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Council discusses repeated levee damage; asks staff to pursue cameras and tougher fines
Summary
Council members raised ongoing damage to levees and trails, discussed surveillance cameras and a possible ordinance increasing fines, and asked staff to work with the police chief to identify priorities for enforcement.
Councilors discussed recent, repeated damage to the city levee system and directed staff to work with the police chief on surveillance options and possible ordinance language to increase fines for damage.
Council members reported that vandalism and damage continue at multiple levee access points—Charles Park, Trails Park and stretches reachable by several crossings—and that the scale of the levee system makes comprehensive coverage challenging. Members discussed solar-powered, motion-triggered cameras and said the city already has some monitoring at other sites (tree dump). A councilor proposed starting with Trails Park because it is easy to monitor and then expanding if effective.
Councilor comments included concerns about the expense and infrastructure needed for multiple cameras and a suggestion to draft an ordinance with “pretty stiff fines” for levee damage to deter further incidents. Staff said they would coordinate with the police chief to identify camera options, sites and cost estimates and to determine whether existing police video could be expanded to capture offenders.
No formal vote was taken; council directed staff to follow up with the police chief and return with recommendations on camera deployment, costs, and draft enforcement language.
