Bridgeton council approves $33,580 city hall camera upgrade

The Bridgeton City Council on Nov. 6 approved ordinance 24-48 to upgrade city hall video surveillance, authorizing a $33,580.50 contract with TSI Global Companies and a $7,000 contingency for CAT‑6 cabling and IP-camera mountings.

The ordinance was introduced as bill 64 63 and approved by roll call, 8–0. Planning and public-works staff explained the project will replace 42 existing cameras and add 11 new units, including four exterior pan-tilt-zoom cameras and multiple 360-degree devices, to improve coverage of entrances, the parking lot and Natural Bridge Road.

"We're replacing 42 and adding 11 additional cameras," Gunn said, describing four new outside pan-tilt-zoom cameras and the planned placement to cover key approaches to City Hall. Gunn told the council staff reviewed multiple bids and recommended the lower-priced vendor after vetting differences in cable length estimates, demo hours and testing requirements.

Supporters said the additional cameras address security and operational needs that have emerged since the building's construction. Gunn credited ongoing coordination with the police department and noted staff member Tom will program and focus the cameras during installation.

The contract includes programming and on-site mounting handled by city staff, and Gunn said vendors had wide price spreads because some bidders included extra preconstruction and testing time. The council moved to suspend rules for immediate consideration before voting to adopt the ordinance.

Next steps: the mayor and city clerk are authorized to execute an agreement substantially in the form presented. The project budget includes the listed contingency; the council did not provide an implementation timeline beyond staff comments that cabling and equipment are ready and installation can begin quickly.

Ordinance 24-48 took effect upon adoption; funding source for the project was not specified in the meeting record.