Kingsford Heights council approves temporary police hires, department remodel, equipment spending and IT security contract

The Kingsford Heights Town Council on March 5 unanimously authorized temporary part‑time coverage and the posting of a full‑time police vacancy after Chief Deputy Marshall Gelardi tendered her resignation, the marshal told the council.

Matt told the council that Gelardi’s departure left the department roughly 50% short of its staffing and that he wanted permission to recruit part‑time officers to provide about 20 hours a week of coverage until a full‑time hire could be made. "While we wish her a lot of luck in whatever's next for her, it does mean that we are down 50% of our police department," Matt said. Council members moved and seconded the request and voted unanimously to allow posting and to permit the use of part‑timers, with the chair noting an appropriation resolution will be needed to reflect changes in spending.

Matt also described a set of modest security and facility changes for the marshal’s office, including posting "authorized personnel only" signage, installing an individual keypad device so access codes can be tracked, and removing and rebuilding a short section of wall to create a small interview room. The council approved that remodeling work and the keypad lock in a unanimous vote.

The council voted to approve an equipment list for the police department not to exceed $9,000. Matt listed items intended to improve safety and operations: one in‑car thermal printer and secure mount, a prisoner transport cage for the newer Durango, gun locks, fire extinguishers and medical supplies, and replacement stop‑sticks. "In the $9,000 estimate," Matt said, "...I'd like to continue to use that towards upgrades. But, obviously, I wouldn't go over that amount." The motion to purchase equipment passed unanimously.

On fleet costs, Matt said the Charger lease includes a balloon payment of about $13,000 if the vehicle is kept beyond the lease; he told the council he had discussed options with a Chrysler contact and suggested the town could avoid the balloon payment by returning the vehicle at lease end.

Separately, the council approved a vendor engagement with Brainstorm to consolidate information security and IT support and to allow Brainstorm to coordinate with the phone provider (Netco/NITCO) on a phone/Internet transition. Matt described two Brainstorm quotes — a one‑year license option and a second, more detailed per‑workstation proposal — and said securing network security and email licensing should come first. Council members moved, seconded and unanimously approved Brainstorm’s work and permission for the company to coordinate with the phone vendor.

Votes at a glance
• Authorize posting a full‑time police vacancy and use of part‑time officers — motion approved (unanimous; 4 of 5 members present).
• Approve police office remodel and keypad lock — motion approved (unanimous).
• Approve police equipment purchases not to exceed $9,000 — motion approved (unanimous).
• Approve Brainstorm to implement IT/security upgrades and coordinate with phone provider — motion approved (unanimous).

What’s next
Matt said he would return with more precise lease or trade‑in numbers and final vendor invoices for the gun purchase once he receives them. The council noted any change in appropriations will be formalized through a subsequent resolution or appropriation adjustment.

Sources: Meeting remarks and motions recorded by the council during the March 5 Kingsford Heights Town Council meeting.