The Fairhope City Council on Sept. 22 approved a sole‑source procurement of 30 rechargeable Avive Connect automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with remote connectivity and software, to be funded from McKesson opioid settlement proceeds, after a discussion over contract length and total cost.

A public‑safety presenter told the council the Avive Connect devices provide rechargeable batteries, 9‑1‑1 connectivity and remote monitoring of device readiness. Staff recommended Avive Solutions as the sole source for the chosen technology and proposed funding the purchase with McKesson settlement dollars.

Why it matters: placing AEDs in public buildings and vehicles can shorten response time for cardiac events; funding from opioid settlement proceeds is an allowable public‑health use in this instance. Council members pressed staff on contract length and total cost because state procurement rules limit certain multi‑year commitments.

Key discussion points: the staff proposal originally included an eight‑year term and a higher total cost (figures discussed during the meeting included $67,027.85 for a three‑year option and $86,945.72 for the longer option). City Attorney Marcus McDowell and staff advised that state law may restrict multi‑year procurement commitments, prompting council to request staff to verify whether longer contract terms or multi‑year pricing is permissible. Marcus said his understanding was that a three‑year maximum term applied in the circumstances discussed.

Council action and outcome: After discussion, council approved the procurement and authorized use of McKesson settlement funds. For auditability, staff will confirm whether multi‑year pricing or a longer contract can be secured under state law; the council approved the procurement subject to those legal and procurement constraints and the stated not‑to‑exceed amount as read into the record.

Ending: Staff will complete procurement paperwork, finalize deployment locations across city buildings and vehicles, and return any contract language requiring further council action if legal limits prevent the multi‑year term discussed.