Stillwater Renews Urban SDK Traffic Agreement
The Stillwater City Council approved a two-year renewal of its agreement with Urban SDK on a 4-0 vote during its Oct. 20 meeting, continuing a geospatial artificial intelligence traffic analysis program that carries a total cost of $20,000, KSTP reported. The contract runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Oct. 31, 2028, and maintains a system the city has used since 2025 to evaluate speeding concerns and traffic patterns.
City officials said the platform allows staff to review traffic speed and volume data remotely using connected vehicle telemetry and satellite imagery, reducing the need to deploy physical speed display trailers or conduct traditional traffic studies. Public Works Director Jesse Therkelsen told council members that the system relies on vehicle telematics data from roughly 25% of vehicles and does not contain personally identifiable information.
Public Process Draws Scrutiny From Residents
While city staff defended the technology as an efficient tool for addressing traffic complaints, the renewal drew criticism from residents who questioned the public engagement process surrounding the vote. The agreement initially appeared on the city’s Oct. 6 consent agenda before being pulled for additional review ahead of the Oct. 20 vote, after city leaders became aware of public questions.
Lucas Palucha, who works in Stillwater and has followed the issue, voiced frustration during the proceedings over the lack of a broader community discussion. This is all on the taxpayers’ dime, and this is being done without a significant community discussion,
Palucha said, arguing that residents should have received advance notice that the system was up for debate.
During the Oct. 20 meeting, several attendees pushed for a more interactive dialogue with council members. Mayor Ted Kozlowski told the crowd that council meetings are not structured as public debates or question-and-answer sessions. I agree that there is not a good mechanism right now in the City of Stillwater, virtually any other city our size, to have good community conversations,
Kozlowski said during the meeting. But the City Council meeting is not the place to do it.
Kozlowski Defends Platform Use Amid Privacy Concerns
In written responses following the meeting, Kozlowski acknowledged that it is difficult for residents to track every municipal contract, noting that agendas and supporting materials were published publicly prior to both the Oct. 6 and Oct. 20 meetings. Addressing privacy concerns, council members suggested that residents who prefer not to share location data should adjust their phone and connected vehicle settings, though the city did not issue specific instructions for doing so.
Kozlowski defended the decision to use the platform for handling localized speeding complaints efficiently. Personally, I wish we had much more time for public engagement on all city-related matters,
the mayor wrote, adding that city leaders cannot always anticipate which contracts will generate heightened public interest.
Stillwater Traffic Monitoring Questions Answered
What data does the Urban SDK platform collect?
According to city documents and Public Works Director Jesse Therkelsen, the geospatial platform uses satellite imagery and anonymous vehicle telemetry data sourced from approximately 25% of vehicles without gathering personally identifiable information.
How much does the Urban SDK contract cost the city?
The two-year renewal approved by the Stillwater City Council on Oct. 20 costs $20,000 in total and is scheduled to run from Nov. 1, 2026, through Oct. 31, 2028.
Why did the agreement face criticism from community members?
Residents like Lucas Palucha argued that the city advanced the contract without sufficient public notice or community discussion, after the item initially appeared on the Oct. 6 consent agenda before being pulled for a vote on Oct. 20.
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