HomeMy WebLinkAbout5510 (2) RESOLUTION NO. 5510
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE
PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK SYSTEM
(PSERN)
Whereas, King County currently has a countywide emergency public safety radio
network. The King County Emergency Radio Communication System ("KCERCS")
supports over seventeen thousand radios and nearly two hundred separate police, fire,
emergency medical and other governmental agencies;
Whereas, portions of KCERCS are separately owned by the Eastside Public Safety
Communications Agency, Valley Communications Center, the City of Seattle, and King
County with a jointly owned switch controlling the entire network;
Whereas, KCERCS is over twenty years old and is increasingly unsupported by
the supplier of the system's equipment, software and related parts;
Whereas, the cities of Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland,
Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, and Tukwila and King County ("Parties")
determined that it is in the public interest that a new public safety radio system, referred
to as the Puget Sound Emergency Radio System ("PSERN"), be implemented to provide
public safety agencies and other user groups in the region with improved coverage and
capacity, as well as uniformly high-quality radio communications;
Whereas, the Parties entered into the Puget Sound Emergency Radio
Implementation Period Interlocal Cooperation Agreement ("Implementation Period ILA")
that designates King County as the lead agency for planning, procurement, financing,
Resolution No. 5510
April 8, 2020
Page 1 of 3 Rev.2019
implementation and limited operation of PSERN. The Implementation Period ILA also
establishes a Joint Board to oversee the PSERN Project implementation;
Whereas, the Parties each gave 800 MHz frequencies to the PSERN Project that
will become the new PSERN system and will eventually be owned by the PSERN
Operator;
Whereas, the Parties to the Implementation Period ILA have negotiated a separate
agreement, the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator Interlocal Cooperation
Agreement to create a new separate governmental agency under RCW 39.34.030(3)(b)
that is organized as a non-profit corporation under Chapter 24.06 RCW to assume the
ownership and control of PSERN following full system acceptance;
Whereas, in addition to creating the new agency to be called the PSERN Operator,
the PSERN Operator ILA establishes the terms for governance of the PSERN Operator
and the terms under which the PSERN Operator will undertake responsibility for the
ownership, operations, maintenance, management and on-going upgrading/replacing of
the PSERN system during its useful life; and
Whereas, the PSERN Joint Board, created by the Implementation Period ILA,
approved the PSERN Operator ILA by unanimous vote.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor is authorized to execute an Interlocal Agreement between
the City of Auburn, King County, and the cities of Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent,
Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila, for the Puget Sound
Resolution No. 5510
April 8, 2020
Page 2 of 3 Rev.2019
Emergency Radio Network Operator (PSERN). The agreement will be in substantial
conformity with the agreement attached as Exhibit A.
Section 2. The Mayor is authorized to implement those administrative
procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 3. This Resolution will take effect and be in full force on passage and
signatures.
Dated and Signed: April 20, 2020
CITY OF AUBURN
e:CY CKUS, MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk Kendra Comeau, City Attorney
Resolution No. 5510
April 8, 2020
Page 3 of 3 Rev.2019
PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK OPERATOR
INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT
This Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator Interlocal Cooperation
Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW (the "Interlocal
Cooperation Act") by and among King County and the cities of Auburn, Bellevue, Federal
Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, and Tukwila,
each a political subdivision or municipal corporation of the State of Washington
(individually, a "Party" and collectively, the "Parties").
RECITALS
A. The Parties, under various interlocal agreements, have been responsible for
the ownership, operation and maintenance of various elements in the current King County
Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS), a voice radio system that is
nearly twenty years old and is increasingly unsupported by the supplier of the system's
equipment, software and related repairs.
B. The Parties determined that it is in the public interest that a new public safety
radio system be implemented that will provide public safety agencies and other user
groups in the region with improved coverage and capacity, as well as uniformly high-
quality emergency radio communications. Said new system is referred to herein as the
"Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network System" or "PSERN System."
C. The costs of implementing the PSERN System are financed through a funding
measure approved by voters at the April 2015 election.
D. The Parties executed a separate agreement ("Implementation Period ILA") that
designates King County to act as the lead agency for planning, procurement, financing
and implementation of the PSERN System with the oversight of a Joint Board established
pursuant to the Implementation Period ILA.
E. The Implementation Period ILA contemplates that the Parties will create a new
separate governmental agency under RCW 39.34.030(3)(b) that is organized as a non-
profit corporation under Chapter 24.06 RCW as authorized by the Interlocal Cooperation
Act to assume the ownership and control of the PSERN System following Full System
Acceptance and be responsible for the ownership, operations, maintenance,
management and on-going upgrading/replacing of the PSERN System during its useful
life.
F. The purpose of this Agreement is to create the new governmental agency to be
known as the "PSERN Operator" and establish the terms for governance of the PSERN
Operator and the terms under which the PSERN Operator will undertake the ownership,
operations, maintenance, management and on-going upgrading/replacing of the PSERN
System. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, benefits and
covenants contained herein and other valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree to the above Recitals and the following:
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1.0 RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
1 .1 Rules of Construction
1.1.1 Unless the context requires otherwise, the singular form of a word shall also
mean and include the plural (and vice versa), and the masculine gender shall also
mean and include the feminine and neutral genders (and vice versa).
1.1.2 References to statutes or regulations include all current and future statutory
or regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or
regulation referred to.
1.1.3 References to sections, exhibits, attachments or appendices to this
Agreement and references to articles or sections followed by a number shall be
deemed to include all subarticles, subsections, subclauses, subparagraphs and
other divisions bearing the same number as a prefix.
1.1.4 The words "including," "includes" and "include" shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation."
1.1.5 The words "shall" or "will" shall be deemed to require mandatory action.
1.1.6 Words such as "herein," "hereof' and "hereunder" are not limited to the
specific provision within which such words appear but shall refer to the entire
Agreement taken as a whole.
1.1.7 Words such as "person" or "party" shall be deemed to include individuals,
political subdivisions, governmental agencies, associations, firms, companies,
corporations, partnerships, and joint ventures.
1 .1.8 References to "days" shall mean calendar days unless expressly stated to
be "Business Days." If the due date for a task, payment, or any other requirement
falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday observed by King County, the due date shall
be deemed to be the next Business Day.
1.1.9 The headings and captions inserted into this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and in no way define, limit, or otherwise describe the scope or
intent of this Agreement, or any provision hereof, or in any way affect the
interpretation of this Agreement.
1.1.10 This Agreement was negotiated and prepared by the Parties and their
respective attorneys. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the rule of
construction that an ambiguous contract should be construed against the drafter
shall not be applied in any construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
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1 .2 Definitions
Words and terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein (including in
the recitals which are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference) shall be
given their ordinary and usual meanings or their well-known technical industry meanings
except that the following terms are defined for this Agreement as follows:
1.2.1 Board of Directors or Board means the board described in Section 4.0 of this
Agreement and shall be the governing body of the PSERN Operator.
1 .2.2 Agreement means this Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended or modified
from time to time, together with all exhibits and appendices hereto, as they may
hereafter be amended or modified.
1 .2.3 Consolidated Service Area means those geographic areas of King County,
Pierce County and Snohomish County, Washington, previously served by the
emergency radio networks of King County, the City of Seattle, EPSCA and Valley
Corn, and which areas are to be prospectively served by the PSERN System. The
Consolidated Service Area shall also include those other geographic areas that
are added to the area served by the PSERN System as expanded in accordance
with action of the Board of Directors.
1.2.4 Director means a person designated as a member of the Board of Directors
pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
1.2.5 Dispatch Center means an organization that has entered into an agreement
with King County or the PSERN Operator for console service on the PSERN
System.
1.2.6 EPSCA means the Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency, formed
pursuant to chapters 39.34 and 24.06 RCW, created by the cities of Bellevue,
Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond, or its successor agency.
1.2.7 Executive Director means the chief executive officer for the PSERN Operator
appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
1.2.8 Full System Acceptance or FSA means the determination issued to the
PSERN System Contractor upon the Contractor satisfactorily completing the final
system development phase milestone pursuant to King County Contract No.
5729347 (Contract for the Design, Development, Implementation, Testing and On-
Going Support, Maintenance and Upgrade of the Puget Sound Emergency Radio
System, executed on December 17, 2014).
