City Council will discuss and possible vote tonight on the long-awaited ordinance to place cameras in city parks and other public facilities.
It also is scheduled to take a final vote to begin a new residential tax-abatement program.
City Police Chief Gregory Foresman will give details on the surveillance camera ordinance and answer questions. The ordinance, which was recommended for council to vote on by the public safety committee, focuses on the use of the cameras and sets up a requirement for the police chief to provide council with an annual report on their effectiveness and related issues.
A resolution approved in January 2010 by council requires the cameras be installed in city parks and other public areas, although the city administration has argued they also should be used in high-crime neighborhoods.
The cameras primarily will be paid for by a $450,000 grant the city obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Another agenda item council will vote on tonight is the local tax-abatement ordinance, which is meant to improve deteriorating housing stock across the city.
The plan provides for five years of staggered tax abatements, beginning with 100-percent abatement from city and school taxes the first year, followed by a 20-percent reduction each year over the life of the program, according to John Grado, city director of community and economic development.
Council has been unanimous in expressing its support for local residential tax abatement.
