At Monday’s Frankfort Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, officials approved the retirement and transfer of police K-9 Taz, and authorized a deal that will provide a $3,000 credit toward a future K-9 purchase.
K-9 retirement approved
In a unanimous vote, the board passed Resolution 26-05 and separately approved the transfer of ownership of K-9 Taz back to the original vendor, FM K9 in Michigan. The agreement includes a $3,000 credit to be applied toward the purchase of a new police dog within 365 days.
Police Chief Scott Shoemaker said the dog had been evaluated by the vendor and deemed suitable for return. “They believe the dog is acceptable for them to take back and so they have offered to take K-9 Taz for credit $3,000 against the purchase price of a different K-9,” Shoemaker said.
City officials also approved a contract formalizing the credit to ensure it is honored when a replacement K-9 is acquired.
Vehicle and equipment decisions
The police department also outlined plans to decommission a 2020 Ford Explorer after a major engine failure, opting not to spend approximately $10,000 on a replacement engine due to ongoing reliability issues with similar vehicles.
“We’re going to just keep this car as parts,” Shoemaker said, noting the department has experienced repeated transmission and maintenance problems across its 2020 fleet. “Instead of auctioning that off, we’d make more money back to the city by using the parts.”
Separately, the board ratified the purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer for city use and approved updates to the city’s fixed asset inventory, including removal of an older GMC pickup truck.
Building services also received approval to purchase a new copier for $4,599.46, replacing a frequently malfunctioning machine. Officials said the change is expected to reduce monthly operating costs. “We were having service issues… just a nightmare,” a department representative said, adding the new system will lower monthly expenses to roughly $30 to $40.
Software upgrade for permitting
The board approved a three-year, $13,000 contract with CloudPermit to replace the city’s existing permitting and code enforcement software, CityForce, which is being phased out.
Officials said the new platform will expand capabiliti
es, including improved tracking, internal case routing and a public-facing portal for residents.
“We have found a company called CloudPermit, which does seem to have the necessary products to not only continue the functionality that’s critical to us… but actually… expand our functionality,” a city representative said.
The cost will be split between the City of Frankfort and the Area Plan Commission, with multiple jurisdictions sharing access to the system.
Street, parks and community updates
Street Department Superintendent Brian Killman reported progress on alley maintenance and mowing, aided by overtime work, and said preparations are underway for upcoming road projects funded through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program.
“We’re over halfway through the city now on alleys,” Killman said, adding crews are also addressing weeds and overgrown trees in several areas.
In the parks department, officials reported improvements to basketball courts at TPA Park and ongoing repairs to the caboose exhibit. Parks staff also restored the splash pad’s bucket feature. “I got the bucket going at splash pad today,” a parks official said.
The board also ratified the rescheduling of a summer concert to Aug. 7 following a weather-related postponement.
Additional business
Other actions included:
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Approval of meeting minutes and claims.
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Authorization of overtime or compensatory time for parks employees who worked during the July 4 holiday period.
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Updates on hiring efforts within the police department.
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A report that city pool revenue has reached $91,422.82 so far this season.
No public comments were made during the meeting.