COVID-19 funds provide Wifi hotspots, police needs
Russellville will be receiving some new enhancements with the city council approving several purchases at the Dec. 7 city council meeting, to be reimbursed from the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Jackson Avenue will be equipped with Wifi hotspots from Cotaco Street to Tuscaloosa Street. The internet will be provided through Charter Spectrum and must be installed and working before the end of the year.
“I think it will be really helpful to a lot of the folks around here,” said Russellville Mayor David Grissom. “All of our schools are doing virtual, and they are going to be able to use that. Adults are also able to get use out of it, too.”
The council also approved the purchase of a metal detector, which scans for temperature, and masks for the Russellville Police Department.
The metal detector is also part of the Coronavirus Relief Fund and will be fully reimbursed for $11,997.78.
Grissom said it will be very beneficial to the police department, especially on court dates.
Six Solaris Air Purification Systems are also being purchased to place in the HVAC system to help protect against viruses. This purchase will be reimbursed for $14,640. The systems will be installed in Russellville City Hall, the Russellville Police Station, Russellville Fire Station 1 and 2 and the Russellville Street Department.
The council also approved a bid to repair the sidewalk in front of the Russellville Police Department. The bid was accepted from Hovater Metal Works in the amount of $4,050, to be completed before Christmas.
The Russellville Police Department will also be receiving a 2021 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado with a grant from the Drug Task Force. The council approved the purchase of the new vehicle for $36,292.61.
Two vehicles were declared surplus in the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department and donated to the Russellville Board of Education.
Grissom said this is part of the agreement the city has concerning the Parks and Recreation Department.
Even though the city moved the Parks and Recreation Department under the RCS Board of Education, all vehicle titles are still under the city.
Grissom said declaring the vehicles surplus before donating them is something the city will have to do whenever Parks and Recreation is ready to upgrade equipment.
