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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-15 Public Safety MinutesCity of Tukwila City Council Public Safety Committee PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes July 15, 2019 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall Councilmembers: Dennis Robertson, Chair; Kate Kruller, Zak Idan Staff: David Cline, Bruce Linton, Kraig Boyd, Kimberly Walden, Trish Kinlow, Chris Flores Guests: Jan Bolerjack, Tukwila School Board Director CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robertson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. I. ANNOUNCEMENT II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Automated Traffic Safety Camera Pilot Project Staff is seeking Council approval of two ordinances that would authorize the use of automated traffic safety cameras and adopt standards related thereto. One ordinance would cover "red light" cameras, with a pilot program proposed for three intersections: Boeing Access Road at Martin Luther King Jr, Southcenter Parkway at Strander Boulevard, and Grady at Interurban Avenue South. The other ordinance would cover school speed zone cameras with a pilot location proposed for South 144th Street in the vicinity of Foster High School and Showalter Middle School. Chief Linton provided an overview of the proposals including collision and speed data to support the pilot locations, information about public records requests and retention standards, and answers to questions asked by Councilmembers at previous meetings. There will be no upfront cost to the City and the per camera, per -month charge is estimated to be $4,500-$5,000. Cameras will only take photos of violations, not of every vehicle going through. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the presentation. Councilmember Idan asked for collision data for the intersection at East Marginal Way South and Tukwila International Boulevard. Councilmember Kruller expressed concern that the data from the three proposed pilot intersections is from 2014-2016 and not current. She would like to see more compelling data to support the program. Chair Robertson previously submitted questions around privacy and civil rights. Any vendor will have to meet the FBI CGIS requirements around data protection and those requirements will be part of the RFP and contract process. RCW 46.63.170 prohibits the sharing of infraction data, although if an individual contest the infraction it will become a public record at that point. Chair Robertson cited research claiming that red light cameras increase the frequency of rear end and side swipe collisions. Chief Linton said that is not supported in the data he has reviewed. Councilmember Kruller asked if social equity has been considered as she is concerned about impacts on low- income residents. Staff responded that mitigation for those with financial hardships can be facilitated by the court via community service or reduced fines. Chief Linton presented the proposed programs to the Equity and Social Justice Commission and did not hear a significant concern. Councilmember Kruller is also concerned about the sale of big data to private Public Safety Committee Minutes July 15, 2019 companies such as insurance. Chief Linton stated that the vendor will not be allowed to do that under the terms of the contract. Director Bolerjak commented that the School Board is very supportive of the proposal for speed zone cameras in the pilot location. Councilmembers Kruller, Idan, and Robertson all spoke in total favor of the school zone pilot program, but decided there was not conclusive/convincing enough evidence to support making a recommendation in favor of the red light intersection pilot at this time. They requested that Administration research local jurisdictions with red light cameras to see if they have more current and detailed information on accident rates for before and after camera installations. FORWARD TO JULY 22, 2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. III. MISCELLANEOUS Adjourned 6:50 p.m. 4 Committee Chair Approval Summary by LH