5.
City Council Special Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 10/24/2017
- Co-Submitter:
- Josh Copley
- From:
- Caleb Blaschke, Assistant to the City Manager
TITLE
Municipal Identification Card Overview.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Council Discussion.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Background:
On March 7, 2017 Mayor Evans submitted a FAIR to the City Council for the creation of Flagstaff municipal identification cards. On May 30, 2017 Gail Jackson presented a brief overview of municipal identification cards to the Mayor and Council who directed staff to further explore the subject by evaluating cities such as Phoenix. Staff was also asked to compare municipal and state identification cards.
Overview:
City staff can create an identification card that would allow the holder to utilize public amenities from City Divisions such as, Municipal Services, Parks and Recreation and the Library. The card would have minimal information including the cardholder’s name and address. The card would not be for use as identification for employment, opening bank accounts, identification for law enforcement or in place of a state-issued identification card. In order to issue such a municipal identification card, staff may accept less stringent forms of identification than those listed for the purpose of obtaining state identification, however, by using less stringent forms of identification, risks for identity theft increase.
Current City Policy
Most City services are available without any form of identification, though staff prefers identification for the following reasons: it allows Flagstaff residents to obtain discounts for user fees, such as at the Aquaplex and provides Divisions an opportunity to recuperate costs if payments are not received.
The City of Phoenix has been working on creating a municipal identification card since 2014 and has encountered many obstacles including state legislation, including SB 1487, that has threatened the loss of funding to municipalities, identify theft and stakeholder fears of record requests being used by the Department of Homeland Security to deport undocumented residents. They have been able to move past some of the concerns about identify theft by requiring identification that mirrors state requirements, however, other stakeholder fears regarding records requests have not been allayed. Phoenix’s attempt to move forward has stalled as a result.
State of Arizona Consulate Cards
There are many states that accept identification cards from consulate offices; however, Arizona is not one of those states. Consulate cards allow the holders to access banks, drive vehicles and pay federal taxes. The City Council can lobby the State of Arizona to make legislative changes to accept consulate cards as an Intergovernmental Priority.
For example, for citizens of Mexico to obtain a consulate card, they must apply in person at a Mexican consulate in the United States and provide biographic and biometric information (including a digital photograph and fingerprint), pay a fee, and present a Mexican birth certificate, official Mexican identification and proof of address within the issuing consulate’s consular district.
Staff Recommendation:
Council Discussion.
On March 7, 2017 Mayor Evans submitted a FAIR to the City Council for the creation of Flagstaff municipal identification cards. On May 30, 2017 Gail Jackson presented a brief overview of municipal identification cards to the Mayor and Council who directed staff to further explore the subject by evaluating cities such as Phoenix. Staff was also asked to compare municipal and state identification cards.
Overview:
City staff can create an identification card that would allow the holder to utilize public amenities from City Divisions such as, Municipal Services, Parks and Recreation and the Library. The card would have minimal information including the cardholder’s name and address. The card would not be for use as identification for employment, opening bank accounts, identification for law enforcement or in place of a state-issued identification card. In order to issue such a municipal identification card, staff may accept less stringent forms of identification than those listed for the purpose of obtaining state identification, however, by using less stringent forms of identification, risks for identity theft increase.
Current City Policy
Most City services are available without any form of identification, though staff prefers identification for the following reasons: it allows Flagstaff residents to obtain discounts for user fees, such as at the Aquaplex and provides Divisions an opportunity to recuperate costs if payments are not received.
- Municipal Services (Water, Trash, Sewer) - Identification preferred, but not required.
- Recreation and Parks - Identification proving residency allows citizens to enjoy a higher discount than individuals who live outside of the City.
- Library - current policy requires identification for library cards.
The City of Phoenix has been working on creating a municipal identification card since 2014 and has encountered many obstacles including state legislation, including SB 1487, that has threatened the loss of funding to municipalities, identify theft and stakeholder fears of record requests being used by the Department of Homeland Security to deport undocumented residents. They have been able to move past some of the concerns about identify theft by requiring identification that mirrors state requirements, however, other stakeholder fears regarding records requests have not been allayed. Phoenix’s attempt to move forward has stalled as a result.
State of Arizona Consulate Cards
There are many states that accept identification cards from consulate offices; however, Arizona is not one of those states. Consulate cards allow the holders to access banks, drive vehicles and pay federal taxes. The City Council can lobby the State of Arizona to make legislative changes to accept consulate cards as an Intergovernmental Priority.
For example, for citizens of Mexico to obtain a consulate card, they must apply in person at a Mexican consulate in the United States and provide biographic and biometric information (including a digital photograph and fingerprint), pay a fee, and present a Mexican birth certificate, official Mexican identification and proof of address within the issuing consulate’s consular district.
Staff Recommendation:
Council Discussion.
INFORMATION:
Council Goal:
Social Justice
Social Justice