Council moves security-system resolution to action agenda after staff presentation

The Shelton City Council on July 15 voted to place a resolution on the Aug. 19 action agenda that would authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Convergent Security for placement, programming, commissioning and testing of a Genetec security system tied to the Civic Center police security fencing project.

The system is tied to a police parking and fencing project supported by a $200,000 grant, and staff said an additional $250,000 in grant funding will fund related security work elsewhere in the city.

Public Works Director Aaron Nicks described the system to council members and said the city previously purchased the Genetec software and has been training staff on it. Nicks said the software includes AI-enabled features that can alert staff when someone crosses a defined perimeter and that the planned hardware package includes multiple cameras and a license-plate-reading camera to support police dispatch as officers leave for calls. He told the council the vendor is available on a state contract, which staff said would streamline procurement and secure competitive pricing.

The council heard the resolution read aloud as Resolution No. 1392-0725: "A resolution of the council of the city of Shelton, Washington authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Convergent Security for the placement, programming, commissioning, and testing of the Genetec security system and associated equipment in support of the Civic Center Police security fencing project." A council member moved to place the resolution on the action agenda and the motion was seconded; the council voted to place the item on the Aug. 19 action agenda.

During discussion, Nicks said the police fence project — for which construction bids will open Aug. 5 — is intended to provide protected parking for police staff and that the security equipment will be integrated as the fencing work proceeds. Nicks also said one camera will be configured to trigger fence opening as a marked police vehicle exits, to reduce response delays.

Nicks told council members he redacted a page in the meeting packet that showed specific equipment locations for safety reasons. Council members thanked staff for advancing the project and for using an existing state contract to simplify procurement.

Next steps: the council will consider Resolution No. 1392-0725 on Aug. 19. If adopted, the city manager would be authorized to execute a contract with Convergent Security and staff would schedule equipment placement and commissioning in coordination with the fencing contractor.