By Jason Crane
At the Aurora city government Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, through the Zoom video conferencing platform, discussions included a request to spend $1.58 Million to purchase 349 Getac portable computers and associated accessories for use by Aurora public safety departments.
Ward 10 alderman Judd Lofchie said he would like to receive more police feedback. He said, “My understanding, is it’s not the laptops themselves that are the issue with the police, it’s the software. This is a huge expenditure.” Lofchie explained that the policemen he talked to said the laptops weren’t a big deal to them.
“Before we spend $1.6 Million, I think we need to get feedback from the police,” Lofchie said.
Jeff Anderson, deputy chief information officer said, “It’s really a change in philosophy for the police department. Instead of having shared devices throughout and having desktop computers that were shared in the police department, we will get rid of those.
“We will replace those with laptops that are issued to each of the officers. This was a request by the chief of police and her command staff.” Anderson said the Aurora Fire Department want to have the devices in their ambulances and fire vehicles.
Chief management officer, Alex Alexandrou said, “In January there was extensive review, not only with police and fire command staff, field testing with front-line police officers, and paramedics.
“It allowed the City to narrow it down because there was another suggested product.
“These are ruggedized. They’re not your standard laptop,” he said.
Comments included the laptop computers used are considered at the end of life, many with Windows 7 operating systems.
The 317 laptops proposed are Getac’s K120 fully rugged laptops that are designed to meet the challenges faced by public safety personnel. The 32 tablets proposed are the Getac A140 that will be mounted in fire department vehicles.
An internet search shows the Getac K120 ranges in price from $2,799 to $4,643 each.
The agenda item was placed on unfinished business for further research.
The City Council gave consent to the following agenda items:
• A resolution to accept a quote from Pro-Tech in Ohio to purchase 150 complete sets of personal protective equipment for the Aurora police.
The protective equipment would be available for officers to use in the event of large protests and provide protection to those officers.
The Aurora Police Department has approximately 50 sets of protective gear and 307 sworn officers.
The funds needed to make this purchase are recommended to be used from the SHAPE fund, which is normally used for vehicles and capital equipment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, City government has deferred a large portion of vehicle purchases, including police vehicles, and therefore sufficient funds are available without a budget amendment.
Pro-Tech provided the lowest responsible bid of the three bids received.
Alderman-at-large Sherman Jenkins said, “looking at the quotes from the different companies, no companies in Illinois, Chicagoland area that could that could provide a quote?”
• Consent was given to a resolution consenting to a direct aviation operating agreement at the Aurora Municipal Airport between the City of Aurora and Air School Corporation.
City of Aurora government documents show SimPro Flight Training is an aviation training center at the Aurora Municipal Airport and specializes in FAA-approved flight training using state-of-the-art simulators.
A flight simulator training school has been operating at the Aurora Airport since 2009 in a hangar most recently purchased by Brad Martin in November 2018.
Arthur St. Arnaud purchased the business and desires to enter into a direct aviation operating agreement with the City of Aurora.
Final approval is set to be made at the Aurora City Council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25.