City Council discussed authorizing the service safety director to enter a vehicle leasing contract as well as the city’s Halloween plans Monday evening.
To begin the meeting, the Finance and Personnel Committee came together to discuss authorizing a contract between Service Safety Director Andrew Stone and Enterprise Management, a car rental company. This contract would facilitate the replacement of some of the city’s vehicles as well as help to lower maintenance costs on those vehicles.
Additionally, Mayor Steve Patterson emphasized his goal to move toward more hybrid and electric vehicles in the city.
Councilmember Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, reminded Council of an ordinance passed in 2009 authorizing a Green Fleet committee composed of city officials and council members. Risner said the committee has not met in many years but believes it should be a part of Patterson’s Green Fleet goals.
Moving forward, the Committee discussed finances regarding fire equipment as well as adding a project number to the West State Street improvements plans.
Council also discussed plans and concerns regarding Halloween with consideration to rising cases of COVID-19.
As of now, no Halloween celebrations have been suspended. However, Patterson and Stone are keeping watch on the rise of COVID-19 cases in the area. Council has authorized street closings to facilitate the traditional Halloween block party at this time.
“My recommendation would be ‘Yes, we would do that (cancel Halloween festivities,)’ but my fear is that we make that decision today, that it is indeed canceled … we crash into Halloween, and Halloween happens to us, rather than us driving the action,” Stone said.
Stone recommended waiting until closer to Oct. 1 to make a final decision regarding the allowance of Halloween festivities.
