After a lengthy discussion Tuesday night, the Guthrie City Council approved the acceptance of a $61,722 grant from the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) to purchase 12 automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.
The grant fully funds the 12 cameras for two years and the City is under no obligation to continue the program beyond that period, Police Chief Don Sweger said.
Sweger told Council members that the Guthrie Police Department is down four officers, but continues to seek funding for ways to better perform its duties with no, or little, cost to the City.
He said the cameras work around the clock and will assist officers in detecting wanted persons, recovering stolen property, locating Silver and Blue Alert persons, and investigating ongoing criminal issues.
Sweger said Tulsa and Oklahoma City currently utilize this system as well. The vendor has a method to exclude Guthrie citizens who may choose to opt out.
“We can try this out, and if it is not for our community or doesn’t fit our community’s needs, it can go away,” Sweger said. “It is for two years at absolutely zero cost to the city.”
Mayor Steve Gentling said the program seems like a good idea.
“On the surface, it appears that there is no risk and cost, and may have some potential benefits to the safety of our community,” he said.
Ward 3 Councilman Don Channel expressed concern about privacy issues.
“To me, it is another chip at taking away from the local hometown-type of feel that we have,” he said.
In other matters, the Council approved the purchase of a new high-pressurized water Jet Sewer cleaning truck. They approved a purchase order to Premier Truck Group for a 2024 Freightliner chassis in the sum $110,518.32 and a purchase order to J&R Equipment LLC to provide and mount a 2022 Vactor Jet Sewer Cleaner on the Freightliner chassis in the sum of $304,390.72.
The Council approved a resolution to approve $414,910 of lease purchase financing with F&M Bank at an interest rate of 4% for a five-year term.
City Manager Leroy Alsup said this piece of equipment is used daily for jetting sewer lines and will replace a mid-1960’s model.
CAMERAS» PAGE 2 The Council also approved a resolution authorizing application for an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. This grant is a 50/50 match, up to $2 million per applicant.
Alsup told the Council that the City is applying for $1 million in grant funds and matching $1 million by using the balance of ARPA funds received previously, approximately $555,000, and unbudgeted fund balance.
The purpose of this project is to replace deteriorated and failing water mains and valves within the City of Guthrie.
Some of the water mains are undersized for current demand, which results in reduced pressure, and many of the system’s shutoff valves are no longer functional, thus requiring the City to shut down its entire water system on occasion to repair leaks on major lines.
Alsup said the project includes replacement of approximately 1.34 miles of water mains involving multiple locations within the water system. By replacing the water lines, the overall looping capabilities of the entire system will be improved.
Alsup said the City of Guthrie has approximately 55.49 miles of water mains that were installed prior to 1975.
The Council also passed a resolution calling for the 2023 Primary and General Elections of the City of Guthrie for the offices of Mayor and three Council members. Filing for candidacy is Dec. 5, 6 and 7, at the Logan County Election Board from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the primary election set for Feb. 14, and general election April 4.
Those incumbents up for re-election are Mayor Gentling, Ward 1 Councilman James Long, Ward 2 Brian Bothroyd, and Ward 3 Don Channel.
In addition, the Council approved and adopted the terms of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) State Energy Program Lighting (SEPL). The City of Guthrie was awarded the SEP grant in the amount of $89,948.78 from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for the internal/external lighting project for the following public buildings: City Hall, Police Department/ Animal Shelter, Fire Department, Public Works Complex, and Airport.
“The cost estimate was $89,948.78, and we got a 100% grant to pay for the project,” Alsup said. “It is projected our annual savings from reducing our electric consumption will save about $26,000 a year. On top of that, we will be able to turn in to OG&E a rebate for $37,833 for doing the project.”