Council raises privacy, metadata questions in automated vehicle surveillance briefing

Council reviewed a statement to include in the minutes and a legal analysis about automated vehicle surveillance technology. Council members said they want clear, vendor‑specific definitions of 'metadata' and asked staff to seek written confirmation from vendors about what data the system stores or shares.

One council member said, "I would love to know what associated metadata captured is," asking that staff follow up with the chief to obtain details from the vendor. Discussion also covered whether grant funding was still pending and whether costs should be included in the police department budget if the grant does not materialize.

Council directed staff to continue investigating the legal basis and data practices of AVS systems and to bring vendor responses and recommended policy language back to a future meeting.