HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-19 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY COMMISSION OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Schreiber called the Special Workshop Meeting of the City
Commission to order on Monday, November 19, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 105 of Tamarac
City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber, Vice Mayor Marc L. Sultanof, Commissioner Edward C.
Partner, Commissioner Gertrude Mishkin, and Commissioner Karen L. Roberts.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller, City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft, Assistant City
Manager Michael Cernech, and City Clerk Marion Swenson.
Mayor Schreiber asked that in the future, the presentation screen be placed along the north
wall of the conference room, with the computer equipment along the south wall.
City Manager Miller gave an overview of the meeting and said the events of September 11th
have caused everyone to reevaluate security systems. City Manager Miller said in August he
asked for the security committee, staffed by department members and chaired by Chief
Dugger, to review security procedures. The committee's report was discussed at two
executive team meetings, but has not been finalized pending input from the City Commission.
City Manager Miller said contrary to newspaper releases, there is good coordination between
the Fire Department, BSO and other agencies, and he explained that Tamarac is more of a
target for disgruntled employees and disturbed citizens than terrorist attacks. One
recommendation that will be made to the Commission is to replace the security guard with a
BSO officer — (a special detail deputy), which would improve the level of security across the
board at city hall. Mayor Schreiber asked about the difference in cost, and City Manager Miller
said a BSO officer would cost about $15,000 more per year. Commissioner Roberts said BSO
officers have arrest powers, while Wackenhut guards do not. City Manager Miller said the
recommendation for the BSO officer is not from Chief Dugger, but is a recommendation of the
security committee and the executive team. Mayor Schreiber asked whether this change is
necessary and affordable. Vice Mayor Sultanof said there has been discussion of issuing
passes to board and committee members who come into city hall to conduct business, and it is
his feeling that each and every person entering city hall be issued a visitor's identification
badge. Vice Mayor Sultanof asked whether parcels and boxes brought into city hall are
inspected, and spoke about access to the second floor.
BSO Chief Dugger gave a presentation and spoke about the security committee's review and
evaluation of security in city hall and outlying city facilities. BSO Chief Dugger spoke about the
security assessment, security assumption, yesterday's situation (prior to September 11th)
today's situation, facilities reviewed, city hall, water treatment plant, and other facilities. At the
conclusion of his presentation, Chief Dugger said Tamarac is in good shape as far as security,
and suggested that supervisors stress security compliance, employees should wear city
identification at all times, and there should be continued training to address the policies for
appropriate action regarding emergencies. BSO Chief Dugger recommended that supervisors
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enforce the existing security policy, offices and work areas be locked when the employee(s)
is/are not present, placement of barriers between employees and public, suspicious persons in
unauthorized areas stopped and questioned, new policies/procedures to address security
recommendations, supervisors review and monitor employees for security compliance,
development of specialized training courses in workplace violence, hostile and unruly citizens,
and terrorist attacks. BSO Chief Dugger recommended the following actions: system
enhancements, upgrading systems, policies and training, and thanked the members of the
security committee, Assistant Fire Chief Paul Forsberg, Employee Relations Manager Dorothy
Cummings, Special Projects Manager Diane Phillips, Parks Superintendent Lance Moll,
Assistant Public Works Director/Capital Projects Manager Mark Greenspan, Utilities
Operations Manager Scott London, Deputy Brad Miller, and the executive staff.
Mayor Schreiber said that outside contract employees who work after hours and Saturdays
leave the doors open, and they should be versed in security measures. Chief Dugger said as
criteria for the contract, a background check could be required. City Manager Miller said the
cleaning crew is required to wear uniforms and identification badges. Vice Mayor Sultanof said
after the last commission meeting the cleaning crew had the doors propped open while they
were cleaning windows, which is a concern, since the rear of the building is dark at night.
