Digital police equipment among items on Opelika council agenda

The awarding of bids on digital in-car cameras for police vehicles and the Fourth of July fireworks display are among the items listed on the agenda for tonight’s Opelika City Council regular meeting.

Bids for digital in-car cameras to be installed in Opelika Police Department vehicles are expected to be discussed and voted on during the city council’s regular meeting.

If approved, the digital cameras would use DVD’s and would replace VHS-based systems in eight police cars, according to Opelika police Capt. Allan Elkins.

The new camera systems would be smaller and provide better audio and video quality, Elkins said. Storage for the DVD’s would also take up less space than the VHS tapes, he added.

The city council is also expected to hear bids on the firework display for this year’s Fourth of July celebration.

In addition, city council members will hear a request to hold the third annual Opelika Main Street farmers’ market along South Railroad Avenue downtown.

If approved, the farmers’ market would be open 2 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday from June to August, and sell fruit and vegetables such as peaches, tomatoes, watermelons and peppers grown by local and regional farmers, Velinda Wheeles, director of Opelika Main Street said.

The city council is also expected to vote to authorize the demolition of seven properties:

- 1813 Ridge St.;

- 106 N. Johnson Ave.;

- 308 Brannon Ave.;

- 315 S. 2nd St.;

- 411 Columbus Parkway;

- 1402 West St.;

- 1602 4th Ave.

The Opelika City Council will have a work session at 6:45 p.m., immediately followed by its regular meeting at 7 p.m.  Both will be held in the council chambers at City Hall, 204 S. 7th Street, and are open to the public.

Members of the public are able to speak for up to five minutes each during the citizens’ communication portion of the regular meeting.

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