Council approves 14 items including 3 contracts, change orders and settlements; plate-reader contract also approved

The Niagara Falls City Council approved 14 legislative items on Feb. 19, including contract renewals, construction awards, change orders, municipal equipment leases, two settlements and a four-year license-plate-reader contract for the Niagara Falls Police Department. All items recorded a 5-0 roll-call vote.

The most notable actions included renewal of the city's 3-1-1 call center contract with VIA (item 1), awards for the LaSalle Business District streetscape project and a supplier for leased utility vehicles (items 3 and 6), and authorization for a license-plate-reader project for the police department (item 5). Several smaller administrative approvals and two legal settlements also cleared the council.

Why it matters: the approvals put city funds and operations under new or continued contracts and authorized change orders and settlements that will affect capital projects, police technology and short-term operating costs. Several items rely on outside funding or grants, and some items drew public comment during the meeting.

What the council voted on (highlights): - Item 1: Renew VIA (DBA VIA) contract to operate the city's 3-1-1 call center. Motion carried 5-0. - Item 2: Change order No. 1 for Dimelio Park splash…