MACC's relocation plan disputed

MOSES LAKE — The Multi Agency Communications Center (MACC) board approved a response to a letter read by Grant County Undersheriff John Turley.

Turley read the letter on behalf of Grant County Sheriff Frank DeTrolio at the board’s Nov. 13 meeting addressing concerns about purchasing land in Moses Lake for a new radio tower and communications center.

“The building currently occupied has sufficient enough room for expansion to accommodate the radio expansion,” the letter stated. “A recent remodel did not address the needed radio equipment spaces, a concern previously noted by MACC’s communication engineer.”

DeTrolio said the board wants to move the main dispatch office out of the National Guard Armory and into a different location. The armory charges $1 a year for rent.

“They want to build a new 12,000 square-foot-facility,” he said. “They’re in a 4,000 square-foot facility right now. The facility they’re in they pay $1 a year to be there. Now they’re going to go to something that costs several million dollars.”

The letter stated the Grant County commissioners offered MACC a 10-acre piece of land north of the current facility.

The response stated the needs of the center had changed during the past 12 years, and that no decision has been made about where a new location would be, if they decide to build it.

“This location was selected long ago because it was the most affordable with the limited funds on hand at the time, not because it was the best solution for 9-1-1 dispatching,” the response stated. “As we are sure you agree, the demands of 9-1-1 and the financial model of MACC have changed.”

MACC board Chairman Roger Hansen said the 10-acre plot north of the current location wasn’t in a good location to place a tower and needed to move the antenna off of it’s perch on top of the water tower on Nelson street.

“We’re trying to buy for the future … He’s going off about property we haven’t even bought,” Hansen said. “Water towers make poor radio antennas … We’re trying to cover the most amount of real estate.”

A MACC board report on radio communications dated Nov. 7 stated, “Continued work, including aerial simulations with landowners for purchase of property. Working with the potential seller on three acres. Discussion and correspondence with Moses Lake City planning (and) engineering departments. Additional cost at some time for improvements such as water, sewer, roads, sidewalks, lighting, etc.”