QUINCY - A Quincy police request to add security measures to the building housing the police administration is on hold.

Councilmembers tabled a $10,000 request from Police Chief Richard Ackerman to add more security to the former library building during a recent city council meeting. Police administrators are presently using the building while plans for a new police building are being created.

The improvements include creating a separate storage space for the department's armory, according a police memo. Recent state audits and an audit from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs called for making sure the evidence room was separate from the armory.

"In order to do that, we have to use the basement. The basement has to be secure if we're going to put ammunition and weapons in there," Ackerman said. "While that is a secure building, it's still not as secure as it should be ... If we want to be accredited it has to be locked up and secured internally, inside the building."

The chief continued, saying once they move out of the building the city can still use the improvements.

"It's not going to be wasted money," he said. "The money that was initially used was for the data lines, the phone lines and the furniture and the dividers. Those can all be reused again. My goal is to try and make sure we save money and spend the money appropriately.

Councilmember Jose Saldana supported the idea of an alarm, but disagreed with spending money on other items.

"We already spent $10,000 on that room. To put another $10,000 in, I think it's just a waste of money," he said.

Councilmember Scott Lybbert was uncertain what the city was planning to do with the library once a new police department was built.

"I'm reluctant on this also," he said. "How much do we want to put into (the building?) If we decided, 'Yes this is where the police department is going to go. They're going to stay,' it makes sense."

Councilmember Tom Harris wanted a committee recommendation and wanted more time to review the items, he said.

Saldana explained it did go to a committee, but the committee only recommended $5,000.

Councilmember Paul Worley agreed with Saldana, saying he can see putting the alarm in.

Lybbert suggested discussing the proposal during the council's April 14 retreat.