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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 November 19, 2001 City Commission Special Workshop 1 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 November 19, 2001 City Commission Special Workshop 2 1 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 November 19, 2001 City Commission Special Workshop 3