Alabama Chapter of NENA
Quarterly Meeting October 16, 2001
Orange Beach, Alabama

Welcome

President Ernie Blair called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.  Roger Wilson led the group in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mr. Blair announced that due to a medical emergency Bill Brodeur would be the acting President elect for this meeting in place of Sharon Thomas.  Mr. Lee Helms read a proclamation from Governor Don Siegelman declaring September 10 through September 14, 2001 as 9-1-1 week in the State of Alabama.

Mr. Seth Phelps introduced guest speaker Representative Steve McMillan (House District 95), the ranking Republican member of both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Local Government Committee.  Representative McMillan talked briefly about communicating with your legislators and the legislative process.  He advised persons communicating by phone or mail to leave their name, address, and phone number and personalize how the issue affects them.  If calling about a particular bill, the more information given, the better.  When meeting personally with a legislator, be informed and be as brief as possible; focus on the issue, and leave a brief bullet sheet so the legislator can refresh his/her memory of what was discussed.  It is advisable to always request a reply, and try to find out the official’s position.  Finally, follow up with a thank you note.

Mr. Bill Brodeur submitted the agenda for approval.  Mr. Bill Meadows moved to accept the agenda as is, and Mr. Seth Phelps seconded the motion which carried unanimously.  Mr. Brodeur then announced the officers for the upcoming year:

• President, Sharon Thomas

• Vice President Birmingham LATA, Jerry Jackson

• Vice President Huntsville LATA, Richard Holt

• Vice President Mobile LATA, Seth Phelps

• Vice President Montgomery LATA, Pat Hall

• Vice President at Large, Roger Wilson

• Vice President for Past President, Bill Brodeur

• Vice President for Commercial, Ray Preston

 Representative McMillan swore in the new officers, after which new attendees were introduced and recognized.

 Presentation of Minutes and Financial Report

The July 26, 2001 minutes were introduced for approval.  Mr. Bill Meadows moved to accept the minutes as submitted; Mr. Roger Humphrey seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

The Financial Report was presented for approval.  Mr. Seth Phelp’s motion to approve the Report was seconded by Ms. Pat Hall and unanimously carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Wireless Committee

Mr. Bill Meadows said they are continuing to work on the prepaid issue.  In their cost recovery plans for next year, Mr. Art Faulkner said the Board approved that the method of collection would have to be submitted in order for people to be reimbursed. 

Max Armstrong is attending an FCC meeting wherein changes concerning PSAP readiness and when the rules actually apply to carriers will be discussed.  BellSouth is expected to outline some new things as far as requesting Phase II for the people in their telecommunications area in the State.

Minimum Standards Committee

Mr. Richard Holt announced that the Minimum Standards Board has been appointed, and they have had two meetings which consisted of setting up by-laws and electing officers.  Ms. Jo Tranter has been elected Chairperson; Ms. Pat Hall, Vice Chairperson; Ms. Lynn Wright, Secretary.  Rounding out the Board are Mr. Richard Holt and Mr. Gary Mackey; law enforcement and fire service have not appointed a member to date, but since there is a quorum, business is being conducted.  The next meeting will probably begin the review process of the some of the training programs available to ascertain if they meet the minimum standards recommended.

Conference Committee

Ms. Chris Heger presented gifts to the Conference Committee and Executive Board members, and thanked the Committee for their help.  She reported that attendance is a little lower this year, and said the total hotel bill and amount of profit would be reported at the January meeting.

No reports were given by the Executive, Legislative, Regulatory, Internet, Membership, Database, or Training Committees.

LATA

There were no LATA reports.

Old Business

There was no old business.

New Business

Mr. Ray Preston of BellSouth announced that Debbie Higgins and her group have been downsized so they are now doing a lot of things with Intrado.  He addressed an issue that has been identified with the stations behind PBX’s.  If a call generates from behind a business with a PBX system and they have direct inward dialing numbers, the necessary information to respond to that call will probably not be available.  About four years ago BellSouth began offering a product to the PBX owners that would allow those numbers to be loaded into the 911 database and allow PSAPs to have the correct information for those stations behind PBXs.  It’s a tariff service and the initial charge is about $3500 per 1000 records and then $178 a month per 1000 records.  For larger PBX services there is a three-tiered pricing structure.  The software needed to manage that is provided in the service.  Mr. Preston said the cost may be what has prevented it from being widely accepted.  He requested that PBX owners be contacted when calls come in from their businesses and informed of the situation and asked to contact their telephone company.

Mr. Bill Meadows said it may be time to add a provision into the 911 law to cover this item, or pass a separate bill that makes it a requirement.  Mr. Preston said BellSouth could not participate because they sell this service.  Mr. Bill Meadows asked Mr. Preston to report on BellSouth’s position at the January meeting when it comes to the legislative phase; either they’re going to be for adding to the legislation, be neutral, or be against making an addition. 

Mr. Brodeur announced that the Executive Committee has approved the appointment of Ms. Jo Tranter as the 2002 Conference Chairman.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Brodeur announced that the next meeting will take place at BellSouth in Birmingham on January 24, 2002.  Mr. Roger Humphrey’s motion to adjourn was seconded by Mr. Seth Phelps and unanimously carried.

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