BELLINGHAM - Voters will consider a ballot measure on traffic-enforcement cameras that holds no force of law, but city leaders say they'll pay attention to the results.
Voters in the Nov. 8 general election will decide whether to approve or reject the local initiative, which would restrict the cameras. It would require removal of any cameras that have been installed, as well as require City Council and voter approval of any plans to re-install them. It would also limit the fines to an amount equal to the lowest cost parking ticket, currently $10.
The local group Transportation Safety Coalition gathered enough signatures to qualify the initiative for the ballot. Then the Arizona-based corporation American Traffic Solutions, which has a contract with the city to install cameras, sued. The company lost in Whatcom County Superior Court, but it appealed, and a state appeals court ruled that while the measure could remain on the ballot it wouldn't hold the force of law, making it an advisory vote.
An attorney representing Transportation Safety Coalition has appealed that decision to the state Supreme Court.
The city is awaiting the results of the vote. City spokeswoman Janice Keller said the city currently doesn't have a schedule for installing the cameras. The city previously decided to wait until after the election to install them.
"We're going to get through the election and work with the council to determine the next step," she said.
A year ago, the council voted 6-1, with Seth Fleetwood opposed, to approve an ordinance allowing the cameras. Earlier this year, opponents began gathering signatures for the initiative. Mayor Dan Pike then signed the contract with ATS. The contract calls for installing four red-light cameras and two school-zone speed cameras in the following locations:
Red-light cameras
- Westbound Holly Street and Forest Street
- Northbound Meridian Street and Telegraph Road
- Southbound Samish Way at 36th Street
- Northbound Ellis Street at Lakeway Drive
Speed cameras
- Southbound Northwest Avenue at Alderwood Avenue (near Shuksan Middle School)
- Westbound Alabama Street at Yew Street (near a crossing for Roosevelt Elementary School students)
The contract says the city can cancel the contract after a one-year pilot program.
Council members said they'll consider voters' desires when deciding whether to keep the cameras. Some council members flat-out have said they would heed the will of voters; others said it would be a factor in their decision, but they'd also look at whether the cameras increased safety during the one-year pilot program.
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