Socially-distanced meeting was first since pandemic began; council, mayor to discuss proposal

CHESAPEAKE — Members of Chesapeake’s village council listened to a presentation by a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company on the possibility of contracting to install cameras to record speeding violations in the village.

Cam Reed, sales manager of Blue Line Solutions, made his pitch to the mayor and members of the village council on Monday.

Reed made the proposal to install devices with cameras, which would take a photo of vehicles going more than 10 miles over the speed limit.

The information would then be sent to the company, where it would be matched up against records.

It would then be reviewed by the village’s police department, before being sent back to the company, who would then issue civil citations.

Reed said those cited would then have the option of calling a 1-800 number and paying the fine, paying with a money order or contesting the citation.

As they are civil citations, violators would not face suspension of licenses or penalties associated with criminal citations, such as those issued by officers.

Reed said the violators would be notified of the fines every 30 days, before the matter would be sent to a collection agency.

He said the company has a record of getting 80 percent of payments referred to collection.

Council member Kenny Wolfe asked if drivers would be warned that such a system was in place.

Reed said signs would be posted, notifying motorists that “photo enforcement is in use.”

“We feel it is a good practice,” he said.

He said his company also works with villages and municipalities to promote the launch of a system, making the public aware through social media and other outlets.

Council member Paul Hart asked about the time police would have to spend reviewing the citations.

Reed said the company would reimburse the village for any time used by officers.

Hart said, as it stands now, the village would not be able to accommodate the matter without additional police officers.

Mayor Kim Oldaker asked the council what they wanted to do and it was decided that they would discuss it further.

“We’ll get back to you on this,” she told Reed.

Monday’s meeting was the council’s first since March, due to closures and limits on public gatherings surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attendance at village hall was limited to 10 people, including Oldaker, the village clerk and the council members.

The council members were then spaced out throughout the chambers, some wearing masks, and kept six feet apart.

Typically, a meeting draws about 20-30 people to the tight space.

In other business, the council:
• Addressed needs of the Chesapeake Union Fire Department, approving $2,547 to replace tires on a fire truck, $429 for a 9-11 cellular subscription app and $304 for training through the Ohio Fire Academy.
• Discussed the hiring of additional police officers. Oldaker said the village has received applications, but is unable to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t see how we are going to be able to do so at this time,” she said.
• Met in executive session to discuss personnel matters.

While closed to the public, Monday’s meeting was livestreamed on Facebook.