On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will take up a trio of future agenda item requests by councilmembers, including flock cameras by private parties, displaying “In God We Trust” and establishing a legislative committee. The city manager is also set to receive a pay raise due to a clause in his hiring contract.
Flock Cameras
Council Member Jovita Mendoza requested that the City Council consider an item to review the City’s process for permitting privately operated Flock cameras. The requested review would address whether private parties should be allowed to install Flock cameras, standards for reviewing proposed installations and determining who may access collected data, and the City’s authority to require removal of cameras if privately operated cameras are determined to be inconsistent with City standards.
That the City Council consider and discuss Council Member Mendoza’s request and provide direction on whether to schedule a future agenda item to:
- Review the City’s permitting process for privately operated Flock cameras.
- Consider standards for approving future installations and controlling access to collected data.
- Evaluate the cameras installed by the Shadow Lakes Homeowners Association.
- Determine whether the City has authority to require the removal of privately operated cameras that do not meet City standards.
At the July 28 meeting, Councilmember Jovita Mendoza brought up the item highlighting the Shadow Lake Homeowners Association installed four flock cameras.
“They said the city gave them the permit, so I want to talk about process is,” said Mendoza. “Flock worked with the city and got the permits and installed these four cameras. The problem is that anyone on their board can review the data. Which is very concerning that anyone that is on the Shadow Lakes HOA can review all of the flock camera data – which is concerning.”
Mendoza said Shadow Lakes did not do the permitting, flock did it on their behalf and she wanted to know how that happens and if anyone else wants to put up flock cameras, was the city going to allow it.
“Now there is four in Shadow Lakes that are not through the police department,” said Mendoza who urged the council to discuss it and come up with a process for vetting it as well as who would have access.
After a friendly amendment by Mayor Susannah Meyer, Mendoza included if they don’t want residents having flock cameras, can they retroactively remove them.
“In God We Trust”
That the City Council consider and discuss Councilmember Tony Oerlemans’ request to display the national motto, “In God We Trust,” in the City Council Chamber. If the City Council provides direction to proceed, staff would return at a future meeting with additional information, options, and any identified fiscal, operational, legal, or environmental considerations. No program or expenditure is being approved as part of this item.
Back in February, the City of Clovis approved the display of “In God We Trust” after a survey of 508 Clovis residents showed 68% support and 22% opposed. The city said the display would be privately funded.
Establishing a Legislative Committee
Mayor Meyer requested that the City Council consider scheduling a future agenda item in January to discuss establishing a City Council legislative committee
City Manager Gets Automatic Pay Raise
The city manager pay raise will occur simply because they named a police chief. The city manager pay jumps from $304,515 to $313,650. This is due to the negotiations when hiring G. Harold Duffey as city manager, the agreement established a minimum five percent (5%) base salary differential above the annual base salary of the highest-paid employee who reports to the city manager.
On July 16, 2026, Walter O’Grodnick was appointed Police Chief with an annual base salary of $298,714.68. With the City Manager’s annual base salary at $304,515.00, the resulting differential between the City Manager and Police Chief is two-percent (2%), which is below the required five-percent (5%) minimum.
If You Go
Brentwood City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
Full Agenda – click here
