Solvang approves three-year pilot for AI-enabled surveillance cameras in downtown

The Solvang City Council on July 14 approved a contract with XIT Solutions for a three-year pilot deploying cameras at seven downtown locations, plus integration of existing city cameras. The agreement was authorized not to exceed $147,407.01 for installation and three years of licensing and cloud storage.

Staff said the system includes AI-enabled search features (person and license-plate recognition in usable angles) and cloud-based retention; staff estimated storage retention would meet record-retention requirements (roughly one year, possibly two). The system is not intended for continuous live monitoring by city personnel; instead, staff and the sheriff's office will be able to query recorded footage and use AI-assisted search to locate events or vehicles of interest.

The council discussed privacy, policy and access. Staff noted the city does not yet have a surveillance policy and committed to returning to council with a proposed policy that will specify who may access footage, under what conditions, data retention, and any limits on use. The sheriff's lieutenant collaborated with staff in choosing locations and will have authorized access; staff said city administration (named staff) will also have access and that legal review of policy is expected.

Councilmembers raised procedural and operational questions about monitoring, vendor support, integration with existing cameras, training and budget. Staff said the pilot is funded in the current budget (Measure U funds were discussed as the likely source) and that the vendor proposal price is time-limited; staff noted the proposal prices expire July 19.

After extended discussion the council approved the contract 5-0 and directed staff to return with a surveillance policy at the next meeting.