04-12-14 Retreat/Special Meeting of La Porte City Council

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Note: This area is vulnerable, unless there is an alarm with glass breakage or motion sensors because of the height of the receptionist front counter. Unlawful entry through this area would allow a person access to the inspections offices, north offices, public areas, and possibly the finance area. With time, a person could remove the external hinge pins on the finance doors and enter into the finance area. Interior Walls Observations: Internal walls seem to be constructed of sheet rock or gypsum board. However, there may be some walls of concrete due to the last renovation of city hall. The front counter areas of city hall, the bill payment counters, and inspection area are constructed of sheetrock or gypsum board. The counters of the front reception and inspection area are constructed of particle board. There are windows separating the clerks and the public in the bill payment areas. The glass is single pane glass without any sheathing. The windows have slots for exchange. The front and inspections counter are open with no glass. Additionally, there is a drive thru teller window on the west side of the building. I was informed that the glass separating the clerk and the public was bulletproof. Recommendations: Minimum: For weapons considerations: 1.Bulletproof glass should be placed the counters of the front counter and the inspections counter to the ceiling. 2.Metal plating or sheets should be installed beneath the counters of the front counter and inspections counter. 3.Wooden door with internal hinges with hinge pins and electronic swipe key lock should replace the half door at the west side of the front counter. 4.Bulletproof glass should be installed to replace the single pane glass of the bill counters. 5.Metal plating or sheeting should be installed below the window counter. 6.Slots in the glass should be large enough for sheets of paper to be passed, approx. 9mm. 7.Ensure that the glass in the drive thru is bulletproof No weapons consideration: 1.Nothing Maximum: 1.Use trays that slide in and out for the bill clerk’s window usage. This would eliminate the need for openings in the glass.