The Fullerton City Council’s September 15, 2026, agenda may appear relatively short, with 12 consent-calendar items, one major regular agenda item concerning solid waste and three presentations. But two of those presentations — an update on the city’s Flock camera system and recognition of the Townley family for 25 years of 9/11 remembrance — could draw significant public attention.

The meeting begins at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers. The city’s published agenda lists presentations recognizing the Townley family for its 25 years of 9/11 remembrance and community service, the Fullerton Hills Softball 14u national championship, and a Fullerton Police Department update on Flock cameras.

The placement of public comments is another issue worth noting. General public comments are scheduled later in the meeting, raising a practical question for residents who want to comment specifically on the Flock presentation: Will comments be accepted when the presentation is heard, or will speakers have to wait until the general public-comment period?

The police department’s Flock presentation is scheduled early in the meeting, immediately following the other presentations. The report is expected to provide information about how Fullerton uses the automated license-plate reader system.

Among the issues raised by the report are the number of cameras, access to the system and the volume of data being collected. According to the presentation materials, Fullerton has 19 Flock cameras, while 135 police officers have access to the system. The materials also report more than 885,000 vehicle readings during a recent 30-day period.

Those figures raise questions beyond the technology itself: Who has access to the information? How long is it retained? Under what circumstances can it be searched? With which other law-enforcement agencies can it be shared? And what level of City Council oversight applies to the system? Those questions are not unique to Fullerton.

Flock’s automated license-plate readers have become the subject of a national debate over public safety, privacy, data sharing and government oversight. In August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to stop funding Flock cameras. Florida also moved to restrict the technology on state roads.

In Los Angeles, the LAPD halted its use of Flock cameras in July amid concerns about data control, privacy, security and sharing. The department’s inspector general had recommended stronger requirements governing data security, access, retention and auditing.

Flock argues that its technology helps law enforcement identify stolen vehicles, locate suspects and investigate serious crimes. At the same time, cities around the country have reconsidered their contracts amid concerns about potential misuse and access to vehicle-location information.

For Fullerton residents, the September 15 presentation provides an opportunity to examine how the system operates locally and what safeguards are in place.

The other major item is solid waste.

City staff is asking the council for direction regarding negotiations with the selected proposer for Fullerton’s next solid-waste services contract. The companies under consideration are the city’s current provider, Republic Services, along with CR&R and Valley Vista Services.

The decision is significant because trash and recycling collection is one of the most visible services provided by the city. Residents generally expect the service to be consistent, reliable and reasonably priced.

The proposals involve more than simply choosing the lowest price. The council must consider service levels, costs, transition issues and the qualifications and performance of the competing companies.

The agenda materials also include an evaluation by CityGreen Consulting, an outside firm that works with local governments on waste-management systems, compliance and waste-hauler issues. CityGreen lists the City of Fullerton among its municipal clients.

A change in contractors could affect thousands of households and businesses, making the details of the proposed agreement important to residents who want to understand what they would receive — and what they would pay.

The decisions made on Flock cameras and solid waste could also become subjects of discussion during the 2026 election season, particularly if residents remain concerned about surveillance technology, privacy, service reliability or costs.
Several candidate forums are also scheduled in the coming weeks.

The Fullerton Collaborative is scheduled to hold a council-candidate forum at the Fullerton Public Library on September 14 at 2:30 pm. The League of Women Voters is scheduled to host another council-candidate forum in Council Chambers on September 22. Additional League of Women Voters forums involving school-board and other local candidates are also being announced online.

A statewide ballot-measure discussion involving Jodi Balma is also expected on October 1 before the Democrats of North Orange County, although details should be confirmed before publication.

For residents interested in the City Council meeting, the Flock presentation and the solid-waste materials are worth reading before the meeting. The agenda and meeting information are available through the city’s Legistar system.