CC PACKET 12041996 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• MEMORANDUM DATE: November 22, 1996 TO: Michael Mornson, City Manager FROM: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant ITEM: ESI Communications Meeting with Staff Pat McCarty of ESI Communications met with Staff to explain Off Premise Extension (OPX) capability that the new telephone system will have. OPX will reduce the number of telephone lines that the City uses for the City telephones and faxes in various departments, thereby reducing the City's cost. Currently, the City has 11 lines dedicated to Police, Public Works, Fire and the Liquor Operations at a cost of $580.59 per month. US West also charges the City an additional $50.00 per month for the ability to transfer calls that come to the City Hall to anyone of these facilities. The City's total monthly charge is approximately $630.59 (also includes the • $50.00/month transfer charge).* Pat proposes that the City retain its main line that carries the 789-8881 and 781-9323 phone numbers and use OPX that is available through US West. Instead of having several telephone lines to the various City facilities, the main City line can be used to receive and direct the incoming call to the desired department. For example, if someone calls the Fire Department (non-emergency), it will come in on the main line and the telephone computer reads the OPX number and directs it to the Fire station. If no one answers, it could be programmed to roll back to City Hall to be answered by Judy or go to the Fire station's voice mail. All this can be done for one monthly line charge. The Department Heads had concerns about how this new system, especially since this conversion will require that the departments affected will have to change their telephone numbers. The Police Chief was very concerned because of the number of agencies that would have to be notified about a change in telephone numbers. Pat indicated that the conversion could happen anytime after the City's main line is installed in the new building. After the meeting, everyone seemed pleased with the OPX system. Pat provided the attached cost benefit analysis. The total conversion to OPX will pay for itself in approximately 16 months. The OPX installation costs are from US West. • 'Pat inadvertently left the Police Department out of the comparison he did. Including their department cost for two lines, the estimated CURRENT COST is $740.59.