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Resident Sarah Brook urges repairs to riverfront toll bridge, raises concern about federal access to flat-camera data
Summary
Resident Sarah Brook told the council that concrete slabs on the riverfront toll bridge are separating and side rails are crumbling, asked that public works pursue repairs (possibly funded by TID money), and said community members reported that federal authorities had accessed flat-camera data and that certain people were targeted by race.
Sarah Brook used the public-comment period to raise two public-safety issues she said constituents had reported: deteriorating concrete on the riverfront toll bridge and concerns about access to data from the city’s flat cameras.
"The concrete slabs are separating," Brook said, adding that past repairs used black tar which has sunk and not solved the trip and bike-hazard. She told the council public works is collecting bids but urged the city to consider funding options such as TID money to address liability and safety near the wharf.
Brook also raised privacy and equity concerns related to the city’s flat cameras. "We do know that the federal government was able to have access to our flat camera information," she said, and added that community members reported being targeted based on their race. Brook said she could not confirm how the federal access occurred and asked the council to examine how camera data are shared and protected.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and the chair noted public works is working on bids for the bridge repairs; there was no formal vote or direction captured during the comment. The issues Brook raised — infrastructure repairs and questions about data access — will require follow-up from staff and likely more detail from public-works and public-safety teams before the council takes formal action.
Brook concluded by urging the council to inspect the bridge area and to consider funding and privacy protections that would reduce potential liability and protect residents.
