At the Tuesday, April 15, 2014 county board meeting, Maintenance Director Brian Silence brought forward a proposal for installation of security systems at the highway department and the community center. The proposal brought questions of whether or not the county had budgeted for this expense.
An estimate for the work from Northstar Cabling & Communications was in the board packet, listing a cost of $24,363 for cameras and a wireless duress alarm system at the highway department garage and the Goble maintenance building. Another estimate, for cameras and a wireless duress alarm at the community center totaled $8,992.
Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk and Commissioner Garry Gamble said they would support the expenditure because they believed this had been in the 2014 budget.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson asked if the expense had actually been included in the budget. Silence said the need for the security systems had been discussed in the committee formed to look at security issues in county buildings, but he said he was not sure what had been budgeted to implement security measures.
Auditor Braidy Powers said the cost of installing security systems would be covered by the county’s equipment bond, which had been obtained to cover the cost of the ARMER system and security for county buildings, but he was also unsure what dollar figures had been discussed. Powers left the board meeting to see what had been budgeted.
While he was gone, commissioners discussed what was to be installed with County Highway Engineer David Betts. Betts said installing a security system at the highway department was complicated because of the size of the buildings, the number of entry points and the large equipment obstructing camera views. Betts acknowledged that the price seemed high, but said, “If we’re going to do it, we should get it all covered.”
Silence said the plan is to have a camera facing the county gas pumps as well.
Commissioner Doo-Kirk said the camera system would be helpful to record accidents or interactions between employees.
Commissioner Sue Hakes said whether the security systems were line items or not, she would support it. She said since there are cameras and duress alarms at the courthouse, the same should be available for all county employees. “No second class citizens!” she said.
Commissioner Martinson said the county really couldn’t offer the same for all employees, noting that it would be very costly to install security systems at the Hovland highway department building or other remote sites.
Auditor Powers returned with an answer. He said the budgeted cost for duress buttons and cameras at the highway garage and community center was $2,700. However, Powers said less was spent on ARMER and other security measures so even if the county spent all the funds earmarked, there would be a remainder of $172,000.
Commissioner Gamble said, “We’ve had a discussion on this. It’s an important thing to do on multiple levels. The funding is there.”
Gamble said he would be comfortable approving the security measures with the understanding that they are paid for with equipment bond funds. Doo-Kirk agreed and motions passed unanimously to authorize the installation of security systems at the highway department and community center. County vehicle fleet evaluated
In March 2014, Maintenance Director Silence was asked to seek quotes for a new vehicle to be used by the assessor or to find alternatives for more efficient use of the vehicles in the county fleet. At the latest meeting, he provided a list of the 15 vehicles in the county’s fleet, the number of days each vehicle was used, and the mileage for 2013. After review, commissioners agreed to purchase a new county vehicle— not for the assessor’s office, but for Emergency Services.
Commissioner Gamble noted that about half of the county’s fleet of vehicles is only used about 50 percent of the time. Shared use of vehicles was discussed, but it was noted that the heaviest use of vehicles was between May and October. The practicality of employees using personal vehicles was also discussed.
Along with the list of vehicle information, Silence included his observation that instead of purchasing a new vehicle to meet the assessor’s needs, one of the vehicles currently assigned to the planning & zoning office, a 2009 Ford Escape, could be allocated to the assessor’s office. Based on the number of vehicle hours allocated to planning & zoning in 2013, Silence suggested that another vehicle assigned to that department, a 2006 Blazer could be shared by Zoning Administrator Bill Lane and Joe Routh of stormwater management.
Commissioners thanked Silence for compiling the information. Gamble said it is important that the community understands that commissioners are looking at the best use of its fleet. “We’ve looked at this closely,” said Gamble.
Silence presented a proposed addition to the fleet. Emergency Management needs a vehicle available 365 days a year in case of an emergency. He and Emergency Management Director Jim Wiinanen looked at buying, leasing or renting and it appears the county would get the best bargain by purchasing. Silence said the county could purchase a Ford Escape all-wheel drive vehicle from Sonju Motors for $23,498.
Commissioners approved the purchase, but Commissioner Hakes said it is perhaps time for the county to invest in some sort of program to track vehicle use and mileage. Commissioner Gamble asked Silence to contact other counties to see how they track their vehicles.
In other business:
. During review of invoices for payment, commissioners noted the most recent bill for $5,600 for snow plowing of Irish Creek Winter Maintenance Subordinate Governmental Service District (SGSD). The amount spent on snow plowing for 2013 – 2014 to date is $9,610. The amount will be assessed to 69 property owners along Tom Lake, Irish Creek, Brumbaugh, Wilderness Shores and Powers Lake roads west of the Arrowhead Trail. Property owners will see the assessment on their 2014 tax statements.
. Highway Engineer David Betts presented a special event permit application from the Cook County Community YMCA for the May 4, 2014 Ham Run 5K/Half-Marathon. The request was approved by the county board with the condition that the Cook County Sheriff approves the route; that race sponsors pay all costs for traffic control; and Cook County is named on the event insurance.
. County Land Commissioner Betty Schultz asked for—and received—a motion approving the contract for services for maintaining the outdoor toilets at Leo and Clearwater lakes from May 10 – October 12, 2014. Reimbursement is $88 per week.
. The heating system in the main hangar building at the Cook County Airport failed in February. A new heating system was installed at a cost of $27,405. The airport will be reimbursed for half of the expense and Airport Manager Rod Roy informed the board that the airport fund balance could be used for the remainder.
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