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City administrator reports Starlink/T‑Mobile conversion, drone grant and clean PFAS test
Summary
City Administrator Roxane Worley told the Hines council the city switched to T‑Mobile with Starlink for staff communications, won a CIS grant to start a law‑enforcement drone program (up to $1,000 for a drone plus training), and reported DEQ found no PFAS in local wells.
City Administrator Roxane Worley briefed the council on a string of operational and community updates at the Jan. 27 meeting, highlighting recent telecommunications upgrades, a drone grant for law enforcement training, environmental testing outcomes and upcoming community events.
Worley said the city completed a conversion of its cell‑phone equipment to T‑Mobile with Starlink and is coordinating with a Boise firm to install the same mobile/Starlink connections in patrol vehicles. She also announced the City received a CIS grant to launch an agency drone program that covers pilot training, exam fees, a one‑year Law Enforcement Drone Association membership and up to $1,000 toward drone purchase; the chief and sergeant are discussing which officers will maintain certification, which Worley noted must renew annually.
On water quality, Worley reported the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality tested the City’s wells for PFAS and found no detections; DEQ accepted the results. She also noted the school district will hold a public meeting on Feb. 2 at Hines Middle School at 6:30 p.m. to present the maintenance budget and offer tours ahead of a proposed bond measure, and she outlined community events including a First Responders Ball (21+, $40 per person/$75 per couple) and preliminary 250th‑anniversary Fourth of July plans with the American Legion.
Why it mattered: The communications conversion and planned in‑vehicle installs aim to improve public‑safety connectivity; the CIS drone grant funds training and initial equipment for law enforcement; a negative DEQ PFAS test is material to drinking‑water confidence in the community. The school‑district meeting and community events are scheduled public engagement points.
Next steps: Staff will continue equipment installations, finalize which officers will obtain drone certification and report back on timeline; the City will share details on event planning and follow up on the school‑district bond presentation schedule.
