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Board tables proposal to host Scripps/Alert California wildfire cameras on water tanks amid privacy concerns
Summary
The Needles Board of Public Utilities tabled a memorandum of understanding to allow Scripps/Alert California to attach solar-powered wildfire-detection cameras to upper water tanks after members raised privacy and access concerns; the board voted to refer the MOU to the city attorney for further review.
The Needles Board of Public Utilities on July 7 tabled a proposed memorandum of understanding that would let the Regents of the University of California’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, through the Alert California system, attach solar-powered cameras to the city’s upper water tanks for wildfire detection.
City manager (Speaker 6) told the board the cameras would be solar powered and offered at no cost to the city. “What the intent behind the program is to provide faster emergency response, through AI technology through the cameras that can spot wildfires and report it to local police departments faster,” the City manager said, adding that first responders would be given priority access.
Board members pressed staff on two main concerns: who can view live feeds and whether the system could be repurposed for broader surveillance. “It’s big brother,” a Committee member (Speaker 4) said, voicing a worry echoed by other members who said public-facing feeds and pan/tilt/zoom capability raised privacy risks.
Other members pointed to language in the MOU that staff said limited the network from capturing images in non-public areas and required both the city and Scripps to authorize data sharing. “The MOU says they’re prohibited from doing that,” a Committee member (Speaker 3) said, adding the city could pursue remedies through the city attorney if abuses occurred.
Staff explained the program’s public-safety benefits and said local fire agencies would have access; the City manager also said the city can request additional protective language and that the city attorney would perform a more thorough review before any authorization. Several members said they wanted the city attorney to review the draft and provide recommended protections, and one member warned that pressing the city attorney to approve something without changes could risk public trust and future grant relationships.
After discussion, a motion to table the MOU for additional clarification and legal review was moved and seconded and carried by roll call (Campbell, Walters, Cairns and Powell — Aye; McNeil — No). The board asked staff to return with the MOU and any suggested contractual language after the city attorney’s review.
The board did not adopt the MOU and took no final action on site access at the meeting. The item will return for further consideration after legal review and any edits to protect privacy and data-sharing controls.
