Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to accept $649,000 grant from California Office of Emergency Services - Authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept grant funds in the amount of $649,000 from the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to update dispatch telephone lines, equipment, services, and maintenance contracts.
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Agenda Date: 04/20/2026
Prepared by: Police Chief Jason Salazar, 713-4215, Jason.Salazar@visalia.gov ; Support Services Manager Lisa Davis, 713-4230, Lisa.Davis@visalia.gov ; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, 713-4250, Liz.Ybarra@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Accept grant funds in the amount of $649,000 allocated to the Visalia Police Department by the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to upgrade the Communications Unit telephone system, equipment, and services as specified by the date.
Summary:
The State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) provides grant funding to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) every (5) years to procure new call processing The State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) provides grant funding to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) every (5) years to procure new call processing equipment or complete a hardware refresh. As stated in the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Chapter III Funding Manual, the goal is to ensure that each PSAP “provides the fastest, most reliable, and cost-effective access to emergency services for any 9-1-1 caller in California from any communications device.” PSAPs that do not replace their 9-1-1 systems by the 7th year will be referred to the Attorney General’s Office for noncompliance.
The grant amount is determined by the emergency call volume received within the Communications Center. The funding is intended to “allow PSAPs to procure 9-1-1 CPE systems that maximize the ability of PSAP personnel to efficiently and effectively answer and direct 9-1-1 calls”. Cal OES specifies how the funds are to be utilized and mandates that Call Processing Equipment (CPE) and contracts can only be from vendors that have had their call handling solutions tested and vetted in the Cal OES 9-1-1 lab and are listed on the Master Purchase Agreement. The project will include a new telephone system for emergency and non-emergency calls, updating software at each dispatch console, replacing the Digital Voice Logging Recorder, and adding an Automated Call Distribution function (ACD).
Background Discussion:
AT&T is the current vendor utilized by the Visalia Police Department for 9-1-1 services. Their software and equipment are installed within the Communications Unit and technology room. Due to the proprietary equipment and familiarity with the current dispatch infrastructure and system, the Visalia Police Department has chosen to continue utilizing their services as a state approved vendor. The project will replace the 6-year old physical equipment and software system within the communications center to be in compliance with state regulations. The ACD will assist with dispersing and assigning incoming emergency and non-emergency calls to the next available dispatcher. The system will recognize when a dispatcher is available or not-available/actively on a call. Calls will be distributed to the next available dispatcher based on the amount of time since their last completed call. This process will create a more evenly distributed workload for the dispatchers. The Digital Voice Logging Recorder is utilized to record audio from 911 phone lines. These recordings are used as supporting evidence during criminal proceedings. Due to the age of our current equipment, we are experiencing technical difficulties and quality issues with the recordings. The equipment is no longer under maintenance contract and is in critical need of replacement. The Digital Voice Logging Recorder and ACD option were previously submitted for consideration as independent budget items utilizing City funds. The utilization of Cal OES funding to incorporate these functions and equipment in the new project would be a financial saving for the City of Visalia.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: The total cost of the equipment and installation is $648,326.71 and within the funds allocated to the Visalia Police Department. All invoices for equipment and maintenance will be directly billed to the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. There was no application requirement for these funds, The State of California OES allocates funding by the number of emergency calls. There is no purchase order required or appropriation of funds. The project has been approved by CalOES based upon the Scope of Work and quote provided by AT&T. The Visalia Police Department has 180-days from the approval date (March 17, 2026) to utilize the funds and complete the project.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Alternatives: Not to accept the grant funds.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the Visalia Police Department to accept grant funds, in the amount of
$649,000 from the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to update dispatch telephone lines, equipment, services, and maintenance contracts.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 04/20/2026
Attachments: Award letter, Scope of Work & ATT Quote
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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