1.2.9 KCERS means the King County Emergency Radio Communication System.
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1.2.10 Operations Period means the period that commences with the first full
month after FSA and continuing through the life of the PSERN System.
1.2.11 PSERN Transitional Employee means an individual: (1) who, at the time of
FSA, is employed by King County, the City of Seattle, EPSCA, or ValleyCom in a
management, administration, finance, operations, and/or maintenance position for
a subregion of KCERCS; (2) whose employment with King County, the City of
Seattle, EPSCA, or ValleyCom will be eliminated as a direct result of the PSERN
project; and (3) who will not be hired by the PSERN Operator in a comparable
capacity because the PSERN Operator has no or fewer comparable positions.
1.2.12 Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator or PSERN Operator
means the governmental agency formed under this Agreement and RCW
39.34.030(3)(b) that is organized as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 24.06
RCW as authorized by the Interlocal Cooperation Act for the purpose of owning,
operating, maintaining, managing and ongoing upgrading/replacing of the PSERN
System during the Operations Period.
1.2.13 Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network System or PSERN System means
the land mobile radio system constructed under the Implementation Period ILA. It
also means all equipment, software, and other work deployed during the
Operations Period to provide public safety communication service(s) or an addition
to an existing infrastructure during the Operations Period to provide new or
additional public safety communication service(s).
1.2.14 System means an infrastructure that is deployed to provide public safety
communication service(s)or an addition to an existing infrastructure to provide new
or additional public safety communication service(s).
1.2.15 Service Rate means the rate or rates charged to User Agencies in
accordance with the Rate Model at Exhibit A, or as it may be amended by action
of the Board of Directors.
1 .2.16 Services means voice, data, video, or other communication services
provided to User Agencies and Dispatch Centers through an agreement with King
County or the PSERN Operator.
1.2.17 User Agency means an entity that is authorized under an agreement with
King County or the PSERN Operator to register and use a radio or other device on
the PSERN System.
1.2.18 Valley Communications Center or Valley Corn means the Governmental
Administrative Agency formed by interlocal agreement under Chapter 39.34 RCW,
created by the cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila.
2.0 DURATION OF AGREEMENT
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This Agreement shall be effective on the date it is last signed by an authorized
representative of each the Parties and is filed and/or posted as provided in Section 15.2
("Effective Date"). This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated as provided in
Section 12.0.
3.0 PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT; FINANCING; SERVICES
The purpose of this Agreement is to provide communication Services throughout the
Operations Period to User Agencies and any other agencies permitted to be licensed in
the 800 MHz Public Safety Radio Spectrum pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Part 90 that are within
the boundaries of the Consolidated Service Area. To effectuate this purpose, the Parties
hereby create a governmental administrative agency called the "Puget Sound Emergency
Radio Network Operator". The Parties each assign to the PSERN Operator the
responsibility of owning, operating, maintaining, managing and ongoing
upgrading/replacing of the PSERN System during the Operations Period as permitted by
the Interlocal Cooperation Act. The PSERN Operator shall be formed pursuant to RCW
39.34.030(3)(b) and shall be organized as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 24.06
RCW.
The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each is executing this Agreement in order
to facilitiate the creation of the PSERN Operator as a separate governmental
administrative agency pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act and not a "joint board"
within the meaning of RCW 39.34.030(4)(a). All debts, obligations and liabilities incurred
by the PSERN Operator shall be satisfied exclusively from the assets and properties of
the PSERN Operator and no creditor or other person shall have any right of action against
the Parties hereto, the User Agencies or any other public or private entity or agency on
account of any debts, obligations, or liabilities of the PSERN Operator unless explicitly
agreed to in writing by the Party hereto, the User Agency, or such entity or agency.
The expenses of the PSERN Operator shall be financed through a funding measure
approved by voters at the April 2015 election and with user fees (Service Rates) to be
assessed against and paid by all User Agencies. It is the intent of the Parties that Service
Rates be computed as provided in Exhibit A and be set to cover all operating expenses
of the PSERN Operator, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
This Agreement shall not obligate the Parties to incur debt on behalf of the PSERN
Operator. Each Party's financial obligations to PSERN shall be limited to payment of
Service Rates unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
The PSERN Operator shall have the responsibility and authority for providing
communication Services as provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to
owning, operating, maintaining, managing and ongoing upgrading/replacing of the
PSERN System during the Operations Period and all related incidental radio
communications functions.
4.0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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4.1 Creation of Board of Directors
The PSERN Operator shall be governed by a Board of Directors that is hereby created
pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act and chapter 24.06 RCW that shall act in the
best interests of PSERN and in furtherance of the purpose of this Agreement. The Board's
composition, powers, responsibilities, quorum and meeting requirements shall be
included in the PSERN Operator's articles of incorporation or bylaws.
4.2 Composition of the Board of Directors
4.2.1 The Board of Directors shall be composed of the four following voting
members:
4.2.1.1 the King County executive, or a designee of the executive approved
by the King County council;
4.2.1.2 the City of Seattle mayor, or his/her designee;
4.2.1.3 one mayor or city manager or his/her designee representing the
Cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond (the
"EPSCA Cities"); and
4.2.1.4 one mayor or city manager or his/her designee representing the
Cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton and Tukwila (the "Valley Com
Cities").
4.2.2 The Board of Directors shall also include two nonvoting members to
comment and participate in discussions but who are not entitled to vote on any
matter. One nonvoting member shall be appointed by the King County Police
Chiefs Association and one member selected jointly by the King County Fire
Commissioners Association and the King County Fire Chiefs Association.
4.2.3 An authorized representative of King County, the City of Seattle, the Valley
Corn Cities and the EPSCA Cities shall provide written notice of its initial Board of
Directors member and alternate member to the Chair of the Joint Board
established under the Implementation Period ILA. Thereafter, notice of a change
to a Party's Board of Directors member or alternate shall be effective upon delivery
of written notice to the Chair of the Board of Directors. The notice shall include the
name and contact information for the new member or alternate.
4.2.4 An authorized representative of King County, the City of Seattle, the Valley
Com Cities and the EPSCA Cities shall promptly replace any vacancy in its Board
of Directors member or alternate and may, at any time, replace its Board of
Directors member or alternate by giving notice as provided in Section 4.2.3. If the
County or the City of Seattle fails to fill a vacancy for its Board of Directors member
and alternate, its chief executive officer or his/her designee shall attend all
meetings until one of the vacancies is filled. If one of the groups of cities listed in
Sections 4.2.1 .3 or 4.2.1.4 fails to fill a vacancy for its Board of Directors member
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and alternate, then the chief executive officer or his/her designee of one of the
cities in that group shall attend all meetings until one of the vacancies is filled.
4.2.5 The officers of the PSERN Operator shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, a
Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers and assistant officers as may be
deemed necessary and set forth in the bylaws. Any two or more offices may be
held by the same person, except the offices of Chair and Secretary. The officers
shall be elected from among the voting members of the Board. The Chair shall
preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Vice Chair shall serve in the
absence of the Chair.
4.3 Quorum and Meeting Procedures
4.3.1 A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be all four of the
Board members who have voting authority. Action by the Board of Directors shall
require the affirmative vote of all four voting Board members, except as provided
otherwise in this Agreement.
4.3.2 Any Board of Directors member who has voting authority may request that
a vote on a measure be deferred until the next meeting. The measure shall then
be deferred for one meeting unless the other three voting members find either that
there is an emergency requiring that the vote be taken at the originally scheduled
meeting or that a delay would likely result in harm to the public, User Agencies or
the PSERN Operator. A vote on the same measure shall not be deferred a second
time without the concurrence of the majority of the Board of Directors' voting
members.
4.3.3 The Board of Directors shall establish bylaws and procedures for its
operations and meetings including setting a regular meeting schedule and location,
providing for the scheduling of special and emergency meetings, and providing for
attendance by telephone or other electronic voice communication.
4.3.4 The regular meeting schedule shall be established by the Board of Directors,
with a minimum of two meetings being held each calendar year. Special or
emergency meetings may be called by the Chair or by at least two voting members
of the Board.
