Winter Garden Police Department to receive $274K in tech upgrades

The Winter Garden City Commission discussed several noteworthy items at its meeting Thursday, Oct. 26.

NEW POLICE EQUIPMENT

The Winter Garden Police Department earned the approval of more than $274,000 for new police equipment in three different capacities. 

The first approval pertained to the purchase and renewal of a new five-year contract with Axon Enterprises for a body camera video system in the amount of $124,783.39.

Police Chief Steve Graham said the amount was included in the budget, and the agreement will obligate subsequent funding for four more budget cycles at $124,783.39 for each year. 

The second item was the approval purchase of a Fusus system video and data collaboration platform in the amount of $80,000.

Graham said there are numerous video cameras throughout the community, and when a crime or incident occurs, the department searches for possible camera feeds to provide clues for investigators. 

“The Fusus system coordinates all camera feeds, even allowing residents, neighborhoods and businesses to voluntarily share video access along with the city-owned cameras,” he said in his report. “This would provide real-time access to live video feeds and greatly assist us with timely resolutions of incidents that occur in the city.”

The initial agreement is for three years, which will obligate subsequent funding for two more budget cycles at $80,000 for each year. 

The last item was the approval of the purchase of a new Terrestrial Laser Scanner from Riegl in the amount of $70,000. 

Graham said the agency is seeking to replace an older system that no longer functions and also is not supported by the manufacturer. The item was included in the budget.

SITE PLAN APPROVAL

The commission also approved unanimously a site plan for Verax at Daniels Road, located at 1207 Daniels Road. The applicant is proposing to develop four single-story office buildings totaling 30,000 square feet. The plan includes associated site improvements such as parking, landscaping and a stormwater pond. 

The 3.46-acre subject property currently is designated Commercial on the city’s Future Land Use Map and is zoned Arterial Commercial District.

HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT

The commission and the Community Redevelopment Agency also approved unanimously to authorize City Manager Jon C. Williams to execute an agreement with the Black Business Community Development Corporation to provide Housing Rehabilitation Grant Administration and Construction Services in an amount not to exceed $240,000.

The proposal is for the benefit and assistance to the homeowners of the east Winter Garden neighborhood community. Homeowner residents would have the opportunity to improve and upgrade internal and external features of their homes from the CRA housing rehabilitation grant program. 

The city received three proposals for the RFP where the selection committee evaluated, scored and ranked the submittals. There were eight criteria considered during the evaluation. 

The Black Business Community Development Corporation was ranked first place by the selection committee as the most suitable and responsible bidder/consultant to provide administration and construction services supporting the grant.