Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hamilton City Council approves election rules, police drone, rehiring and Sportsplex fence
Summary
Hamilton City Council approved a package of personnel, equipment and infrastructure measures — including a police drone funded by opioid-settlement dollars, the rehiring of a certified water-treatment operator and a Sportsplex fence contract — and adopted election rules for the upcoming municipal contest.
Hamilton City Council approved a set of routine personnel, equipment and infrastructure items and adopted election-related rules during a regular meeting.
Council actions included rehiring a certified water treatment operator at a set hourly rate, authorizing the police department to purchase a DJI Outris 4 t unmanned aerial device using opioid-settlement funds, approving a laptop purchase for the court magistrate, renewing a $1,000 donation to the domestic-violence task force, adopting an ordinance that sets the number of council places for the upcoming municipal election, and adopting a resolution to continue use of DS200 electronic vote-counting machines. Council members also approved a contract amendment and purchase of a 6-foot fence around the Sportsplex track.
Why it matters: the measures allocate both general government and opioid-settlement dollars, set election logistics for the municipal race, and fund public-safety and recreation infrastructure that officials said will be used citywide.
Most important actions
- Rehire of water-treatment operator: Council approved the rehiring of Jeff Watkins as a certified grade-4 water treatment operator. The motion described Watkins as a rehire; his starting salary was set at $27 per hour. (Motion made by Ross; second by Scott Robertson.)
- Police drone purchase: Council approved purchase of a DJI Outris 4 t unmanned aerial device, including additional batteries, for use by the Hampton Police Department not to exceed $15,000. Funding for the drone and the $1,000 donation to the domestic-violence task force was identified as coming from opioid-settlement funds. Police leadership told the council a certified operator and a written policy are in place and said the drone is equipped with a FLIR system to assist in missing-person searches and large-scale responses. (Motion made by Ross; seconded by [record shows Scott Robertson].)
- Laptop for magistrate: Council authorized purchase of a laptop for court magistrate Jimmy Palmer not to exceed $600, to come from general government funds. The council clarified the device will remain city property. (Motion by Sherry; seconded by Scott Robertson.)
- Donation to domestic-violence task force: Council approved a $1,000 donation, with funds from the opioid-settlement account, repeating a donation made the prior year. (Motion by Ross; seconded as recorded.)
- Election ordinance and voting machines: Council adopted Ordinance 2025-2, which establishes municipal ballot structure for the upcoming election as a mayor and five council members elected at large. The council also adopted Resolution 2025-3-3 to use DS200 electronic vote-counting machines for the municipal election; the record notes the machines have been used in recent elections and the resolution was presented to make tabulation consistent. (Motions recorded and seconded; both adopted.)
- Sportsplex fence contract amendment and purchase: Council approved an amendment to add a bid for a 6-foot commercial-grade black vinyl-coated chain-link fence for the Sportsplex track area. The scope described 1,227 linear feet at $29.15 per linear foot, for a total of $35,767.05. Council members said the fence is intended for pedestrian safety around upcoming events. (Motion to amend made by Ross; seconded as recorded; purchase approved.)
Procedural and funding notes
- Funding sources were stated on the record for several items: the police drone and a $1,000 donation to the domestic-violence task force were to be paid from opioid-settlement funds; the magistrate laptop was to come from general government funds. The council confirmed the laptop will remain city property.
- For several motions the transcript records the maker (commonly identified as Ross) and members who seconded motions (several seconds recorded from a council member identified as Scott Robertson; transcript includes alternate spellings of that name in places). The record does not contain a roll-call vote tally with individual yes/no votes for every item; the minutes record the motions as approved on voice votes.
