Zook met with the council at its regular work session. He said the city’s portion of the $104,000 “Automated Vehicle Locater System” would be $7,000.
Council members said they would place the item on their agenda for today’s 6 p.m. meeting.
“Since the consolidation of 911, one of (the advisory committee’s) goals has been to provide the automated vehicle locater to all public safety vehicles and personnel in the county,” Zook said.
He said $59,000 of the cost would be covered by the Talladega County EMA, and $10,000 by the county E911. The committee hoped the remaining $35,000 would be divided evenly between the four largest municipalities and the county.
Zook also said the city’s Fire Department trucks were equipped for the system, and police officers could be located through their two-way radios. Ambulance services in the county would be required to have the necessary equipment as well.
He said the system would serve to increase safety for emergency responders and the public.
“It is a way (dispatchers) can see immediately who the closest vehicle is, and assign that vehicle to the call,” Zook said.
Also at the work session, Laurie Andrijeski, manager of the Farmer’s Market, gave the council an update on attendance and upcoming events.
Andrijeski said more people had been coming out since the market opened June 3.
“Last Friday, we counted 452 customers, and we don’t count children,” she said. “I had two of the vendors tell me last week and the previous that they had their best weeks ever. And these are vendors that sell at places in Birmingham, Alexander City and all across the region.”
The Farmers Market is scheduled from 7:30-1 p.m. every Friday at Blue Bell Park. Andrijeski said they planned to partner with Blue Bell Creameries as well on July 29 to promote “National Ice Cream Month.”
Also, they have planned another promotion on July 8, for “Make your own Tomato Sandwich Day.” She said vendors offered a variety of items, including homemade honey, berries, tomatoes, peaches, watermelons and other produce.
Each of the vendors is certified by the state that they grow their own produce, she said.
And customers could find something different each time they showed up to the market.
“I don’t want someone to come down on June 3 and say ‘I have been there, I have seen it and I don’t need to go back,” Andrijeski said. “I want to keep the interest coming around.”
Contact Matt Quillen at mquillen@dailyhome.com.