4.3.5 The first meeting of the Board of Directors will be held as soon as
practicable and necessary to begin operations of the PSERN Operator. The
members described in Section 4.2.3 shall attend the meeting and shall elect a
Chair and Vice Chair to serve a term that will begin upon election and extend
through the remainder of that calendar year and the calendar year immediately
following. Thereafter, the Board of Directors shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair at
the final meeting of each year to allow each to serve a two-year term that will begin
on January 1 of the following year.
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4.3.6 The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting to coincide with the
first regular meeting each year. During the annual meeting, the Executive Director
shall report on the state of the PSERN Operator.
4.3.7 The Board of Directors shall take actions by vote and each voting Board
member shall be entitled to one vote. All votes shall have equal weight in the
decision-making process. Any voting Board member may call for a vote on an
issue. Meetings shall be conducted according to the most recent edition of Robert's
Revised Rules of Order unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
4.3.8 Board members must be present at a meeting to vote and may not vote by
proxy, provided that, if provided for in the bylaws, a member may participate in
Board meetings and may vote on Board issues via telephone or other electronic
voice communication.
4.3.9 The Board of Directors shall comply with applicable requirements of the
Washington State Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW.
4.3.10 An alternate attending Board of Directors meetings on behalf of a regular
member of the Board shall be considered to be a member for purposes of that
meeting and entitled to exercise all rights of the member to participate in such
meetings, including participating in discussion, making motions, and voting on
matters coming before the Board.
4.3.11 Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Board of
Directors may take action by three affirmative votes when each of the following
conditions is met: (1) a matter has been identified for action in the notice or
proposed agenda for at least two meetings in a row, and (2) both meetings were
regularly scheduled meetings or properly notified and scheduled special meetings
in accordance with the bylaws and RCW 42.30, and (3) the same voting member
failed to attend both meetings and failed to send an alternate. In this event, for this
one action item only, a quorum of the Board of Directors will consist of three
members.
4.4 Board of Directors Actions
The PSERN Operator, through its Board of Directors, shall have all powers allowed by
law for interlocal agencies created under RCW 39.34.030 and chapter 24.06 RCW, as
they now exist or may hereafter be amended, and as authorized, amended, or removed
by the Board of Directors, as provided for in this Agreement, and including but not limited
to the following:
a. Amend this Agreement, subject to Section 15.13;
b. Establish committees and advisory groups to perform activities related to the
PSERN System;
c. Adopt and amend budgets and approve expenditures;
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d. Adopt and amend policies and bylaws for the administration and regulation of
the PSERN Operator;
e. Adopt and amend purchasing and contracting policies consistent with state
law;
f. Direct and supervise the activities of the Operating Board;
g. Direct the activities of the Executive Director;
h. If the Board determines that the Executive Director will be directly hired as an
employee of the PSERN Operator, then the Board shall hire, set the
compensation for, and be authorized to terminate the employment of the
Executive Director.
i. If the Board determines that the Executive Director will be a contracted
employee from another governmental agency, the Board will contract for an "at
will" employee approved by the Board and who may be terminated from the
position by a unanimous vote by the Board.
j. Evaluate the Executive Director's performance and give the Executive Director
a written evaluation of his or her performance at least annually;
k. Establish a fund or special fund or funds as authorized by RCW 39.34.030;
I. Establish Service Rates in accordance with Exhibit A or any amendments
thereto;
m. Review and amend terms of use for User Agencies, as necessary;
n. Conduct regular and special meetings;
o. Approve PSERN operation and maintenance standards;
p. Determine the Services the PSERN Operator shall offer and the terms under
which they will be offered;
q. Approve agreements with third parties;
r. Incur financial obligations in the name of the PSERN Operator to make
purchases or contracts for Services to implement the purposes of this
Agreement; provided, however, nothing in this Agreement shall authorize the
PSERN Operator to issue bonds or incur indebtedness in the name of any Party
hereto or that shall be considered a debt or a guarantee of any Party hereto
without its express written consent;
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s. Purchase, take, receive, lease, take by gift, or otherwise acquire, own, hold,
improve, use and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or any
interest therein, in the name of the PSERN Operator;
t. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, and otherwise
dispose of all of its real or personal property, or any interest therein, and assets;
u. Sue and be sued, complain and defend, in all courts of competent jurisdiction;
v. Hold licenses for radio frequencies;
w. Recommend action to the legislative bodies of the Parties and User Agencies;
w. Delegate the Board of Directors' authority under this Agreement subject to any
applicable law and to such limitations and conditions as the Board of Directors
may establish;
x. Enter into agreements with other agencies to accomplish tasks for the PSERN
Operator such as agreements for services such as procurement and property
leasing;
y. Contract for staff through agreements with other agencies that specify the
employment policies, compensations amounts, and supervisory structure that
will apply to such staff;
z. Exercise any powers necessary to further the goals and purposes of this
Agreement that are consistent with the powers of the Parties;
aa.Add parties to this Agreement and concurrently amend the membership of the
Board of Directors, subject to the limitations of Section 15.13;
bb.Take necessary actions to prepare and plan for a public safety radio system(s)
to succeed the PSERN System;
cc. To the extent permitted by law, accept loans or grants of funds from any federal,
state, local or private agencies and receive and distribute funds; and
dd.The PSERN Operator shall have no power to levy taxes.
4.5 Impasse Resolution Procedure
4.5.1 If a matter requiring Board action is moved at a Board of Directors meeting
but fails for lack of a unanimous vote by all four(4) Directors, a voting Director may
submit written notice of an impasse to the other Directors and the Executive
Director. The notice shall include a statement of the action being sought and the
history of any Board deliberation or vote(s) on the matter.
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4.5.2 Within seven (7) days of receipt of a notice of impasse, the Board Chair shall
designate a mediator to assist the Board in resolving the impasse. The mediator
shall be experienced in resolving disputes among public sector and/or nonprofit
agencies and may not be an employee or consultant of any of the Parties, unless
otherwise agreed to by the Parties.
4.5.3 The Parties agree that it is essential to the success of the PSERN System
that any impasse be resolved as quickly as possible and accordingly agree to
instruct their respective Directors to cooperate with the mediator in good faith,
including expediting responses to any mediator requests for information and
discussion.
4.5.4 The mediator shall promptly investigate the impasse and the respective
positions of the voting Directors. The mediator may recommend one or more non-
binding alternatives for resolving the impasse. Regardless of the outcome of the
mediation, the cost of the mediator's fees and expenses shall be divided into four
equal parts to be paid by (1) the County, (2)the City, (3) the EPSCA Cities and the
(4) Valley Com Cities. The EPSCA Cities and Valley Com Cities shall each be
responsible for apportioning their one quarter share of the costs among their
members and for informing the PSERN Operator of the apportionment. The
PSERN Operator shall pay the mediator and invoice each Party for its share. Each
Party shall pay the PSERN Operator within thirty (30) days of the Party's receipt
of the invoice.
4.5.5 If the impasse is not resolved within ten (10) days of the mediator providing
his/her recommendation(s), the Elected Executives Committee (EEC) shall meet
with the Board of Directors to attempt to resolve the impasse. The EEC shall be
composed of the King County Executive; the Mayor of the City of Seattle; one
elected official designated by the EPSCA Cities; and one elected office designated
by the Valley Com Cities. The Board of Directors and the EEC shall convene to
consider the matter and attempt to reach a resolution, which may include re-
submitting the matter for a Board of Directors vote, not later than twenty (20) days
after the date the mediator provided his/her recommendation(s).
5.0 OPERATING BOARD
The Board of Directors will create an Operating Board of PSERN System User Agencies,
which will include at least one fire commissioner as a member, to provide advice and
perform other duties as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The obligation to
create and maintain an Operating Board shall be included in the PSERN Operator's
articles of incorporation or bylaws.
6.0 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
If the Executive Director is directly hired as an employee of the PSERN Operator, the
Board shall be responsible for the appointment and termination of the Executive Director.
If the Board enters into an agreement with another governmental agency to contract for
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an Executive Director, the agreement shall give the Board the authority to appoint the
Executive Director and to terminate the Executive Director from his/her position.
The Executive Director shall report to the Board of Directors and shallregularly advise the
Board on matters related to the operation and functions of the PSERN System and the
PSERN Operator, including proposed budgets, financial and liability issues, and all other
appropriate matters related to the PSERN System and the PSERN Operator. The
Executive Director may also request assistance from the Operating Board to address
tasks calling for technical and user-related expertise.
6.1 Executive Director Duties
The Executive Director shall:
a. Manage the PSERN Operator's day-to-day activities consistent with applicable
policies, procedures, and standards;
b. Retain appropriate PSERN Operator staff either through the direct hire of such
staff or through an agreement with an agency to provide such staff;
c. Hire, evaluate, supervise, discipline, and terminate staff in compliance with
applicable budget, policies, procedures, agreements and standards;
d. Propose and administer Annual Budgets including a contingency;
e. Consistent with applicable budget and procurement policies adopted by the
Board, approve expenditures and sign contracts in amounts as established by
the Board of Directors without additional approval of the Board of Directors;
f. Track the performance of PSERN systems and Services;
g. Provide support to the Board of Directors;
h. Recommend policies, procedures, and standards, and changes thereto,
including without limitation policies governing the procurement of goods,
services, public works and improvements, staffing and emergency responses;
i. Provide written monthly reports to the Board of Directors describing the PSERN
Operator's budget status, PSERN System performance against targets, partial
or full PSERN System outages, purchases equal to or greater than $10,000,
and usage statistics;
j. Maintain and manage records in accordance with applicable state and federal
laws and regulations;
k. Prepare an annual report for the PSERN Operator as required by RCW
23.95.255; and
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I. Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
6.2 Qualifications and Status of the Executive Director
The Executive Director shall have experience or comparable equivalent skills in the
technical, financial and administrative fields of public safety radio and his or her
appointment shall be on the basis of merit only. If the Executive Director is directly hired
by the PSERN Operator, he/she will serve in an "at will" position that may not be modified
by any PSERN Agency policy, rule, or regulation regarding discipline or termination of
PSERN Agency employees, and accordingly, the Executive Director may only be
terminated from his or her position by the Board of Directors.
7.0 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In the case of an emergency, the Executive Director shall have the authority to issue a
determination of emergency under applicable law. The Executive Director shall
communicate to the Board of Directors each decision made pursuant to any emergency
determination as soon as reasonably possible and shall issue a written finding of the
existence of the emergency no later than two weeks following the award of any contract
executed pursuant to the emergency determination.
8.0 PSERN OPERATOR EMPLOYMENT
8.1 Employees Generally
The Board of Directors shall require the PSERN Operator to comply with all applicable
federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to all current and
future employees. In addition, the PSERN Operator shall be an equal opportunity
employer and make reasonable efforts to maintain a diverse work force.
8.2. Employment of Current Regular Employees
8.2.1 Offer of Employment
8.2.1.1 As of the Effective Date of this Agreement, there are 3.0 FTE City
of Seattle employees and 8.0 FTE King County employees who are
employed to primarily work on KCERCS infrastructure and whose job
duties will be assumed by the PSERN Operator after FSA ("Qualified
Employees"). It is the intention of the Parties that each of those Qualified
Employees have the option of working for the PSERN Operator and that
the PSERN Operator and the County and City of Seattle will work
cooperatively to transition the employees who accept such option to work
for the PSERN Operator on a schedule that does not adversely impact
public safety functions prior to FSA.
8.2.1 .2 Directly Hired Employees
Page 13
If the Board of Directors determines that PSERN Operator staff shall be
directly hired by the PSERN Operator and to implement the intent of
Section 8.2.1., then no later than the date to be set by the Board of
Directors, the PSERN Operator will offer employment to each of the
Qualified Employees for similar employment with the PSERN Operator.
The offer shall remain open for no more than thirty (30) days unless
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Each Qualified Employee
who accepts the offer shall become a "Transferring Employee." The
PSERN Executive Director shall use best efforts to ensure each
Transferring Employee a smooth and prompt transition to employment with
the PSERN Operator.
The Board of Directors shall require the PSERN Operator to use its best
efforts to offer the Transferring Employees opportunities for professional
advancement and a package of employee benefits that are similar to the
opportunities and benefits available to the Transferring Employees at their
current agency at the time of transition to PSERN employment.
8.2.1.3 Agency-Provided Employees
If the Board of Directors determines that PSERN Operator staff will be
contracted for through an agreement with another governmental agency,
then no later than the date set by the Board of Directors, the agency
providing such staff will offer employment to each of the Qualified
Employees for similar employment with the agency for PSERN Operator
work. The offer shall remain open for no more than thirty (30) days unless
otherwise determined by the agency providing the PSERN Operator staff.
Each Qualified Employee who accepts the offer shall become an "Agency
Employee." The agency providing PSERN Operator staff shall use best
efforts to ensure each Agency Employee a smooth and prompt transition to
employment with the agency and work for the PSERN Operator.
8.2.2 Retirement Benefits
If the Board of Directors determines that PSERN Operator staff shall be directly
hired, then the PSERN Operator will participate in the Public Employees'
Retirement System (PERS) and will offer PERS retirement benefits through the
Washington State Department of Retirement Systems to Transferring Employees
and Transitional Employees.
8.3 Temporary Employment of PSERN Transitional Employees
8.3.1 Any PSERN Transitional Employee who requests temporary employment
with the PSERN Operator shall be employed as a temporary employee by the
PSERN Operator or if the PSERN Operator does not directly hire its employees,
then by the agency providing staff for the PSERN Operator.. The period of
temporary employment shall not exceed eighteen (18) months from the time of
transition to such employment or a shorter duration if requested by the PSERN
Page 14
Transitional Employee. The time of transition shall be within 60 days after FSA
unless another date is agreed to by the PSERN Operator and the PSERN
Transitional Employee.
8.3.2 While employed as temporary employees performing work for the PSERN
Operator, PSERN Transitional Employees shall be entitled to a salary and package
of benefits similar to what the Transitional Employee received prior to his or her
transition to PSERN Operator work. The full cost of compensation, including salary
and benefits, provided to PSERN Transitional Employees shall be paid by the
PSERN Operator, either directly or pursuant to an agreement with another agency
for the provision of staff.
8.3.3 While employed as temporary employees performing work for the PSERN
Operator, PSERN Transitional Employees must meet all employment
requirements applicable to permanent PSERN Operator employees or employees
of the applicable employing agency. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the
PSERN Operator's or applicable employing agency's ability to take employment
action, up to and including termination of employment, regarding a PSERN
Transitional Employee who fails to meet any requirement of his/her employment.
8.3.4 Nothing in this section shall preclude the PSERN Operator or an applicable
employing agency from hiring a PSERN Transitional Employee serving as a
temporary employee to a permanent position.
8.4 No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Employees affected by this Agreement are not intended to be third-party beneficiaries to
this Agreement and cannot sue to enforce its terms.
9.0 Service Level Requirements
9.1 Contractor Services
The PSERN Operator shall ensure the following services are provided by the Contractor
throughout the expected service life of the PSERN System:
(i) technical support;
(ii) infrastructure repair;
(iii) System updates; and
(iv) System upgrades.
9.2 Minimum Performance
The PSERN Operator shall ensure the following minimum performance requirements for
the PSERN System:
(I) DAQ 3.4;
(ii) 97% reliability;
(iii) 97% portable on-street coverage in the Primary Bounded Area;
(iv) 95% portable on-street coverage in the Highway Buffer Covered Areas;
Page 15
(v) grade of service of 1.0;
(vi) 99.999% availability of backhaul;
(vii) at least 17db added signal above the baseline PSERN design within the
three (3) polygon coverage areas shown in Exhibit B; and
(viii) provide 97% portable on-street coverage with 97% SAR (service area
reliability) in the three (3) polygon coverage areas shown in Exhibit B.
10.0 RESERVED
11.0 WITHDRAWAL AND REMOVAL
11.1 Withdrawal of a Party
11.1.1 A Party may withdraw from this Agreement effective on the last day of a
calendar year by giving written notice to the Board at least two years prior to the
proposed effective date for withdrawal.
11.1.2 Any Party that has given notice of its intent to withdraw must meet with the
Executive Director or his or her designee to develop a departure plan that is intended
to ensure an orderly separation of the Party from the PSERN Operator in a manner
that is consistent with this Agreement. The departure plan may include the transfer
of funds and equipment or other assets and such plan must be approved by
unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.
11.1.3 Costs of Withdrawal
11 .1.3.1 A Party that withdraws shall remain responsible for any obligations
that arose prior to the effective date of the withdrawal and for any that are
specified under Section 15.17 as surviving a withdrawal.
11.1.3.2 As a condition of withdrawal, the withdrawing Party must pay any
direct costs resulting from the withdrawal. The Board of Directors may also
set a different withdrawal date as it deems appropriate; however, the
withdrawal date shall not be later than one year after the withdrawing Party's
proposed withdrawal date.
11.1.3.3 Any costs or other amounts owed by a withdrawing Party under this
Agreement or any other agreement between the withdrawing Party and the
PSERN Operator shall be paid prior to the effective date of the withdrawal
or, if such amounts are not then known or established, then within thirty (30)
days after the amount is known or established. However, the withdrawing
Party shall not be responsible for amounts not known or established within
one hundred (100) days of the date of withdrawal.
Page 16
11.1.4 A member of the Board of Directors representing a Party that has given
notice of withdrawal which is effective at a future date, shall be authorized to cast
votes with the Board of Directors only on budgets and other items to be
implemented prior to the withdrawal date unless permission to vote on a matter is
granted by all remaining Board members.
11.1.5 A Party that has given its notice of withdrawal may revoke its notice of
withdrawal by delivering a written notice of such revocation to the Board of
Directors. The Board, in its sole discretion, may by unanimous vote of the
remaining members of the Board, determine to accept or deny the revocation and
under what conditions any acceptance shall be permitted.
11.1.6 If a Party withdraws from this Agreement, the withdrawing Party will forfeit
any and all rights it may have to PSERN System real, personal, or intellectual
property and any rights to participate in the PSERN Operator, unless otherwise
provided by the Board of Directors.
11 .2 Removal of a Board Member.
The Board of Directors may, by majority vote and for cause, remove a Board member
from the Board of Directors and terminate the Board member's right to participate in
governance of the PSERN Operator. Immediately after the vote removing a Board
member, the Party's alternate shall become its Board of Directors member. If the Party
has not designated an alternate, the vacancy provisions in Section 4.2.4 shall apply.
Cause for removal may include failure to act in good faith in participating in the Board of
Directors and willful, arbitrary failure to perform the Board member's obligations as set
forth in this Agreement.
12.0 DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
12.1 Three (3) or more Directors may, at any one time, call for a vote on the complete
dissolution of the PSERN Operator and termination of this Agreement. Upon both: (a) the
affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board for dissolution and termination; and (b) the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Parties' legislative bodies for dissolution and
termination, the Board shall establish a task force to determine how the PSERN System
assets and liabilities will be divided upon such dissolution and termination. For purposes
of this section, each Party shall determine what constitutes an affirmative vote of its
legislative body.
12.2 Approval of the plan for disposition of the PSERN System assets and liabilities (the
"Disposition Plan") shall require a unanimous affirmative vote of the full Board. If the Board
fails to approve the Disposition Plan within one (1) year of the last legislative body vote
under Section 12.1.b, the Parties shall proceed with the impasse resolution procedures
in Section 4.5.
12.3 Following the approval of the Disposition Plan, the PSERN Operator shall wind up
business in accordance with the Disposition Plan and any other terms set by the Board.
Page 17
The Board shall set the date for termination of this Agreement by affirmative majority vote
of the full Board.
13.0 LEGAL RELATIONS
13.1 Employees and No Third Party Beneficiaries
13.1.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall make any employee of one Party an
employee of another Party for any purpose, including, but not limited to, for
withholding of taxes, payment of benefits, worker's compensation pursuant to Title
51 RCW, or any other rights or privileges accorded by virtue of their employment.
No Party assumes any responsibility for the payment of any compensation, fees,
wages, benefits or taxes to or on behalf of any other Party's employees. No
employees or agents of one Party shall be deemed, or represent themselves to
be, employees of another Party.
13.1.2 It is understood and agreed that this Agreement is solely for the benefit of
the Parties and gives no right to any other person or entity.
13.2 Indemnification.
Each Party to this Agreement shall protect, defend, indemnify, and save harmless the
other Parties and their respective officials and employees, from any and all claims, arising
out of, or in any way resulting from, the indemnifying Party's willful or negligent acts or
omissions arising out of this Agreement. No Party will be required to indemnify, defend,
or save harmless any other Party if the claim, suit, or action for injuries, death, or damages
is caused by the sole negligence of that other Party. Where such claims, suits, or actions
result from concurrent negligence of two or more Parties, these indemnity provisions shall
be valid and enforceable only to the extent of each Party's own negligence. Each of the
Parties agrees that its obligations under this Section extend to any claim, demand, and/or
cause of action brought by, or on behalf of, any of its employees or agents. For this
purpose, each of the Parties, by mutual negotiation, hereby waives, with respect to each
of the other Parties only, any immunity that would otherwise be available against such
claims under the Industrial Insurance provisions of Title 51 RCW. Any loss or liability
resulting from the negligent acts, errors, or omissions of the Board of Directors, Operating
Board, Executive Director and/or staff, while acting within the scope of their authority
under this Agreement, shall be borne by the PSERN Operator exclusively.
13.3 Insurance
The Board of Directors, Executive Director, and PSERN Operator shall take such steps
as are reasonably practicable to minimize the liability of the Parties, including but not
limited to the utilization of sound business practices. The Board of Directors shall
determine which, if any, insurance policies or self-insurance programs for governmental
entities authorized in the State of Washington may be reasonably and practicably
acquired to cover liability exposures and other potential losses arising from the operations
of the PSERN Operator and the activities of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement (which
may include Directors and Officers, Commercial General Liability, Auto, Workers'
Page 18
Compensation, Stop Gap/Employer's Liability, errors and omissions, crime/ fidelity
insurance, CyberRisk, property damage or loss), and shall direct the acquisition of same.
14.0 PUBLIC RECORDS
14.1 The Executive Director shall keep records related to the PSERN System and
PSERN Operator as required by law and in accordance with the policies, procedures and
retention schedules as may be established by the Board of Directors.
14.2 Each Party shall keep records related to the PSERN System and PSERN Operator
as required by law and in accordance with such the policies, procedures and retention
schedules as may be established by the Party, and each Party shall be responsible for
responding to public disclosure requests addressed to it in accordance with the
Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, and such procedures as may be
established by the Party.
14.3 The Executive Director shall be responsible for responding to public disclosure
requests addressed to the PSERN Operator in accordance with the Washington Public
Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, and such procedures as may be established by the
Board of Directors.
15.0 GENERAL
15.1 RESERVED
15.2 Filing of Agreement
Pursuant to RCW 39.34.040, prior to its entry into force, this Agreement shall be filed with
the King County Recorder's Office or, alternatively, listed by subject on a Party's web site
or other electronically retrievable public source.
15.3 Time of the Essence
The Parties recognize that time is of the essence in the performance of the provisions of
this Agreement.
15.4 Compliance with Laws
During the term of this Agreement, the Parties hereto agree to comply with all federal,
state, and local laws as necessary to carry out the terms of this Agreement. Further, to
the extent that any emergency communication Services involve the retention, security,
confidentiality or other handling of certain "protected" health information under the federal
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") and its
implementing regulations thereunder by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and other applicable laws including chapter 70.02 RCW, the Washington
Uniform Health Care Information Act, as amended, the Parties agree to comply with such
laws and execute documents as necessary to implement the requirements under such
laws.
Page 19
15.5 Specific Performance
In the event a Party fails to perform an obligation under this Agreement, the other Parties
or any one of them shall have the right to bring an action for specific performance,
damages and any other remedies available under this Agreement, at law or in equity.
15.6 No Waiver
No term or provision of this Agreement shall be deemed waived and no breach excused
unless such waiver, excuse, or consent shall be in writing and signed by the Party or
Parties claimed to have waived or consented. If the waiving or consenting Party is the
PSERN Operator, then the writing must be signed by all of the voting members of the
Board of Directors. Waiver of any default of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver
of any subsequent default. Waiver of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not
be deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. Waiver of such default and
waiver of such breach shall not be construed to be a modification of the terms of this
Agreement unless stated to be such through written approval of all Parties.
15.7 Parties Not Relieved of Statutory Obligation
Pursuant to RCW 39.34.030(5), this Agreement shall not relieve any Party of any
obligation or responsibility imposed upon it by law except that, to the extent of actual and
timely performance thereof by the Board of Directors, the performance may be offered in
satisfaction of the obligation or responsibility.
15.8 Nondiscrimination
The Parties shall comply with the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable federal,
state and local statutes and regulations.
15.9 No Assignment
No Party shall transfer or assign a portion or all of its responsibilities or rights under this
Agreement, except with the prior authorization of the Board of Directors.
15.10 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets
Approval of the merger or consolidation of the PSERN Operator with another entity, or
the sale of all or substantially all assets of the PSERN Operator, shall require a unanimous
vote of the Board of Directors.
15.11 Dispute Resolution
If one or more Parties believe another Party has failed to comply with the terms of this
Agreement, the affected Parties shall attempt to resolve the matter informally. If the
Parties are unable to resolve the matter informally, any Party may submit the matter to
Page 20
mediation under Section 4.5. In any event, if the matter is not resolved, then any Party
shall be entitled to pursue any legal remedy available.
15.12 Entire Agreement
The Parties agree that this Agreement, including any attached exhibits, constitutes a
single, integrated, written contract expressing the entire understanding and agreement
between the Parties. No other agreement, written or oral, expressed or implied, exists
between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and the Parties
declare and represent that no promise, inducement, or other agreement not expressly
contained in this Agreement has been made conferring any benefit upon them.
15.13 Amendments
15.13.1 Except as provided in this Section, the Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors from time to time in order to carry out the corporate purposes of
the PSERN Operator. Any such modification shall be in writing and executed by the
Chair of the Board of Directors after providing not less than thirty(30)days' advance
written notice to all Parties of such proposed modification, and upon unanimous
approval of the Board of Directors. However, the following terms of this Agreement
may only be amended in writing after approval of each of the legislative bodies of
Seattle, King County, EPSCA, and Valley Com; however, for purposes of this
legislative determination, EPSCA and Valley Com will each be responsible to
determine what constitutes legislative approval or disapproval from their member
cities, before tendering their single vote on amendment:
a. Expansion of the PSERN Operator's scope of services or Party funding
obligations described in Section 3.0.
b. The composition of the Board of Directors.
c. Addition of new Parties.
d. Voting rights of members of the Board of Directors.
e. Powers of the Board of Directors.
f. Hold harmless and indemnification requirements.
g. Provisions regarding duration, dissolution, termination or withdrawal.
h. The conditions of this Section.
15.13.2 Nothing in this Section 15.13 shall be construed to require legislative
authority consent for the agreement to serve an additional User Agency.
15.14 Notices
15.14.1 Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be addressed
to the Parties as listed below. Any notice may be given by certified mail, courier
delivery, or personal delivery. Notice is deemed given when delivered. Email,
acknowledgement requested, may be used for notice that does not allege a breach
or dispute under this Agreement. Email notice is deemed given when the recipient
acknowledges receipt.
Page 21
15.14.2 The names and contact information set forth in this Agreement shall apply
until amended in writing by a Party providing new contact information to each other
Party and the date the amendment is effective.
15.15 Conflicts
15.15.1 In the event that any conflict exists between this Agreement and any
exhibits hereto, the Agreement shall control.
15.15.2 In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and a
provision of the Implementation Period ILA, the Implementation Period ILA shall
control unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to vote
under Section 4.3.1.
15.16 Choice of Law; Venue
This Agreement and any rights, remedies, and/or obligations provided for in this
Agreement shall be governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the
substantive and procedural laws of the State of Washington. The Parties agree that the
Superior Court of King County, Washington shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue
over any legal action arising under this Agreement.
15.17 Severability
The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any portion, provision, or part of this
Agreement is held, determined, or adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, unenforceable, or void for any reason whatsoever, each such portion, provision,
or part shall be severed from the remaining portions, provisions, or parts of this
Agreement and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15.18 Survival Provisions
The following provisions shall survive and remain applicable to each of the Parties
notwithstanding any termination or expiration of this Agreement and notwithstanding a
Party's withdrawal or removal from this Agreement.
Section 13 Legal Relations
Section 14 Public Records
Section 15.16 Choice of Law; Venue
15.19 Counterparts
This Agreement shall be executed in counterparts, any one of which shall be deemed to
be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Page 22
15.20 Execution
This Agreement shall be executed on behalf of each Party by its duly authorized
representative, pursuant to an appropriate motion, resolution, or ordinance of such Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, authorized representatives of the Parties have signed their
names and indicated the date of signing in the spaces provided below.
KING COUNTY CITY OF AUBURN
)C-% AMINO•
Name Name ' , k
Title Title �
Date Date 4'a 2b
Attest:
City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney C y Attorney
Page 23
CITY OF BELLEVUE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
Name Name
Title Title
Date Date
Attest: Attest:
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF ISSAQUAH CITY OF KENT
Name Name
Title Title
Date Date
Attest: Attest:
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
City Attorney City Attorney
Page 24
CITY OF KIRKLAND CITY OF MERCER ISLAND
Name Name
Title Title
Date Date
Attest: Attest:
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF REDMOND CITY OF RENTON
Name Name
Title Title
Date Date
Attest: Attest:
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
City Attorney City Attorney
Page 25
CITY OF SEATTLE CITY OF TUKWILA
Name Name
Title Title
Date Date
Attest:
City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
City Attorney City Attorney
Page 26
Exhibit A
Cost Allocation Model
For the first year of PSERN System operation, rates to be paid by each User Agency and
Dispatch Center will be computed as provided in this Exhibit A. The PSERN System annual
operating budget and the number of public safety radios, other radios, and consoles will be
known quantities at the time the rates are computed.
Division of Budget Between Radios and Consoles
Percentage of annual budget to be paid with radio user fees = X.
Percentage of annual budget to be paid with console user fees = Y.
X = [83% of employee-related costs in the PSERN System annual operating budget +
annual vendor costs for radio-related equipment] / PSERN System annual operating budget
x 100.
Y = [17% of employee-related costs in the PSERN System annual operating budget +
annual vendor costs for console-related equipment] / PSERN System annual operating
budget x 100.
Public Safety and Other Radio Rates
X% of the PSERN System annual operating budget will be paid with public safety radio rates
and other radio rates combined.
The other radio rate shall be 78% of the public safety radio rate.
X% of PSERN System annual operating budget = [12 x the monthly public safety radio rate
x the number of public safety radios] + [12 x the monthly other radio rate x the number of
other radios].
Console Rates
Y% of the PSERN System annual operating budget will be paid with console rates.
Y% of PSERN System annual operating budget = 12 x the monthly console rate x the
number of consoles.
END OF EXHIBIT A.
Page 27
Exhibit B
Polygon Coverage Areas with Added Signal
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Page 28
_ —
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into among the cities of
Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, and Tukwila, the five member cities that formed
Valley Communications Center, a Governmental Administrative Agency created by
interlocal agreement under Chapter 39.34 RCW (Valley Com).
RECITALS
A. Valley Com is responsible for the ownership, operation and maintenance of
various elements in the current King County Emergency Radio Communications System
(KCERCS), a voice radio system that has been in existence since 1993 and is
increasingly unsupported by the supplier of the system's equipment, software, and related
repairs.
B. Valley Corn, King County, the city of Seattle, and the Eastside Public Safety
Communications Agency (EPSCA) determined that it is in the public interest to implement
a new public safety radio system, the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN),
that will provide public safety agencies and other user groups in the region with improved
coverage and capacity, as well as uniformly high-quality emergency radio
communications.
C. The costs of implementing the PSERN system are financed through a funding
measure approved by voters at the April 2015 election, and the above-mentioned parties
then executed a separate implementation agreement ("Implementation Period ILA") that
designated King County to be the lead agency to plan, procure, finance, and implement
the PSERN system with the oversight of a joint board established pursuant to the
Implementation Period ILA. Valley Corn's Executive Director has represented the Valley
Corn member cities on this joint board, reporting back to the Valley Corn Administration
Board, which is comprised of the five mayors from Valley Corn's member cities.
D. The Implementation Period ILA contemplates creation of a new separate
governmental agency under RCW 39.34.030(3)(b) that is organized through an interlocal
agreement as a non-profit corporation under the Interlocal Cooperation Act (Operator
ILA). Once formed, this agency will assume the ownership and control of PSERN during
its useful life. Just as with the Implementation Period ILA, the Operator ILA will be subject
to oversight by a Board of Directors, comprised of one representative each from King
County, Seattle, the Valley Corn member cities, and the EPSCA member cities.
