Emily Featherston
The Vestavia Hill City Council voted to allot $19,000 for the immediate purchase of new bullet-proof vests for the Vestavia Hills Police Department.
Mayor Butch Zaragoza said he was moved to investigate the safety of the city’s officers after the recent shootings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Zaragoza set up a meeting with Chief Dan Rary, and said that Rary had already been investigating the department’s options to prevent situations seen in the news.
Up to this point, police officers have been issued standard “soft” Kevlar vests that are worn under the uniform while on patrol or responding to a call. These vests have the ability to stop rounds of ammunition from a handgun, but not from a high-powered rifle, Rary said.
He said the new vests will be worn in addition to the current vests in any high-risk situations, including when officers serve high-risk warrants, any active-shooter situations or SWAT situations such as the one in January on Shades Crest Road.
Vests with the ability to stop high-powered rifles have been looked at before by the city, and were priced at around $700. The vests being purchased now, however, are just over $200, and the entire purchase will amount to $19,000.
The purchase price exceeds the $15,000 cap that typically requires the city to conduct a competitive bid process. However, in the event of an emergency, the council has the authority to allot the funds without putting the matter out to bid.
City Attorney Patrick Boone said he was more than comfortable with using the emergency exemption in this case.
“We owe a duty to our police officers to provide them with as much safety and protection as we can,” Boone said. “We don’t have time to invite competitive bids.”
Other Council Business Included:
- The council voted to finalize a resolution regarding the remediation agreement with Deborah Reinhardt regarding the property at 1756 Indian Creek Drive.
- The council approved the rezoning of 1280 Montgomery Highway from un-zoned to B-2 as part of the agreement with the parent company of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.
- The council voted in favor of the conditional-use approval at the current park maintenance facility on Sicard Hollow Road for the relocation of Fleet Operations facility.
- The council voted to approve funding for necessary improvements at several of the city’s parks, primarily the athletic facilities at Wald Park and in Cahaba Heights.
- The council approved the purchase of new data servers for the city’s financial softward.
- A public meeting was set for Aug. 22 for the adoption of various 2014 and 2015 national and international building codes.
- The council approved a power easement at the intersection of Cahaba River Road and Healthy Way for a sign for the Publix at Patchwork Farms.
- The council voted in favor of amending the Construction Operation and Reciprocal Easement Agreement with The Shops at City Hall in order to allow for an additional restaurant to lease space from the property owner.
