The Columbia Board of Aldermen is giving the green light to move forward in the next step for new cars for the police department.
“We are in desperate need of new patrol vehicles,” Police Chief Michael Kelly said. “We have one car in the shop, and we just picked up one. We have had two Crown Vics go down just this week.”
Kelly asked if the city would consider helping with that area. He said Chicago Motors is offering to buy four Ford Tahoes for $22,000 each. The amount received for the Tahoes would be more than the new unequipped Dodge Chargers the department is hoping to get.
However, the offer cannot just be accepted; it has to be bid out, and Chicago Motors would have to place a bid.
To make the new vehicles police-ready, the total cost will be closer to $30,000 per car.
“I would recommend,” Mayor Justin McKenzie said, “like we did with the Tahoes, where we purchased four of them and pay one off each year, finance them out for four years.”
McKenzie said there will be a total of eight new cars: Four to replace the Tahoes and four to replace the Crown Victorias.
“Four of them would be paid for by the sale of the Tahoes and four of them financed. In turn you would have eight great cars. Right now we can’t keep them out of the shop,” McKenzie said.
He said if they ordered four now they would come in the first of March that would give the city time to bid out the Tahoes.
Kelly said the patrolmen need to get new cars first before the Tahoes.
Alderwoman Anna Evans said the patrolmen need to have the most reliable vehicles and if that is currently the Tahoes then give them the Tahoes. She stressed they need to be able to get where they are going.
A motion was approved to allow McKenzie to solicit bids of interest rates from financial institutions to get the cars. There was also a motion approved to order four cars at the state contract rate of $22,450.
l The chief advised they had received a grant which allowed the department to install cameras at Friendship Park to help combat with vandalism and other issues. He and McKenzie will be able to pull the cameras up at any time on their computers to see the park.
l Kelly requested and received approval to send three officers to the full-time police academy at Camp Shelby. The officers include Justin Corley, Donneil Fortenberry and Blake Mobley and will report Jan. 5 and graduate March 19.
l Kelly also received approval to send dispatchers Amanda Howell and Kayla Allen to basic certification course. It is a 40-hour course in Hattiesburg Jan. 20 through Jan. 24.
l Engineer Sean Burns discussed applying for a grant for a walking part at Duckworth Park. The board approved applying for the grant.
l Building Inspector Carrie Thornhill requested hearings for demolishing the home at 310 Hawkins Ave. and for mowing and cleaning at 212 Dewey St.
l A resolution for a mow and clean was made for the property at 320 Peach St., a property which is owned by John Moree, the incoming Marion County District 2 supervisor. Another resolution was made for demolition for 604 Nathan St.
