Call to Order, Invocation, Welcome:

The winter-quarter business meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, held at the Jefferson County Multi-Services Building in Center Point, was called to order at 9:10 AM, by President Ron Sparks. Brad Smith led the invocation. Though no U.S. flag was present, Mr. Sparks led the chapter in the pledge of allegiance.

Mr. Owen Drake (Jefferson County 9-1-1), and Ms. Mary Buckalew (former Jefferson County Commissioner) addressed the chapter, and welcomed the members to Center Point.

President Sparks informed the chapter that he has resigned as Director of Dekalb County 9-1-1, in order to accept a position with the office of Charles Bishop (Commissioner of Agriculture). Due to the nature of his new position, Mr. Sparks tendered his immediate resignation. Russ Bowers (1^st VP) assumed the position of President, and Brad Smith assumed the position of First Vice-President. Mr. Bowers moderated the remainder of the meeting.

Upon assuming the position of President, Mr. Bowers appointed Kelli Brasher as Second Vice-President.

President Bowers asked all new AL-NENA members to stand and introduce themselves. Each was recognized, and welcomed into the organization.

Standing Reports:

The quarterly financial statement was presented by Art Faulkner. Balance on hand as of January 28, 1999 was $31,491.40. Seth Phelps questioned President Sparks’ use of AL-NENA funds to travel to Mobile (to attend the funeral of Seth’s mother), and a recent CMRS Board meeting. Mr. Phelps offered to reimburse AL-NENA for Mr. Sparks’ travel expenses (for the Mobile trip). After some further discussion, John Ellison and Bill Brodeur moved to adopt the financial report, as presented. The report was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mr. Phelps stated that as AL-NENA President, Ron Sparks had authorized payment (by AL-NENA) for two CMRS Board/Alabama NENA members to attend a training conference in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Phelps stated that President Sparks did not have the authority to authorize this expenditure. Mr. Sparks responded that all members of the Executive Board were present when the decision was made, and concurred with the proposal. Several people spoke on the matter. After some additional discussion, Seth Phelps and Roger Wilson moved to ask the CMRS Board to pay these expenditures. Any expenses not paid by the CMRS Board would be paid by Alabama NENA. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

Bill Brodeur expressed concern about the cost of the AT&T Language Line. President Bowers asked for time to look into the method of collecting PSAP reimbursements, before any further action was taken.

1. Legislative/Wireless Committee:

Bill Brodeur reported that the Alabama Commercial Mobile Radio Services Board is in the process of drafting rules of operation. Max Armstrong stated that the Board is currently operating under emergency rules.

2. Conference Committee:

Russ Bowers reported that plans are under way for the 1999 Gulf Coast Conference. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help, should contact Mr. Bowers or Brad Smith. A complete conference report will be available at the spring-quarter meeting (April).

3. Database Committee:

Bill Brodeur reported that his District was having difficulty with "RNF" (Record Not Found) calls. Most of his RNFs are customers of an independent TelCo in his area. Kelli Brasher reported that many RNFs in Shelby County are waiting in error files for 30-60 days. Ann Green (DeltaCom) stated that an E911 Inquiry was more effective in resolving the problem than a CLEC report.

Old Business:

The issue of Emergency Communications Districts being exempt from the payment of state sales taxes was brought up by Chip Gunn. Most members expressing an opinion, stated that they believed the issue was settled.

New Business:

1. Richard Holt and Kelli Brasher moved to bond all Alabama NENA officers in the amount of $100,000.00. The motion was adopted by unanimous vote. Roger Wilson asked if there are any written guidelines on expenditures which can be made by AL-NENA officers. Article III, Section 1.1, authorizes the President to expend up to $250.00 for "reasonable and proper expenses".
2. John Ellison suggested that AL-NENA reimburse travel expenses for chapter members who participate on NENA committees. Seth Phelps voiced support for this suggestion, but no official action was taken.
3. John Ellison asked that a task force be created to examine where 911 is headed in the future. Potential changes in the 911/TelCo industry, and available options would be addressed by this group. President Bowers asked Mr. Ellison to chair this task force.

1. Roger Wilson asked that the Legislative Committee investigate the possibility of changing the current 911 law so as to make false reporting to 911 a felony.
2. Roger Humphrey asked that consideration be made to draft legislation to delete any reference to a percentage of a customer’s basic telephone rate. Instead, allow each District to levelize surcharges (based on a dollar-amount). Also, he favors deleting any provision for ECDs to share/bear the cost of installing/maintaining road signs. There was considerable discussion from the floor, on this topic.
3. Bill Brodeur reported that he was having problems with vendors certifying their equipment as being Y2K compatible. Art Faulkner has copies of a Y2K questionnaire from NENA. Richard Holt stated that he has a written "Standard Operating Procedure" for determining Y2K compatibility. He recommends getting certification in writing.
4. President Bowers asked if any District had not been contacted by the accounting firm retained by the CMRS Board, or if any had not yet received their CMRS funds.
5. Larry Duncan reported on problems his District has experienced with the news media/etc. requesting release of audio tapes and/or records of 911 calls. He suggested that the Legislative Committee may need to pursue legislation to prohibit the release of information and/or recordings of 911 calls. John Ellison stated the opinion that the caller has an expectation of privacy. Seth Phelps stated that anyone calling 911 has given up their expectation of privacy. Much discussion followed, from the floor.
6. Dick Pierce brought up the subject of entering into contracts with various wireless communications providers, for implementation of Phase I (FCC 94-102). He favors a uniform contract among all Districts/Wireless carriers.
7. Brad Smith asked that anyone with a clean copy of the Bylaws (including any amendments) please forward a copy to him.
8. Debbi Higgins explained the routing of ICO updates to the Bellsouth/SCC database.
9. Several Committees were asked to convene after lunch.

Adjourn: