Agenda - Council Work Session - 06/23/2026

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CC Work Session Meeting Date: 06/23/2026 2. 5. Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Connect the community through parks, trails and recreational programming. Title: Waterfront Park Security Cameras Information Purpose/Background: The Waterfront Park is planned to open on or around July 4th, 2026. The Waterfront Park, situated on 16 acres in downtown Ramsey, has a 17,000-square-foot decorative concrete plaza, a splash pad play area, pavilions, fixed canopies, Adirondack chairs, chaise loungers, three circular fire features, and nighttime LED lighting. It is predicted that this park will draw a significant number of patrons, both during the day and in the evening. In an effort to protect people and the multi -million -dollar project at Waterfront Park, the police department is recommending installing three security cameras. The Police Department currently uses Flock Safety for its eight license plate -reading technology (LPR) cameras mounted along roadways in the City of Ramsey. These cameras have been used to solve crimes within the city. Flock Safety offers a user-friendly platform that officers can access while on patrol without returning to the Police Station. Due to the Pan -Tilt -Zoom (PTZ) and guardian mode features available with Flock Safety video cameras, fewer cameras are required to cover the larger park. It also allows officers to use a single application for both the LPR and PTZ cameras. Because these cameras are leased from Flock Safety, there is no I.T. infrastructure for our I.T. staff to manage. Currently, when investigating crime, the Police and Parks Departments work together to deploy Arlo -brand portable cameras. Currently, the Police Department has two Arlo cameras, and the Parks Department has one. This is a reactive approach after an incident has occurred, and staff would like to shift to a proactive response. Due to ongoing vandalism, illegal dumping, and party/event rentals at existing Ramsey Parks, this discussion is part of a larger discussion to consider installing cameras at Central Park and Rivers Bend Park, and to update or add to the existing standalone DVR cameras at Elmcrest Park during 2027. https://www.flocksafety.com/products/video-cameras Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: Time Frame: Due to the permit and approval process, it is unlikely these PTZ cameras will be operational on July 4th. Staff would work to have them installed and operational as soon as possible. Alternatives: Do not install cameras at the Waterfront Park. Install cameras from a different brand at Waterfront Park. Funding Source: The Police Department's 0211 budget. Each camera costs $3,000 per year, which is a recurring annual fee. For this year, the cost would be prorated, covering only the months the camera is up and operational in 2026.