Fiscal Note
This resolution would authorize borrowing for an additional $16,900 to be financed by Storm Sewer Revenue Bonds. There is no anticipated impact upon General Obligation Debt borrowing or the tax levy.
Title
Authorizing the installation of an additional emergency siren and amending the 2005 Capital Budget in the Amount of $16,900 to provide the necessary funding
Body
PREAMBLE
Approximately 48 emergency warning sirens at various locations throughout the City serve the City of Madison. The siren system is currently maintained by Dane County. The City of Madison commenced the installation of sirens in 1946 following World War II and the installation of the sirens continued through 1986.
In 1967, the maintenance and administration of the system was transferred to the Dane County Emergency Management Department (Civil Defense Department). Due to the continued growth and development of the metropolitan portions of the cities and villages within Dane County, the County has determined that it is not the County's responsibility to add new sirens.
However, Dane County has agreed to maintain those sirens that were placed in service prior to 2004 and will bear the expense of connecting new sirens to the County's communication system at an estimated cost of $1,000 per siren. In addition, the County will provide the radio system and electrical box salvaged from any siren that is retired or relocated, which has a value of approximately $5,000.
There are several areas of the City that have been determined to have deficient siren coverage. Providing warning devices to those areas would require the installation of five additional sirens to serve developed areas and at least two more to serve areas that are proposed to be developed.
In 2004, the City caused the installation of three sirens and upgraded and relocated an additional siren to provide additional service to city residents.
In 2005, the City of Fitchburg has budgeted for the installation of four new sirens.
Dane County has informed the City that it is planning to relocate and upgrade the existing siren near the intersection of Dean Avenue and Monona Drive, within the City of Monona. The pole supporting the siren needs to be replaced and nearby electrical transmission lines preclude the safe installation and maintenance of the siren.
The staff of the Dane County Emergency Management met with the Staff of City Engineering and concluded that the existing siren should be upgraded with a siren having greater coverage and replace the existing siren at the Town of Blooming Grove Fire Station (1880 S. Stoughton Road), all at the expense of the County. This location is a small town island surrounded by City of Madison residents.
The County agreed to provide the communication equipment from the eliminated siren at the Dean/Monona Drive site to the City for the installation of a new siren adjacent at the west side of the Buckeye Road overpass of I39.
The relocation of the Dean/Monona Drive siren and the new siren would significantly upgrade the coverage to residents of Madison, Monona, and the Town of Blooming Grove.
The installation and maintenance of emergency sirens is consistent with the mission of the Stormwater Utility in that most, if not all the events that the sirens are activated are during the design storm events in which the summer thunderstorms are accompanied by high winds and potential tornados. During such events, Stormwater Utility employees of the Stormwater Utility are mobilizing to responding to locations where flooding has occurred.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2005 Capital Budget is hereby amended to provide for the borrowing of $16,800, said borrowing to financed by Stormwater Utility revenue funds; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Purchasing Agent and Engineer are authorized is purchase order(s) for the installation of an emergency siren at within or adjacent to the Buckeye Road right of way west of the I39; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the completed siren shall become an asset of the Stormwater Utility and that those sirens install by the City in 2004 be transferred to the Madison Stormwater Utility; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE, that the City Engineer shall prepare a budget for emergency sirens for consideration in the 2006 Capital and Operating Budgets.