McMinnville safety committee approves Project Safe Neighborhood grant purchase of off-road police vehicle and park security equipment

The McMinnville safety committee accepted a Project Safe Neighborhood grant administered by the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs and approved purchasing a Polaris off‑road vehicle configured for police use, along with security cameras and signage for city parks.

A public safety staff member told the committee the city was awarded $47,600 through the grant and that the grant is a no‑match award. Staff said the Polaris vehicle is configured for police use with emergency lights and upgraded for street use; it includes heating and air conditioning, according to staff. Staff described the vehicle as intended to increase visible patrols in parks and at events.

Staff said the vehicle’s price as spoken in the record was unclear; the transcript records a garbled figure when the presenter read the item. The presenter said the listed vehicle price was not included in the published budget and that making the vehicle street‑legal would add a modest additional cost for which the city could be liable — staff said “about $900” as a possible liability to make the vehicle street legal.

The grant award also includes funds for security cameras and park signage. Committee members asked logistical questions, including whether the city would need a trailer; staff said the department already has a trailer and that the vehicle will be street legal for the intended uses.

Staff said the grant is time sensitive and that purchases must be completed within the grant period; the committee moved and seconded to approve the purchase and accepted the grant by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement in accordance with the grant timeline and order the vehicle and equipment so purchases can be completed within the grant period.