Commissioners Approve Dispatch Upgrades, Replacing HVAC Units

Upgrades to the Bel Air Police department dispatch room and replacing HVAC units at town hall were topics of discussion at Monday's meeting.

8:14 p.m.: The meeting was adjourned.

8:12 p.m.: Hopkins said in light of the recent tornadoes in Indiana, he is proud that the county makes an effort to be capably trained for emergencies like that. He also said he is keeping those impacted by the tornadoes in his prayers.

8:10 p.m.: Reier voted against the motion.

8:10 p.m.: Reier voted against the motion.

8:09 p.m.: Moody said $515,000 general obligation bond was approved for funding the BB&T bank purchase, but legal counsel recommends approving that amount as a bond and is a matter of clarification. The bond is through PNC Bank.

8:08 p.m.: A resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds was up for discussion.

8:07 p.m.: All voted in favor of introducing the ethics ordinance.

8:07 p.m.: “It’s going to require a lot of education,” Carey said.

8:05 p.m.: Oliver said there are exemptions if it pertains to your job as a commissioner, so conferences that benefit the job are covered.

8:03 p.m.: Carey said there isn’t a clear definition of “entities doing business with the town.” He said he is concerned there may be entities doing business with the town that commissioners may not be aware of, such as certain loans with certain banks. Oliver said you are obligated to disclose what you are aware of and the town is preparing forms that will need to be filled out.

8:03 p.m.: Oliver said the staff recommends the town receive the code and a public hearing is scheduled for March 19.

8:00 p.m.: The Ethics Code Ordinance was introduced. Joyce Oliver, director of administration, said the state required an upgrade of the town’s ethics code. The new regulations require additional financial disclosures.

8:00 p.m.: All voted in favor of the motion.

7:59 p.m.: Staff recommended town authorize these improvements for about $15,000 through Harford Alarm.

7:57 p.m.: Matrangola said Harford Alarm currently handles both systems for the town. The upgrades include installing two 32-inch professional grade TV screens to review existing cameras and include footage from the library and other locations that have cameras with IP addresses in town.

7:56 p.m.: Harford Alarm bid to modify town’s CCTV and Fire alarms was up for discussion.

7:56 p.m.: All vote in favor of awarding the bid.

7:55 p.m.: “We’re hoping by April first we will pretty much be under construction” Matrangola said. The dispatch center will likely operate out of the Harford County Emergency Operations Center during the 6-week installation process.

7:53 p.m.: Staff recommends the board approve a bid from Evans Console for $25,736 for the project.

7:51 p.m.: Evans Console built around one of the dispatch centers the chief examined. The furniture was comfortable, heavy-duty and is modular so if it needs to be moved, it can be.

7:50 p.m.: About $7,000 forfeited by people dealing drugs is part of what will fund this upgrade, Matrangola said.

7:49 p.m.: Matrangola said it takes multiple monitors to look up a record, the furniture is used 24 hours a day, seven days a week and thus gets about five times the use of typical office furniture.

7:48 p.m.: The current furniture in the dispatch center is not conducive to modern dispatching, Chief Leo Matrangola said in reference to a contract for replacing furniture.

7:47 p.m.: All voted in favor of awarding the contract to Blue Dot.

7:47 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier said the efficiency over the next few years should be significant.

7:46 p.m.: Blue Dot had the low bid and town staff recommends their bid for about $66,000 be approved.

7:45 p.m.: The entire grant for $57,000 will be used to replace four air condition units and boiler, Robertson said. The rest will be funded by money budgeted for public works projects.

7:44 p.m.: Randy Robertson, Director of Public Works, said current HVAC units in town hall are outdated, unreliable and difficult to find replacement parts for.

7:43 p.m.: William Kelly was reappointed to the Economic and Community Development Commission by unanimous vote.

7:42 p.m.: Four women were reappointed to the Cultural Arts Commission.

7:41 p.m.: Clarence was reappointed to the board of appeals.

7:40 p.m.: Commssioner Dave Carey proposed the budget amendment be approved. All voted in favor.

7:40 p.m.: Public hearing closed without comment.

7:39 p.m.: We are transferring grand funding from the parking fund to the general fund for use in upgrading HVAC units instead of fitting the parking garage with LED lighting. The grant is designated for an energy efficient project and the grant provider has already approved the project.

7:37 p.m.: About $12,000 is to go toward the police dispatch center, which is on the agenda later in the evening.

7:35 p.m.: There’s an overall income of about 264,000 in the general fund, but most have a corresponding revenue.

7:34 p.m.: Town Finance Director Lisa Moody explains adjustments proposed for mid-year budget amendment. About $264,000 is the true mid-year budget out of the approximate $1.5 million proposed. The rest of the adjustment pertains to the BB&T Bank purchase, Moody said.

7:33 p.m.: “Sorry to leave with the excitement coming up,” Rebekah’s grandmother said.

7:31 p.m.: Rebekah Riley of Southampton Middle School is recognized for her achievment.

7:30 p.m.: Meeting called to order.