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Home My WebLink AboutRES NO 038-2024RESOLUTION NO. 0 3 8- 2 0 2 4 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A COUNCIL POLICY FOR IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL SECURITY PROTOCOLS AT PUBLIC CITY BUILDINGS. WHEREAS, the City Council previously revised the rules and regulations governing the conduct of City Council meetings via Council policy adopted by Resolution No. 206-2021 on March 1, 2024; and WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to strengthen the physical security and procedures for access to and attendance at public City buildings to ensure all persons can safely, peaceably, and efficiently participate in local government; and WHEREAS, physical security is on the minds of elected officials at all levels of government as the need to address and plan for a wide range of security issues increases, including public safety at community events, schools, courthouses and Council meetings; and WHEREAS, confrontations with and among members of the public at Council meetings, city hall parking lots and other public areas is both a historical part of civic engagement and also a public safety risk if and when confrontation and hostility leads to violence or hampers the ability of others to participate in local government; and WHEREAS, in light of all these manifestations of danger to elected officials and the public as a whole, there is an increasing emphasis on physical security measures to mitigate risk; and WHEREAS, the City Council therefore desires to adopt this policy for the implementation of physical security protocols at public City buildings; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the policy is to adopt a comprehensive security policy, including the installation of metal detectors, restrictions on public access in public buildings and other features designed to protect elected officials, City employees, and the public as whole. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows: 1) The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference. 2) The City Council hereby adopts the Policy for Implementing Physical., gAKF, Security Protocols at Public City Buildings, as set forth in Exhibit A 1 � m 'ORIGINAL' attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. 3) This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the City Council. -------- 0000000-------- HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on APR 10 2024 , by the followina vote: YES' NOES: ABSTAIN ABSENT: APPROVED IV COUNCIL MEMBER ARIAS COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER APR 10 2024 By KAREN GOH Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: By iP� ASHLEY AMBRANO Deputy City Attorney II V ✓ ►/ ✓ P/ GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, FREEMAN, GRAY, KAUR �� 6MA40' J LIE DRIMAKIS, CPMC, MMC CITY CLERK and Ex Officio of the Council of the City of Bakersfield AEZ/em pKF. Attachment: Exhibit A S:\COUNCIL\Resos\23-24\Resolution Adopting Physical Security Protocols.docx O 2 r ` 0FtIGINAL EXHIBIT A POLICY FOR IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL SECURITY PROTOCOLS AT PUBLIC CITY BUILDINGS SECTION 1. ENTRANCE SCREENING STATIONS. All persons not excepted by Chapter 9.52 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code or this policy may be subject to search upon entering a City building or public City meeting/event as follows: a. Upon entrance to the building, all persons, except as provided herein, will be guided through a physical screening process by security personnel. The security screening process requires and includes, but is not limited to, passage through a metal detector device, a hand -wand, and/or manual inspection of persons and personal items. b. Persons may be required to empty their pockets and place all contents into a container for screening by visual inspection, an X-ray device and/or similar technology. c. Security personnel may also conduct hand -wand and/or manual physical screening as necessary in the event of a screening device malfunction. d. Individuals possessing prohibited items, as defined and specified in this policy, will be advised to remove the item from the building or dispose of it before entrance into the building is permitted. e. If individuals exit the building and return, they must go through the security screening process again. f. Security personnel shall have the responsibility and authority to screen large or bulky items using a suitable method when it is not possible or practical to screen the items per the methods listed in this policy. Reasonable caution shall be exercised to minimize a safety or security risk. SECTION 2. EXCEPTIONS. Section 1 shall not apply to the following persons, who shall instead be subject to the following regulations: a. City employees shall present their City issued identification cards for inspection. If employees are not in possession of their City issued identification card, they shall be subject to the same screening process as members of the public entering the building. b. City Public Safety personnel (police and fire) shall have the ability to access the building and bypass security to perform their official duties, including but not limited to addressing emergencies or immediate safety and security risks and threats. c. Maintenance employees or contractors who work at City Hall during non- 3+'�u^ 0 ORIGINAL business hours are not required to be screened, but City staff shall take reasonable measures to ensure they are not bringing prohibited items into the building. SECTION 3. PROHIBITED ITEMS. Pursuant to Section 1, prohibited items include: a. Weapons, including but not limited to firearms, stun guns or tasers, knives, tear gas, and explosives. Any item or article having the potential to inflict or cause physical harm shall be inspected to determine whether it has been filed, sharpened, honed, or in any other manner altered to the extent that it meets the definition of dangerous weapon as defined in the Penal Code 171 b. b. To the extent not already addressed above, the following are also prohibited: Batons Handcuffs/Handcuff Keys Aerosol/Spray Cans Ammunition Knives/Pocket Knives Razor Blades Corkscrews Keychain Weapons Scissors Illegal Drugs Glass Bottles Silverware Drug Paraphernalia Stun Guns Laser Pointers Tools of Any Kind Replica or Toy Weapons Leatherman Tools Torch Lighters Mace or Pepper Spray Food/Beverages Paint/Liquids Noisemakers Stickers Banners/Flags/Posters/Signs Over 11"x14" c. Security personnel and City public safety officers shall have the authority to prohibit additional items that may pose a safety or security risk on a case -by -case basis. d. For City employees and contractors hired by the City, items necessary and appropriate to perform a job function, such as tools, scissors, and kitchen utensils, shall be allowed. e. Public Safety personnel may possess employer approved firearms, weapons and other items as may be required for the performance of their employment duties. SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS. The City Manager or designee may implement additional or modified regulations as deemed appropriate to facilitate the conduct of public access to and participation in City meetings and events, and in furtherance of public safety. This may include, but is not limited to, expanding physical security protocols to additional City buildings, and/or identifying entrances and exits specifically designated for City employees and officials. y � � o OORIGINAI