Council advances revocable permission for Genoptic speed cameras amid liability and privacy questions

City Council members agreed informally to proceed with revocable permission that would allow Genoptic to place speed-camera equipment in the public right-of-way and to hold a follow-up committee meeting on the project. Connor Muldoon, chief operating officer, told the council the committee meeting would be held Wednesday and would include a Genoptic representative to focus “around data privacy and security.”

The issue centers on insurance and liability in the event the city’s equipment is damaged during installation or later, Muldoon said. “This is about insurance and liability for Genoptic to place their equipment within the right of way,” Muldoon said, adding the city has “some levels of assurance through general liability” but needs additional protections for damage and removal costs should, for example, equipment be struck by a vehicle.

Muldoon also raised aging underground conduits near the Steam School, noting existing electrical equipment in the conduits and saying staff had been cautioned by Ken Towsley to secure appropriate liability coverage before installing speed cameras at that school. The council agreed to proceed with a vote on the item at the current meeting and to discuss technical, security and liability details at the committee meeting.

Council members did not adopt final terms during the discussion. The committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday is expected to cover data-privacy safeguards, insurance limits and installation logistics before the council takes any formal recorded action.