Emporia City Commissioners have tabled a major action item until next month in order to seek additional information pertaining to the City/County 800 MHz radio project.
During Wednesday’s action session commissioners were set to possibly authorize an issuance of general debt to cover the cost of radios and public safety equipment as part of the project. The motion to table the decision was made by commissioner Danny Giefer, who sought clarification on if it were possible to shift the payment for Rural Fire District Four’s radios from the city to the fire district itself thus saving the city money.
If the project’s the contract is signed by Nov. 8 both the city and county could receive a significant discount from Motorolla. Commissioners plan to revisit the item and render a decision just two days before the deadline on Nov. 6.
Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy says voting on the item so close to the deadline makes her “nervous.”
KVOE recently reported significant issues, including the shutdown of the city radio system due to a lightning strike in August, led to the project’s original timeline being pushed up. Giefer feels this development has limited the commission’s time to conduct additional research and seek clarification on the project. Van Gundy understands this feeling but respectfully disagrees saying there has been a substantial amount of time and opportunity for commissioners to gain clarification on any matter regarding the project.
The motion was approved 4-0 with one abstention. Van Gundy says anyone who would like additional information on the project is welcome to contact either herself or Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell to schedule an appointment with them.
In other business commissioners also approved a bid from Rubick Construction Inc. for a total of $179,000 for waterline improvements on Sixth Ave. from Merchant to Commercial Street. Additionally, commissioners also approved ordinances for the adoption of international residential and building codes, Emporia building and construction regulations. A KDHE ordinance and loan agreement for the financing of municipal water system projects also gained approval.
The Emporia City Commission will hold a study session next Wednesday inside City Conference Room 1AB at White Auditorium.
