Council approves street-testing contract and property acquisitions; police report early success with Flock camera network

The finance committee forwarded three items to council and all were approved on Thursday.

Council authorized execution of a professional-services agreement for geotechnical testing tied to the Springdale Street Reconstructions Phase 123 (BPS11) for $29,006.10, work staff said is needed to take core samples and concrete cylinders on four failing streets. Council also approved two resolutions authorizing additional funds to acquire properties tied to the Sunset Avenue extension and Powell Street improvement project (project 23BPS6), including a $74,777 increase to acquire a commercial business at the northwest corner of Holcomb and Sunset and a separate purchase from Umberto Camarena; both measures passed unanimously.

In department updates, Police Chief Derek Wright reported that the recently approved Flock camera network is already yielding investigative results: roughly three cameras are live, detectives used the system to resolve a road-rage incident quickly, and staff recorded about 128 automated "hits" from the system over two weeks. Wright said the department expects six cameras to be operational of 24 total within weeks, with additional highway-permit work pending with the state.

Council members expressed support for expanding the camera system as funding and permits allow. The finance items will allow staff to continue right-of-way acquisition and to proceed with geotechnical work required for street reconstruction designs.