Commissioner Mishkin asked if visitors could be asked to show identification when signing in
at the guard's desk. Commissioner Roberts asked if there is a panic button in the Mayor and
Commission offices, and Public Works Director Verma said there is at least one in most
departments. Commissioner Roberts expressed concern that people in city hall can get to the
Mayor and Commission offices through the conference rooms, and City Manager Miller said
this could be tightened up with the use of an access card if the commission desires to enhance
security in this manner. Vice Mayor Sultanof said the locks on the doors should be used.
Mayor Schreiber said we want the public to know the commission is accessible, and if certain
security measures are instituted, this then becomes an impediment. We have to be sensible
and at the same time create a comfortable environment for the employees. No security is
infallible, but we must be on the alert.
Commissioner Partner asked if the city received any bomb threats or terrorist threats, and City
Manager Miller said people who had their water turned off have threatened the city, and there
was a bomb threat at Aurafin last Friday. When the city gets these types of threats they are
taken seriously. At present, the city has a restraining order on a citizen who threatened the
Parks and Recreation Director, and a hearing is scheduled in 10 days. Commissioner Portner
asked about the parking situation, and Mayor Schreiber suggested removing the titles from the
curbstones. City Manager Miller said one recommendation from the security committee is to
remove titles from the reserved spaces and replace the titles with numbers. Commissioner
Mishkin suggested taking nametags off cars. City Manager Miller suggested enlarging the
counter in the commission offices so that people must be buzzed in and cannot just walk into
the office areas. Commissioner Portner asked if there is 24 hour surveillance at the water
plant, and City Manager Miller said it has been recommended that another staff person be
added to the water plant. BSO Chief Dugger said a security measure added since September
11t" is a patrol at the water tanks. Fire Chief Budzinski said a water treatment plant operator
periodically tours the facility and the water is tested throughout the day. Commissioner
Roberts asked about security at parks and recreation facilities, and City Manager Miller said
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these facilities are more difficult to protect. There is an evening detail there, and people
cannot get into the employee offices at the Community Center without a security card.
Fire Chief Budzinski gave a presentation on security throughout the community, and discussed
the Emergency Operations Center and anthrax incidents. Fire Chief Budzinski said all reports
are taken seriously. Commissioner Portner asked about rumors he heard about the date of the
attack (9/11) and the connection with 9-1-1. Fire Chief Budzinski said this is only one of many
theories that have come up, and it has been determined it is a coincidence. Commissioner
Partner asked if there is a difference between the appearance of talcum powder and anthrax,
and Fire Chief Budzinski said one could not tell the difference without chemical analysis. Fire
Chief Budzinski said Tamarac is prepared to utilize members of the community for emergency
situations, e.g., the COP program, CERT program, County mutual aide programs, Law
Enforcement and Health Alliances, as well as the Health Departments (county and state) being
fully coordinated. Fire Chief Budzinski concluded his presentation by saying a reasonable
level of protection has been developed.
Commissioner Portner asked if consideration has been given to replacing the windows in the
Mayor and Commission offices with bulletproof glass, and BSO Chief Dugger said this level of
protection has not yet been discussed, but Public Works Director Verma could investigate
pricing. There are intermediate levels of protection for windows, e.g., coatings and
shatterproof glass. Commissioner Portner said the city might want to consider shatterproof
glass.
Mayor Schreiber said he believed bulletproof glass would be very costly. The measures
discussed are all very good to tighten up security, but Tamarac is in the public business — we
deal with people — and if we go overboard in security it affects the public.
City Manager Miller confirmed the direction of the commission; complete the study, eliminate
the names on reserved parking spaces and check identification of those who come into city
hall. There was discussion about requiring identification, and it was decided to get the word
out to the public prior to instituting this measure. There was discussion about a buzzer at the
secretary's station in the Mayor and Commission offices, and it was decided to speak with the
secretaries to see if they have any concerns or felt a need for a buzzer before moving forward
with this measure. There was discussion about locking the door from the commission offices
to conference room 105, and it was decided not to move forward with this measure.
City Manager Miller said he would have the final report for the commission in a few weeks.
There being no further business to come before the City Commission, Mayor Schreiber
adjourned the Special Workshop Meeting at 11:15 a.m.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
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