BAY CITY, MI – In the coming weeks, city commissioners will hear presentations on a series of controversial issues that have previously gone before them only to be referred to staff for various reasons.
On Nov. 3, Redstone Architects will be visiting the Bay City Commission to present the firm’s findings regarding the needs of the defunct fire station and the scope of the work required to get it up and running.
Two weeks later, on Nov. 17, the commissioners will hear a presentation from Flock Safety on the use of license plate reading cameras in the city. The presentation comes after a contract between the city and Flock was nearly voted on before being referred to staff so a bevy of questions could be answered.
Both presentations will take place at regularly scheduled city commission meetings, which are held at 6 p.m. at Bay City Hall, 301 Washington Ave.
Fire Station 5
The commission in July approved a $43,060 professional services agreement with Redstone Architects, Inc. of Bingham Farms, Michigan, to determine the scope of work required to reopen the currently defunct Fire Station 5.
The agreement called on the company to make recommendations and develop plans for the work, and provide estimated costs as needed within 120 days.
Redstone has worked on fire stations across Michigan, from municipalities such as Cedar Springs, Monroe and Novi. It was also the group contracted to construct the Genesee County Juvenile Justice Center.
Fire Station 5, originally built in 1965, was closed on July 15, 2024. Its closure left the city with two fire stations on the east side of the river and one on the west. City officials cited the building’s deteriorating condition and budget constraints as reasons for the closure.
Flock Safety
Officials with Flock Safety will be returning to Bay City with a presentation on what they view are the benefits to contracting for the use of license plate reading cameras across the city.
Discussions over the prevalence of Flock Safety in Bay City began in June, when the city budget showed a line item dedicated to contracting with the company.
The issue appeared on a city agenda in July but was referred to staff after commissioners had a series of questions about the use of the cameras, how data was stored and the contract.
The decision to send the item back to staff before voting on it may have saved it from an early rejection, as several commissioners said in discussions that they would be voting against the measure.
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