High Point finance panel approves series of interlocal agreements, equipment purchases and infrastructure contracts

The High Point City Council finance committee approved a slate of interlocal agreements, equipment purchases and contracts during its meeting, including agreements covering school resource officers, a victim advocate position, and multiple water and wastewater projects and equipment purchases. Most items passed with unanimous voice votes.

The items approved include two interlocal agreements with Guilford County entities to continue services already in place: an agreement to fund one SRO supervisor and eight school resource officers at middle and high schools, and an agreement with the Guilford County Family Justice Center to station a victim advocate in the police department. Police Chief Curtis Cheeks said the SRO agreement covers the existing SRO supervisor and eight SROs and that if additional SRO support is needed the department typically shifts SROs or uses patrol officers while negotiating changes with the school board.

The committee also approved multiple public-safety and operational equipment purchases: a Generac 175 kW generator for Fire Station No. 1 at $111,278 to replace a circa-1970, 100 kW unit; replacement of 90 portable radios from Motorola Solutions (APX 6000) at $596,254.50 as part of the department's scheduled refresh; and 20,000 feet of underground primary cable from Westco for $763,200 to replenish utility stock.

Water and wastewater projects and procurements that received approval included: a $796,500 task order to CDM Smith for engineering design, permitting and bidding for the Ansley Creek sewer outfall (the outfall dates to 1958 and the contract covers replacement of roughly 3,100 feet across 10 aerial sections identified for replacement); a sole-source purchase of UV replacement parts for Channel 1 at the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant from Trojan Technologies for $340,532.93 (damage traced to a July flash flood); hiring Bionomic Services for temporary biosolids dewatering at the East Side Wastewater Treatment Plant for up to $150,000 while centrifuge parts arrive; and award of a contract to DN Tanks for rehabilitation of a 5,000,000-gallon prestressed concrete storage tank at the Ward Water Treatment Plant for…