Municipal AI Advisory

Strategic AI Guidance for Cities, Counties, and Local Agencies

Local governments are adopting AI faster than their policies can keep up. Permit processing, constituent chatbots, code enforcement, public safety—AI promises efficiency gains, but government deployments carry unique risks.

When algorithms affect zoning decisions, law enforcement actions, or public services, mistakes don’t just create liability. They erode public trust.

We help municipalities adopt AI responsibly—with the governance frameworks, compliance documentation, and practical oversight structures that public sector deployment requires.

What We Deliver

AI Policy Development

Every department using AI needs clear guidelines. We develop:

Department-specific AI usage policies tailored to planning, public works, police, parks, and administrative functions
Staff acceptable use frameworks defining when and how employees can use AI tools
Public disclosure requirements for AI-assisted decisions affecting constituents
Approval workflows for new AI tool adoption

Regulatory Compliance

California municipalities face a distinct compliance landscape:

Brown Act compliance for AI in public meetings—ensuring AI-generated summaries, minutes, or decision support don’t violate open meeting requirements
California Public Records Act guidance on AI-generated documents and response obligations
CCPA and CalOPPA compliance for constituent data processed through AI systems
CEQA considerations for AI-assisted environmental review and analysis

Planning & Permitting AI

Planning departments are prime candidates for AI adoption. We provide:

Zoning and land use AI evaluation ensuring automated analysis meets legal standards
Permit processing automation governance with appropriate human oversight
Code enforcement AI oversight for violation detection and tracking systems
CEQA integration guidance for AI tools in environmental review

Constituent Service AI

Public-facing AI creates both opportunity and risk:

Chatbot compliance frameworks for 24/7 constituent services
Language access requirements ensuring multilingual AI meets California obligations
ADA accessibility for AI-powered interfaces and services
Escalation protocols defining when AI must hand off to human staff

Procurement Support

Government AI procurement requires specialized diligence:

Vendor evaluation frameworks assessing AI providers for government contracts
RFP language development with appropriate AI-specific requirements
Contract terms protecting the agency and ensuring accountability
Algorithmic impact assessments before deployment

Public Safety AI

Law enforcement and public safety AI demands the highest scrutiny:

Surveillance technology policies compliant with local ordinances
Body camera AI governance for automated analysis and redaction
License plate reader frameworks with appropriate retention and access controls
Bias auditing requirements for predictive and analytical tools
Community transparency structures building public trust

Why Work With Us

Direct Municipal Experience

Argam DerHartunian serves on the Planning Commission for the City of La Canada Flintridge. This isn’t advisory experience from the outside—it’s direct participation in municipal governance, public hearings, and city decision-making.

We understand how local government actually operates:

Commission and council dynamics
Staff-elected official relationships
Public meeting procedures and Brown Act requirements
Budget and procurement realities
Constituent expectations and community accountability

Engagement Models

Policy Development: Standalone engagement to develop AI usage policies for your agency.

Compliance Review: Assessment of existing or planned AI deployments against California requirements.

Ongoing Advisory: Retainer relationship for continuous guidance as your AI usage evolves.

Procurement Support: Project-based assistance with AI vendor evaluation and contract negotiation.

Municipal AI Advisory