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Committee reviews Ford Park security plan; poles, cameras estimated under $100,000
Summary
Committee members discussed installing six 30-foot poles and cameras at Ford Park to improve lighting and surveillance; an initial electrical quote to run power was about $55,525, with camera clusters estimated at $3,500–$5,000 each for three-camera assemblies.
Committee members reviewed security upgrades planned for Ford Park during the July 22 Public Safety Committee meeting, including new lighting and camera poles to reduce vandalism and violent incidents.
Shelley (city parks staff) said the city has identified strategic locations for six 30-foot poles (three on each side of the park) to provide near 360-degree coverage. The department presented a contractor—s initial quote from Wilhite (spelled Wilhite in the transcript) Electric of roughly $55,525 to install poles and run underground cabling; the quote does not include camera hardware. Chief Smith said camera clusters suitable for the pole boxes cost about $3,500 to $5,000 per cluster (three cameras per pole) and that the city has similar camera modules in inventory for other locations.
Council members emphasized public safety funding is available and urged proceeding: Councilman Taylor said the public safety fund holds nearly $2 million and described the investment as reasonable to prevent loss of life. Council members also discussed using poles for lighting in addition to mounting cameras.
Staff said Ford Park had previously closed earlier in the evening but had stayed open later in recent years as usage increased. Parks staff and police will coordinate closing times and patrol coverage; Cross Lake marine patrol will assist during closing times. The parks director said the city will review park-closing ordinances across parks and consider lighting and camera upgrades at other sites, including Airport Park and locations with newly renovated facilities.
No final procurement vote was taken at the July 22 meeting; staff reported cost estimates and said they will return with next steps.
