ITEM 5. 2
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
JUNE 8, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: REVIEW AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution to Provide Direction for City Council Chambers Safety Improvements
SUMMARY:
The City Council has expressed interest in reviewing security enhancements for Council Chambers. City Hall currently operates with multiple existing safety and access control measures in place, including controlled access to staff areas, secured internal access points, and operational law enforcement presence during City Council meetings. As public facility security practices continue to evolve, staff have evaluated several enhancement options intended to build upon current safeguards while preserving public accessibility, customer service, and operational efficiency. Staff is presenting options as detailed below for Council consideration.
BACKGROUND:
City of Lathrop City HaII was originally constructed in 2005 and underwent remodeling improvements in 2021. Those projects focused on facility modernization, customer service functionality, and general building improvements consistent with the operational priorities at the time.
The facility currently incorporates a number of practical safety features, including restricted staff areas, electronic access controls, and operational staffing support during public meetings.
As standards and best practices for public building security continue to advance, staff reviewed opportunities to further enhance access management, employee safety, and visitor screening in a manner consistent with the City' s commitment to maintaining a safe, professional, and welcoming civic environment.
At the May 11, 2026, Council meeting, Council provided staff with direction to move forward with selected improvements to the lobby of City Hall, including safety glass and increasing controlled access to staff -only areas. Additionally, Council provided feedback for additional options for safety improvements for Council Chambers.
Based on the feedback provided, the following options for Council Chambers are presented for Council review and consideration:
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
JUNE 8, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS
PAGE 2
OPTION 1: Law Enforcement Personnel and K9 Officer Presence at all Council Meetings
Currently, when staffing levels permit, law enforcement personnel are stationed at the entrance to the Council Chambers to monitor public access and meetings. Council feedback suggested that consistent attendance by law enforcement personnel, specifically, a K9 handler and their K9 officer, would provide an added layer of security to Council meetings.
Lathrop Police Department is currently providing law enforcement personnel for Council meetings when staffing levels permit. This option does not increase costs.
The challenges of Option 1 are that it limits the opportunity for overtime for other officers that may be interested, K9 law enforcement personnel is limited and Lathrop Police Department staff may not be able to guarantee a K9 officer at every Council meeting, and each K9 is trained for a specific purpose or purposes and all Lathrop Police Department K9' s may not be suited to respond to all threats or violations of safety.
This option is the least invasive to the public and most cost- effective.
OPTION 2: Hand -Held (" Wand") Screening
Option 2 would include the use of a hand-eld ("wand") metal detector for screening upon entrance to Council Chambers. Hand- held screening provides enhanced detection accuracy and adjustable sensitivity, while portable and cost- effective.
This option can be monitored and administered by law enforcement staff to avoid increases in staffing costs. However, use of law enforcement personnel accompanied by a K9 officer is not recommended without additional sworn personnel to ensure proper K9 handling during the screening process.
Option 2 presents additional challenges, including the potential for prolonged entry into Council meetings. This option is also significantly more invasive for meeting attendees.
This option is also cost- effective with hand-eld detectors ranging in cost from 200. 00 to $ 500. 00 per detector. Hand- held detectors require minimal training to operate effectively.
Should this option be selected, Staff would return with a related screening policy specific to this option.
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
JUNE 8, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS
PAGE 3
OPTION 3: Walk -Through Metal Detector, Bag Screening, and Secondary Hand - Held (" Wand") Screening
This option combines x- ray style bag screening, walk- through metal detector screening, and the option for secondary screening using a hand-eld, wand - style metal detector to investigate alerts from the walk- through detector.
Under this option, extensive improvements would be made to the Council Chambers lobby area and entrance to include screening equipment. Option 3 can also potentially delay entry to public meetings but would provide the most effective detection of prohibited items, although at a much higher cost. Scanning equipment pricing can vary widely based on size, capacity, and features, with additional costs for shipping, installation, and necessary facility improvements, as well as possible additional staffing costs. Staff estimates that this option could range from $ 15, 000 to $ 100, 00 for total improvements.
This option provides the most security during public meetings; however, has the potential for the most significant delays and would have the most fiscal impact.
Should this option be selected, Staff would return with actual costs and a related screening policy specific to this option, at a later date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated costs for each option will vary based on final design, equipment selection, and installation requirements as outlined below:
Option 1 is expected to have the least fiscal impact, utilizing existing sworn personnel to monitor meetings. Although overtime would likely be incurred, Staff is already providing this service, and no additional overtime is expected.
Option 2 is expected to have minimal costs for hand - weld metal detectors, at approximately $ 1, 000.0. Training for use is minimal, and no additional overtime is expected.
Option 3 is expected to have the most significant fiscal impact, including onetime equipment purchases and potential facility improvements that could exceed $ 100, 00.. Additional staffing would also be needed for this option, increasing the potential overtime costs, although this expense is expected to be minimal.
These are rough estimates based on staff research. Upon Council direction, staff will return with detailed cost estimates, implementation timelines, potential funding options, and policy related to the specific screening option.
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT
JUNE 8, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS
ATTACHMENTS:
PAGE 4
A) Resolution to Provide Direction for City Council Chambers Safety Improvements B) Example of Hand - Held, Wand -Style Metal Detectors
C) Rendering of Council Chambers with Option 3 Screening Improvements
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
JUNE 8, 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SECURITY
IMPROVEMENTS
APPROVALS:
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PAGE 5
Date
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Thomas Hedegard Date
Deputy City Manager
Salvador Navarrete Date
City Attorney
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Stephen J. Salvatore Date
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 26-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO
PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, City of Lathrop City Hall was originally constructed in 2005 and underwent remodeling improvements in 2021. Those projects focused on facility modernization, customer service functionality, and general building improvements consistent with the operational priorities at the time; and WHEREAS, the facility currently incorporates a number of practical safety features, including restricted staff areas, electronic access controls, and operational staffing support during public meetings; and
WHEREAS, as standards and best practices for public building security continue to advance, staff reviewed opportunities to further enhance access management, employee safety, and visitor screening in a manner consistent with the City' s
commitment to maintaining a safe, professional, and welcoming civic environment; and
WHEREAS, the following options are presented for Council review and consideration:
OPTION 1: Law Enforcement Personnel and K9 Officer Presence at all Council Meetings
OPTION 2: Hand - Held (" Wand") Screening
OPTION 3: Walk -Through Metal Detector, Bag Screening, and Secondary Hand - Held (" Wand") Screening
WHEREAS, staff is requesting Council select one Option and staff will return with detailed cost estimates, implementation timelines, potential funding, and associated policies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lathrop does hereby select Option
Resolution No. Page 1 of 2
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of June 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PAUL AKINJO, MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS FORM:
Teresa Vargas, City Clerk Salvador Navarrete, City Attorney Resolution No. Page 2 of 2
EXHIBIT B
Hand - Held Metal Detector
Beep your way to safety at public events.
Detect guns, razor blades, large knives or foil -
wrapped drugs.
Sharp audible alarm or silent vibration.
Weatherproof case with rubber handle.
9V battery included.
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