Resolutions authorizing Public Safety Technology Acquisitions and use of Public Safety Aid.

Motion adopting Resolutions.

The City has been reviewing, considering, and discussing the possibility of adding additional technology tools for our Public Safety Department. On February 3, 2025, the topic was introduced in the work session with feedback from the City Council received about elements desired for the policies and considerations for further study. On March 24, 2025, we launched a 30-day public comment period, which concluded on April 23, 2025. On April 28, 2025, we held a public hearing at the City Council Meeting where the Council received in-person comments and additional comments received by email.

The City has been using video technology since 2005, with 541 operational cameras currently deployed across the city. As technology continues to evolve, we have explored and reviewed the possibility of adding new technologies to our toolbox. These include: 

• Purchase of 20 Milestone cameras (equipped with automated license plate reader technology)
  • These cameras will have enhanced abilities to assist with search features, but do not query any national databases.
  • The advanced technology only has the capacity to search for vehicle characteristics, color, and license plates.
  • The data is stored on city-owned servers, by authorized personnel, using individual user accounts. Personnel must use two-factor authentication to access the data.
  • The data is stored for 60 days, in accordance with MN Statutes.
     
• Proposed activation of the License Plate Reader component on our squad car cameras.
  • The cameras are already in place and the city will turn this feature on.
  • These cameras automatically scan license plates and will alert our drivers, in real-time, of stolen vehicles, felony warrants, and missing persons (AMBER alerts), and other National Crime Information Center data.
  • The data is stored on city-owned servers, by authorized personnel, using individual user accounts. Personnel must use two-factor authentication to access the data.
  • The data is stored for 60 days, in accordance with MN Statutes.

 

• Enter into a Subscription for 12 FLOCK Cameras (equipped with license plate reader technology)
  • These cameras would be at most, not all entrances to the community. Full coverage would require 36 cameras.
  • These cameras create still images of vehicles entering and exiting the community in the areas of the cameras. These cameras do not include real-time monitoring or facial readers.
  • The data is stored in a cloud-based server, managed by FLOCK. Access to the data is by authorized personnel only. Personnel must use two-factor authentication to access the data.
  • Any data search or review is for authorized reasons and is tied to individual user accounts; audit logs of access are retained permanently.

  

• Enter into a Lease for a Trailer Camera System
  • These cameras would temporarily be deployed in response to public events, traffic concerns, or identified crime trends.
  • Staff are recommending a system with live video monitoring, recorded video viewing, and license plate reader functionality.
  • The data is stored on city-owned servers, by authorized personnel, using individual user accounts. Personnel must use two-factor authentication to access the data.
  • Staff will add the deployment of the camera to our website, likely on its own page, similar to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program.
  • The data is stored for 30 days, in accordance with MN Statutes.

 
Below is a table of the proposed costs for the initial year of the implementation. We anticipate it will take the balance of the year to implement these tools. Staff are recommending the use of Public Safety Aid for these costs. The city received $1,955,560 in aid and has spent $368,500. With another $178,800 designated for other projects.  

RECOMMENDATION	COST SUMMARY
Milestone	$55,000
Axon ALPR	$0
Flock Subscription	$40,000
Mobile Trailer Camera Lease	$30,000
Total	$125,000

Staff are also recommending an elevated auditing of the City’s use of these tools. Staff is recommending annual audits versus the MN statutory requirement of every two years. We estimate the cost of an annual audit to be $3,500. In addition, staff will provide progress reports of the implementation and use of the technology to the Council during regular City Council meetings.
 
Staff have created a draft policy to govern the use and implementation of these systems by our staff; a copy is attached.