A. Reverse 911 System
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
WIfW.ci .chanhassen. mn .us
A
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Laurie Hokkanen, Assistant City ManageribR
DA TE:
()~
May 21, 2008
SUBJ:
Reverse 911.
BACKGROUND
During the 2008 Visioning Process, the City Council directed staff to research
Reverse 911 systems and their possible applications to the City of Chanhassen.
Staff has done some initial research into available systems and is now presenting
the item for discussion.
DISCUSSION
While there are several vendors and variations to the concept, the basic idea
behind Reverse 911 systems is the ability for the City to make outbound
notification calls to residents/businesses. The most common application for
these calls is for emergency notification. For instance, residents could receive a
phone call alerting them to a tornado warning, evacuation notice, or missing
child. These alerts supplement what is currently available through weather
sirens, highway message signs, and the local media.
Some cities have also chosen to use their systems for important public
notifications. Possible applications in this category include notifying residents
of winter parking restrictions, watering restrictions, and hydrant flushing. Most
systems have the ability to isolate neighborhoods, so the system could also be
used for construction notices and other specialized alerts. In these examples,
staff time devoted to resident communication could be greatly reduced. For
example, staff currently distributes door-to-door notice of utility interruptions
during street reconstruction projects. A phone notification system would allow
us to call residents and eliminate the need for door-to-door dissemination. The
same is true in situations such as last summer's watering ban. Instead of
dispatching staff to deliver flyers and knock on doors, we would be able to
notify residents by phone.
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a chamning downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Mr. Todd Gerhardt
May 21, 2008
Page 2
Systems vary in their capabilities. More advanced features available include the
ability for residents to opt in/out of receiving non-emergency notifications, call
disposition tracking (i.e. resident answered call at 4: 10 pm or call went to
voicemail), and the ability for residents to respond to requests (i.e. press 1 if you
need assistance evacuating your home).
Costs for the systems vary. Some vendors charge an annual subscription fee
($5,000-$15,000 per year, estimated) while others charge up front ($20-60,000)
with no ongoing fees. The costs of these systems may be an eligible expense to
the Cable Franchise Fee Fund. There may be additional costs to install and
maintain phone lines, as well.
Staff has spoken with Carver County regarding possible joint use of their
Reverse 911 system (vendor - City Watch). They are currently using the
program for internal notifications of their Law Enforcement, and are not
interested in collaborating at this time, namely because they have not fully
deployed the system and do not know what their own long term needs will be.
Also, City Watch may not offer all of the features discussed above.
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council as to whether this concept
should be further explored. If so, staff will work with vendors to better delineate
available features and costs specific to the City of Chanhassen.
..