HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 1999-38Suggested by: Administration
City of Kenai
RESOLUTION NO. 99-38
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
TRANSFERRING $6,113 IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR A TELEPHONE SYSTEM
REPLACEMENT.
WHEREAS, the manufacturer has discontinued the current telephone system
and a new system will allow for expansion and upgrades; and
WHEREAS, a new system includes automated call handling which will increase
efficiency; and
WHEREAS, funds are available for transfer from Non-Departmental Professional
Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KENAI, ALASKA, that the following budget transfers be made:
General Fund
From: Non-Departmental- Professional Services
To: Non-Departmental- Communications
$6,113
$6,113
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 16th day of
June, 1999.
/dOHyI'LLIAMS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
Approved by Finance:
(6/10/99) kl
CITY OF KENA!
210 FIDALGO AVE., SUITE 200 KENAI, ALASKA 99611-7794
TELEPHONE 907-283-7535
FAX 907-283-3014 ~
1992
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Rick Ross, City Manager
$2 Sheryl Legal Secretary
Padilla,
June 8, 1999
Phone System Proposal for City Hall
The proposed phone system for City Hall is called "MICS"~it's a newer version of the system used by the
school district. It would replace~not just upgrade~our current system. Following is a discussion of the
new system and how it would benefit City Hall at this time.
First, the manufacturer has discontinued the current phone system (the Norstar 824). While the Norstar still
works, it was not Y2K compliant until we recently spent about $1600 making it so. Also, we have
outgrown the Norstar. Nothing else can be done with it without adding new pieces at substantial cost. In
fact, it will only support voice mail by adding new equipment to the tune of $6,208.50.
On the other hand, the MICS as proposed (at a cost of $6,112.50, which includes a credit for the Y2K
software we recently purchased and using a few components of the old system) is Y2K compliant; it will
handle a voice mail system, while at the same time providing direct-dial lines to each department; it offers
more "space" for incoming and outgoing calls to avoid busy signals; and it will allow for future
expansion/upgrades for approximately the next 10 years.
Of the features offered in this proposal, the voice mail system would have the most immediate, favorable
impact on City Hall because it would provide much-needed relief from message taking and wrong numbers
in every department. The main number for City Hall (283-7535) would be answered by a recording that
would give callers a menu of options, but each department could also give out their "private" number for
regular callers. Whenever a person is away from his or her desk, a message recorded by that individual
would greet callers and record messages. Not taking messages or hunting people down for phone calls
would make a huge difference to many City Hall employees in terms of increased efficiency. Currently,
whenever a phone tings more than once, five people stop what they're doing, lose their concentration, look
and listen to see if someone is answering the call, and then either answer the call themselves or go back to
what they were doing. One person commented after standing in the lobby of City Hall recently, "You guys
have five receptionists!" because he could see that we all responded to the tinging phones. The new system
should eliminate this problem.
In summary, the MICS at the quoted price appears to be a reasonable solution to phone system problems
currently being experienced at City Hall.
/sp
cc:
Larry Semmens, Finance Director