Council approves police facility design, crisis-response iPads and radio upgrade for public safety

Fairhope City Council approved multiple items intended to modernize public-safety facilities and tools: the council authorized Mayor Sherry Sullivan to execute a contract with Paul Davis Architects for design of a new police precinct (not to exceed $97,540); approved a memorandum of understanding with AltaPoint Health Systems Inc. to provide five iPads loaded with the MyCare application for behavioral-health response; and approved a sole-source procurement from Motorola Solutions for a three-year Motorola ASTRO system advanced-plus package at a three-year total of $117,978.38.

Why it matters: Council described the measures as part of an effort to improve responses to mental-health crises, reduce unnecessary criminal processing and modernize department communications. The AltaPoint MOU is intended to give officers immediate access to behavioral-health resources during field contacts. The council clarified the reimbursement arrangement in the MOU: the police department will reimburse AltaPoint $4.25 per month total (not per device) for the use of the five iPads.

Contract and procurement notes: City staff presented the architectural selection as the follow-up to prior authorization. The Motorola procurement was presented as a sole-source purchase exempt from formal bidding under the Alabama code; the council approved the not-to-exceed amount despite staff noting the purchase was slightly over budget.

Implementation: The mayor was authorized to sign the various agreements. The MOU and technology purchases are intended to be deployed by the police department in coordination with AltaPoint Health; the architectural contract will proceed to design work for the precinct.