wireless revenue legislation.  Richard Holt reported the committee hopes to have the Wireless law modified to allow the CMRS Board to administer the Minimum Standards fund if passed.  This meets the APCO Project 33 standard, but does not require that APCO be used for certification.  President Humphrey reported positive indications from the Alabama Homeland Security office for assistance in funding for Minimum Standards training, however, that will not provide all necessary funding.  The state will have to provide a source from some portion.

 

11.              501c3 Report

-  No report at this meeting due to Richard Holt involvement in Conference Registration.  January 2004 will be next report.

           

12.              Mutual Aid Committee:

-         Roger Humphrey reported that all of the Federal grant funding received by Alabama EMA was distributed, but none was distributed to any E911 district. 

 

13.        LATA Reports:

-         Birmingham – President Humphrey thanked Harold Parker for agreeing to serve.  Harold Parker stated his goal was to improve participation in NENA activities from within the Birmingham LATA and use this as an opportunity to learn.

-         Huntsville – Nothing to report

-         Montgomery – Nothing to report

-         Mobile –Not represented.

 

14.        Old Business – None reported

 

15.         New Business – None reported.

 

16.              Next Executive Committee Meeting:  January 21, 2004 at a location to be determined by Harold Parker

Next year chapter meeting schedule:

1st  Quarter – BellSouth AOC building Birmingham, January 22, 2004

                        2nd Quarter – Dothan Civic Center, Dothan, AL  April 22, 2004

                        3rd Quarter – Location in Limestone County to be determined July 2004

4th Quarter – Perdido Resort, Orange Beach (Annual Conference) Oct 10-13, 2004

 

            Report by Bill Brodeur – 2003 Annual State Conference attendance - 593

17.        Adjourn –Motion by Ray Preston

    Second by George Williams

    Meeting adjourned.