E. Under the Operator ILA, Section 4.2.1.4, the Valley Com member cities'
representative will be selected from one mayor or city manager or his/her designee
representing the Cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton and Tukwila. The Operator
ILA also provides that the Valley Corn member cities retain the right to determine who will
represent them on the PSERN Board of Directors. The purpose of this MOU is to
designate the manner in which the five Valley Corn member cities will select its
representative.
1
NOW, THEREFORE, the Valley Corn member cities agree to the above Recitals
and the following:
AGREEMENT
1. The five Valley Corn member cities authorize the Valley Corn Administration
Board to select their representative on the PSERN Board of Directors at the times and
within the constraints established in the Operator ILA. To be eligible to represent the
Valley Corn member cities, the selected representative must be a mayor from one of the
member cities. It is understood, but not required, that the Valley Corn Executive Director
may act as the representative's designee on a full-time or an occasional basis, or the
representative may select any other alternate or designee when needed, as provided in
the Operator ILA.
2. Selection of the Valley Corn member cities' representative for the PSERN Board
of Directors shall be only by supermajority vote of the full Valley Corn Administration
Board. The regular term of the selected representative shall be two year(s) commencing
on January 1 of even numbered years and ending December 31 of odd numbered years.
3. The Valley Corn member cities' representative on the PSERN Board of Directors
and his/her designee, will comply with all the rights, obligations, and limitations provided
to PSERN Board members through the Operator ILA and this MOU.
4. The Valley Corn member cities' representative on the PSERN Board of
Directors must, at each regular Valley Corn Administration Board meeting, report to the
Administration Board on PSERN's current operational status. The Valley Corn member
cities' representative must, whenever possible and practical, brief the Valley Corn
Administration Board on issues the representative determines to be material before voting
on those matters as a PSERN System Board member.
5. Before voting on any PSERN matter that (a) materially expands the scope of
the PSERN system, (b) that materially increases the operational cost of the PSERN
System, (c) or that materially amends the Operator ILA, the Valley Corn member cities'
representative on the PSERN System Board of Directors must brief the Valley Corn
Administration Board for direction and must vote as a PSERN Board member in
accordance with that direction, which must be provided by at least a majority vote of the
full Valley Corn Administration Board.
6. Notwithstanding the preceding Paragraph 5, the Valley Corn member cities'
representative, or designee, shall not vote to amend the Operator ILA on matters requiring
legislative approval under Section 15.13.1 of the Operator ILA without affirmative
authority from each cities' governing body.
6. This MOU will terminate upon the earlier of the expiration or termination of the
separate non-profit governmental agency formed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act
2
through the Operator ILA or a Valley Corn member city's withdrawal from Valley Corn,
unless terminated earlier by unanimous agreement from the five Valley Corn member
cities.
7. This MOU will take effect on the last date signed below.
IN WITNESS, the authorized representatives of the Valley Corn member cities have
signed their names and indicated the date of signing in the spaces provided below.
CITY OF AUBURN CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
ame Lit44.0 Name
Title ek Title
Date att• w Date
Attest: Attest:
Ccar•,..,
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
)564(.,_
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF KENT CITY OF RENTON
Name Name
Title Title
Date Date
Attest: Attest:
3
City Clerk City Clerk
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Form:
City Attorney City Attorney
CITY OF TUKWILA
Name
Title
Date
Attest:
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
City Attorney
4
he PSERN Project upgrades and expands the current King
County Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS).
It's an 800 MHz digital network. This system will be primarily ,::
•
used by law enforcement, fire fighters, and other emergency $
personnel to communicate with each other during E-911 ' f PSERN
activities—from small incident response to large scale emergencies. PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY
Some general government agencies will also use it for daily RADIO NETWORK
operations.
About PSERN What You Get with PSERN
• The PSERN Project is funded by a property • Improved coverage, capacity, capability,
tax levy lid lift that was approved by and connectivity throughout King County.
voters in April of 2015.
• Overall, PSERN will provide better on-
• The Project has a current budget of street and in-building coverage with
approximately$283 million. 4 additional coverage along 1-90, Highway 2,
,4k and Highway 410.
• PSERN is comprised of radio towers, fiber
optic cables, computers, and a variety of • PSERN will provide updated technology for
other equipment to support the ability ofcountywide emergency radio
first responders and other government communications including a change from
personnel to communicate through a
analog to digital.
dedicated network.
• The Project is governed by a board of • PSERN will provide new features such as
system owners and first responder encryption and remote configuration of
representatives. radios in the field.
• Two active committees advise on the The project will purchase: up to 19,000
Project plans, strategies, technical radios and 144 Dispatch consoles at 19
impacts, and end-user needs. dispatch centers.
PSERN will consolidate operations of the current countywide emergency communications system into
a single, independent agency providing operations and maintenance of PSERN.
Contact PSERN: PSERN-Info@kingcounty.gov I 206-47-PSERN I https://psern.org
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King County
PSERN Operator Interlocal Agreement Summary
Section 1—Rules of Construction and Definitions: sets the grammatical and stylistic rules for
interpreting the ILA as well as defining terms to be used in the ILA.
Section 2—Duration of the Agreement:The agreement will be effective perpetually from the date
signed by the last Party until terminated in accordance with Section 12.
Section 3—Purpose of the Agreement:States the reason for having the agreement- provide emergency
communications and to form a single PSERN Operator-and sites the applicable state laws for formation
of the PSERN Operator.
Section 4—Board of Directors: sets the conditions for the operations of the Board of Directors. It
touches on:
• Section 4.1—Creation of the Board of Directors
• Section 4.2—Sets the composition as 4 voting directors (representing King County, Seattle,
EPSCA, Valley Communications Center), and two non-voting members representing police and
fire. This section also specifies the Officers of the Board of Directors.
• Section 4.3—sets the voting, quorum and meeting rules.
o All votes are unanimous except as specified below.
o All four voting members are required for a quorum.
o Other voting procedures such as deferral of a vote are covered, as well as meeting
schedules and a requirement to establish bylaws. Only three votes are required if the
same director fails to attend two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings where
action was scheduled and the director failed to send an alternate. In this event only
three directors will be required to vote and form a quorum.
• Section 4.4—Lists specific actions or powers the Board of Directors may exercise. This includes:
o Ability to amend portions of the ILA
■ However, Section 15.13 prohibits the Board from amending the following
provisions:
• PSERN Operator scope beyond that established in Section 3.0
• Composition of the Board of Directors
• Addition of new parties to the agreement
• Voting rights for Directors which includes who can vote or voting rules
• Powers of the Board of Directors
• Hold harmless and indemnification requirements
• Provisions regarding duration, termination or withdrawal
o Establishing advisory boards
o Approve budgets and expenditures
o Adopt policies and bylaws
o Perform procurements
o Direct and supervise the activities of the advisory boards
o Direct the activities of the Executive Director
o If the Board directly hires the Executive Director,then hire/fire and set the employment
terms for the Executive Director
o Evaluate Executive Director's performance in writing annually
o Establish funds for PSERN operations
o Establish service fees (including monthly fees to end user agencies or ad hoc time and
materials fees)
o Conduct regular meetings
o Approve maintenance and operations standards
o Determine services the PSERN Operator will offer(additional services)
o Approve 3rd party agreements
o Incur debt but not incur debt or issue bonds in the name of any Party
o Own or acquire assets or real property
o Dispose of assets or real property
o Sue or be sued
o Hold radio licenses
o Make recommendations to legislative bodies of parties & users
o Delegate authority
o Enter into agreements
o Exercise powers necessary to further the purpose of the agreement
o Add parties to the agreement subject to Section 15.13
o Plan for a successor public safety radio system
o Accept loans or grants
o Statement that the Operator shall have not power to levy taxes
• Section 4.5—when the board cannot agree,this section sets the impasse resolution procedures,
which includes non-binding mediation and formation of an Elected Executives Committee.
Section 5—Operating Board: creates an Operations Board to advise the Board of Directors.
