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Public health & safety committee recommends drone purchase upgrade, approves officer training
Summary
Committee reviewed higher vendor quotes for a public‑safety drone with streaming capability, recommended moving a $25,000 donor line to council to cover the purchase, and approved sending Officer Reinhardt to UAV training June 15–16.
The public health and safety committee revisited a previously approved drone purchase after vendors returned higher quotes that included a remote streaming/monitoring package. Committee discussion focused on the difference between two quotes—one at roughly $21,586 and another at about $24,556 when streaming capability and additional batteries were included—and on battery counts (six vs. eight) and operational run time (about 40 minutes per battery estimated).
One attendee said that the package with streaming and more batteries would be ideal but costlier; staff noted an outside donor had provided funds previously and the committee recommended placing a $25,000 line item on the council agenda to cover the purchase. The committee also approved sending Officer Reinhardt to unmanned aerial vehicle training in Edwardsville June 15–16; training costs and logistics (use of a city vehicle, travel) were discussed and the motion to send the officer carried.
Committee members emphasized training and operational readiness alongside procurement; they voted to advance the more fully equipped drone package to the council meeting as a single line item under public health and safety.
