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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mariusz Gil, Director Infrastructure and Technology
Jeff Anderson, Deputy Chief Information Officer
Michael R. Pegues, Chief Information Officer
DATE: March 10, 2023
SUBJECT:
A Resolution requesting ratification for emergency low-voltage cable remediation from, NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL in the amount of $91,477.00.
PURPOSE:
This resolution is requesting emergency repairs to City network low-voltage cabling that remediated issues concerning public safety services at the Aurora Police Department.
BACKGROUND:
Technology requirements at the Aurora Police Department headquarters (APD) have increased significantly. In recent years, APD has issued laptops, body cameras and non-lethal tasers to all officers and sworn personnel. These deployments have increased the demands for access to technology throughout the APD campus and have exposed areas of deficiency regarding network infrastructure.
DISCUSSION:
These targeted repairs within the APD headquarters were completed in the Aurora Police Headquarters, Training and Support building, and internal Parking Garage.
The targeted repairs within the APD headquarters were extremely critical as they addressed failures in the Wi-Fi services that were affecting the day-to-day operations of police officers. The Wi-Fi services are essential to support the network infrastructure for uploading videos from body cameras and updating Records Management System (RMS) reports. Without these services, officers would have been unable to access important information or upload crucial evidence, which could have negatively impacted their ability to serve and protect the public.
Furthermore, the affected areas where the repairs were made, such as the Training and Support building, Parking Garage, and main building, were high-traffic areas where officers frequently utilize the Wi-Fi network to access vital information. As such, the emergency repairs were necessary to ensure that these critical services remained effective and operational.
It is worth noting that the repairs required the coordination of multiple stakeholders, including IT, Public Facilities, Police, and strategic partner NTI National Technologies, to isolate and fix the network failures in these areas. Their quick response and ability to perform emergency repairs were critical to restoring the services and minimizing any disruptions to public safety operations. Overall, the repairs were significant in ensuring that the APD could continue to operate effectively and serve the community.
Per Section 2-335 (a) (4) authorizes this exception to the competitive bid process.
These services were completed in 2022 and funds in account 101-1280-419.38-05 were utilized for these purposes.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
These repairs were needed to maintain and deliver the network infrastructure needed to support public safety services to the residents of the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request the proposed resolution be adopted.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution requesting ratification for emergency low-voltage cable remediation from, NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL in the amount of $91,477.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, network infrastructure to enable the performance of vital and important functions that are necessary for the effective and efficient operation.
WHEREAS, Technology requirements at the Aurora Police Department headquarters have increased significantly; and
WHEREAS, failure of network infrastructure in any location within the Aurora Police Department headquarters will negatively affect public safety; and
WHEREAS, Per Section 2-335 (a) (4) authorizes this exception to the competitive bid process; and
WHEREAS, funds in account 101-1280-419.38-05 will be utilized for these purposes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approves ratification for emergency low-voltage cable remediation from, NTI National Technologies, Downers Grove, IL in the amount of $91,477.00.