Farmington will not install Flock cameras
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
FARMINGTON – The Farmington City Council on Monday opted to not pursue a contract with Flock Safety for license-reading cameras in town.
On Feb. 19, Mayor Kenn Stufflebeam cast the deciding vote in deciding to purchase three Flock cameras for $12,750 apiece. But the acquisition was contingent on a review of the contract.
On Monday, Stufflebeam indicated he was less than happy with the deal.
“It turns out we don’t own these cameras,” Stufflebeam said. “When our agreement is up they come and take them back and they can raise our fees with a 60-day notice.”
Added Alderman Alex Gilles, “It’s hard to justify spending $30,000 on cameras we don’t own.”
After discussion, there was no motion to ratify the purchase agreement, meaning no purchase will take place.
After the camera decision, the council spent 19 minutes in executive session and return to unanimously approve raises for all city employees.
“It is just for employees of the city and does not include council people, the mayor, treasurer or clerk,” Stufflebeam said.
Stufflebeam said increases were largest for police officers in an effort to keep them from leaving Farmington. He did not provide details. The Weekly Post will file a Freedom of Information Act request for the compensation increases.
The board also approved flooring work in the administrative offices and the cemetery office at the municipal building. Work will be done by 6G Hardwood Floors LLC of Edwards for $16,142 – $9,000 cheaper than the next-lowest bid.
Stufflebeam said contractors will use a leveling compound to hold flooring tiles in place and encapsulate any asbestos in the existing flooring.
“We’re going to do three rooms as guinea pigs to make sure we’re happy with this flooring and how it looks and make sure it does what we want,” Stufflebeam said. “We’re trying to make this nice.”
Summer tar-and-chip projects were approved for $75,000 from the Motor Fuel Tax fund. Streets scheduled for resurfacing include a portion of E. Prairie; S. Victory; N. Hedden Ave.; S. Brebner; E. Stone; Butler Ave.; around Reed’s Park; and two pieces of Prospect St. that run between N. West and N. East.
That is less than has been spent in recent years, but Stufflebeam explained MFT funds are being held back for a complete overhaul of Oak Street.
The board accepted the April 24 resignation of Brenda Balagna as deputy clerk. To replace her, Tracy Sollenberger was appointed deputy clerk and IMRF representative.
Residents should be receiving reminders in next month’s sewer bills about a city-funded program to recycle electronics and paint every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the municipal building.
The board also approved refunding $48,766.53 in TIF funds to the Farmington School District and $171,073.41 to Fulton County for a surplus portion of the TIF district.
