http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics/politics/in-closed-door-meeting-city-council-to-hear-options-for-traffic-cam-initiative-monday/

In closed-door meeting, City Council to hear options for traffic cam initiative Monday
From Paben

Bellingham City Council on Monday is scheduled to hear from the city’s attorney behind closed doors on the initiative restricting red-light cameras.

I talked with Mayor Dan Pike earlier today, and he said that while he believes the city should not challenge the initiative in court, he is obligated to present all options to the council, including that of suing to keep it off the ballot. He noted that the council is an independent body that has surprised him before, but he said he’d be very surprised this time if they decided to challenge the initiative.

“I made it pretty clear what I think the right course is,” he said.

He said there will likely to be a decision after the council comes out of its closed-to-the-public executive session on Monday. Looking at the agenda, it appears the decision will be too late in the evening for me to get it into Tuesday’s paper.

Pike said he’s going to try to call camera provider American Traffic Solutions again. He said he previously called them to urge them not to sue to challenge the initiative. He said the official he talked to sounded like they were weighing his request heavily, and that they thought it was reasonable to wait to see what voters decide, he said. He didn’t get any kind of guarantee from them, however.

He said he doesn’t think it helps their case at all if one of the people advocating for installing the cameras - himself - is saying we should see what the voters decide.

I left a message with ATS after the first story ran but haven’t heard back yet.
 

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