Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with the University of Texas at Austin, on behalf of Austin Technology Services, to support the continued operation of a communications tower, radio equipment shelter, and associated improvements through November 30, 2034. The agreement covers approximately 671 square feet of land and an existing 2,578 square foot access and utility easement, located at 2706 1/2 Montopolis Drive, Austin, Texas 78741. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.
De
Lead Department
Austin Financial Services.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
November 30, 2000 - Council approved the 800Mhz Trunked Radio Implementation Interlocal Agreement for a term of 20 years for the Greater Austin Travis County Regional Radio System.
For More Information:
Brandon Williamson, Austin Financial Services, 512-974-5666; Michael Gates, Austin Financial Services, 512-974-5639; Pushpa Srinivasa, Austin Technology Services, 512-972-3209.
Additional Backup Information:
The purpose of this item is to authorize the negotiation and execution of an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement (ILA) with The University of Texas at Austin on behalf of Austin Technology Services for the continued operation of a communications tower, radio equipment shelter, and associated improvements. In addition, a utility and access easement for ingress and egress, as well as for utility connections to and from the tower site, will be provided. The City has leased this site from the University of Texas at Austin at no cost since December 2002 for the Greater Austin Travis County Regional Radio System (GATRRS). The approval of this ILA will allow the continued use of this tower site to provide essential first-responder radio communications for the GATRRS partnership.
The City shall be responsible for all tower maintenance, as well as the maintenance of the existing unpaved road to the site. In addition, Austin Technology Services will continue to pay Austin Energy directly for its electrical power usage.
The current GATRRS partnership consists of the City of Austin, Travis County, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Austin Independent School District. An ILA for the Operations and Maintenance of GATRRS was approved by Council for negotiation and execution. The ILA designated the City as the managing partner with authority to execute contracts and agreements on behalf of the partnership. GATRRS currently operates from 17 tower sites or building tops in this area to provide two-way radio communications to all City and Travis County public safety and public service radio using departments, the Austin Independent School District, the University of Texas at Austin, and multiple other municipalities, districts, state, and federal agencies in Austin and Travis County. Most governments in central Texas rely on GATRRS for this essential first-responder radio communications. Council has also approved that the GATRRS “core” system server/controller be used to power GATRRS affiliate subsystems in 47 other Texas counties. Of those counties, Six are contiguous Capital Area Council of Governments counties.
The Strategic Facilities Governance Team has reviewed and approved the proposed Interlocal agreement.