Council awards citywide security systems contract, parks funding gap noted

Chelan City Council voted March 10 to award a citywide security services project to Interwest Communications to install cameras and access control hardware across municipal facilities, including the wastewater and water treatment plants, Public Works building, City Hall, the marina, and multiple park locations.

Public Works Director Jake Youngren described the single-bid procurement and said the scope covers camera installation and access-control upgrades that will integrate with the city's existing platform. He estimated total project costs at approximately $214,515.06 (including sales tax). "All these systems will integrate with the current platform the city uses," Youngren said.

Youngren noted a funding shortfall specifically for the parks component of about $47,767.78; staff proposed covering the delta from partial fund balance in the parks capital account and possibly tourism-related funds. Parks staff also reported applying to the Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) for a $25,000 grant to help offset the shortfall and expected to hear back in about a month.

Councilmembers asked for a more detailed exhibit showing camera locations and viewing directions for park installations; Youngren said the contract scope defined a number of cameras but did not lock in finalized locations and that staff would provide additional exhibits for council review.

The council suspended the action-matrix requirement and authorized the mayor to finalize and execute the contractor agreement with Interwest Communications.

What happens next: staff will finalize camera-location exhibits, track the WCIA grant outcome, and implement the Interwest contract with funding adjustments from capital beginning fund balances and potential tourism or grant revenues.