Project to include cameras, alarms, software

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners recommended bids and the beginning of the development of contracts Tuesday for approximately $1.6 million in planned upgrades at the Freeborn County courthouse and jail.

In moving forward with the project, commissioners approved advancing with Stanley Security for jail and intercom upgrades, VTI Security for video and access control work, Albert Lea Electric Co. for cabling and People’s Electric for project management.

Freeborn County Administrator Tom Jensen deemed commissioner action “very appropriate,” adding the bids came in $180,000 under budget.

The project could be complete by early next year.

Included in the work is:

Programmable logic controller: considered the heart of the jail’s security system, it includes door control and device monitoring.

Input output module: used in processes such as unlocking doors.

Human machine interface: software jail staff use to control doors, monitor alarms and view video cameras. The interface provides integration to jail security and intercom systems.

Video management system: software that records and plays back video cameras.

Work is planned for the facility’s electronic access control, intercom and public address systems, master control, structured cable and networking in the jail and government center, Highway Department and Human Services Department. The card reading system for employees will be updated to prevent security risks.

Eighty-eight existing cameras in the jail will be replaced, and 84 new cameras will be installed. Fifty-two cameras at the government center and 21 at the county highway shop will be upgraded. Eight cameras at Albert Lea City Garage and 12 at City Hall will be upgraded as part of the city’s information technology contract with the city. New cameras will also be installed in the Freeborn County commissioners boardroom.

The firm Elert & Associates has worked with the county during the planning process and is beginning contract negotiations. Contracts could be in place in the next 30 days.

Freeborn County District 4 Commissioner Chris Shoff, who was absent from the meeting due to a National Association of Counties event in Washington, D.C., said the upgrades have “been talked about for years.”

Shoff said the upgrades are needed because the security system is out-of-date due to the changing nature of technology since the program was introduced more than 10 years ago. 

District 1 Commissioner Glen Mathiason said the security system was built when locks were in an analog format, which changed to digital shortly after the system was introduced.

Mathiason said the county has to upgrade the system but noted the project will not have to be levied for because it is budgeted.

District 3 Commissioner Jim Nelson said the project is necessary.

“We need it, or else they wouldn’t be asking for it,” he said, adding the security system was relatively cheap when it was introduced because of the county budget at the time.

District 2 Commissioner Dan Belshan said the county has “to be secure, so we have no choice but to upgrade.”

“It is unfortunate that in the rush to build this so-called efficient courthouse, this existing security system installed was destined to be obsolete in such a short time,” he said.

Belshan said the courthouse has experienced roof leaks and heating and air conditioning problems “that a building this age should not see.”

“Taxpayers get hosed again,” he said.

District 5 Commissioner Mike Lee said the security system is 15 years old and needs to be replaced.

In other action, commissioners:

• Reclassified office support senior positions in the auditor/treasurer office to an accountant specialist senior positions.

• Approved a contract with Albert Lea Area Schools for election services for May’s special election. The contract includes absentee voting and a $2,500 election fee.

• Accepted a contract with ES&S for election equipment. The county received a $74,320 grant for 30 optical scanning machines. The total cost to upgrade election equipment is $152,850.

• Placed Public Health Department employee Brooklyn Wacholz on regular full-time status.

• Adopted the Freeborn County all-hazard mitigation plan with an addition to design a safe room for emergencies.

• Authorized a final payment of more than $82,000 to Ulland Brothers Inc. for the bituminous overlay project on Bridge Avenue from Hammer Road to interstate 90.

• Approved a joint powers agreement with the Department of Transportation to develop and implement the I-35 corridor emergency alternate route operations guide.

• Entered into closed session per attorney-client privilege to discuss the case of Peterson vs. Freeborn County regarding zoning ordinances and a conditional use permit.