City plans for phone system upgrades

     The City of Monticello will soon receive an upgrade in photo technology.

     During the July 19 city council meeting, the council approved a quote from ITS (Infrastructure Technology Solutions) in the amount of $12,482 for a new phone system and 19 handsets.

     City Administrator Russ Farnum said the upgrade would save the city about $320 a month.

     “At that rate, the system will pay for itself in about 36 months,” he said.

     The new phone system would be internet-based rather than hardwired. This allows for additional features such as directly connecting calls to other city buildings, and increases the reliability of the phone system within City Hall.

     Farnum said City Hall also runs off of two internet providers: Mediacom and Comelec. With the new phone system, if one provider is down due to a storm or system failure, the phones automatically switch over the other service.

     “We’d still have phone service,” said Farnum, in this case.

     The current phone system just services City Hall and the chamber office. There are separate systems for the library, Berndes Center, and police/ambulance. The Public Works building and waste water treatment facility have no permanent phones.

     Right now, if a resident calls City Hall, not knowing the number for the Public Works department for instance, the city clerks do not have the capability to transfer the call.

     “That’s a big drawback from a customer service standpoint,” Farnum pointed out. “This (service) allows that and we’ll each have our own extension, including the council.”

     The new technology would also allow individual council members to access phone calls via City Hall. So if a constituent phones City Hall seeking to speak to a member of the council, those calls could be transferred to a council member’s cell phone if they so choose.

     Nick Ruden with ITS said there would be a yearly license required for the service at $580.

     The handsets have a seven- to 10-year lifespan, with three to five years on the new server that would need to be installed. A new server would cost around $3,000.

     With the library already running off of the same system, Ruden said the contract does not include an upgrade at the library.

     “We could integrate our system with the library’s,” said Farnum.

     “It just makes sense to be more accessible to the people in this town,” offered Council member Candy Langerman.

     Mayor Brian Wolken said many times, constituents aren’t comfortable calling someone’s personal cell phone regarding a work-related matter.

     Ruden said if a council member doesn’t wish to have their calls transferred to their cell phones, that option could be disabled.

In other city business:

   • The council approved a resolution asking the voters of Monticello to decide whether the Monticello Library Board could change the makeup of its members. The question will be on the November ballot.

     The library board seeks to go from six city members and one rural member to five city members, one rural member, and one at-large member.

     • The council approved the second reading of the city code of ordinances to amend the Floodplain Management ordinance, as well as the provisions pertaining to liquor licenses, wine/beer permits, and prohibited sales.

     These amendments fall in line with changes to the state code.

     • Farnum informed the council that he was working with Economic Development Director Derek Lumsden on potential amendments to the city’s sign ordinance.

     • Public Works Director Nick Kahler said LL Pelling was expected to be in town mid-week last week to place asphalt on Spring Farm Lane. The project would be complete by Friday.

     • It was the consensus of the council to add lighting to the park-and-ride on Amber Road.

     • Parks and Rec Director Jacob Oswald informed the council that they had been working on cleaning out Kitty Creek, and a full-sized riding lawn mower was found buried in the creek bed.

     • The council approved the purchase of a Ford F350 from Chesterfield, Mo., at a price of $46,992 for the Public Works Department.

     • The council approved a Financial Advisory Engagement Letter with PFM at a yearly services cost of $7,500.

     Farnum said PFM is willing to work with the city for several large capital projects in the works.