In its first regular meeting via teleconference, the Lawrenceville City Council approved a $24,000 purchase of a dozen license plate-reading cameras.
The council went through most of its business as usual, making some accommodations for the new teleconference format. The city declared a state of emergency last week due to the coronavirus pandemic. That emergency declaration allows them to meet via teleconference in order to practice social distancing and avoid possible virus transmission. The city took another step Monday, closing Lawrenceville City Hall to the public starting Tuesday.
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In Monday evening’s meeting, the hearing calendar was tabled until April 27, as allowed under the emergency declaration. Councilmembers recited the Pledge of Allegiance to a PDF of the American flag put on the screen by Mayor David Still.
But the council went through agenda items as normal, including the contract for the purchase of 12 Flock cameras. The cameras are used in multiple parts of Gwinnett County, including near the Gwinnett Place Mall, to record license plates of cars driving in certain areas. They can be used by police in investigating crime. The $24,000 purchase was unanimously approved by the council.
The meeting was not free of coronavirus discussion; city manager Chuck Warbington noted to councilmembers that the financial strain the pandemic has already caused to local businesses may affect the city’s finances.
“We need to be looking at our current budget and see if any adjustment has to be made,” Warbington said. “We just started our budget process for 2021 as well. We may have several scenarios for you to look at this year instead of just one to see how that lays out.”
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