Committee orders review of city surveillance policy, seeks inventory and public reports

A resolution (Item 16226) directing a formal review of chapter 9.25 of the municipal code—surveillance technology and council oversight—moved through committee after councilors described gaps between the ordinance’s requirements and current practice.

A councilor reviewing the ordinance recounted the 2018 debate that conditioned camera purchases on an ordinance designed to protect residents’ privacy: who has access, what is retained, and where cameras are sited. The presenter said some municipal entities appear to have sought funding or deployed cameras without the ordinance‑required notice and council approval and urged the committee to reassert its oversight role.

The resolution asks the mayor, in coordination with the police department, IT, DPW and any municipal entity using surveillance technology, to prepare and submit a comprehensive written report within 45 days of adoption describing all surveillance technologies in use or proposed, whether council approval was obtained for funding or deployment, compliance with surveillance impact reports and policies, and the adequacy of reporting to the council and public. The resolution also requires a public hearing no later than 90 days after adoption.

The committee voted to send the surveillance‑review resolution to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Councilors noted that ISD and police had applied for or seek grants for cameras and emphasized that, under the city’s ordinance, departments must seek prior approval and hold public hearings before deploying or seeking funding for surveillance systems.