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Council approves cameras on waste-collection trucks after brief hearing
Summary
The council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing Waste Services to use fleet‑mounted cameras under a cooperative agreement with Routeware Inc.; proponents said cameras aid missed-stop investigations and contamination checks, while at least one speaker urged broader hearings for surveillance technology.
NASHVILLE — After a brief public hearing, the Metropolitan Council on Feb. 3 adopted Resolution 20-26-1766, authorizing the Waste Services Department to use surveillance technology on fleet vehicles under a cooperative master agreement with Routeware Inc.
Budget and Transportation committee chairs reported unanimous committee recommendations for the resolution. During public comment, one speaker urged the council to hold public hearings on additional surveillance items; no supporters spoke at the public hearing.
"There's a camera on the arm of the truck," Budget & Finance Chair Toombs explained on the floor, describing uses such as verifying whether a stop was made and identifying contaminated materials placed in collection bins. Transportation Chair Evan Siegel said his committee recommended approval.
Council passed the resolution on the floor; the clerk recorded one abstention. The resolution authorizes the department to proceed under the cooperative agreement and leaves operational details and privacy protocols to subsequent departmental implementation and any required administrative rules.
The vote followed a standard public‑hearing process: proponents (committee chairs) summarized committee findings, the council opened the hearing for public comment, heard a single opposition speaker and then voted.
The adopted resolution directs the Waste Services Department to implement the cooperative agreement and to coordinate with relevant legal and privacy staff; council members asked staff to provide committee members with further operational details in follow-up briefings.
