After several minutes of discussion, the Senoia City Council unanimously approved relocating the old police radio system to a new tower.
The council approved the move -- requested by Police Chief Jason Edens -- at its council meeting Monday at Senoia Magistrate Court. The council also agreed to have the work done by Metropolitan Communications, which handles the new upgraded system for Senoia and for Coweta County, without taking bids.
The old, lower level system is being phased out. The newer system is clearer and generally works well. Edens said there are some places -- including at least one in Senoia -- where the new system can leave an officer without communications. He compared the phenomenon to a dropped cellular telephone call.
Edens said he would like to have the old system's antenna -- which was removed when the new system was installed -- put on the county's tower in Senoia. Then the old system can be used as a backup.
Installation and "the tuning of the equipment" will cost $10,021.85. Edens recommended the work be done by Metropolitan, stating the company is "familiar with the equipment that's there."
City Administrator Richard Ferry told the council Coweta Administrator Theron Gay and Coweta Emergency Management Agency Director Jay Jones both feel more comfortable with Metropolitan doing the work on the tower.
Edens said he thought the old system might be useable for as long as 10 years. City Attorney Drew Whalen said it would be important to have "some time to amortize the cost" since the system will eventually become obsolete.
The communications problem can also be solved by putting new radio consoles in each police car. Those cost $4,500-$5,000 each. Edens said he hoped to get consoles for each cruiser during the next five years or so.
"I agree with Jason 100 percent on this," said Councilman Jeff Fisher. He said it is important the council not let officers "get into a crisis information" without adequate communications.
"In the next few budget cycles, let's get started on upgrading," Mayor Robert Belisle said. Ferry said there would be plans "to incrementally purchase" the radio consoles.
In other business:
• The council voted to accept an offer of $82,000 for the house at 40 Howard Road. The house is part of a tract purchased for an elevated water tank and then subdivided. The offer is subject to Federal Housing Administration approval, financing and inspection.
• The council voted to buy a Ford F150 for $18,815.36 and a Ford F350 for $34,423.32. The low bids were from Akins Ford of Winder.
The city had budgeted $60,000 to purchase the vehicles for the city's public works department.
• The council approved appointments to the city ethics commission. In the event of a complaint, five of the 10 members will serve on a panel.
Named to the commission were Byron Binion, Bruce Coleman, Chuck Eichhorst, David Felton, David Holmes, Nathaniel Long, Mendi McDowell, Jack Merrick, Gerry Owens and Stephanie Savage.
