Public Meetings - Stanwood, Washington

The Stanwood City Council met on November 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Councilmember Cowan was excused. The meeting featured significant public testimony on two primary topics—youth sports field improvements and the Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) contract—alongside the adoption of the capital improvement plan, property tax levy, hazard mitigation plan annex, and the first reading of the 2027-2028 biennial budget. Consent Calendar - Approved vouchers and payroll. - Approved City Council meeting minutes from October 22, 2026. - Approved City Council workshop minutes from October 22, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - Youth Sports Field Improvements: Multiple speakers, including Mark Morgenstern (Little League president), Jay Bonifield (Stanwood Youth Lacrosse president), Tyler Lewis (Junior Athletic Association president), Lisa Roosevelt (coach and PTAC member), and Taylor Clemple (coach), expressed strong support for accelerating improvements at Heritage Park. They described unsafe conditions due to darkness and mud, inequitable access compared to other cities, and requested the city prioritize lit turf fields. They offered to form a committee and help identify funding. - Flock ALPR System: Several community members (Mariella, Tom, Robin Carmichael) spoke in opposition to renewing the city's contract with Flock Safety. They cited high false-positive rates (a 71% misread rate in a Roseville, CA audit), potential for data misuse, and concerns over the company's credibility. In contrasting testimony, Jim Schmidt questioned the applicability of out-of-state problems to Stanwood and argued that local safeguards (verified hits, restricted access) could make the system acceptable. - West End Restrooms: Carrie Richardson requested the Council maintain funding for portable restrooms for special events in the West End. Discussion Items - Property Tax Levy (Ordinance 1569): The Council adopted the second reading, levying a 1% increase on the city's portion of property taxes. Director Hammond confirmed the increase is roughly $0.52 per month for a typical residence. - Capital Improvement Plan (Resolution 2026-19): The six-year CIP for 2027-2032 was adopted. It includes a $128 million total plan with an additional $800,000 added for the police station. Director Hammond explained that the plan prioritizes turfing fields over adding lighting based on community feedback. - Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex (Resolution 2026-18): The plan was adopted. Councilmembers discussed the priority rankings of seismic and cybersecurity risks. The City Attorney clarified that language regarding relocating city hall from the floodplain is aspirational and not a binding policy commitment. - Biennial Budget (Ordinance 1571, First Reading): A public hearing was held. Director Hammond presented a conservative budget for 2027-2028 ($107 million total) given expected revenue slowdowns. It reserves $400,000 for public safety. Public comment reiterated urgent requests for accelerated investment in youth sports fields. Key Outcomes - Ordinance 1569 (Property Tax): Adopted unanimously. The 1% levy increase will take effect in 2027. - Resolution 2026-19 (CIP): Adopted unanimously. The 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan is approved. - Resolution 2026-18 (HMP): Adopted unanimously. Stanwood's hazard mitigation plan annex is approved. - Ordinance 1571 (Budget): First reading approved unanimously. The public hearing remains open. - Youth Sports Fields: City Administrator Sean Smith suggested the CIP could be amended to accelerate funding for turf and lights at Heritage Park, signaling strong Council support for the community's requests. - Flock Contract: The Council deferred discussion on the contract renewal to a future meeting in December.

