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Councilors press for citywide data policy as Genoptic revocable-permission item is discussed
Summary
City staff sought a revocable permission for Genoptic to install equipment for school-zone enforcement while councilors raised questions about who can access the data, whether third parties or federal agencies could obtain it, and asked for a global data‑sharing policy before approving related items.
Connor Muldoon, the city’s chief operating officer, briefed the Common Council on a revocable permission that would regulate Genoptic’s installation and operations for the school‑zone traffic enforcement program, including liability protections during construction and cost‑sharing for damaged equipment.
Several councilors raised concerns about data custody and third‑party access to footage and enforcement data, asking whether other government agencies — including federal entities — could obtain information held by the vendor. One councilor asked explicitly whether the city would act as an agent for federal immigration enforcement by turning over automated‑enforcement data.
Muldoon said the administration is developing a broader data policy and that corporation counsel reviews contract language for any clauses tied to federal funding. He said the contract under discussion relates specifically to construction‑period liability and the city’s authority to remove equipment and recover costs if necessary.
Leah Whitmer, director of the Municipal Violations Bureau, explained that automated‑enforcement programs (red light, school bus stop arm and school speed zones) are governed by state demonstration program law, which restricts how evidence can be distributed. She said certain requests for footage or evidence must be handled through the bureau’s adjudication process; the vendor platform (Alta Via) can be accessed by a cited party with the citation and PIN number while the vendor retains the data per the agreed retention policy.
Whitmer said the vendor cannot freely share city data and that internal users must be trained and sign an internal policy governing data access. She acknowledged courts could subpoena footage but said legal counsel would determine whether the city must respond in a particular case under state law.
City staff and councilors agreed to hold the revocable‑permission item for additional committee review while the administration develops the citywide or “global” policy on data handling and sharing. Connor Muldoon told the council the revocable‑permission ordinance protects the city’s immediate interests by clarifying liability during construction but that the broader policy work will continue.
Councilors requested a committee meeting for a fuller briefing on the city’s policy approach and asked staff to circulate the draft policy when available. The transcript shows the council held the item pending that additional committee discussion; no formal approval appears in the captured discussion.
