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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-12-WS (5:15 pm) EN HILLS Approved: February 26, 2012 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 2012 5:15 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the City Council Work Session meeting at 5:15 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Council Members Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Nick Tamble, and Ed Werner Absent: None. Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Susan Iverson; George Altendorfer, Steve Yochim, Mike Hankee, Mark Pettit, and Dale Sommerhause, and then the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department 1. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Tamble seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. AGENDA ITEMS A. Emergency Response Presentation-Ramsey County Sheriff's Department City Administrator Klaers presented the City Council with information on the emergency response conversation held with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department last year. The Council was in favor of receiving additional details and specifics from the Sheriff's Department. These issues have been discussed in detail with George Altendorfer and further training would ensue this evening. Mayor Grant stated he would like the training and information be applicable not only to the Councilmembers but also for City staff. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 27, 2012 2 George Altendorfer, Ramsey County Sheriffs Department, thanked the Council for their time this evening and stated the training being presented is becoming routine to assist with increasing security for municipalities. He explained that this County training has been created to inform elected officials and City workers on the front-end, prior to incidences or threats. Ramsey County has been a leader in this area for several years. Undersheriff Altendorfer stated the Arden Hills City Hall was well designed and laid out. He indicated the construction was well thought through and he commended the Council for the bullet proof barrier. Steve Yochim introduced himself to the Council stating he has been in law enforcement for the past 18 years and works now in tactical training. He encouraged the Council to break in with questions throughout his presentation. Mike Hankee then introduced himself stating he has been with the Sheriff's Department for the past 12 years and also works in training. Mayor Grant requested the information presented improve the safety of Council and staff with specific recommendations of what to do and what not to do in a critical situation. Mr. Yochim then discussed a PowerPoint presentation with the Council. A discussion ensued regarding Ramsey County's active shooting training. Time was critical in these situations and the County's response time throughout the County was approximately three to nine minutes. Several past active shooting cases were described in detail, along with the February 2008 City Council shooting in Kirkwood, Missouri. Mr. Hankee indicated law enforcement agencies know that these events are spontaneous and that suspect behavior is unpredictable. In addition, these events occur in target rich environments. He indicated officers are being trained to attend City meetings armed, but in plain clothes,to increase the security of public officials. Mr. Hankee stated active shooting events are occurring at schools, universities, places of work/business, and malls. The law enforcement response is critical in each of these events. After the suspect has been apprehended or taken out, the law enforcement officers will attend to the wounded. He noted that most active shooting events are over within three to four minutes. Mr. Hankee played a 911 tape from an active shooting situation that took place in Utah. An event from Panama City was also played in full. Mr. Yochim discussed several roll play scenarios with the Council and encouraged them to flee the building in a critical situation. He reiterated that 90% of active shooters act alone. He encouraged the Councilmembers and staff to have an escape plan in mind. He added that a gathering point could also be determined amongst Council and staff. All belongings are to be left behind. Keep hands visible when exiting the building to assure law enforcement understands you are friendly. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 27, 2012 3 Mr. Yochim indicated alarm buttons are located throughout the building. However, a call should also be made if possible. The call would allow additional information to be passed along to 911 and the responding officers. Mr. Yochim explained if escape is not possible, he encouraged the Councilmembers and staff to hold up in a room with a locked door. Place heavy furniture against the door and silence all cell phones. Remain quiet if escape is not an option. The final option would be to take action. Mr. Yochim reviewed with the Council a draft policy discussing personal safety in an active shooter situation. Councilmember Holden questioned the level of protection the bullet proof barrier provided to the Councilmembers. Mr. Yochim believed it offered Level 2 protection and would stop a bullet from a handgun. Councilmember Holmes indicated there were two rooms to the rear of the Council Chambers. A shooter would be able to easily pursue the Councilmembers into these rooms. Mr. Yochim encouraged the Councilmembers to flee the Council Chambers and exit the building if an armed officer was engaged with the shooter. He did not recommend escaping to the rooms adjacent to the Council Chambers. Mr. Yochim discussed several recommendations for City Hall to improve security and safety of the Council and staff. A one-way gate in the Council Chambers would be his first recommendation. He encouraged the Council to be aware of disgruntled residents. Councilmember Holden thanked the Sheriff's Department for the report and stated the background information was informative, but not as necessary as the safety and security information provided at the end of the presentation. Councilmember Werner appreciated the facts and figures within the report. Councilmember Holmes asked if the one-way doorway should be located on both sides of the dais. Mr. Yochim indicated this would increase safety and slow the flow of traffic towards the elected officials. The Council conducted a walk through of City Hall with the Sheriff's Department to discuss several other safety measures. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS A. Hill Capital Strategies Inc. Update at AWN rz Is i■YrLiW Wei hk VAW Il