Lakeville Council approves auto repair rules, hears surveillance concerns
The Lakeville City Council unanimously approved new regulations for auto repair businesses and appointed John Burmal as Acting Mayor for 2026 at its January 5 meeting. But the most contentious moment came when residents urged the council to terminate its contract with Flock cameras, citing serious privacy and security risks.
Three residents spoke passionately against the city's use of Flock automated license plate reader cameras, which scan and record vehicle license plates. Alicia Schulp described how the surveillance technology, marketed to communities as a tool to stop car theft, was used to track a woman during "one of the most vulnerable moments of her life" — a reference to documented cases where the data has been misused to follow people seeking abortions. Jacob Borealis raised cybersecurity concerns, noting that Flock cameras have been found "streaming directly to the internet with no encryption, no security requirements." Dane Schnean alleged the systems are used by ICE for immigration enforcement. The Mayor encouraged follow-up discussions but took no formal action on the residents' request to cancel the contract and conduct a legal review.
In other business, the council unanimously approved an amendment to city code governing outdoor storage at auto repair shops. The change clarifies that fenced storage areas must meet the same setback requirements as buildings and requires landscaping when these areas border residential zones. The council then unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Caliber Collision at 9583 217th Street to operate a fenced outdoor storage area for vehicles awaiting parts delivery, complying with the new standards.
The council also approved routine consent agenda items, including designating the Sun This Week newspaper as the city's legal newspaper for 2026 and approving playground equipment for the Lakeville Area Arts Center, funded in part by a $90,000 donation from QA1. Public Works Director Mr. Omi presented a fourth-quarter report highlighting snow removal operations (13 call-outs using 1,600 tons of salt), progress on a federal lead and copper service line inventory, and environmental initiatives including a successful carp removal program at East Lake and the composting of over 3,000 pounds of pumpkins.
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Votes (6)
Citizens Comments regarding Flock Cameras and Mass Surveillance
Dissent: n/a
Moved by null · Seconded by null
Citizens raised serious concerns about the city's use of Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. Key issues included privacy violations through mass data collection, documented cases of ALPR data misuse for tracking individuals making personal medical decisions (abortion) and by ICE for abusive removal programs. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities, such as unencrypted data streams, were also highlighted. Citizens urged the council to terminate the contract and conduct a legal review.
Public Works Fourth Quarter Report
Dissent: n/a
Moved by null · Seconded by null
The Public Works Director presented an update on various departmental activities. Highlights included snow removal operations (13 call-outs, 1,600 tons of salt), driver training, pavement condition assessments, progress on the federal lead and copper service line inventory, water production figures, environmental initiatives like MS4 permit inspections, pond cleaning, and a successful carp removal program in East Lake. Recycling efforts, grant-funded restoration projects, and forestry work (ash tree removal, tree sale) were also detailed.
Consent Agenda Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [28:34] · Seconded by Unknown [28:40]
The consent agenda was approved, which included the designation of the Sun This Week newspaper as the legal newspaper for 2026 and an agreement with Flagship Recreational for playground equipment at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, notably funded by a $90,000 donation from QA1.
Ordinance Amending Title 11 of the City Code related to Auto Repair Businesses
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [30:52] · Seconded by Unknown [31:00]
The council considered and approved an amendment to Title 11 of the city code. This amendment addresses previous oversight regarding outdoor storage areas for major auto repair uses in I1 zoning districts. Specifically, it mandates that fenced storage areas meet required setbacks when abutting public roadways or residential zones and requires landscaping in these specific situations to mitigate visual impact and ensure adequate space.
Caliber Collision Conditional Use Permit
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member [34:25] · Seconded by Unknown [34:36]
The City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Caliber Collision at 9583 217th Street. This permit specifically allows for a fenced outdoor area for vehicle storage, compliant with the newly amended ordinance requirements regarding setbacks and size (under 10,000 sq ft). The applicant also committed to monitoring drainage to prevent material runoff from vehicles into local water systems.
Appointment of Acting Mayor for 2026
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Walter [35:50] · Seconded by Unknown [35:58]
The City Council formally appointed one of its members, John Burmal, to serve as Acting Mayor for the year 2026. This role is designated to chair city council or committee meetings in the event the sitting Mayor is unavailable, ensuring continuity in leadership and procedural integrity. The appointment was made by motion and seconded, with Mr. Burmal accepting the role.
Notable Quotes (14)
A surveillance tool sold to communities as way to stop car theft was used to follow a woman during one of the most vulnerable moments of her life. That should stop every one of us in our tracks.
When it comes to cyber security, flock cameras have been found streaming directly to the internet with no encryption, no security requirements. Anyone can watch this footage.
The flock systems are used by ICE to carry out an abusive removal program... So when they say that it's only there for 30 days or it's only accessed by your police department, Flux Safety is misrepresenting themselves and they're lying to you.
We have identified 28 galvanized service lines and three lead lead service lines and we are in going to be inspecting in-house about 300 services by the end of this month here.
We recycled over or composted a little over 3,000 pounds of pumpkins this year that didn't end up in the landfill.
tonight is our annual organizational meeting and one of those is the designation of the legal newspaper. That's item 6E and for 2026 that'll once again be the Sun This Week newspaper.
Item 6R is an agreement with Flagship Recreational for purchase and installation of playground equipment at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. And I note this because it came with a $90,000 donation from QA1 that's going to go toward that. So we thank them for that donation.
when the ordinance was written, we missed a couple things. One of which is the requirement for that storage area to meet the same building setback requirements.
The planning commission did review this at their last meeting and public hearing and unanimously recommended approval.
Our ask is for a conditional use permit to allow a fenced in area where Caliber can store their vehicles that are awaiting parts delivery outdoors.
The proposed storage area is at the rear of the building does meet the new ordinance requirements and it does fall under the 10,000 square foot limit that is in the ordinance and they are proposing total of 36 spaces or 18 tandem parking spaces.
I would just say I do know there's other repair places that store vehicles that are not fenced in. So, this is a welcome change for sure.
This is a person who is on the council that will serve in chair of the committee or any meetings if I'm unable to be there.
I accept.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Contract for automated license plate reader systems, subject of citizen concern
Document identifying over 40 known security issues with Flock cameras
Constitutional protection referenced in federal lawsuits challenging ALPRs
Law cited in California AG's lawsuit against El Cajon for ALPR data sharing
Stormwater management permit requiring inspections
Federal mandate for inventory and replacement of lead and galvanized service lines
$300,000 grant for East Lake carp removal program
Grants totaling under $400,000 for wetlands and upland grasses restorations
Educational program offering grants for water quality improvement projects
Consent agenda item for designation of legal newspaper
Consent agenda item for agreement for playground equipment at Lakeville Area Arts Center
Amendment related to outdoor storage and landscaping requirements for auto repair businesses
Contextual document for the ordinance amendment regarding auto repair businesses
Permit allowing outdoor vehicle storage at 9583 217th Street
Light industrial zoning district referenced for auto repair businesses
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Public Works Fourth Quarter Report
Ordinance Amendment for Auto Repair Businesses
Caliber Collision Conditional Use Permit
Appointment of Acting Mayor
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