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Council purchases new software [Daily Iowegian, Centerville, Iowa](Daily Iowegian (Centerville, IA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 02--The Centerville City Council had four agenda items for their special meeting Monday night at City Hall -- two were approved and two were tabled. The two approved: --The purchase of new, upgraded computer software programs from Omaha, Nebraska based -- Data Technologies, Inc. The cost of said agreement is an initial fee of $41,395 with annual fees to be billed to the city. The new software is more suited to a community the size of Centerville and is more user friendly, Patrick Antonen, city administrator said, as opposed to what the city is currently running. The new software will be used 1/3 by the city, 1/3 by sewer and 1/3 by the water department, Antonen said. The council's approval was contingent on Antonen entering into negotiations with the water department to have them pay 1/3 of the cost. "The technology is going to be used for the water company, too," Councilman Ron Creagan said. "They need to pay for a share of it. It's just not right, us paying for everything. The taxpayers paying for everything. Right now, I just want them to come up with their fair share." Councilman Jay Dillard voiced his support to have the water department pay a share of the software cost. If the water department is going to use 1/3 of the software then they should pay 1/3 of the cost, he said. "I'm even willing for the city to pick up the tab and then get reimbursed," Dillard said. "Be reimbursed over a longer period of time and that way it's not hitting them so hard in the face with a shovel that way we can at least say to the taxpayers, 'Look, we went to them and we negotiated.'" Installation of the new software should be in April. --The city's street financial report for fiscal year 2014. The summary statement sheet shows city streets had $1,356,824 in total funds available and $770,774 in total expenses at the end of fiscal year 2014. City streets ended the fiscal year with an ending balance of $586,050. The council tabled to a later date the purchase of new computers and the purchase of security cameras in order to gather additional information. John Replogle with Moulton-based Superior Cable & Data, the only company to submit a bid, gave the council an overview about the installation of a security system and the capabilities of the security cameras. Superior Cable & Data's bid for the project includes eight security cameras and necessary accessories for a cost of $11,769.40. Replogle said eight digital video cameras would be enough to cover the downtown Square and Courthouse with very good quality. The cameras broadcast real-time images with each one wirelessly, or point-to-point, linked to a device at the top of the Courthouse that is sent to the Appanoose County Law Center and then the recording unit, which has enough capacity to hold a months worth of video. Law enforcement can watch live via monitors everything the cameras see. The city can upgrade to more cameras at any time and there is no monthly charge. "We're not like ADT," Replogle said. "Once you purchase a system, it's yours. If you have a problem you just call us, we come out, we look at it, tell you what the problem is and we charge you a set fee." Creagan said he supports the use of cameras downtown, but a constituent asked him why does the city need cameras? Audience member Bruce Buttel answered Creagan's question by saying the cameras are "the most effective tool. It's a piece of equipment." "This is not anything new. This camera issue has been discussed for years," Creagan said. "And nothing has ever been done about it." Dillard said the cameras would be the cheapest way to patrol the area. The cameras never get sick or go on vacation and they are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he said. Dillard said at some point, perhaps within the next 10 years, all of the city's assets will need to be monitored by cameras. "From the airport to City Hall to the library," Dillard said. "I would like to see this utilized where something happens we have video evidence of what happened and how do we prevent it, how do we make better measures to make sure it never happens again and we learn from this." The overriding council concern and the reason for the cameras is to help prevent crimes downtown. The council's next concern was if the cameras chase off miscreants from the downtown area, where will they go next? Perhaps Morgan Cline City Park? "That is the next spot for cameras," Antonen said. The council seemed impressed with the presentation to the point where they tabled the item so Replogle could look into the cost to install cameras at Morgan Cline City Park and then submit a new bid for both the park and Square. As for new computers at City Hall: Waukee-based Access submitted a bid of $23,698.53 and Ottumwa-based Professional Computer Solutions, Inc. submitted a bid of $22,718.09. Antonen said both bids were for a HP Pro Line ML 350P server, six towers, one laptop and other computer-related items. Antonen said the laptop would make him more mobile and more productive with the capability to work from home. The council tabled this item so Antonen could check references and bring both companies to City Hall at the earliest convenience for a presentation. The special meeting that started at 5:30 p.m. adjourned at 6:40 p.m. All members were physically present except councilman Richard Smith who participated by speakerphone. The next regular Centerville City Council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 at City Hall. ___ (c)2014 the Daily Iowegian (Centerville, Iowa) Visit the Daily Iowegian (Centerville, Iowa) at www.dailyiowegian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |