The Andalusia City Council recently took a step toward planned renovations for the Andalusia Fire Department when it engaged the New Orleans design firm Concordia to provide architectural drawings.

Planned upgrades to the fire station include private sleeping accommodations for the six to seven firefighters who are always on duty, an updated kitchen and a new façade. The work was among that planned when the City secured its 2022 Series A Bonds.

Preliminary drawings for the project show a new façade that picks up architectural details used in other municipal buildings, including the current City Hall.

Mayor Earl Johnson said the architectural drawings are expected to take about a month. Once received, the project will enter the bid phase.

NEW BODY CAMERAS

In unrelated business, the council also approved the purchase of new AXON body cameras for members of the Andalusia Police Department.

Chief Paul Hudson said the department first implemented the use of body cameras in 2016 when it received a federal grant to do so.

“Since we have started using the cameras, they have become a vital tool in the department for documenting crime scenes, evidence documentation, and training,” Hudson said.

The plan adopted by the council will include 35 cameras, with unlimited video footage stored in the cloud. The total cost for five years, which includes new cameras at the 2.5-year mark, is $201,933, to be paid over the course of the contract.