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Council seeks answers on Flock camera contract; resident urges civilian oversight after Groundhog Day incident
Summary
Residents pressed the council about Flock surveillance cameras and a Groundhog Day protest, asking for independent oversight. Council members reported contract redlines were sent back to the vendor and negotiations were ongoing; no contract has been signed.
Residents at the Feb. 17 meeting raised constitutional and oversight concerns after the council approved Flock surveillance cameras in Woodstock Square. One speaker described being moved to a designated protest area during a Groundhog Day event and urged creation of an independent civilian oversight board to audit camera data and protect free expression.
Councilwoman McMahon asked staff for the status of contract stipulations. City staff, including the city attorney and Roscoe, said they had redlined the master services agreement to add the conditions council had required, had sent those changes to Flock and were awaiting the vendor’s response. Staff indicated negotiations were in progress and that nothing had been signed yet; they expected a definitive answer in about a week.
Mayor Turner asked TJ (city attorney) to follow up on specific First Amendment concerns raised by speakers and to provide a formal response. Council also discussed whether square camera footage is subject to FOIA; staff said they believe the footage is exempt but will provide a legal explanation to the council. No formal action was taken at the meeting.
