2020-02-25 911 Infrastructure Meeting911 Infrastructure study meeting
February 25, 2020
9:04 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Mansfield, Scott Mattoon
Guests: Colton Dodgson, Tom Crowson
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Steve Mansfield discussed the geographic challenges Lewis County faces for radio service.
Steve outlined the project goals:
• Improve countywide portable / radio coverage
• Explore funding, cost-sharing and ownership options
• Ensure radio system reliability is set to public-safety-grade benchmark
• Provide a dedicated fire station alert / paging system in two phases: first on the west side and
then on the east side
Steve outlined the tasks involved:
• First task involved a needs analysis. He said the group held a stakeholders meeting to identify
the system’s needs.
• The second task included the system alternatives report, which identified alternative tower
locations and included a review of frequency plans, the development of coverage prediction
maps and the identification of communications deficiencies.
• The third step included a cost estimate for developing improvements over four phases.
• The fourth task involved a subscriber equipment requirement report to ensure all radios are
non-digital P25-compliant units.
• The fifth task identified ownership and cost-sharing options.
• The sixth task identified funding options, including bonds, a public-private partnership, a special
tax, grants and leases for equipment.
• The seventh step will include a final report meeting scheduled for March 9, the development of
a general strategy, decisions about how to move forward and the creation of various
committees.
Erik Martin left at 9:47 a.m.
Steve stressed the need to be proactive about addressing the infrastructure needs. He discussed the
creation of a committee, that could include:
• A project coordinator
• A financial / budget representative
• A technical representative
• Three political (elected) representatives
• The Combined User Committee chair and vice chair to represent fire and law
• Two citizen representatives
• Other (?)
Erik returned at 10:04 a.m.
The group discussed inviting Rep. Herrera Beutler’s office to attend the March meeting.
Meeting ended at 10:09 a.m.