Section 6—Executive Director:sets the employment conditions for the Executive Director and lays out
the Executive Director duties, which include:
• Managing the day to day operations of PSERN
• Manage other PSERN staff
• Propose annual budgets
• Approve expenditures consistent with the approved budget
• Monitor and track PSERN system performance
• Support the Board of Directors
• Recommend policies, standards and procedures
• Provide written monthly reports to the Board on expenditures, system performance, system
failures, and usage statistics.
• Maintain and manage records
• Prepare the annual report
Section 7—Emergency procedures: provides the Executive Director limited authority to act in the case
of emergencies and sets up reporting requirements.
Section 8—PSERN Operator Employment:This section lays out employment terms for individuals who
will work for the PSERN Operator.The section allows for the PSERN Operator to directly hire employees
or to contract with another agency for staff.This section also provides for temporary employment, not
to exceed 18 months,for Transitional Employees, defined as employees with King County,the City of
Seattle, EPSCA or Valley Corn whose employment will be terminated as a result of PSERN and who will
not be hired by the PSERN Operator.
Section 9—Service Level Requirements: creates commitments by the PSERN Operator to provide
services to maintain PSERN and sets minimum performance requirements for the system.
Section 10—(reserved but not used)
Section 11—Withdrawal or Removal of a Party: sets the terms and conditions for the withdrawal of one
or more parties from the agreement. Parties must give notice at least two years in advance and must
develop a departure plan. Withdrawing parties are still responsible for any cost obligations that were
incurred prior to notice of withdrawal. Also,for cause, the Board of Directors may vote to remove a
party by majority vote.
Section 12—Dissolution—This section sets the conditions and process for complete dissolution of the
PSERN Operator. Addresses requirements for voting, disposition of assets, and timing for final
termination date.
Sections 13-15—Legal terms and conditions-- insurance, indemnification, non-discrimination, public
records, notice requirements, dispute resolution, severability, amendments etc.
Exhibit A—Cost Allocation Model:sets the model and formula for determining the first-year rates for
the PSERN Operator for public safety radios and other(general government) radios, as well as for
dispatch consoles. Future rate models will be determined by the Board of Directors.
Exhibit B—In-Building Coverage: map of three areas designated to receive improved in-building
coverage.
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PSE R N
PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK King County
Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network
Background on PSERN Operator End User Rate & Cost Allocation Model
Prepared: April 2020
Purpose:
This document outlines the process for determining the rate and cost allocation model behind
proposed monthly charges to agencies for access to and use of the Puget Sound Emergency
Radio Network (PSERN) by radios and consoles. This model was adopted by the 12 owner
agencies of the current King County Emergency Radio Communications System (KCERCS)
through the Implementation Period Interlocal Agreement (IPILA). The IPILA was the instrument
used to create the governance for the PSERN Project.
The topics addressed in this document include constraints, assumptions, and specific
recommendations for the final rate and cost allocation model that would, if approved by the
future PSERN Operator Board of Directors, determine Year 1 operating costs for the PSERN
Operator.
Background:
KCERCS is the existing emergency radio communications system supporting E-911 response and
other government operations throughout King County. KCERCS is technically a single system
that is owned by four different entities and coordinated through a joint board to ensure the
system is operating effectively countywide. The four owner entities are:
1. Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA),
2. King County,
3. City of Seattle, and
4. Valley Communications Center(ValleyCom).
Recognizing that equipment comprising KCERCS is over 20 years old and is no longer supported
by the system equipment vendor, Motorola Systems, Inc., the owner entities worked on a plan
to replace KCERCS. From this planning process, the PSERN Project (via the IPILA) was created
and the PSERN Operator (the Operator) was envisioned (via a Memorandum of Agreement that
was an attachment to the IPILA). Once the owners determined that a new non-profit
governmental agency would be created, staff from the owner entities created a draft budget
and a rate and cost allocation model that would fund the future Operator.
The PSERN Project Steering Committee (the Committee) was the predecessor to the PSERN
Project's oversight body, the Joint Board. The Committee made early decisions about the
PSERN Project and made recommendations to establish the Operator, including development
of the Operator's budget and preferred rate model.
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PUGET SOUND EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK
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The Committee membership was comprised of a representative from each of the four owner
entities listed above and a chair (a former King County Deputy Executive). This Committee
appointed a staff working group to perform the rate model analysis. Ultimately,the Committee
voted to approve the recommendations revealed later in this document.
Analysis Team:
City of Seattle staff led the analytical work on options for the proposed rate and cost allocation
formula to fund the PSERN Operator budget. The full team consisted of staff from the PSERN
Project, the KCERCS system managers, and technical staff from the partner agencies.
Initial Assumptions:
The analysis team laid out initial assumptions that they would follow while working on the rate
and cost allocation model.The assumptions are listed below.
A. The same rate model will apply to all radio/console end users.
B. Rates should align with biennial budget cycles.
C. The PSERN system will be upgraded continuously via a support agreement.
D. The PSERN Operator will owns dispatch consoles as a part of the system.
E. Individual agencies own their radios.
F. Public safety agencies need to use PSERN. (They have no reasonable alternative if local
government personnel want to communicate effectively and transparently countywide.)
G. Non-public safety agencies can choose not to use PSERN if rates are too high.
H. Have as many eligible agencies as possible using PSERN (because the higher the number
of agencies, the lower the rates and the greater the interoperability with adjacent radio
systems).
Constraints Considered:
The following constraints were considered:
• There must be reliable, readily-available data to support the rate model chosen.
• The model must comply with RCW 43.09.210 (the "Accountancy Act"), meaning one
service may not subsidize another, nor can one agency subsidize another either directly
or indirectly.
• The PSERN Operator must be able to bill individual end user agencies directly.
Rate Model Options:
The purpose of the rate model analysis was to define how radio and console end users would
be charged for their usage of the PSERN system. The staff team reviewed five different rate
models including concepts such as all users paying the same rate, rates based on usage, rates
based on geographic or population size served, and even a combination of the rate models.
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Initial Recommendations:
After the above information was analyzed, the partner staff team proposed the following
recommendations to the Committee:
1. Use an Unbundled Rate to ensure compliance with the Accountancy Act. An Unbundled
Rate means separate rates for each type of PSERN equipment used by an agency—
public safety radios, non-public safety (general government) radios, and dispatch
consoles.
2. Keep charges as simple as possible—avoid multiple charges for each type of equipment.
3. Have a separate fixed charge for dispatch consoles.
4. Have fixed charges for two categories of subscriber radios—general government and
public safety.
5. Do not have charges related to geography or population. (The group found these factors
to be imprecise and disputable data as the basis for rates.)
6. Do not charge based on how much each agency uses the system.
7. Use operating costs— not initial capital costs—to determine rates. Use best estimates
based on available data for the PSERN Operator's first year budget, and then actual user
data thereafter.
8. Do not charge for radios accessing PSERN that are primarily used on another (disparate)
radio system and that are cross-programmed to work on PSERN for the purpose of
mutual aid.
9. Determine proportional costs for each of the three equipment rate categories—public
safety radios, general government radios, and dispatch consoles.
The rate model ultimately recommended by the partner staff team to the PSERN Project
Steering Committee was as follows:
• The PSERN Operator rate model is to be based on the level of labor effort (costs) and
vendor costs to maintain the system.
• The PSERN Operator's Budget will be funded by end users of radios and dispatch
consoles. (Historically, there has been no system access charge for consoles.)
• The following formulas were used to determine the radio and console rates that will
fund the future PSERN Operator in Year 1 of its network operations:
o Radio end user contribution =
• [public safety radio rate * # of public safety radios] + [general
government radio rate * #of general government radios] =78%of PSERN
Operator budget
o Console contribution =
• console rate * #of consoles = 22%of PSERN Operator budget
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o NOTE: It was assumed that general government radio users need less features
for their radios than public safety radios, so their monthly rates should be lower.
The general government radio rates were set to be at 78%of the public safety
radio rate.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
The analysis team concluded that there are flaws in all the rate setting methods they studied.
They also concluded that the recommended rate model should be revised / reaffirmed after the
first year of full operations when more concrete data on costs could be obtained by the
Operator.
The guidelines and model listed above were approved by the PSERN Project Steering
Committee at its October 28, 2014 meeting as the PSERN Operator's proposed Year 1 rates for
radio and console end users.
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