Citizens panel eyed for ‘smart city’ data

Council to consider proposed resolution on Wednesday

A citizens committee will ensure that data collected by “smart city” technology is handled correctly, according to a proposed resolution that will be considered by the Yuma City Council on Wednesday.

During a Tuesday work session, the council discussed the formation of a Citizens Oversight Committee and policies to ensure privacy of residents. The resolution would authorize City Administrator Greg Wilkinson to establish the committee, which would be made up of the mayor or his designee and four citizens appointed by the council.

The committee will meet semi-annually or as required when data is accessed. The committee may make recommendations for policy changes to the council on an as-needed basis. Initially two members will be appointed to the committee for two-year terms and two for four-year terms. Afterwards, members will be appointed on staggered four-year terms.

Yuma entered into a 25-year contract with anyCOMM Holdings Corporation for the installing, upgrading and maintaining of Wi-Fi and fiber interconnected nodes with video and other “smart city” capabilities on all streetlights throughout Yuma, at no cost to the city.

The “smart city” nodes will have the ability to record video and audio; provide lighting control and a citywide gigabit wireless mesh network; and allow cellular carriers to use the network to extend service coverage and network capacity. The nodes will provide the city with useful tools for investigating crimes and traffic collisions, critical public safety incidents and security monitoring of community special events.

It also calls for the city administrator to establish an internal review committee to put in place day-today operating procedures. This committee will meet at least quarterly.

In addition, the resolution sets policy for downloading and use of city data from nodes. The council has stressed the need for policies that will maintain citizens’ privacy rights.

Deputy Mayor Gary Knight questioned the pro-

posed resolution, noting that the portion that says “persons requesting data of which the City does not have a copy shall be referred to anyCOMM” seems to contradict the portion that says “Only the City will be allowed direct access to City data (live or recorded) except as may be required by the courts.” Knight asked what anyCOMM’s policy is for releasing data.

Wilkinson explained that before anyCOMM can release any data, it must ask for the city’s permission. Ultimately the city has control over the data. Because anyCOMM is a private entity, it is not subject to public records request. However, the city can only fill a public records request if the data has already been accessed.

Wilkinson noted that this technology is “groundbreaking” and the city will likely have to deal with issues as they arise. Thus, the need for a committee.

Wilkinson already has a list of seven people interested in serving on the committee. If a person wants to get on the committee, they can give their name to the City Clerk’s Office. The only criteria is that the person must be a Yuma resident. City officials, however, want people of different backgrounds to sit on the committee.

“And we do,” Wilkinson said. “The names I have so far have very different backgrounds. Diversity is what makes a good committee and we have good diversity among the seven names I have right now.”

The council also discussed the technology and oversight committee during a July 17 work session. Asked about the cost of operating the smart city nodes, Wilkinson said that they don’t expect them to cost a “huge amount of money” to operate. Rather, the biggest cost will be the staff hired to handle the technology 24 hours a day. The city is anticipating six civilian positions, two per shift, which will be in next year’s budget. They will be working for the police department and will primarily handle body camera video.

Workers will have to pass background checks and take polygraph tests because they will handle police cases and information. For example, if a crime is committed and a suspect is at large, staffers will be able to give police car descriptions and/or license plates.

However, Mayor Doug Nicholls stressed that they will not be randomly watching video, live or recorded. The police and fire departments may access the data when needed post-incident for criminal and traffic collision investigations, crime deterrence, training purposes, public safety and pressing circumstances.

Police and fire may also access real-time data for public safety emergencies and circumstances where lack of immediate action may lead to death, serious injury or a severe breach of law.

Once the data is downloaded, it will be handled in the same manner as other police evidence.

Knight noted that the city would still need to hire people to handle body camera recordings even if it didn’t have the anyCOMM deal.

The technology still has a ways to go before it’s fully implemented. The first fiber lay and lights will take about six to eight months to install.