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Committee accepts emergency contracts to upgrade jail security systems and presses departments on reporting delays
Summary
The committee approved three emergency contracts totaling up to $1,116,047 to repair and modernize electronic security systems at County Jails 1 and 2, and demanded that Public Works comply with an Administrative Code Chapter 6 requirement to submit emergency contract reports within 60 days.
The Budget and Finance Committee on Oct. 14 approved forwarding three emergency Public Works contracts—totaling up to $1,116,047—to design, repair and upgrade electronic security systems in County Jails 1 and 2.
Sung Kim of Public Works acknowledged the department’s late reporting of the emergency procurements and said the department “realized that was an error, and we fully agree with the new policy and the new law,” committing to meet the newly adopted 60‑day reporting requirement in Administrative Code Chapter 6. Public Works said the electronic security systems failed on Aug. 11, 2014; a temporary “radio check” fix was implemented, a more comprehensive repair was declared an emergency on Nov. 21, 2014, and work wrapped up in August 2015.
Supervisor Taney and other committee members pressed why the contract and reporting lagged and whether cameras were in place; Public Works explained temporary repairs were made immediately but full modernization required comprehensive contracting. The budget analyst noted this was the third emergency resolution in the past year delayed in submission and recommended amending the resolution to urge DPW to work with the City Attorney’s Office to issue clear procedural guidance to departments for future emergencies.
Deputy City Attorney John Gibner confirmed the budget analyst’s recommendation and clarified that DPW should work with the City Attorney’s Office to craft the memo. The committee accepted the amended recommendation and forwarded the resolution with a positive recommendation to the full Board.
The action does not alter the contracts themselves; it formalizes committee direction that departments follow Administrative Code Chapter 6 reporting timelines and that DPW provide revised legislation to the clerk by 9 a.m. the next day.
