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Council approves Axon camera contract, rezoning and multiple routine items in unanimous votes
Summary
The board approved a five-year Axon body-camera contract, passed a zoning ordinance on second reading to rezone two parcels to C2, accepted the FY2025 audit, named a veterans bridge and confirmed several appointments; most votes were unanimous.
At its May 11 meeting the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted on several routine and substantive items: a five-year contract to replace the police department's body-worn cameras, a land-use rezoning on second and final reading, official recognitions, audits, and board appointments.
Police equipment and contracts: The board approved a five-year contract to acquire 33 Axon body cameras, associated hardware, software and licenses for a total cost quoted at $141,499.17 spread over five years. The chief said the new contract covers unlimited storage, addresses obsolescence and battery-life issues on the existing cameras, and included a negotiated free month; the motion passed 7'to'0.
Zoning: On the second and final reading the board passed Ordinance 1683 to rezone parcels at 704 Cedar Lane and an adjacent lot from low-density residential R1 to general commercial C2. Members expressed concern about traffic and neighborhood impacts during debate. The transcript recorded the final passage with a roll-call-style outcome described as "five to one to zero to abstain"; the board member count reported in the meeting text indicates a majority voting in favor and at least one abstention.
Audits, appointments and other approvals: The board accepted the FY2025 audit prepared by Wickberg Accounting PLLC and approved a contract for the FY2026 audit at the same rate (7'to'0 on both items). The board also approved Resolution 2044 to name the History Park foot bridge the First Lieutenant Thomas Gwyn Veterans Bridge (7'to'0) and appointed Bob Lindamman to the Duck River Utilities Commission and Mark Riggney to the Tonoma Area Economic Development Corporation by acclamation.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 1683 (rezoning to C2 at 704 Cedar Lane): passed on second/final reading (vote recorded in transcript as majority in favor; counts partially ambiguous). - Resolution 2044 (First Lt. Thomas Gwyn Veterans Bridge): approved 7'to'0. - Accept FY2025 audit (Wickberg): approved 7'to'0. - Approve FY2026 audit contract (Wickberg): approved 7'to'0. - Axon body-camera contract (33 units): approved 7'to'0; total $141,499.17 over five years. - TDOT semiannual maintenance contract and state-route strip patching (reimbursable): approved 7'to'0. - Beer permit (Liquor World): approved 7'to'0.
Why this matters: The Axon contract commits multi-year funding for officer body cameras and storage—a cost the chief said is less than the potential cost of litigation and increases transparency. The rezoning ordinance changes allowable land uses for a residential parcel, a decision with local traffic and neighborhood implications.
Next steps: Staff will implement contracts and appointments; rezoning is now complete per the ordinance vote recorded on second reading.
