Windsor Heights council agrees to pursue Safe Haven baby box with Knights of Columbus fundraising

The Windsor Heights City Council voted Feb. 17 to move forward, subject to funding and a formal agreement, on a proposal to install a Safe Haven baby box at the city’s Public Safety Building.

Michael Kulik, speaking on behalf of the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus, described the system and the organization’s plan to fundraise for purchase and installation. He said the boxes are temperature-controlled, equipped with sensors and cameras, and linked to 911 and the Department of Human Services so the city would be notified immediately when a child is placed in the unit. “No shame, no name, no blame,” Kulik said, quoting the program’s outreach slogan.

Windsor Heights Fire leadership recommended the Public Safety Building as a site, saying a fire station provides a less-intimidating option and on-site first responders who can remove a baby from the bassinet within the program’s five-minute response expectation. Fire Chief (recorded in the transcript as) James Me introduced Kulik and told the council the project would likely be low or no cost to the city up front if the Knights raise funds and agree to cover ongoing tests and small annual fees.

Kulik and other Knights representatives said the box vendor and affiliated nonprofit (shbb.org in materials provided to the council) handle annual testing and training; Kulik estimated the box and installation cost at about $155,000 with ongoing testing and maintenance fees he estimated around $500 per year. He said the Knights would lead fundraising and that local partners and neighbors could contribute.

Council members asked about operational details, including who would respond if a parent remained at the box and whether cameras would be used; Kulik said the program strongly recommends no further contact after the door is closed and emphasized that the statute protects the parent who uses the device. Council members also asked staff to include neighboring agencies in training; the fire chief said mutual-aid partners have keys and would be included in training and access protocols.

The motion recorded on the agenda was to direct staff to move forward with the project subject to receiving funds and finalizing an agreement between the Knights of Columbus and the city. The motion passed on roll call with recorded votes of Joseph Jones: yes; Michael Liby: yes; Lauren Campbell: yes; Teresa Harms: yes. The council did not record a named mover or seconder in the transcript.

Next steps the council discussed include finalizing a lease/contract with the vendor, confirming fundraising targets and timelines, and developing training and response protocols with neighboring departments.