July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Redkey buying video equipment
Redkey Town Council
By Robert Banser-
REDKEY - Showing up at a town council meeting might mean showing up on video.
In a split vote council members decided Thursday to start using video and audio equipment to record meetings in the council chambers as well as activities in the city clerk-treasurer's office and police station.
The audio and visual security cameras will be purchased from DCS Computer Sales and Service Inc., Dunkirk, for $4,250, including installation.
Town officials said the equipment will be used by the police department in interviews with suspects, as well as helping to monitor activities in the clerk-treasurer's office.
Last month when the proposal was introduced, town council president Doug Stanley said that upset residents have been coming into the clerk's office with complaints. He also noted that discussions during recent council meetings have become volatile.
"As the board knows, not everybody agrees with everything we do," Stanley said.
Two firms submitted proposals to provide the video and audio monitoring equipment. In addition to the DCS quote, CIPS Inc. Telecommunications, Muncie, submitted a proposal totaling $3,211.
However, Stanley pointed out that the equipment was not the same, and he preferred the DCS proposal.
All the council members were given an opportunity to look over the equipment from both companies prior to Thursday night's special council session.
In all, four separate cameras and audio recorders will be required, Stanley said.
Redkey Marshal Donnie James said that in January 2011 suspects' statements must be electronically recorded to be admissible in court.
Redkey councilman Charles Noble questioned the need for recording the town council meetings.
Stanley disagreed, saying he believed recording the meetings would be beneficial for several reasons including accuracy of information and to monitor activities during the meetings.
Noble said he thought the town's funds could be better spent on other pressing problems such as street repairs.
"I started this idea, and I still think it's a good one," Stanley said.
A motion by councilman Phil Philebaum to accept the CIPS proposal died for lack of a second.
A vote on the DCS system passed 3-2, supported by Terri Taylor, Dottie Quakenbush and Stanley. Philebaum and Noble voted against the purchase.
Also Thursday night, town council members:
•Met for approximately an hour in a closed-door, executive session to discuss pending litigation. Town attorney John Brooke was also present for this discussion.
•Discussed but tabled two quotes for temporary roof repairs at the historic fire station building, Oak and High Streets. Young Builders Construction of Redkey submitted a price estimate of $10,050, while Larry Kelly Jr., Dunkirk, submitted a proposal totaling $4,000. However, council members said they were not sure the proposals were comparable in all aspects. Also they said they wanted some more information from Kelly who was not present at the meeting.
Young Builders is managed by Randy Young who is the Redkey fire chief. He was present at the meeting, and explained that he had the requested insurance and would guarantee his work for at least a year as a temporary-fix measure.
In the Kelly quote, it was stated that the results would not be guaranteed.
Quakenbush urged that some sort of action be taken at the next council meeting on Oct. 15.
•Noted that the old water tower tank was scheduled to be torn down during the week of Oct. 19, and steps would need to be taken to mount the tornado and fire warning siren, currently attached to that tower, to a separate pole. Town officials want to keep the siren located in the center of town.
•Set Halloween trick or treat hours for 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, with the annual costume contest and parade for children at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Redkey Fire Station. Lineup for the contest will start at 5:15 p.m., Young said. In addition he added that several local organizations were in the process of organizing a Halloween festival featuring food and games for Saturday, Oct. 31.
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In a split vote council members decided Thursday to start using video and audio equipment to record meetings in the council chambers as well as activities in the city clerk-treasurer's office and police station.
The audio and visual security cameras will be purchased from DCS Computer Sales and Service Inc., Dunkirk, for $4,250, including installation.
Town officials said the equipment will be used by the police department in interviews with suspects, as well as helping to monitor activities in the clerk-treasurer's office.
Last month when the proposal was introduced, town council president Doug Stanley said that upset residents have been coming into the clerk's office with complaints. He also noted that discussions during recent council meetings have become volatile.
"As the board knows, not everybody agrees with everything we do," Stanley said.
Two firms submitted proposals to provide the video and audio monitoring equipment. In addition to the DCS quote, CIPS Inc. Telecommunications, Muncie, submitted a proposal totaling $3,211.
However, Stanley pointed out that the equipment was not the same, and he preferred the DCS proposal.
All the council members were given an opportunity to look over the equipment from both companies prior to Thursday night's special council session.
In all, four separate cameras and audio recorders will be required, Stanley said.
Redkey Marshal Donnie James said that in January 2011 suspects' statements must be electronically recorded to be admissible in court.
Redkey councilman Charles Noble questioned the need for recording the town council meetings.
Stanley disagreed, saying he believed recording the meetings would be beneficial for several reasons including accuracy of information and to monitor activities during the meetings.
Noble said he thought the town's funds could be better spent on other pressing problems such as street repairs.
"I started this idea, and I still think it's a good one," Stanley said.
A motion by councilman Phil Philebaum to accept the CIPS proposal died for lack of a second.
A vote on the DCS system passed 3-2, supported by Terri Taylor, Dottie Quakenbush and Stanley. Philebaum and Noble voted against the purchase.
Also Thursday night, town council members:
•Met for approximately an hour in a closed-door, executive session to discuss pending litigation. Town attorney John Brooke was also present for this discussion.
•Discussed but tabled two quotes for temporary roof repairs at the historic fire station building, Oak and High Streets. Young Builders Construction of Redkey submitted a price estimate of $10,050, while Larry Kelly Jr., Dunkirk, submitted a proposal totaling $4,000. However, council members said they were not sure the proposals were comparable in all aspects. Also they said they wanted some more information from Kelly who was not present at the meeting.
Young Builders is managed by Randy Young who is the Redkey fire chief. He was present at the meeting, and explained that he had the requested insurance and would guarantee his work for at least a year as a temporary-fix measure.
In the Kelly quote, it was stated that the results would not be guaranteed.
Quakenbush urged that some sort of action be taken at the next council meeting on Oct. 15.
•Noted that the old water tower tank was scheduled to be torn down during the week of Oct. 19, and steps would need to be taken to mount the tornado and fire warning siren, currently attached to that tower, to a separate pole. Town officials want to keep the siren located in the center of town.
•Set Halloween trick or treat hours for 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, with the annual costume contest and parade for children at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Redkey Fire Station. Lineup for the contest will start at 5:15 p.m., Young said. In addition he added that several local organizations were in the process of organizing a Halloween festival featuring food and games for Saturday, Oct. 31.
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