Ardmore city commissioners approved several agenda items Monday to better equip the Ardmore Police Department.
First, the commissioners approved an $11,408 bid from DPMS Firearms to purchase 16 AR-15 rifles and optical sights for the department. The commissioners also approved a $37,324 bid from GT Distributors for 41 Tasers and miscellaneous supplies for use by officers. Both purchases will be funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
In addition, the commissioners approved a request from Interim Police Chief Gary Adams to buy three new police cars for $68,352. One of the units will be used by the Patrol Division at the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, and the two unmarked cars will be used by the Criminal Investigation Division staff. More than $100,000 was budgeted for the purchase, and the remainder of the budgeted amount will be used to equip the vehicles.
Finally, Adams was given approval to purchase a third Motorola radio desktop console for the Emergency Dispatch Center. The console will cost $12,619 and be paid for through the city’s general fund.
In other business, the commissioners approved a request from the Ardmore Public Library to complete a project to digitize the photographs and documents in the library’s Mac MacGalliard Historical Collection. The final stage of the project is estimated to cost approximately $8,600.
Vice Mayor John Moore presented a proclamation to Interim City Manager J.D. Spohn designating Nov. 10 as Winter Weather Preparedness Day and urged citizens to prepare for potentially hazardous winter weather.
“In recent years Oklahoma has experienced the brunt of winter weather, including deadly ice storms in 2007 and 2008,” Moore said. “We all need to be aware of these natural threats we face in our community and take responsibility to make sure we are properly prepared when disaster strikes.”
Individuals and groups who would like to host a winter weather preparedness presentation should contact Ardmore Emergency Management Director Amber Wilson at 223-4453.
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
