Minutes 04/14/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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204 TUESDAY. APRIl, 14. 1998 question from Council, Mr. Reynolds stated that these funds would be dedicated for marketing materials. Within the context of the discussion of the budget for the Landfill operations Mayor Adams asked when Mr. Reynolds expected to have a report on this subject from Joyce Engineering, and was told that a report should be received within the week. Within the budget for Communications Equipment Mr. Reynolds noted that the first phase of the purchase of Mobile Data Terminals for the Police Department was planned, and that system wide improvements were planned for radio communications equipment. Mayor Adams asked where the funding was for the planned Fiber Optic Loop System, and was told that the strategy on funding for this had been changed as a result of the discovery of a potential grant funding source for the entire system. Consequently, Mr. Reynolds stated, this source would be pursued before budgeting funds in the FY98-99 budget for this purpose. Council Member Teague then suggested that the City should not unnecessarily delay this important project and Mr. Reynolds assured him that City staff were continuing to move at maximum speed on this system. Council Member Haskell suggested that, since the grant funds sought were Federal, the City shotrid be sure to solicit the support of our Congressional delegation. Mr. Reynolds agreed, noting that the amount of the grant sought was $750,000, and that the average grant award from the program source was $350,000. Mrs. Haskell stated that the City was in an excellent position to make good use of such funds. Purchase of law enforcement patrol vehicles was then discussed, and Mr. Reynolds stated that the City planned to acquire three police cars and one sheriff' s car, using a lease-purchase plan for the first time. Council questioned this fiscal strategy, and Mr. Reynolds stated that this would be a test experience, but that it appeared to be a riseally sound approach which warranted a try. Within the discussion of lease-purchase of fire equipment, Council Member Teague asked whether it was a good practice to run fire engines on first responder calls, or whether smaller vehicles should be purchased and used for this purpose. Mr. Reynolds stated that current practice appeared to be the best approach at this time, but that this situation would continue to be evaluated for best practice. He noted that the greatest amount of wear on fire engines actually came from operation of the pumps on the vehicles, rather than the amount of road miles driven. Under discussion of the purchase of Computer Equipment, Council Member Teague stated that it would be good to