TO: Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Executive |
Malisa Files, COO |
425-556-2166 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
TITLE:
title
Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA) Amended Interlocal Agreement (ILA)
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The City of Redmond is a member of the Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA), a non-profit entity providing emergency radio capabilities to Redmond, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Kirkland. The entity existed to maximize the availability and effectiveness of emergency radio communications at minimum cost. In 2015, the voters of King County passed a property tax levy funding the formation of the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) supplanting the need for EPSCA to maintain the original 800 MHz radio system. With the successful implementation of PSERN the relationship between the five cities has changed from operating an 800 MHz emergency radio system to participating on the governing board of PSERN. The interlocal agreement attached (Attachment A) is a successor agreement to memorialize the changes in the EPSCA member duties and responsibilities.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
EPSCA operates as a governmental entity formed as a non-profit corporation under RCW 39.24 and 24.06
• Required:
Per City policy, Council is responsible for approving interlocal agreements
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
Since 1992, the City of Redmond has been a part of the Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA) operating and maintaining a regional 800 MHz trunked radio communication system in East King County. In 2015, King County voters passed a property tax levy to form a regional program to consolidate four 800 MHz systems into one regional system for emergency communications. The four entities included EPSCA, King County, City of Seattle, and Valley Communications Center (Valley Com). In 2020, the member agencies signed an interlocal cooperation agreement (Attachment B) and formed the Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN). In December 2023, PSERN became the sole entity responsible for ongoing ownership, operations, maintenance, management, and upgrading/replacing of equipment for the regional 800 MHz emergency radio system. More information on PSERN can be found at PSERN.org.
In 2023, the EPSCA Board of Directors voted to dissolve EPSCA as a non-profit corporation and form a joint board to exercise their rights and responsibilities under the PSERN interlocal cooperation agreement. However, dissolution would only occur after the new emergency radio system was operational for one full year. The PSERN emergency radio system has been operating successfully since mid-2024 which precipitated a change in the joint agreement between the EPSCA cities. The ILA in Attachment A creates a successor to the EPSCA Joint Board for purposes of exercising the rights and responsibilities under the PSERN agreement, including:
• Operation of the new EPSCA Joint Board
• Appointment of a Board Member and Alternate to serve on the Governing Board of PSERN
• Allocation of costs incurred, if any
• Termination of the agreement
• Terms of intergovernmental cooperation
Approval of the amended ILA would appoint the Mayor or her designee to the EPSCA Joint Board and potentially to the PSERN Governing Board should the rest of the EPSCA Board Members choose Redmond as a representative.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
There is no cost associated with the EPSCA ILA. The City of Redmond pays radio fees into PSERN for operations and maintenance of the emergency radio system.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
Safe and resilient.
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
N/A
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
5/19/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
Delay in the approval of the interlocal agreement will delay the selection of a member of EPSCA to the Governing Board of PSERN.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If the ILA is not approved, Redmond would no longer be a part of EPSCA and would not have a seat on the Governing Board of PSERN.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: EPSCA Amended Interlocal Agreement
Attachment B: PSERN Interlocal Operating Agreement