Upgrades to some of the city’s communication systems were on the August 24 agenda of the Chatfield City Council.
Police Chief Shane Fox noted that the 10-year-old 800 MHz portable radios that officers are using are outdated. Motorola quit manufacturing the current radios in 2017 and ended support for them in 2018. Fox proposed the purchase of five Motorola APX 6000 portables for full-time officers. Part-time officers will continue using the out dated radios. The state bid price for the five new radios with shoulder mics is $22,322.50 (with wireless mics the total would be $23,447.50). The purchase was approved as recommended.
City Clerk Joel Young explained the existing 2002 Panasonic telephone system lacks the capability of forwarding phone calls and is vulnerable due to limited replacement parts. In February there was a telephone system outage in the municipal building.
The recommendation is to replace the current phone system with an Avaya Digital Office Phone System at a cost of $18,975. The system will allow people to work remotely and this phone system will be more reliable. The upgrade was approved as presented.
CARES Act Funding
The City of Chatfield is eligible for $217,055 in Coronavirus Relief Funds, CARES Act. The updated equipment (police radios and phone system) may qualify for CARES Act funding. A detailed list was provided which outlined various expenditures proposed for consideration, which together exceeded the dollars available. One item being considered is the installation of a video projection upgrade in Potter Auditorium; this could allow a large public hearing to be held during the pandemic.
Another item being considered is the installation of cables, cameras and other equipment in the city council chambers. This would improve the capability to conduct city council and other public meetings electronically. Both upgrades would provide technology to meet remotely.
Other expenses being considered include productivity losses, upgrade in the Wastewater Treatment Plant to allow the operator to work remotely, upgrade to wireless feed to ambulance and police department, handicapped ramp for elections, and staff time costs related to COVID related tasks.This is a partial list.
The council this day approved coronavirus expenditures incurred as of August 10 (over $14,000).
Other business in brief
•State Senator Carla Nelson stopped by to answer any questions the council may have. She also wanted to make sure the city had access to CARES funding. She said she didn’t know if Governor Walz would call the legislature back in session in September. Councilor Mike Urban expressed concern about the state’s significant deficit. He added that he hoped the legislature will not cut Local Government Aid. Nelson said the deficit for the current cycle is about the same as the “rainy day fund.” We will have to see what happens with COVID and the recovery. We are learning more about the virus every day.
Councilor Josh Broadwater stressed that some small businesses can’t absorb the losses. How can you help small communities and the small businesses in them? Nelson said the small businesses are the backbone of our small communities. Those that were required to close were especially hurt. There is great concern about retail coming back.
Nelson stated small communities need good schools, low cost housing, and high speed internet. Mayor Russ Smith asked about the bonding bill. Nelson said we should get that passed, maybe in September or October. It will contribute to 72,000 jobs.
The council approved a resolution of support urging lawmakers to work in a bipartisan way to pass a bonding bill in the special session to be held in September 2020.
•Brian Burkholder asked the council to approve the purchase of a 2021 Freightliner chassis through Dave Syverson (Freightliner-Sterling) and new equipment from Universal Truck Equipment for a total of $191,721. Quotes had been received from four different companies and Freightliner and International shops were toured. The total price for chassis and equipment does not include a trade-in which should reduce the total cost. Burkholder’s recommendation was approved as presented.
•The first consideration of Ordinance No. 447 Accessory and conditional use regulations for certain kinds of structures (post frame construction) in various zoning districts was approved.
•Chief Fox and City Attorney Fred Suhler were directed to work together to draft an ordinance on the use of golf carts, UTVs, and ATVs in the city. Fox said golf carts are 100% illegal on city streets in Minnesota, unless allowed by ordinance. Age of drivers (16-plus), helmets, seat belts, adherence to the rules of the road, and streets where any of these conveyances could be allowed were discussed.
•Two dollars per hour hazard pay was approved for EMTs.
•Approval was given for the appointment of Sarah Sturgis to the Heritage Preservation Commission.
•Approval was given for the appointment of James Fisher as CCTV administrator.
•There will not be a citywide cleanup this fall.
•The Committee of the Whole met prior to the council meeting. The 2021 budget and the future replacement of the Highway 30 bridge were discussed.
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