HOUGHTON - Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly updated the city council on several departmental upgrades at Monday's council meeting.
The department received four Motorola radios, valued at $2,400 each, through a 100 percent state grant, Donnelly said. However, the department will have to pick up chargers. Donnelly said they should be ready within a week.
Donnelly said the department is switching its computer systems to Core Technology. There will be a training session for area law enforcement on March 11. Donnelly said other departments, such as Hancock, are also changing over to the new system, saving time in collecting information.
"When we're looking for data, it'll all be in there," Donnelly said.
The contract will be at the same cost as the department's current one, with a 5 percent increase per year, Donnelly said.
The department was also approved a $15,000 technology grant, with which they will set up an interview room with a video system and surveillance systems on Shelden Avenue. Donnelly said they will hopefully decide on a location for the room within the next couple of months.
Another round of grants going in June could allow the department to purchase magnetic card readers, allowing officers to fill in information fields at accident scenes by swiping driver's licenses.
"If we get these magnetic readers, we can reduce the amount of time the officer's sitting on the side of the road with his lights flashing impairing traffic," Donnelly said.
In other action, the council:
heard a report from Department of Public Works Supervisor Mark Zenner. Pothole patching is going on on College and Montezuma avenues. A fresh load of 28 tons is coming in today; Zenner said the goal is to put it out before the College Avenue road project starts.
Additionally, street sweepers are already out, making this the earliest start date Zenner can remember. Crews will also sweep sidewalks, starting with College Avenue before continuing to Shelden Avenue.
heard from MacInnes that he is still awaiting word on a $30,000 marketing grant.
MacInnes is also working with a Michigan Technological University senior design class on hypothetical projects, including a new city hall by the former Burger King building. There is also a free ski day for Houghton residents at Mont Ripley on Saturday.
changed the start date for its Municipal Employees' Retirement System plan from Jan. 1 to April 1.
approved putting a used fire department ladder truck for sale on firetec.com and usedfiretrucks.com. The final price will be left to Zenner's discretion.
scheduled budget work sessions for April 5, April 19 and May 3.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.