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| | | | 1. Call the Order.
Minutes note: Meeting convened: 9:33 am | | | |
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| | | | 2. Roll Call. | | | |
Roll call
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| | | | 3. Review and approval of the minutes of November 10th
Minutes note: Member Owczarski moved for approval, seconded by member Zollicoffer. There were no objections. | | | |
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| | | | 4. Discussion with Brad Houston, City Records Manager about building plans (Secure Documents Ordinance).
Minutes note: Brad Houston, City Records Manager, gave a presentation on the “Secure Structure Ordinance,” which was established after 9/11 to protect buildings from bad actors. One of the major issues with the Secure Structure Ordinance is that it is written very broadly, and individuals must submit a written request to access these secure structures. Examples of secure structures include government buildings, utility and fuel storage facilities, arenas and public spaces, and places of worship etc. Mr. Houston and his department are responsible for determining the appropriate response when individuals request building plans, which in many cases is very difficult. He has requested feedback from the group, seeking guidance on how to apply a more thoughtful approach to decision making and future enforcement of the ordinance. Complete power point presentation has been added to the file.
Co-Chair Aaron Lipski (MFD Chief) noted the complexities that arise when enforcing the Secure Structure Ordinance. He observed that, while the concept may seem straightforward on the surface, the practical application introduces a significant layer of difficulty. It reminds him of Open Records Request laws. The guiding principle in these situations is to favor openness and transparency. He emphasized that this is the standard expected of those handling such requests. In dealing with requests for access to secure structures, Chief Lipski recommended focusing on requests related to local government entities, specifically referencing the City Hall complex and its surrounding area. He noted that these requests can pertain to both public and private entities, but for the group’s purposes, the emphasis should be on city government facilities. To help Mr. Houston this committee as part of exploratory task, will work physically in the buildings to come up with area security or occupancy security versus just blanket the whole building.
Ald. Dimitrijevic request exploratory legal review. She asked for consistency with what is released in the public records requests and to also explore for a legal advice on how to protect residents from being targeted for example victims of domestic violence, harassment etc. She asked to look to other city and state best practices.
Co-Chair Lipski will like a formal opinion a collective opinion in writing.
Ald. Dimitrijevic is making a official request in writing.
Co-Chair Lipski asked Ald. Dimitrijevic to submit a formal email to the group with the concept.
Co-Chair Owczarski said that it is an important inquiry, a good opportunity to work on both sides (buildings and people) since the ordinance was passed 25 years ago and see what it can be done to protect residents and everybody who works in the City Hall campus as well. He added that the idea is not to allow the public records being abused.
Brad Houston added that personal information should be redacted to make sure it is protected.
Aty. Goyke joined the meeting at 10:04 am and was briefed by Chief Lipski on the subject.
Aty. Goyke said that he will be happy to conduct the research to update 25 year old ordinance.
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| | | | 5. Update from Emergency Management Director Ryan Zollicoffer as to checklist progress.
Minutes note: Member Zollicoffer presented a checklist of the adopted Operation Safety framework.
Operation Safety was initiated to enhance City Hall campus security, starting in May 2025.
The project involves a series of assignments aimed at improving emergency preparedness and campus safety. A color-coded tracking system is used: green for stable/completed items, yellow for pending, and red for high-priority or delayed tasks. The assignment list grows as more tasks are closed and new needs are identified.
PowerPoint-based emergency preparedness trainings will be delivered through the InfoSec learning management system.
ITMD is currently utilizing the system, and notifications will go out to all employees to begin the first training module. The initial module covers the Facility Emergency Action Plan, an All Hazard plan for scenarios like suspicious packages, hazmat, fire, bomb threats, shelter-in-place, lockdowns, and more.
All employees are required to complete the training; failure to do so within 30 days results in computer lockout.
Each module includes a quiz to ensure knowledge retention rather than passive completion.
Safety audits are also integrated into the program.
The Facility Emergency Safety Plan is ready and will be delivered online via ITMD (marked as green).
The safety training calendar is accessible on the Department of Employee Safety's webpage and will be updated soon.
As the new year (2026) has just begun, additional time may be needed for updates to be published.
Member Zollicoffer updated the members on the different assignment on the dashboard everything seems to be going smoothly and progress on the different assignment is been made.
Panic Button and conference lines has been tested and they are working well.
Staff safety meeting mock are going to be held by the Emergency Team Response members. ERT needs to be engage in doing a mock exercise.
Screen shot of the project dashboard progress has been attached to the meeting details.
Co-Chair Lipski noted positive progress, with the team making significant strides in expanding emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
Co-Chair Owczarski asked if the panic alarms at City Hall were checked.
Member Zollicoffer said that he will get back to him and Dana Zelazny with the answer.
Co-Chair Owczarski asked if the active shooter training is scheduled.
Member Tarkowski said that it is scheduled for next month.
Co-Chair Owczarski asked if there is a protocol for employees separated under less pleasant circumstances.
Member Carter said that there is a DER checklist that it is being reviewed to be updated.
Co-Chair Owczarski asked if we are ready for a walk-through within the different departments.
Member Tarkowski said that information will be given out soon.
Member Zollicoffer mentioned that the following three courses have been scheduled:
Active shooter-May, Spring, Bomb Threat scripted protocol-November, Suspicious Package-July. This information will be all on the training calendar.
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| | | | 6. Items for Future agendas.
Minutes note: Co-Chair Lipski asked members to jump in a little early with the activities report for the Common Council due prior to September 30, 2026.
Co-Chair Owczarski said that Ms. Rebekah Bein (Legislative Liaison) is present and that she will open a file and will start to gather information from the meetings minutes. Prepare a concise summary of actions and progress for review at the next meeting.
Ald. Dimitrijevic asked on behalf of the Common Council to consider drafting and sharing a preliminary report or early update with the Common Council before the budget process begins.
Member Tarkowski suggested to consider the security manager position as a budgetary request.
Member Zollicoffer said that it would be good to consider a campus wide security emergency manager instead. Research and prepare information on the potential benefits, costs, and structure of a dedicated city security manager or security department, including overlap with current roles.
Co-Chair Lipski said that we are a large city with a security management of one.
Member Carter said that a combination with Homeland Security could explored as well.
Committee members to send any additional agenda topics or suggestions
to leadership prior to next meeting.
Co-Chair Lipski said that the next meeting should be March 5, 2026. | | | |
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| | | | 7. Adjournment.
Minutes note: Meeting adjourned: 10:45 AM
Carmen O. Roman
Staff Assistant | | | |
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| | | | NOTA: Para los clientes de cable de Spectrum que deseen ver subtítulos en español, ya están disponibles en el Canal de la Ciudad. En su control remoto de cable Spectrum, presione “MENÚ.” Seleccione “SUBTÍTULOS/CAPTIONS.” Use la flecha hacia abajo hasta “ESTÁNDAR/STANDARD,” luego use la flecha hacia arriba y cambie a “CC3.” | | | |
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| | | | In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting.
Times for specific agenda items are estimations. If items cannot be heard at their specified times, they will be heard as soon as practicable thereafter.
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| | | | Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For assistance contact the Legislative Services ADA Coordinator at 286-2998, (FAX)286-3456, (TDD)286-2025 or by writing to Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. | | | |
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| | | | City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information.
Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street.
Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Associated Bank River Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier. | | | |
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| | | | Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code are required to register with the City Clerk's License Division. Lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying. | | | |
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