TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Chief Darrell Lowe |
425-56-221 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Police |
Brian Coats |
Deputy Chief |
TITLE:
title
Amending Resolution No. 1338: Automated Traffic Camera Penalties for School Speed Zones
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
City staff are requesting Council authorization to update the monetary penalties for violations of RCW 46.61.220 detected by automated traffic safety cameras. Redmond Municipal Code 10.25.080 requires that these penalty amounts be established by resolution of the City Council, necessitating Council action to implement the proposed changes.
Attached to this memo is a comprehensive executive summary that includes the full history of Council action on the School Zone Speed Safety Camera Program, an overview of the City’s layered data-privacy framework, the vendor’s security and compliance commitments, results from the community survey, the City’s Public Safety Technology Data Governance Policy, and the State’s HB 6002 privacy standards. The summary also includes the City’s Speed Camera Program Analysis, which evaluates equity impacts, speeding and collision data, and the demonstrated need for automated enforcement in the proposed school-zone locations.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Speed Camera Program Analysis
Council Resolution No. 1338
RCW 46.63.220
Safer Streets Action Plan
HB 6002
• Required:
RMC 10.25.080 requires the penalty schedule to be set by a Council resolution
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
Resolution No. 1338, last updated September 7, 2010, sets the monetary penalty for a violation of RMC 10.25.080 at $124.00. The proposed Automated Traffic Safety program recommends the following penalty schedule:
• 6-9 mph over the limit (26-29 mph): $110
• 10-14 mph over the limit (30-34 mph): $220
• 15+ mph over the limit (35+ mph): $250
Civil infractions issued by automated speed zone cameras do not affect a motorist’s driving record or insurance rates.
In contrast, penalties issued by a police officer for school zone speeding violations, based on RCW 46.61.440, are significantly higher:
• 1-5 mph over the limit (21-25 mph): $214
• 6-10 mph over the limit (26-30 mph): $234
• 11-15 mph over the limit (31-35 mph): $296
• 16-20 mph over the limit (36-40 mph): $378
• 21-25 mph over the limit (41-45 mph): $480
• 26-30 mph over the limit (46-50 mph): $583
Section 5 of HB 6002 establishes strict privacy, data-handling, and system-access rules for agencies using Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology. For Redmond’s automated speed safety program, these requirements mean the City must ensure that ALPR data collected as part of speed enforcement is tightly controlled, protected, and used only for authorized purposes. The City may not disclose or share ALPR data except when required in a judicial proceeding, nor may it sell, lease, purchase, or otherwise exchange ALPR data. Access to ALPR systems must be limited to authorized local or state agencies, and the City must ensure its vendor provides technical safeguards preventing unauthorized access or secondary data sharing. Watch lists tied to enforcement systems must also be updated at least every 24 hours. Additionally, ALPR data is exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act, safeguarding driver privacy while still permitting non-identifiable uses for bona fide research.
OUTCOMES:
RMC 10.25.080 authorizes the City Council to set monetary penalties for automated traffic safety camera violations by resolution. Under Resolution No. 1338, adopted in 2010, the current penalty is $124.
Adopting the proposed resolution will update the penalty schedule for automated school zone speed violations to align with state law and current safety objectives. RCW 46.63.220 limits fines issued through automated traffic safety cameras to $145 but allows the amount to be doubled for school speed zone infractions.
This framework permits the City to establish school zone penalties up to $250, consistent with the proposed schedule. Although an initial draft contemplated a $290 maximum, RMC 10.12.020 caps penalties at $250, necessitating the revision.
If approved, the updated penalties, $110 for 6-9 mph over the limit, $220 for 10-14 mph over, and $250 for 15+ mph over, will replace the outdated $124 amount set in 2010. These adjustments better reflect the severity of speeding behavior, support the City’s safety priorities, and ensure compliance with state law.
The program also incorporates the statutory requirement that eligible low-income recipients receive reduced penalties. Under RCW 46.63.220(15), registered vehicle owners who receive automated traffic safety camera infractions and are recipients of public assistance or participants in the Washington Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program must be granted a 50% reduction in the penalty upon request.
This ensures the penalty framework remains equitable and accessible while still supporting school-zone safety.
In addition, adoption of the new penalties enables the City to advance the Automated Traffic Safety Camera Program and ensures that revenues generated through this program can be used in compliance with RCW 46.63.220, including requirements related to program costs and allowable traffic-safety investments.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
No cost to the City
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
228
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
General Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
5/5/2026 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
The automated speed safety program is scheduled to be implemented in Spring 2026.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Choosing not to adopt the revised penalty schedule for automated traffic safety cameras will result in a delay in the program’s implementation.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: School Speed Safety Camera Program - Council Summary
Attachment B: RCW 46.63.220
Attachment C: Council Resolution No. 1338
Attachment D: Draft Resolution for School Speed Camera Penalty