Alliant Energy_Letter of AgreementTHE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All-American City
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Alliant Energy - Letter of Agreement
DATE: January 14, 2009
Police Chief Kim Wadding is requesting approval of a letter of agreement with Alliant
Energy concerning placement of outdoor cameras on Alliant Energy utility poles. Alliant
Energy has requested a letter of agreement to hold harmless regarding the placement
of police surveillance cameras on Alliant Energy utility poles.
During the FY09 budget process, the City Council approved the Police Department
request for the purchase of three outdoor surveillance camera systems and recording
equipment. The Police Department investigated various systems that allow portability,
covertness, ease of installation, and 24-hour recording/monitoring capabilities.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:lw
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Kim Wadding, Police Chief
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 12, 2009
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
FROM: Kim Wadding
Police Chief
RE: Alliant Energy - Letter of Agreement
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request for approval of a letter of agreement with
Alliant Energy concerning placement of outdoor cameras on Alliant Energy utility poles.
Alliant Energy has requested a letter of agreement to hold harmless regarding the
placement of police surveillance cameras on Alliant Energy utility poles.
BACKGROUND
During the FY09 budget process, the City Council approved the Police Department
request for the purchase of three outdoor surveillance camera systems and recording
equipment. The Police Department investigated various systems that allow portability,
covertness, ease of installation, and 24-hour recording/ monitoring capabilities.
As a result, the police department purchased three outdoor surveillance cameras. The
camera systems are designed to be mounted on utility poles, sides of buildings,
rooftops and other similar locations. These systems transmit video and sound through
cable, DSL, cell phone signals or wireless to a recording device and provide real time
monitoring through the Internet.
DISCUSSION
The camera systems are powered through 12-volt batteries or a 120 volt plug-in cord.
The video transmission occurs using Mediacom high speed Internet access or through
the use of DSL or broadband cell phone systems. The ideal placement for these camera
systems are utility poles due to the close proximity of both power lines and Mediacom
cables.
In speaking with Alliant Energy regarding the placement of these cameras on the utility
poles, Alliant Energy requires a letter of agreement requesting authorization and
assistance from Interstate Power and Light (IP&L) for the installation of these cameras.
Based upon letters of agreement from other law enforcement agencies, the attached
letter outlines the agreement between Alliant Energy and the City of Dubuque and the
Dubuque Police Department. City Attorney, Barry Lindahl, Assistant City Attorney
Crenna Brumwell, and Finance Director Ken TeKippe have reviewed the letter and
approved its contents for consideration of approval.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the request from Alliant Energy with review from the City Attorney and City
Finance, we request consideration to approve the attached letter for signature allowing
the police department to partner with Alliant energy in placement to these cameras at
locations throughout the City.
ACTION REQUESTED
Action requested is consideration to approve the attached Alliant Energy letter of
agreement.
Cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney/Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Ken TeKippe, Finance Director
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Showing the Spirit
Police Department
Law Enforcement Center
770 Iowa Street
P.O. Box 875
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0875
(563) 589-4110 office
(563) 589-4497 fax
January 12, 2009
Alliant Energy
Security Services
ATTN: Ron Johnsen, Manager Security Services
4902 North Biltmore Lane
Madison, WI 53718
Dear Mr. Johnsen:
The City of Dubuque and the Dubuque Police Department is respectfully
requesting the authorization and assistance of Interstate Power and Light (IP&L)
for the installation of a device that will be used to monitor criminal activity for a
period of approximately thirty (30) to ninety (90) days. The device will be
installed on a utility pole located at various locations in the City of Dubuque. The
utility pole number will be decided on an as needed basis. The device will be
located approximately 25 feet up the pole from ground level and requires 120
VAC power and will be concealed inside a standard metal power transformer
enclosure or other common utility enclosure. Normally, installation is
accomplished with 2-4 lag screws and usually takes no more than 60 minutes.
The device will be installed by qualified technicians working for or under the
direction of the City of Dubuque and in accordance with all applicable National
Electrical Safety Code section(s) and any specifically identified internal
operational standards or regulatory guidance IP&L may provide. The City of
Dubuque will take necessary precautions, by installation of protective equipment
or otherwise, to maintain the device in a safe condition and to protect against
interference with the service or lines of IP&L or the potential injury or damage to
persons or property. The City of Dubuque will assume the potential risk of loss
and responsibility for claims or liabilities associated with the installation,
maintenance or removal of the device to the extent allowed under Iowa law. It is
understood that IP&L, at its sole discretion, may request the removal of the
device at any time, and the City of Dubuque shall willingly comply with such
request in a timely manner.
The Dubuque Police Department warrants and represents that it is legally
empowered under governing state statues, as a law enforcement agency, to
conduct the aforementioned installation and does not require any additional
jurisdictional permitting or authorization. Furthermore, the City of Dubuque being
fully aware of the inherent risk of accident, injury or damage associated with such
device mountings on utility structures, hereby release IP&L, its affiliates and
subsidiaries, its insurers, employees and agents from any liability for injury or
damage arising from the installation or existence of the installed device to the
extent allowed under Iowa law. Additionally, the City of Dubuque warrants and
affirms that it insured and will be responsible for any and all suits or claims
arising out of authorizing and assisting with the installation of the device to the
extent allowed under Iowa law.
The City of Dubuque would like to install this device(s), if possible, within the next
30 days. IP&L Security Services will be advised when the device(s) is installed
should a field safety inspection be necessary, and it is understood that should
such inspection result in a safety or operational concern, the device will be
removed or repositioned. Due to the nature of this investigation, it is requested
that as few people as possible be aware of this installation.
The City of Dubuque and Dubuque Police Department appreciates your
discretion and confidentiality in these types of installations. Your technical point
of contact is Captain Russ Stecklein who may be reached at 563-587-3807 or
563-451-7104. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
Kim B. Wadding
Police Chief
Dubuque Police Department
563-589-4411
kwadding@cityofdubuque.org