Council tables proposed security camera policy for attorney review

Josh Warner, the city’s IT/AV lead, presented a proposed comprehensive security camera policy for city facilities (police cameras governed separately) that covers permitted placement, retention practices, access control, and procedures for public requests under open-records rules. Warner said the policy aims for a minimum of six to eight weeks of footage retention and that any camera audio capability would be disabled; he recommended that department heads manage access and that public requests be routed through the clerk for formal open-records processing.

Council members asked about billing for staff time to review footage, legal compliance, and whether the policy had been reviewed by the city attorney. Warner said the policy had not yet been reviewed by Attorney Sorenson and council ultimately voted to table the policy to the Aug. 4 meeting for attorney review. “If the person from the public needs to see the cameras, make sure the minimum is displayed and only staff may operate the system,” Warner said during the presentation. The motion to table passed by voice vote with direction to send the draft to Attorney Sorenson for review and to clarify charges and retention language.