Metro East Sun

City of O'Fallon Public Safety Committee met Dec. 9

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order

Minutes of a regular meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the City of O’Fallon, held at City Hall Council Chambers, 255 S. Lincoln, O’Fallon, Illinois. The Public Safety Committee meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Vorce at 6:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Members Present: Fohne, Lotz, Rosenberg, Vorce, Van Hook

Members Not Present: None

Staff Liaison: Chief Brueggeman – OPD; Chief White - OFR

Other Aldermen Present: Albrecht, Blackburn, Campbell, Carney, Hudson, Muyleart, Parchman, Roach, Smallheer

Other Persons Present: Walter Denton – City Administrator; Grant Litteken – Assistant City Administrator; Jeff Taylor – Public Works; Andrew Dallner – Parks & Rec; Capt. Mike Mojzis – PD; Leah Wilson – Public Safety Admin. Asst.; Robin Costello – Finance; Ryan Auer – Community Development; Residents: Harlan Garrish, Vern Malare, Opal Malare, Cari Schaefer

Media Persons Present: None

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Vorce declared a quorum present and requested a motion to approve the Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes of October 14, 2024.

Council Member Lotz made a motion to accept the Minutes of October 14, 2024 as presented and Council Member Van Hook seconded the motion. All Ayes.

Items Requiring Council Action

2.1 Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Five-Year Contract with Axon for Taser Hardware and Licensing

Chief Brueggeman stated that Axon is the only company for tasers and we currently do not have a contract with them. We purchase equipment as needed and have seen a big increase for yearly replacement of tasers and batteries. Current tasers are model X26P (have been on the market for about 11 years), and Chief Brueggeman believes an upgrade to Taser 10 is the best option for department.

Chief Brueggeman recommends signing agreement now in order to lock in 2024 pricing. Negotiated price of $47,101 per year ($235,505 over five years). Price includes 50 tasers, docking stations, all software licenses, and live/training cartridges for five years. Also includes instructor training (train the trainer) for up to 10 officers so officers can be certified annually. Contract would require $5,000 down payment in current fiscal year and remainder paid over next five fiscal years. Tasers have a five-year warranty.

Council Member Van Hook asked when possession of tasers would take place. Chief Brueggeman said we would take possession in March 2025, before start of new fiscal year.

Council Member Lotz asked if all will be cycled in at the same time. Chief Brueggeman said it would not be safe to have some officers with old tasers and others with new, so all would be cycled in at same time and have all officers equipped with and trained on Taser 10s.

There were no other comments from council, staff, or public.

Council Member Van Hook made a motion to forward the Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Five-Year Contract with Axon for Taser Hardware and Licensing for approval and Council Member Lotz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All ayes. The motion carried.

2.2 Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Five-Year Contract with Axon for Body Worn Camera Hardware, Licensing, and Data Storage

Chief Brueggeman stated the department is looking to replace body worn cameras (BWC) due to battery and life of camera issues being experienced, which often forces officers to charge after 6-7 hours into their shift. Current five-year agreement with Axon (not only BWC provider) for data storage and licenses will expire October 2025. He stated by renegotiating and bundling, we can lock in 2024 prices and extend contract out five years.

Current Body 3 cameras and docking stations were purchased outright (cost covered by an ILETSB grant received). Eight were replaced with new Body 4 cameras; 42 cameras and docking stations still to be replaced. We would apply for another ILETSB grant for possible reimbursement (not guaranteed). Axon cameras are compatible with Axon fleet in-car cameras.

Contract cost would be $139,087.82 including $4,800 down payment payable in current fiscal year and remainder paid over next five fiscal years.

Another body worn camera quote from Utility was $225,000 for five years.

Chief Brueggeman proposes entering into five-year contract with Axon. Equipment could potentially be received in March 2025 as well.

There were no other questions or comments.

Council Member Lotz made a motion to forward the Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Five-Year Contract with Axon for Body Worn Camera Hardware, Licensing, and Data Storage for approval and Council Member Van Hook seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All ayes. The motion carried. 

2.3 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of O’Fallon, Chapter 78, Parking Schedules, Schedule IV, Snow Routes

Jeff Taylor stated City Council members were asked to provide routes to be evaluated. Current recommendation to move forward including the following routes: Lake St. Ellen and Autumn Pine, Armsleigh, around St. Clare School, around EK School, Stonybrook and Elisabeth (south of Fairwood Hills due to steepness), and Villas of Braeswood (only one access point).

Jeff said the cost of snowplowing is hard to determine as it depends on the event, but can be anywhere from $50-$250 per mile. Two additional Streets department employees were hired, but no additional snowplow equipment purchased.

Council Member Rosenberg thanked Jeff for the opportunity to provide. Council Member Albrecht asked if there was any coordination with the bus routes. Jeff said the bus company does not have maps, only turn-by-turn directions. Council Member Roach stated his appreciation to Jeff Taylor for looking into additional snow routes.

There were no other comments from council, staff, or public.

Council Member Rosenberg made a motion to forward the Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of O’Fallon, Chapter 78, Parking Schedules, Schedule IV, Snow Routes for approval and Council Member Lotz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All ayes. The motion carried.

Other Business

None

Public Comments

None

Adjournment

Hearing no other new business or comments, Committee Chair Vorce called for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Lotz and Council Member Rosenberg seconded the motion. All ayes.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/ofallon/Board.nsf/files/DBUPP4644B65/$file/241209PSMinutes.pdf