01-17-23-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 1 of 2 AGENDA ITEM – 1F MEMORANDUM DATE: January 17, 2023 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Dave Perrault, City Administrator SUBJECT: Assisted Hearing Equipment and Council Chambers Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A $25,000 (estimated) 228 – Cable TV Fund For Council Consideration The City Council should consider whether or not to upgrade existing assisted hearing equipment for the Council Chambers. Background The City Council currently has remote packs to assist listeners who need hearing assistance during Council meetings (an example pack will be provided at the meeting). Noises spoken into the microphones are transmitted wirelessly from the AV room to each pack, the user then uses earphones to hear what is being transmitted. Another option for Council to consider is having a loop system installed in the Chambers. This entails new equipment installed in the AV room and a copper wire installed under the carpet. For individuals with hearing aids, when they are in the chambers and if their hearing aid is compatible, they can adjust their hearing aid to wirelessly pick up what is being said into the microphones. This would eliminate the need for the pack and earphones assuming individuals have compatible hearing aids. The City would work with NineNorth to complete this project, they would be in- charge of designing, selecting and installing equipment and/or working with the necessary consultants/vendors. A preliminary number for this system would be around $25,000 (equipment - $7,750, design - $1,000, installation - $5,000, misc. - $6,000, carpet and furniture work - $5,000). The City has requested more finalized numbers, and they will be provided should it become available prior to the work session. If the Council wants to move this forward, Staff will have documents drafted and brought forward at the February meeting for approval; timeline to completion following approval is approximately three to four weeks.