REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager
Office of Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Amending Resolution No. 2020-035 relating to the use and possession of weapons and security (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Council adopt the Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2020-035 to revise the security procedures for City employees entering City Hall.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On February 13, 2020 the City Council adopted Bill No. B-1 which amended Fresno Municipal Code section 9-2601 Relating to the Use and Possession of Weapons which prohibited the possession (including CCWs) of weapons at Fresno City Hall. The Ordinance also established security checkpoints at City Hall which included bag screening and metal detectors. All members of the public and City employees were to enter the P Street entrance of City Hall for screening. The Ordinance allowed for Charter Officials and some City employees to be exempted from screening.
FMC section 9-2061(p) also states, “The Council, by resolution, may provide for and publish further security regulations and/or exceptions to implement this section.”
On February 27, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-035 which provided detailed procedures for security screening and exceptions to the security screening process.
However, shortly thereafter, City Hall closed due to COVID-19 and the Employee screening process was paused until the State of Emergency issued by Governor Newsom is lifted.
BACKGROUND
On February 13, 2020 the City Council adopted Bill No. B-1 which amended Fresno Municipal Code section 9-2601 Relating to the Use and Possession of Weapons which prohibited the possession (including CCWs) of weapons at Fresno City Hall. The Ordinance also established security checkpoints at City Hall which included bag screening and metal detectors. All members of the public and City employees were to enter the P Street entrance of City Hall for screening. The Ordinance allowed for Charter Officials and some City employees to be exempted from screening.
FMC section 9-2061(p) also states, “The Council, by resolution, may provide for and publish further security regulations and/or exceptions to implement this section.”
On February 27, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-035 which provided detailed procedures for security screening and exceptions to the security screening process.
However, shortly thereafter, City Hall closed due to COVID-19 and the Employee screening process was paused until the State of Emergency issued by Governor Newsom is lifted.
In anticipation of the Governor lifting the State of Emergency at some point in the future, the City Manager wishes to modify the screening procedures for City Employees so that ALL City employees are exempted from the metal detector and bag screening process. Instead, City Employees will be required to present their badges for confirmation by lobby security. Security confirms that the badge photo matches the employee who has presented it.
If an employee does not possess his/her badge, the employee will be subjected to the metal detector and bag screening process.
In order to alleviate any overcrowding at points of entry, and as allowed in Resolution 2020-035, Employees who park in the City Hall south lot will be able to access City Hall through the South stainless-steel door and the pedestrian gate, once the Charter Officials security fence/gate is installed.
Those employees who park in the Promenade Lot or lots other than the South Lot, will be required to enter through the P Street entrance.
The proposed amendments to Resolution 2020-035 do not modify any of the weapons provisions of the Ordinance adopted on February 13, 2020. All weapons will continue to be prohibited at City Hall (with certain exceptions provided in FMC section 9-2601, i.e., law enforcement).
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for the purpose of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local Preference does not apply.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as badge screening equipment is already installed.
Attachment: Resolution