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Council approves $40,481 amendment to finish downtown camera pilot; Elizabeth Arona votes no
Summary
Council approved an amendment to the XIT Inc. surveillance contract that completes a nine‑camera pilot and adds on‑pole solar power for three downtown sites; the measure passed 4–1 amid discussion about functionality and privacy safeguards.
The Solvang City Council approved Amendment No. 2 to the XIT Inc. downtown camera agreement on Aug. 10, adding roughly $40,481 to complete a nine‑camera pilot and to install on‑site solar power and buried poles at three Route 246 intersections. The new contract total is about $187,889.
City staff and XIT representatives explained the technical approach, describing multi‑sensor cameras (four cameras in one housing) for intersection coverage and a gridless battery system to ensure continuous operation where city or Caltrans power hookups were not available. Staff emphasized that facial recognition, audio capture and automated license‑plate readers are not enabled under the city's current surveillance policy. The motion to approve the amendment passed on roll call 4–1; Councilmember Elizabeth Arona was the lone dissenting vote.
Council discussion focused on aesthetics of new poles, alternative mounting options (building mounts), and assurances that privacy‑sensitive features would remain disabled unless future policy changes were adopted. Staff said the cameras would be able to share footage with the sheriff's department as needed under existing policy.
