HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-08 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Work Session Minutes
February 8, 2024 — 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met Iin Corcoran, Minnesota. The City Council work session meeting
was held in person and the public was present in person and remotely through electronic means using the audio and
video conferencing platform Zoom.
Mayor McKee, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Nichols, Councilor Schultz, and Councilor Vehrenkamp were present.
City Administrator Tobin, City Clerk Friedrich, Public Works Director Mattson, Detective Spellacy, Sergeant
Ekenberg, and Administrative Services Director Hughes were present.
1. Call to Order /Roll Call
Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5:30 pm.
2. LPR Camera Discussion
Detective Spellacy and Sergeant Ekenberg presented findings on LPR camera systems to Council and noted the
presentation summarizes findings on ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition) cameras based on
a six-month exploration. In 2023, the council initiated a strategic endeavor to explore the feasibility of
ALPR cameras, and in 2024, Council reiterated the importance of continuing this exploration. Sergeant
Eckenberg and Detective Spellacy attended numerous demonstrations and met with departments
currently utilizing LPRs near the Corcoran area. The usage, benefits, drawbacks, and costs were
reviewed and after thorough research, it was concluded that FLOCK appeared to be the most suitable
vendor for potential ALPR cameras. Detective Spellacy and Sergeant Ekenberg noted throughout the
process, feedback was actively solicitated from community members, ensuring that any solution we
pursued integrated appropriate safeguards, with a goal to avoid indiscriminate data collection and
instead prioritize retention policies and robust safeguards associated with ALPR cameras. Through
various demonstrations of different camera systems, we determined that FLOCK addressed our
concerns most effectively. Detective Spellacy and Sergeant Ekenberg reviewed the primary objectives
revolved around leveraging a network of cameras to aid in crime resolution, and to extend this
capability to various neighborhoods and communities that expressed interest in utilizing ALPR
technology to enhance local safety efforts. Detective Spellacy and Sergeant Ekenberg noted the focus
was on developing a secure infrastructure that adhered to legal statutes while ensuring compliance
with regulations. Detective Spellacy and Sergeant Ekenberg opined that proactively monitoring
incoming vehicles, particularly those associated with criminal activity like stolen vehicles, the possibility
increases to preemptively thwart potential crimes. Council and staff discussed different applications for
the ALPR cameras in the private sector, and how data can be shared. Staff noted the lease cost of
each camera is approximately $3,000 per camera.
A FLOCK representative gave a brief presentation summary of ALPR cameras.
Council requested staff schedule a future meeting on April 11, 2024. Council provided staff direction on additional
information Council would like to review and noted including how well the cameras detect suspect vehicles, if the
platform software is available for squad cars, a cost breakdown for each camera to include poles, or other
materials needed for the cameras to be operational in different circumstances, long-term hard drive storage and
access to long-term data, how much of an impact on crime the cameras provide, what percentage of effort in
scrubbing data is anticipated, how many lawsuits have been filed against FLOCK, legal considerations for the
City, and include for review draft ALPR contracts from other police departments.
3. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled business was heard.
4. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Schultz to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:38 pm.
Michelle Friedrich — City Clerk