A major focus of the meeting was the council’s approval of a new body-worn camera system for the police department, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability. The Chief of Police outlined the operational aspects of the new system, which is expected to be implemented by early 2025. In a public meeting scheduled for October or November, the council will engage the community to gather input and increase awareness about the new policy and procedures related to the camera system. Axon, the chosen vendor, will provide a two to three-day installation and training program.

The Chief highlighted the advantages of the Axon system, particularly its cloud storage capabilities, which will streamline the process of sharing evidence with the City and County attorneys. The switch from the Olympus digital system to Axon is anticipated to save significant time in case preparation, as the system allows for the easy retrieval and sharing of various evidence types, including videos, photographs, and interview recordings, all stored in one centralized location, evidence.com.

Council members raised questions about the warranty and future costs associated with the Axon systems. The Chief confirmed that the equipment would come with a five-year warranty and clarified that future upgrades to newer camera models would not incur additional costs under the current agreement. Anticipated costs after the initial five-year period were discussed, with estimates suggesting a potential annual upkeep increase of about 4 to 8%. The Chief projected that, depending on market conditions, the renewal of the contract in five years could be around $100,000, which would include the necessary systems to operate the Axon equipment.

The funding for the body cameras, along with the squad car cameras, is sourced from state public safety dollars. The council unanimously approved the resolution for purchasing the body and squad car cameras, alongside the necessary software from Axon Enterprises.

Another agenda item was the adoption of a resolution to approve the sale of 2024A General Obligation Bonds, which will fund various municipal needs, including street projects and equipment purchases. A representative highlighted the competitive bidding process that resulted in five bids, with the lowest coming from the Bank of New York Mellon Capital Markets at an interest rate of 3.4977%, compared to an earlier estimate of 3.7224%. This favorable rate difference is expected to result in savings of approximately $229,500. The council commended the financial management team for their efforts before approving the resolution.

The council also discussed and approved the preliminary levy for 2024, set at $4,317,473. It was noted that property values would impact individual tax bills, with a homeowner of a $250,000 property potentially seeing a slight decrease if values remain stable, but facing an increase if values rise by the projected 3%. Wage and insurance increases accounted for nearly the entire rise in the budget’s expenditure, and a new human resources position is to be shared between funds.

Additionally, the council addressed concerns regarding water management and tree maintenance. A discussion focused on nitrate contamination in the Jordan aquifer, prompting the city to retain ISG Engineering for assistance. The council noted previous stakeholder meetings and the development of a multi-purpose drainage management plan that identified and ranked best management practices (BMPs). The implementation of these projects will require landowner participation, with the city aiming to create shovel-ready projects to capitalize on grant opportunities. The total cost for the plan was $63,800, with a reimbursement of $57,000 secured through a grant and $6,100 provided via in-kind labor from the stormwater fund. The council authorized staff to pursue grant funding promptly.

The council also considered a resolution to adopt a private property hazardous tree program, aimed at assisting homeowners with the removal of hazardous trees impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The program will allow the city to coordinate with private contractors for tree removal, alleviating the financial burden on residents. Outreach efforts will include social media and assessments by the city forester to identify dead or hazardous trees. The council approved the resolution, emphasizing the importance of supporting residents in tree removal efforts.

Lastly, the council approved a resolution regarding the sales price for development lots within the first phase of the Traverse Green subdivision. This resolution aimed to facilitate property transactions by allowing the payment for building permits at the time of permit issuance rather than at the point of sale, resolving complications arising from the previous policy.