STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 6
3/24/2026
TN
Date:March 24, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From:Patti Garibay, Director - Community Development
Justin Hillemann, Manager – Community Preservation
Subject:Approve Expansion of City Detect AI Camera Program for Community Preservation
Recommendations:
1. Approve Annual Hardware and Software Costs for Community Preservation Vehicle Mounted Cameras and AI Services provided by City Detect for an initial term of two (2) years, including the purchase and installation of three additional cameras to be mounted on City street sweepers.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to finalize and execute all documents, including a service agreement.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
$67,912.09 per year, total not to exceed $151,104.40 for the two-year proposal. The quote was sourced from SHI utilizing the Sourcewell – Technology Products and Solutions competitively bid contract number 121923-SHI. For the startup and year one cost the budget is allocated in 10124100.5710 and should be transferred to the IT Internal Service Fund 1121800.5361. Year two will be accounted for in the ISF budget during the annual process.
Background:
City Detect is an advanced AI platform designed to enhance staff services by analyzing images of properties to identify and map issues such as blight, damage, and graffiti. This technology converts raw imagery into actionable data, allowing staff to identify problem areas more quickly and allocate resources more effectively.
2 3
2 4
This proposal includes the purchase of three additional camera units to be mounted on City street sweepers. Adding cameras to the sweepers will allow the City to redeploy the existing vehicle- mounted cameras currently installed on parking enforcement vehicles to Code Enforcement vehicles, expanding the City’s ability to capture imagery and identify property maintenance violations across more neighborhoods.
City Detect also provides data analytics that support informed decision-making and strategic planning efforts. The insights generated through the platform help staff identify trends, prioritize enforcement activities, and support the City’s broader efforts to maintain safe, clean, and attractive neighborhoods.
Street sweepers provide an ideal platform for image collection because they travel consistent routes through residential areas on a routine basis. Installing cameras on these vehicles allows the City to capture imagery across a broader geographic area while equipping Code Enforcement vehicles with previously installed cameras to enhance field-level documentation and enforcement capabilities.
This proactive approach allows the Community Preservation team to detect issues such as blight and graffiti more efficiently, reducing reliance on manual observations and improving response times. Integrating City Detect into City operations represents a strategic opportunity to improve service delivery, increase operational efficiency, and maximize staff resources.
To support the expanded deployment of this technology, staff will execute a Service Agreement and Release of Liability to include installation of the three new Automated Housing Condition Analysis Data Collection Units (DCUs) on street sweepers operating out of the Lancaster Maintenance Yard, as well as authorize the City’s continued use of the City Detect software platform used to analyze and manage the imagery collected by the system. These installations will be completed as part of the existing City Detect deployment program to ensure the equipment is properly installed and calibrated to integrate with the City Detect AI platform.
Attachments:
SHI Quote-27242658
City Detect, Inc. Service Agreement and Waiver of Liability_2026