The Stanwood City Council held a regular meeting on October 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Stanwood-Camano School District Admin Building Board Room. The meeting covered a student presentation, public comments on Flock surveillance cameras, a finance report, approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing on the 2027 property tax levy (Ordinance 1569), a public hearing on the six-year Capital Improvement Plan (Resolution 2026-19), and adoption of the 2027 salary and benefits schedule (Resolution 2026-14). Councilmember Cowan was excused. All votes were unanimous except one abstention on the salary schedule. Presentations - Stanwood High School Update: Student Representative Maycie Tower reported on homecoming (850 tickets sold, $95,800 ASB budget), sports (football undefeated at 7-0), and upcoming events including a new mascot and vape assembly. She noted that the ASB budget originates from previous years and event proceeds rather than fundraisers. Public Comments & Testimony - Flock Cameras (First Round): Four community members spoke about the Flock automated license plate reader system. Tim Smith expressed support, arguing that misconduct elsewhere does not indicate local abuse and that he found no documentation of misuse via public records requests. Tom Warfield urged removal on privacy grounds, citing Fourth Amendment concerns and examples of abuse in other jurisdictions. Tonya Lopez detailed contract logistics (non-renewal deadline January 17, 2027) and warned of potential delays in camera removal based on other cities' experiences. Mary Ellen Wood called for a ban on all cloud-based AI mass surveillance, arguing alternatives like Axon, Motorola, and Verkada pose similar risks. She referenced a Senate committee investigation and security breaches. - Public Closing Comments: Tim Smith rebutted earlier opposition, stating that a federal court decision found Flock not a Fourth Amendment violation, that local officers cannot initiate searches (only two administrative staff can), and that data is deleted after 21 days per state law. Another speaker, Carl, made comments unrelated to Flock about COVID-19 vaccine alleged dangers. Discussion Items - Finance Report – Q3 2026: Finance Director David Hammond presented the quarterly report. Councilmember Bergman asked about underspent capital project funds; Hammond explained that unspent money stays in its fund and may need reappropriation if projects are not completed by biennium end. He noted that capital project timing is challenging and that the city is in a strong financial position. - Public Hearing – Ordinance 1569 (2027 Property Tax Levy): Hammond detailed the economic outlook (GDP growth 2%, inflation, rising interest rates), revenue sources (property tax 28%, utility tax 21%, sales tax 36%), and a 1% levy increase recommendation. The proposed 2027 levy is $2,474,000 (up from $2,282,000) including new construction value of $124 million. A typical homeowner would pay approximately $12 more per year (from $668 to $680). Council discussed public safety funding, the need to enhance services, and the importance of conservative budgeting. Councilmember Rob praised the approach of incremental increases. Councilmember Cowan stressed the need for a sustainable funding plan for public safety before committing recurring expenditures. - Public Hearing – Resolution 2026-19 (Capital Improvement Plan 2027-2032): City Engineer Alan presented the six-year CIP, highlighting major projects: stormwater management, pedestrian network completions, water pipe replacements, and the first phase of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade (biosolids building and grit classifier). The plan assumes debt financing for the brick road project (estimated $3.5 million) and other Twin City Mile projects. Councilmember Bergman asked about grant opportunities and debt strategy; Hammond noted the city has not borrowed for street projects recently, except a county loan. Councilmember Rob emphasized that community input (e.g., from PTAC) is reflected in the plan. - New Business – Resolution 2026-14 (2027 Salary and Benefits Schedule): Human Resources presented a 3.8% cost-of-living adjustment (based on CPI-W) for represented and non-represented employees, a 2.3% range alignment for finance and community development directors, and a 10% increase in health insurance premiums (with an 80/20 city/employee split). The total budget impact is $232,000 in wages and $197,000 in benefits. Councilmember Shepherd initially abstained but later clarified; the resolution passed 5-0-1 (Shepherd abstained). Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda Approved: All four items (vouchers, payroll, meeting minutes, contract with Konnerup for Marine Drive Sidewalk) were approved unanimously. - Ordinance 1569 – First Reading Approved: The first reading of the 2027 property tax levy with a 1% increase passed unanimously (6-0, with one member excused). The second reading and final adoption will occur at a later meeting. - Resolution 2026-19 – First Reading Approved: The six-year Capital Improvement Plan (2027-2032) was approved on first reading unanimously (6-0). Final adoption will come at a subsequent meeting. - Resolution 2026-14 – Adopted: The 2027 salary and benefits schedule was adopted by a vote of 5-0-1 (Councilmember Shepherd abstained). - Next Steps: The council will continue discussions on public safety enhancements, including a proposed study to bring back options and sustainable funding recommendations. The city administrator noted the October 2026 work plan includes a public safety study. The non-renewal deadline for the Flock contract was identified as January 17, 2027. Upcoming Meetings - November 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM (City Council Meeting) - November 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM (City Council Meeting)

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.