Uvalde City Council considers Police Departments grants and grant purchase of hand-held radios

The Uvalde City Council met Tuesday evening Jan 24th to consider requests by Uvalde Parks and Recreation and the Uvalde Police Department for used parts needed to repair the Uvalde Memorial Golf Course irrigation system grant application.  Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez then requested the Council approve the purchase of of twelve (12)  hand held radios for the Uvalde Police Department and approve three grant application approvals for Rife Resistant Body Armor and equipment ; Body worn cameras and for police department computer equipment  through different respective grants

Chief Rodriguez also requested the Council approve the donation of exercise equipment by Marathon Fitness.

According to Rodriguez the grant amount awarded to the Police department was $82,000 Operation Lone Star awarded from a grant filed in 2022. He told the council his initial request amount to Operation Lone star was 1.1 million dollars but his grant was only approved for $82,000.

“We’re trying the pro-active approach to grant opportunities. ” Rodriguez said.

According to Rodriguez. The donated fitness equipment from Marathon Fitness was picked up by the department staff from Houston and one police officer is currently using the equipment as part of a 6 week  fitness program the Chief plans on requiring for all his officers and new hires. 

Chief Rodriquez, accompanied by  Frank Fuente representing Motorola Communications spoke to the Council about an equipment assessment Fuente conducted for the Uvalde Police Department Dispatch office. “We had to add $42,000 to cover the dispatch service,” said Rodriguez.  In their presentation it was explained to the council that the City of Uvalde serves as a central communications hub for the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office as well as EMS and Volunteer Fire Departments. 

Public Works Director Juan Zamora then reported to the council on Wastewater Treatment Plant Repair as part of the council agenda to consider approval of pay request #2 in the amount of $309,579,30 to LEM Construction Co. for work performed through December 31, 2022 on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Repairs and Upgrade Project.

Zamora stated that he expects the replacement screw pumps to be in by July or August. 

The Uvalde City Council voted to approve all of these requests.