Hibbing Council OKs geotechnical work for new public safety building and approves Axon body-camera contract

The Hibbing City Council on Dec. 4 authorized geotechnical services for the planned public safety building and approved a five-year body-camera contract for the police department.

Staff asked the council to authorize a proposal from Northeast Technical Services for geotechnical work and periodic construction inspections for the public safety building in the amount of $32,400; the council approved the authorization by motion.

Police Chief Esty summarized vendor quotes for body cameras and recommended Axon, which offered a five-year agreement totaling $231,756.96. "Axon came in at $231,756.96 and that's over a 5 year agreement," Chief Esty said during his presentation. The council approved the purchase and contract authorization by voice vote.

Why it matters: the geotechnical work will inform foundation and site preparations for the public safety building; the body-camera purchase replaces earlier procurements and represents a multiyear commitment for equipment and supporting services.

Record of action: geotechnical authorization and the body-camera contract were approved during the bids and quotes and police department portions of the meeting; both motions passed by voice vote. Procurement funding sources for the body-camera purchase were discussed in the police presentation but specific line-item funding was not detailed in the transcript.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the geotechnical work and finalize the body-camera agreement with Axon as described in the meeting record.