Lynnwood seeks traffic camera comments

Lynnwood officials have set a date for a long-talked-about community meeting regarding the future of traffic-enforcement cameras in the city.

A packet of materials was released this week for City Council members and others to prepare for the meeting.

The packet includes a heavy assortment of carefully selected facts and figures, in addition to old memos, council minutes and other ephemera.

At least one memo in the packet, from city and police leaders, tells council members that money from camera tickets currently amounts to about 5 percent of the city's general fund.

The word "safety" appears a lot more in the materials than the word "revenue."

The meeting agenda says there are plans to present a video compilation of red-light runners.

Sound familiar?

At a council meeting awhile back, Lynnwood leaders said they hope the community meeting will inform people so they can form educated opinions about the city's aggressive use of traffic-enforcement cameras. At the same council meeting, they brainstormed new revenue steams, ostensibly because getting rid of the cameras would be a hit to the already struggling city budget.

Council members were long ago expected to renew the contract for five years but have signed multiple temporary extensions instead.

The public meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St. SW.

“There will be a presentation on the camera system and an opportunity for public comments,” according to the press release.