No ban on traffic cams

MUKILTEO — More than 70 percent of voters here decided in November to make it harder for the city to install traffic safety cameras.

Now, city officials are treating that vote purely as advisory. That’s because city lawyers say the measure shouldn’t have been on the ballot in the first place

.

The City Council voted 4-3 last week to delay enacting the traffic camera ordinance sponsored by anti-tax activist Tim Eyman.

The initiative “is the law until a court rules otherwise,” Eyman said in an email to city officials Monday. “Your refusal to listen to the people is an unwelcome decision on your part.”

The ordinance requires a two-thirds vote of the council and a public advisory vote before any cameras can be installed. It also limits fines to the least expensive traffic ticket, currently $20.

The state Supreme Court is expected to rule on traffic safety cameras in May. Mukilteo councilmembers want to wait for the court’s decision. Meanwhile, they asked the Public Safety Committee to do more research into the effectiveness of traffic safety cameras in school zones.

People in November were expecting that their vote would have become Mukilteo’s law, Eyman said.

“I am flabbergasted that this is even being debated,” Eyman said. “The word ‘advisory’ doesn’t appear anywhere in the voter’s pamphlet.”

Actually, it does. But the reference is about future elections to decide whether traffic cameras are allowed — not the nature of November’s election.

The city heard the voters, but it’s probably better to see what the court decides, Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said.

“I don’t see any urgency. The city is not putting up cameras or anything,” he said.

Councilmembers Kevin Stoltz and Jennifer Gregerson and Council President Richard Emery voted against any delay in recognizing the initiative.

“I will vote for the ordinance to respect the voters’ decision,” Gregerson said.

Eyman began gathering signatures for the initiative after the city approved a plan to install red-light cameras at the intersection of Mukilteo Speedway and Harbour Pointe Boulevard. They also planned speed-monitoring cameras in front of Olympic View Middle School, also off the speedway.

The issue wound up in the courts after some challenged the initiative’s legality. Judges decided the controversy was premature for a judicial referee and that the initiative should remain on the ballot.

The initiative helped heat up a statewide debate on traffic safety cameras, including in Monroe. State lawmakers also considered several bills addressing the issue but none of them passed.

Rex Caldwell, the city’s new police chief, supported traffic safety cameras at the City Council meeting last week. He was speaking from his experience in the Kirkland Police Department. A camera in a school zone would free up an officer, he said.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.