Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding the purchase of radio equipment for the Public Works Department from Motorola Solutions, Inc.  (Manuel Hernandez, Assistant Director of Public Works)

The Public Works Department is seeking Mayor and Council approval to enter into a contract with the Motorola Corporation for the purchase of sixty (60) APX900 handheld radios and seven (7) APX1500 vehicle-mounted radios for the Solid Waste Division and to join the Yuma Regional Communications System. The purchase will be made through a state contract.

Public Works staff use portable handheld radios as our primary method of communication for operations. Public Works radios have an average age of approximately 10 years. The average replacement age of radios is 5–7 years. With some radios as old as 15 years old. The Public Works radios have exceeded their service life and availability of parts and service from the manufacturer. Additionally, our locally owned towers and system cannot support our communications needs on the east side of San Luis. Public Works tested the local radio services with Gila Electronics and continued having issues in areas on the East part of the City. Public Works recently tested the YRCS radios and services for over a month, and the staff unanimously agreed that YRCS is the only service that works in all areas within our City.  

Public Works is seeking the Mayor and Council's approval to award the contract to Motorola Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $239,837.61.