Stanwood City Council Regular Meeting - October 8, 2026

The Stanwood City Council held a regular meeting on October 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included public comments on the Flock ALPR camera system, approval of a consent agenda, discussion and action on a flood wall contract and a booster pump station replacement project, and reports from the mayor and councilmembers. Councilmember Rock was excused; all other council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approved vouchers and payroll.
• Approved City Council meeting minutes from September 24, 2026.
• Authorized the sale of the city's DISH bankruptcy claim.
• Authorized the mayor to sign the Department of Ecology Landowner Agreement for the restoration and maintenance of Ovenell Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

Residents provided extensive public comment, primarily regarding the Flock ALPR (automatic license plate reader) camera system.

• Abdell Guy stated that Flock has a history of making false claims, including about cooperation with the ACLU, federal access to data, and crime clearance statistics. He urged the council to ban ALPR cameras, not just switch providers.
• Mary Ellen Wood listed several concerns: potential for facial recognition integration (despite CEO's denials), backdoor access by border patrol in Washington, security vulnerabilities (hacked accounts), and investor relationships with companies that compromise camera systems. She called for cancelling the contract, covering cameras, and passing an ordinance banning cloud-based mass surveillance.
• Tim Schmidt spoke in favor of retaining Flock cameras. He argued that the system is a force multiplier for public safety given the department's nine officers, criticized an opposing petition as having low local support, and noted that Island County sheriff candidates supported Flock. He urged the council to ignore out-of-town activists.
• Scott Heiner opposed Flock, citing false arrests from misreads and comparing the surveillance to China or North Korea. He referenced a federal judge in Oklahoma ruling such dragnet surveillance unconstitutional without a warrant.
• Tony Lopez discussed erosion of public trust, noting that some cameras have been cut down. He emphasized that opposition does not reflect on the police chief but on the technology's invasiveness.
• Tom Warfield (from Camano Island) urged covering cameras and declining renewal, citing statistics: over 120,000 Flock cameras nationwide, 20 billion scans per month, less than 1% connected to wrongdoing, and a 1 in 10 misreading rate. He mentioned over 200 alleged incidents of misuse, including stalking.
• Krista Johnson (from Camano Island) gave examples of innocent families wrongly detained at gunpoint due to Flock errors, and noted over 200 documented ALPR abuse cases.
• Emily Kim (from Camano Island) opposed mass surveillance as a method of control that encroaches on freedoms, and urged covering cameras and cancelling the contract.
• Additional commenters also voiced opposition, including Carl, who raised concerns about electromagnetic frequencies from equipment.
• During closing comments, Tim Smith (possibly Tim Schmidt again) rebutted opposition claims, asserting that local officers follow proper protocols and that Flock is legal in Washington. Mary Ellen Wood responded that audit logs from nearby cities showed officers often bypassed required fields.

Discussion Items

1. Flood Wall Over Railroad Tracks (Walk-on Unfinished Business) – City Engineer Alan explained that this project addresses a low point on Marine Drive under the SR532 bridge. The railroad recently began pile driving for their portion, and the city needs to move quickly. The contract with SCI Neptune General Contractors (Specialty Equipment Inc.) for an amount not to exceed $105,176.55 would fabricate and install an aluminum flood wall. The wall is designed to be deployable during flood events and will help protect the area. Council members asked about coordination with the railroad; staff confirmed that an easement exists and that the railroad has been cooperative. The motion passed.

2. Knittle Booster Pump Station Replacement Project and Cedarhome Well Backup Generator – City Engineer Alan presented the need to replace the aging booster pump station at the Knittle reservoir (built 1997) and to increase fire flow capacity in the 365 pressure zone to address a 30-gallon-per-minute deficiency. The contract with McClure & Sons, the apparent low responsible bidder, is for $1,943,432.70, covering station replacement and adding backup power to the Cedarhome well. Councilmembers confirmed the apprenticeship incentive in the bid is a state requirement. The contract was approved unanimously.

Mayor's Report

• An ordinance on e-bikes is moving through committee following a recent accident on Main Street.
• The emergency dike repair along the most dangerous section is progressing and expected to be completed in October.
• Depot Park is under construction, with a 60-day completion timeline and a ribbon cutting planned for January.

Councilmember Reports

• Councilmember Gauman expressed gratitude to staff.
• Councilmember Shepherd noted the city's relative fiscal stability compared to others, and encouraged community members to notice city improvements.
• Councilmember Bergman thanked the public for their input and looked forward to more data.
• Councilmember Cowan (or others) acknowledged work of staff and contractors.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items A-D): Approved unanimously.
• Flood Wall Contract (SCI Neptune General Contractors, $105,176.55): Motion by Councilmember Hicks, second by Councilmember Sheprote (or Shepherd), approved by voice vote. Ayes: all present.
• Knittle Booster Pump Station Contract (McClure & Sons, $1,943,432.70): Motion by Councilmember Hicks (or second by Walker?), second by Councilmember Hicks, approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM.