City OKs bid for new security cameras

PRIEST RIVER — With current security cameras at City Hall and the police station approaching the end of their lifespan, the Priest River City Council voted Monday to accept a bid that will replace the system.

The council voted to accept the low bid of $17,188 from Native American Electric. Bids were also received from Absco Solutions, and Evco Integrated Solutions.

"We have to go with really what's the best value," Priest River Mayor Jeff Connolly said. "Sometimes you can pay a little bit more if you think you're going to get a better value but I think that if it looks pretty similar, then you better go with the lowest price."

The project will allow the city to replace 10 cameras at the building, which includes both the city hall and the police department. Four of the cameras would be placed around the building's perimeter and the remaining six installed inside.

The bid includes a cloud service subscription for all equipment, installation of the cameras, which come with 30 days of storage for any video.

In other news, Connolly told the council that the city had received a $30,000 Local Highway Technical Assistance Council grant to go toward updating Priest River's transportation plan. The grant does not require any match from the city.

Updating the document will help the city have a better chance at securing grants, the mayor said.

The city has welcomed a new officer, Police Chief Drew McLain told the council. The new officer, who started March 18, is set to start 14 weeks of training. The individual will be sworn in at a future council meeting, the police chief said.

Efforts are moving forward on both the city's upper booster station rehabilitation and the city's raw water intake projects. Replacement pumps for the booster station are on order, with delivery expected within 90 days. It will take another 30 days beyond that to get them installed.

Work on the raw water intake project is expected to begin Aug. 15. While all sides would like an early start, Connolly told the council the city is having to wait until water levels are at the appropriate level.

The council approved an amended engineering agreement with Welch Comer for wastewater system improvements in connection with the city's Larch Street rehabilitation project. The amended contract was needed to do additional work that cam up due to the bidding process.

The contract allows an additional $8,700 for the redrawing of the project due to the more specific details needed. It's likely the city will put the project out for bid, which required the additional drawings.

The council voted to set April 25 as Arbor Day in the city and to move forward with the purchase of an apple tree to be planted in honor of the day. While the city will see a grant from the state for reimbursement of the tree, estimated at $40-$45, the grants are decided in a lottery system so it is unknown whether the city will be selected.

The city voted to update its zoning map, last updated in 2000, and to work toward updating it every six months to one year, depending on need.

In addition, the council voted to extend an easement agreement with Beardmore Landing, LLC.