WELLINGTON COUNTY – Automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras are one step closer to reality in Wellington County and the program is expected to be in place in the fall.
The county roads committee approved staff’s selected vendor for the program and for staff to work on a program with the vendor to suit the area’s needs but full details on the program will be coming later on.
At a Tuesday morning meeting, the committee heard staff determined Alberta-based Global Traffic Group Ltd. best met the criteria for providing a revenue-neutral full ASE program that is as hands off as possible for the county.
Locations have yet to be determined.
It was less about awarding a contract, said manager of purchasing and risk management Jackie Osti, but rather selecting a vendor to work with in this case.
“There’s further things to discuss on how it looks for us,” Osti said.
Osti clarified the county has “off ramps” if something comes up and they no longer wish to work with Global on an ASE program.
The committee had multiple questions but not everything could be fully answered as the details of the program will need to be worked out between the county and Global. ASE cameras can only be placed in community safety zones and school zones and in this case on county-operated roads.
“This revenue neutral thing, does that come with a guarantee?” asked Coun. Campbell Cork, adding a clause should be added in negotiations to ensure this.
Osti said this can be built into the agreement and the county wants to mitigate risk and financial impact.
“Will they be setting the tolerance on the speed or is that mutually agreed upon?” asked Coun. Michael Dehn.
County engineer Don Kudo confirmed this would be mutually agreed upon with chair Gregg Davidson adding he heard from a counterpart in Essa Township, who use Global for its ASE program, that it was done jointly with the company.
On timing, Kudo said after council ratifies the committee’s decision later in the month, the county can begin negotiations and discussions on what the program will look like and expected to be back before committee later in the spring.
Davidson added the goal is to have the program in place by the time school begins in the fall, but Coun. Jeff Duncan questioned if that is a realistic timeline.
“That timeline will shift based on details,” Kudo said. “September will be very difficult to achieve.”
The committee unanimously approved moving forward with Global Traffic Group Ltd.
“It’s another step forward to protecting the public,” Davidson said.
