The following are the unapproved minutes from the Burns City Council meeting held Feb. 14. The minutes were edited for clarity and length.

Burns Fire Departments’ David Ravenberg discussed the new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. It’s part of the system that pulls up addresses when a call comes in and dispatches it out. Ravenberg said it’s really the heart of the Dispatch System. The current system is not a CAD System and does meet the needs of the First Responders.

The current system they have now doesn’t automatically time stamp when talking on the radio. This means they must go back and listen to all the tapes to time stamp them. The process takes a lot of time and energy they don’t always have. Secondly, the current system does not have a mapping system. Dispatch has to separately enter the address and coordinates into an app and send it out on top of dispatching everyone out. It can cause a lot of confusion and delayed response times. This is also not compatible with all the new equipment or systems that the Police Department will be installing in their vehicles.

One of the dispatchers took initiative and researched CAD Systems across the nation. Only two were found that fit all the needs here in the county with Fire, EMS, and the Jail. Those systems are Motorola and Central Square.

Ravenberg said they were leaning more towards Motorola with all the agencies involved, as it fit their needs. However, it would be an added $32,000 a year for five years.

Councilor Jen Keady asked who everyone was that would be included. Ravenberg responded by saying it included all Fire and Police Departments for Burns and Hines, EMS, the Sheriff’s Office, the Burns Paiute Tribe, and the Rural Fire Protection Agencies (RFPA’s). It would also help the jail with their ability to transfer information more efficiently between other emergency entities.

Keady asked if it would be paid off after five years. Ravenberg said that would only pay off the CAD System, the installment, and the computer system itself.

Councilor Jen Hoke asked if the city had the money available in the budget. City Manager Judy Erwin responded by saying they did.

Councilor Tod Gahley asked if after five years of paying it off, will the system be obsolete? Burns Fire Chief Scott Williamson said the system should still be solid after the five years, and that it would save a lot of time and speed up their response time immensely, while giving them better technology and more clear information to do their jobs more efficiently.

After some discussion, Councilor Heather Smith said she’s in full support, even though it’ll be costly, she felt it’s worth it.

Erwin informed everyone that it would be figured into the upcoming budget for 2024-2025.

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City Manager Judy Erwin reported that:

• they’re continuing to work on the B Street extension and they’re waiting to find out about further funding. 

Hoke asked where the city was with that project and Miller Springs. Erwin was hoping they would have the plans for Miller Springs the following week and as for the B Street extension, it’s coming right along as planned;

• Public Works has been working on the sewer system but are having some issues that need addressed;

• they are continuing to work on the Water Project but due to archaeological issues during digging, they must deal with that first before they cane move forward;

• a guest speaker from Apptegy will give a presentation at the next City Council meeting, on a new program that could help our website, along with the cities many other social media sites. It will also help the city be more transparent. They offer an app that can keep the public informed right from their phones and in real time.

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In other business:

• Tammy Ravenberg asked if the City of Burns would be willing to donate $250 to the Burns High School Senior All-Night Party. She explained that it was a party planned by the parents of the seniors for after graduation. Everyone that attends the party will be eligible for all sorts of prizes and could partake in the many activities that they will have there. The graduates would be required to stay all night to be eligible and there would be chaperons. 

Councilor Chase Patterson made a motion to approve the $250 donation to the BHS Senior All-Night party donation. Keady seconded and the motion passed;

• Mayor Jerry Woodfin made a motion to appoint City Manager Judy Erwin to the budget officer. Keady seconded and the motion passed;

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Committee reports:

• Erwin on the Cemetery Committee discussed the Columbarium, which is an upright structure that cremated remains are placed in. It has been suggested that LaFollette’s Chapel would purchase it and the city would work out some plan towards the cost.

They’re also working on the development of the new section of the cemetery and that they need to get a survey and then plan out the roads and plots. The cemetery will also be purchasing a shed for the cemetery crew to store their equipment out of the weather.

Erwin then said due to being the City Manager, they needed another Council person to volunteer to be the Chair for the Cemetery Committee. Gahley agreed to take over as the Chair of the Cemetery Committee;

• Smith said the Airport Committee applied for five different Core Grants that were each up to $250,000, and that they were awarded two of them.

Public Works Director Ty Richardson looked into putting in a sewer line to a trailer they have out there for staff, so they could put in an additional bathroom and kitchen. Erwin responded by saying they will not be adding anymore flow because it’s still the same number of people using it, but they’ll continue to work with them and see what can be done.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m., at city hall.