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Chair Baker stated that the dispatch issue is a county problem and not a state one, adding that he <br /> hasn't seen much real dollars invested in future system planning. <br /> Councilmember Bullock indicated he would be supportive of an amendment to legislation that <br /> would protect union workers, noting that Lakewood almost lost 11 union members due to the <br /> proposed changes to dispatch. He stated that disbanding unions is unacceptable and expressed a <br /> desire to be briefed by the George administration on public documents that discussed the <br /> proposed process. Rep. Skindell noted he has worked with state level labor representatives on <br /> legislative language to protect union members in the event of consolidation. <br /> Chair Baker referred to Manager Mike Coletta and Ed Hassing of the IT Department to get a <br /> better understanding of the technology in the dispatch center. Mr. Coletta indicated that <br /> Lakewood's dispatch center is state of the art, and that Cuyahoga Valley Dispatch's (CVD) <br /> technology is nothing the city couldn't get. He indicated city staff had visited CVD's facilities, <br /> with the only notable differences being able to locate cell phone callers within a certain degree of <br /> accuracy and possessing a mobile command center. He noted the city's 3rd circuit, which serves <br /> as a back-up to positions 1 and 2, in the dispatch center was the only reason the county was <br /> considering charging extra. Councilmember Shachner asked when the CVD visit took place and <br /> whether any other dispatch facilities were visited. Mr. Coletta indicated it took place about a <br /> month ago, around May 121h, and that he has only personally visited Strongsville's, as there are <br /> not many regional dispatch sites in the area. He added that technology has been funded very well <br /> in Lakewood, citing its state-of-the-art camera system. He noted CVD makes sense for smaller <br /> communities, but its fit with larger cities like Lakewood are not an automatic fit. <br /> President Litten inquired whether Lakewood Dispatch's systems were new and/or supported. Mr. <br /> Coletta stated that dispatch's phone system and voice recording software are the same ones that <br /> CVD is running, and that it should be upgraded in the near future. The CAD system was <br /> upgraded in 2017 and is still supported, as the city pays an annual maintenance fee on it. He <br /> concluded that the city is not hurting from a systems standpoint, and overall is doing fine. <br /> Councilmember Bullock asked who pays for all the systems. Mr. Coletta indicated that <br /> Lakewood pays for everything except for Emergency Callworks. <br /> Councilmember Rader stated that Lakewood's Dispatch Center seems right sized on technology <br /> and has the added benefit of having workers very knowledgeable on the city located in the city. <br /> Councilmember Marx asked if there was any technology that would benefit the city that it <br /> currently does not have. Mr. Coletta answered no, but indicated that dispatch center could use <br /> furniture upgrades. <br /> Chair Baker moved the conversation to the public safety perspective and asked Dispatcher <br /> Bridget Roda for her public comment. <br /> Public Comment <br /> Bridget Roda—12650 Detroit Ave. Ms. Roda stated she has been a Lakewood Dispatcher for <br /> 22 years. She indicated that through conversation with county level staff, her union received <br /> 2 <br />