Meridian council approves federal SS4A grant application, cybersecurity grant application, $1.9M camera contract, several engineering task orders and vehicle/fi

Meridian City Council on an evening agenda approved a package of grant applications, contracts, task orders, vehicle financing and budget amendments intended to fund public-safety technology, water-utility asset management and street rehabilitation.

The council authorized the city to apply for a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant worth $160,000, with a $40,000 local match, and approved an application to the Department of Homeland Security State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. "This is an SS4A grant, Safe Streets for All. It's a hundred and $60,000 grant from the federal government with a $40,000 match from the city of Meridian. And this is a commitment for Meridian to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries," said Dr. Thomas (city staff), describing the SS4A award and the city's matching commitment. An unnamed city staff member later described the cybersecurity program as "a grant that we can apply for, to help us pay for any type of cybersecurity tools ... to aid us in protecting ourselves against cyber threats."

Council members also accepted a consolidated bid for security cameras and a citywide camera system from Xylem Corporation for $1,896,993.17. City staff explained the contract consolidates previously separated quotes and will place cameras in city buildings, at public works and community development facilities, the parking garage and other locations; costs are allocated to the departments that will host the equipment. Council approved a related master services agreement with Filam Corporation for remote or on-site assistance to maintain and repair computer equipment that supports the camera system.

On utilities and consent-decree work, the council approved task order No. 5 with Wagner Engineering for consent-decree program administration and management, not to exceed $1,000,000. The council also approved task order No. 7 with Wagner Engineering for water-plant configuration, implementation and support services not to exceed $225,000. City staff described these task orders as continuing prior multi-year program management work tied to the city's consent-decree obligations and to an ongoing CityWorks asset-management rollout that will be extended to water-plant assets and related facilities.

The council approved a task order with consultant Kimberly Horn for design, bid and construction-phase services for the West Meridian trunk line Phase 2B rehabilitation in the amount of $87,200. Staff said the construction work will be paid from a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) while the consultant fees will be charged to consent-decree bonds.

On fleet and equipment financing, the council accepted lease-purchase financing for a Spartan custom pump truck at 4.39% from Citizens National Bank. Staff said the truck's purchase price was $830,000, with a $180,000 down payment and $650,000 financed. The council also authorized lease purchase financing for six vehicles at roughly 4.443% from Citizens Bank of Philadelphia; staff said the vehicles are pickups and utility vehicles for parts and recreation and public works.

Council members approved four fiscal-year 2025 budget amendments (items A–D) that shifted smaller sums among departmental transfers and capital categories: (A) $114,000 reallocation for fire-department transfers/other charges; (B) $70,000 reallocation for community development special projects; (C) $125,000 reallocation within the water and sewer fund for capital outlay (machinery/equipment); and (D) $4,266 reallocation in water and sewer capital outlay (improvements to structures). The council approved the claims docket, including a payment tied to purchase order PO252650 for Citizens National Bank in the amount of $55,700.95.

All items on the consent and routine agendas were called, motions were made and seconded, and the meet-the-gavel responses in the transcript were recorded as "Aye" and "Ayes have it." Where a roll-call tally was not read into the record, the council recorded the approvals verbally with no detailed roll-call breakdown provided in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Order authorizing Neil Schafer as consultant to develop FY25 Safe Streets and Roads grant program — motion approved (mover/second not specified; outcome: approved; recorded as "Ayes have it"). - Order authorizing application for Homeland Security State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Order accepting bid from Xylem Corporation for city-wide camera system, $1,896,993.17 — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Master Service Agreement with Filam Corporation for remote/on-site assistance (camera system support) — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Task Order No. 5 with Wagner Engineering (consent decree program management), not to exceed $1,000,000 — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Task Order No. 7 with Wagner Engineering (water-plant services), not to exceed $225,000 — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Task Order No. 10 with Kimberly Horn for West Meridian trunk line Phase 2B (consultant fees), $87,200 — motion approved (outcome: approved). Construction financed by $750,000 CDBG (noted by staff). - Acceptance of lease-purchase financing for Spartan custom pump truck (truck price $830,000; $180,000 down; $650,000 financed at 4.39% with Citizens National Bank) — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Acceptance of lease-purchase financing for six vehicles (financing rate ~4.443% with Citizens Bank of Philadelphia) — motion approved (outcome: approved). - FY25 budget amendments A–D (see body for amounts) — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Claims docket including PO252650 (Citizens National Bank) payment of $55,700.95 — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Donation/transfer of a surplus building in-kind to the Carter Foundation — motion approved (outcome: approved). - Acceptance of National League of Cities Southern Cities economic inclusion initiative RFP participation — motion approved (outcome: approved).

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Staff explained grant programs, the scope of the camera system, the rationale for task orders and the asset-management expansion into water assets. Staff clarified funding sources for consultant fees (consent-decree bonds) versus construction (CDBG). - Decision: Council formally approved applications, contracts, task orders, vehicle financing and budget amendments in individual motions. Most approvals were recorded with unanimous "Aye" responses; no recorded roll-call breakdown appears in the transcript.

Next steps noted by staff included proceeding with grant applications, executing awarded contracts and moving forward on asset-management implementation for water and wastewater assets.