City's 911 system could go 'Next Gen'

FINDLAY — Findlay's 911 emergency system may go to the "Next Gen" level. Next Gen 911 is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system. The system is designed to provide faster access to emergency services, allowing the public to send voice, photos, videos and text messages directly to the 911 network. City council is expected to vote Tuesday on the fourth round of capital spending this year, which totals about $680,500. Council will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. All council meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel: Findlay Ohio. Tuesday's legislation includes $50,000, taken from the city's capital improvement fund, for the 911 update. The purchase would also include a NICE Recorder. The recorder software is capable of recording everything that happens during an emergency — not just calls, but also radio chatter, text messages, videos and even what dispatchers see on their computer screens. The system can then piece all the information together into a searchable timeline of events. Other capital spending would include $5,500 to replace two cameras in the city's surveillance trailer. The surveillance trailer is equipped with two remote-controlled cameras. The trailer is used to monitor various city events, such as Balloon Fest and Oktoberfest. The current cameras are over 10 years old, and the technology is outdated. Another $50,000 would be spent on a study of "traffic calming strategies." According to the capital budget, the city's Traffic Commission has received increased requests for better traffic control on residential streets. The majority of complaints focus on excessive speed. The study will evaluate strategies and policies that the city could use to help control speed on residential streets. A total of $300,000 would be appropriated to purchase a front-end loader for the city's street department, and $25,000 would be spent on traffic signal equipment. A total of $50,000 would be spent on the Brucklacher Park Restroom Project. According to the capital budget, recent multi-use path expansions and new playground equipment have made the park, located at 8884 Hancock County Road 236, a destination for families. The restroom is also expected to be a good trailhead point for the multi-use path. In total, the city will spend about $400,000 on the new restroom. An additional $50,000 would be appropriated for the development of the Melrose Avenue multi-use path. This project will install a new 10-foot-wide multi-use path on Melrose Avenue from Crystal Avenue to Bright Road. In all, the city will spend about $547,000 to establish the path. Council is also expected to approve $150,000 from the city's water fund for the purchase of a crew truck that will be outfitted with a small vactor that can be used in confined areas. The truck is needed for daily operations by the city's water distribution and utility billing departments.