Council approves police mobile terminals, vehicles and $1.6M architecture contract for public safety center

The Charleston City Council voted to approve several procurement and budget actions, including the purchase of 27 mobile data terminals (MDTs) for the Charleston Police Department, the purchase of emergency and traffic vehicles, a budget amendment to fund a Homeland Security vehicle, and a contract for architecture and engineering services for renovation of a public safety center.

Under resolution 25-9 the council authorized the city manager to purchase 27 MDT units from Brooks Network Services through a SourceWell contract at a total purchase price of $667,404.15. Staff reported 12 of the units will be paid with a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grant; the remaining 15 are budgeted from the general fund. The presenter described an MDT as the computer bolted into patrol cars.

Resolution 25-18 amended the current fiscal year general fund budget to transfer $48,376 from contingency to the Homeland Security Fund to permit the purchase and upfitting of a vehicle requested by Homeland Security Director Chad Jones. Resolution 25-19 authorized purchase of a Jeep Grand Cherokee for emergency services from Stevens Auto Center at a purchase price of $43,736; staff said the vehicle was obtained via a competitively sourced state contract and will include an off-road package, tow capability and additional lighting funded by the budget amendment.

Resolution 25-20 authorized purchase of a 2025 Ford F-250 regular-cab truck for traffic engineering from Frankfurt Ford, which submitted the low bid at $79,023.14. Staff said the vehicle is a scheduled replacement and includes specialized upfitting — an aluminum lift gate, air compressor and enhanced lighting — items that were not available under state or city contracts.

Finally, resolution 25-21 approved a contract with Silling Architects for architecture and engineering services to renovate the recently purchased building at 1 Piedmont for use as the public safety center and Charleston Police Department headquarters. Staff said Silling led the earlier feasibility, site-selection and spatial-needs work and was again the highest-scoring firm in the procurement process. The all-inclusive fee for design, bid support, and construction administration is $1,598,070; staff said funding for the contract was allocated in a prior pledge amendment.

All listed measures were adopted in voice votes recorded in the meeting transcript; the transcript records affirmative votes but does not provide roll-call tallies.