Nov. 18, 2010
Public Safety, Finance Committee Endorse Police Radio Purchase
Ordinance Prohibiting Synthetic Marijuana Possible
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – The grant purchase of digital police radio equipment has been endorsed by both the Public Safety and Finance Committees of City Council. The committees met Wednesday, Nov. 17.
After revisiting the bids and requests by the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department and Barboursville Police Department, the committees approved a package that has the Sheriff’s Department receiving about $51,000 of Motorola radios and the remaining radios will be the Kenwood brand.
Councilman Russ Houck inquired if the revisiting and manufacturers enhancement packages concurred with bid procedures.
Purchasing Director Darryl Miller explained that “this is a state contract that will give us some freebies.” One of those will be encryption of transmissions between officers.
The re-visiting of the contract came after a local vendor suggested that the radio package receive further scrutiny. He asked that “incentives” be considered in the purchase price.
City Attorney Scott McClure explained that this was not a second opportunity bid. Although Kenwood won the original bid at the last minute Motorola offered a match. “We got a phone call [from Motorola] at 6:45 p.m. to match [the Kenwood bid],” Police Chief Skip Holbrook explained, referring to the request by the department to re-examine the bids just prior to a council vote.
McClure indicated that he did not see anything legally that prevents the city from accepting a bid that is lower than the state bid.
SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA
Prior to adjournment of the Public Safety Committee meeting, McClure passed out the draft of an ordinance to prohibit use of “synthetic marijuana,” which would be sponsored by Councilman Scott Caserta.
The object would be to restrict the sale of certain incense within the city limits. Instead of burning the product in the air, users, often minors, smoke it to receive a “high” like marijuana.
“It’s very dangerous to our children,” Public Safety Committee Chairperson Frances Jackson said. Ms. Jackson stated that some of the packages are “marketed” for children’s use. “I’d like to see this ordinance move through council quickly,” she said.
McClure agreed stating, “it’s not incense; it’s synthetic marijuana,” adding the product uses the ”herbal incense marketing plot is a ruse”.
One issue that must be resolved is whether the state legislature will take up similar legislation.
Councilman Nate Randolph inquired about potential state legislative action.
McClure said, “The state does not take any position.”
Mayor Kim Wolfe encouraged pursuit of the ordinance to “get ahead” of the curve by enacting some type an ordinance following research into actions by other states.
Councilman Nate Randolph suggested the city may want to consider a proclamation in which they pledge to work with the Cabell-Huntington Health Department and state legislators. State Sen. Evan Jenkins (D- Cabell) and Delegate Don Perdue (D- Wayne) have said they will try to get a statewide ban enacted when the legislature reconvenes in January.
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Public Safety, Finance Committee Endorse Police Radio Purchase
Ordinance Prohibiting Synthetic Marijuana Possible
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – The grant purchase of digital police radio equipment has been endorsed by both the Public Safety and Finance Committees of City Council. The committees met Wednesday, Nov. 17.
After revisiting the bids and requests by the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department and Barboursville Police Department, the committees approved a package that has the Sheriff’s Department receiving about $51,000 of Motorola radios and the remaining radios will be the Kenwood brand.
Councilman Russ Houck inquired if the revisiting and manufacturers enhancement packages concurred with bid procedures.
Purchasing Director Darryl Miller explained that “this is a state contract that will give us some freebies.” One of those will be encryption of transmissions between officers.
The re-visiting of the contract came after a local vendor suggested that the radio package receive further scrutiny. He asked that “incentives” be considered in the purchase price.
City Attorney Scott McClure explained that this was not a second opportunity bid. Although Kenwood won the original bid at the last minute Motorola offered a match. “We got a phone call [from Motorola] at 6:45 p.m. to match [the Kenwood bid],” Police Chief Skip Holbrook explained, referring to the request by the department to re-examine the bids just prior to a council vote.
McClure indicated that he did not see anything legally that prevents the city from accepting a bid that is lower than the state bid.
SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA
Prior to adjournment of the Public Safety Committee meeting, McClure passed out the draft of an ordinance to prohibit use of “synthetic marijuana,” which would be sponsored by Councilman Scott Caserta.
The object would be to restrict the sale of certain incense within the city limits. Instead of burning the product in the air, users, often minors, smoke it to receive a “high” like marijuana.
“It’s very dangerous to our children,” Public Safety Committee Chairperson Frances Jackson said. Ms. Jackson stated that some of the packages are “marketed” for children’s use. “I’d like to see this ordinance move through council quickly,” she said.
McClure agreed stating, “it’s not incense; it’s synthetic marijuana,” adding the product uses the ”herbal incense marketing plot is a ruse”.
One issue that must be resolved is whether the state legislature will take up similar legislation.
Councilman Nate Randolph inquired about potential state legislative action.
McClure said, “The state does not take any position.”
Mayor Kim Wolfe encouraged pursuit of the ordinance to “get ahead” of the curve by enacting some type an ordinance following research into actions by other states.
Councilman Nate Randolph suggested the city may want to consider a proclamation in which they pledge to work with the Cabell-Huntington Health Department and state legislators. State Sen. Evan Jenkins (D- Cabell) and Delegate Don Perdue (D- Wayne) have said they will try to get a statewide ban enacted when the legislature reconvenes in January.
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