North Hudson committee approves ProLaser 4 replacement for handheld LIDAR unit

The Village of North Hudson Public Safety Committee on July 9 approved a committee motion to replace an aging handheld LIDAR speed-detection unit with a Custom Signals ProLaser 4 at a cost not to exceed $2,500, with expenses to come from the village's unassigned fund. The committee's approval will be forwarded to the full board for final spending authorization.

Police Chief (speaker 3) told the committee the department's existing handheld LIDAR was purchased in 2001 and has served the village for roughly 25 years. "That unit worked great for us for 25 years," the chief said, adding the original vendor, Custom Signals, no longer services the older model. The chief recommended replacing the unit rather than attempting further repair because the vendor has reached end-of-life for that model.

A committee member (speaker 4) read the motion aloud: "I moved to purchase a Custom Signals ProLaser 4, and it cost not to exceed $2,500, expenses to come from the unassigned fund." The motion was seconded by the chair (speaker 1) and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the committee minutes.

Committee members asked procedural questions about how a committee approval affects spending. The police chief said the committee vote is the committee's recommendation and that if approved by the committee it would go to the village board for final approval of expenditure.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote count in the transcript; the motion passed by voice with members saying "aye" and no opposition recorded. The purchase, if authorized by the full board, would replace the department's out-of-service unit with a currently supported model from Custom Signals.

Next steps: the committee will forward the approved motion and supporting materials to the Village Board for final authorization and appropriation of funds.