Nov. 2--Bowling Green city commissioners have a light agenda set for their regular meeting Tuesday evening, including the pleasant task of formally accepting a $585,600 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

The city applied for the grant in June, and the funding was announced in October. It's part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and is intended to create local jobs while lowering energy use.

Nearly half the grant award, $285,000, is earmarked to retrofit city buildings for better efficiency, a move that could save the city $50,000 in energy bills annually.

Another $35,000 is set aside for a ride-share program to reduce traffic, and $5,000 for route markers for bicycle paths and lanes on city streets, and most of the rest is expected to go out in small improvement grants and incentives for similar work in private buildings.

Public safety purchases

Commissioners are asked to approve $222,166 in bids for various emergency and law enforcement equipment. About half the amount -- specifically, $110,080 -- would go to International Police Technologies of Tulsa, Okla., for more in-car cameras for Bowling Green Police Department cruisers.

The rest would go to equip the 911 backup call center being built at the renovated and enlarged Greenwood Fire Station. Motorola of Charlotte, N.C., is recommended to receive $38,700 for a radio system, and Mobile Communications Service of Bowling Green would be paid $73,386 for various equipment and installation.

Downtown discussion

During the nonvoting work session that starts at 4 p.m., commissioners will hear the quarterly report from the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority. That's the nonprofit corporation created by Warren County to oversee downtown redevelopment. Its board members will report on activity within the 50-block Tax Increment Financing district, which was created to use expected future tax revenue from within the area to repay development costs of projects such as the Bowling Green Ballpark and the parking garage complex just approved adjacent to Western Kentucky University's campus.

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