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| | 1. | | Call the Order.
Minutes note: Meeting convened at 9:00 am | | | |
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| | 3. | | Review and approval of the minutes of the March 5th meeting.
Minutes note: Member Owczarski moved for approval, second by member Zollicoffer. There were no objections. | | | |
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| | 4. | | Update from Emergency Management Director Ryan Zollicoffer as to the dashboard checklist progress.
Minutes note: Emergency Management Director Ryan Zollicoffer provided an update using a project management Dashboard tracker.
Dashboard Status color-coding referenced: green items completed; yellow items pending; blue items represent current/recent updates being reported.
Incident Command System training for department heads/ERTs remains blocked due to the federal shutdown preventing online access.
Council concerns remain an always open item on the tracker (assignment 27).
A mock tabletop exercise for staff/department heads is being planned to drive discussion on response actions if specific codes are called.
Program described as intact and stable, with success reliant on ERT engagement to initiate and support activities.
Recent activities and upcoming drills:
Milwaukee Police Department and Arizona State University supported a crime prevention/threat assessment (CPTED-style) walkthrough at City Hall.
A briefing on the walkthrough findings is expected around June; there was mention of potentially doing similar work for Zeidler and 809 (or a hybrid approach).
Clarification discussion occurred about whether drill notifications cover all three buildings. Member Zollicoffer said the plan is an EA notification across the complex, and he will double-check messaging.
A tornado drill is planned for April as a shelter in place, directing staff to the basement.
A conflict was noted by Co-Chair Owczarski: the Emerging Youth Advisory Commission meeting is scheduled during the drill window.
Testing updates:
Panic button testing continues quarterly.
Most recent results: 62 passed; 8 need revisit/retest due to complications (not considered major).
Next scheduled panic button test date shared: June 10, 2026.
Desktop alert capability (locking employee computers until alert acknowledgment) remains under review.
The plan is to revisit and retest the 8 panic buttons that did not pass the last quarterly test.
Plan and schedule a mock tabletop exercise for department heads/ERTs.
Continue evaluating and identify potential grant funding sources.
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| | 5. | | Update on status of City Hall Campus alarm systems.
Minutes note: Member Tarkowski confirmed the update relates to the ongoing monthly PA announcement tests for the City Hall campus alarm systems.
Tests are continuing as scheduled, with feedback gathered after each test.
Areas of concern are being addressed through updates, corrections, and repairs on a regular basis when issues are identified.
The most recent test was reported to have gone very well.
Co-chair Owczarski emphasized this has been a primary concern for staff in the Zeidler building basement, including both sides of the hallway (Records, Municipal Research Center) and the City Channel area.
For the first time, staff in that basement area were able to hear the most recent notification.
Member Tarkowski noted he was personally in the Zeidler basement space during the latest test. | | | |
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| | 6. | | Update by Ms. Beka Bein on communication and PowerPoint presentation to PHS.
Minutes note: Beka Bein provided the power point presentation to all member. Member Zollicoffer discus the presentation in Item 4 of the agenda. | | | |
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| | 7. | | Status update on site audits/visits, CPTED progress, and April council presentation preparation.
Minutes note: Co-Chair Lipski mention that CPTED work to date was viewed as “to great satisfaction,” but there’s
ongoing confusion in the City Hall complex about how to request broader multi-disciplinary site visits/walkthroughs.
The committee reiterated interest in joint walk through's beyond law enforcement- centric CPTED, covering scenarios like fire/EMS, hazmat, terrorism, active shooter, and how different spatial/office layouts affect
response.
Member Owczarski ask a key question coming out of the CPTED walkthrough experience was “what’s next?”—how findings translate into follow-up actions and connect to the broader site visits/audits the group still wants.
A proposal was raised to create a simple “one-stop” email for non emergency preparedness concerns (e.g., blocked exit doors) and for requesting specialized training or walkthrough's.
It was clarified by member Zollicoffer that there are already “two lanes” for routing requests:
Facility/infrastructure security concerns route to DPW Security (an established email referenced from a prior presentation).
Employee safety trainings/visits/security assessments can route to safetyfirst@milwaukee.gov.
Consensus leaned toward repackaging and re-publicizing these existing channels rather than creating a new complicated routing list.
Suggested deliverables included a simple PDF flyer and/or a website “button” linking employees to the right contact(s), plus adding/featuring this information on the DER employee safety website.
A presentation slide was requested to highlight the emails so employees can quickly act on “see something, say something” guidance.
The committee discussed the recurring question of “who is ultimately in charge” of physical security preparedness coordination for these facilities.
Strong support emerged for recommending the City recreate/recommission a dedicated security manager position.
Member Tarkowski (DPW) indicated intent to include a security manager position in an upcoming budget request, with details still being developed.
The group wants to present to Council in April or May to provide a progress update ahead of the formal September deadline (mandated by resolution, around Sept.), and to ensure alignment with what Council asked for.
A subcommittee was referenced in the context of preparing for the Council update.
Co-Chairs Lipsk and Owczarski offered to lead the presentation, with other members available to join and answer questions if needed.
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| | 8. | | Preliminary information by Mr. Thomas Tarkowski on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments.
Minutes note: CEPTED overview:
Police department trained quite a few officers on CPTED and organized the work floor-by-floor.
Member Tarkowski was invited to the officer group presentations.
Training was provided by a representative affiliated with Arizona State University.
Key findings and example from assessments:
Identified simple, practical fixes such as adding lock plates to prevent doors being slipped open with a knife or credit card.
Some recommendations/observations felt “quite extreme,” including noting that City Hall windows are regular glass (not safety glass).
Mapped lines of sight inside and outside the building (high-rise with a middle atrium), including scenarios involving a rifle.
Flagged certain doors used by custodial staff that were left open, creating opportunities to stash items or remove property (even if little of value is stored there).
Discussed difficulty of mitigating certain risks in public restrooms (items stashed above ceiling tiles), especially under budget constraints.
Instructor expected to return to Milwaukee around May and planned to produce a written report compiling what the different groups presented.
On May 15, instructor expected to meet with ERGs from City Hall, Zeidler, and 809 to discuss additional environmental/security considerations.
Officers also worked with City Hall floor staff to identify potential shelter-in place locations.
Some shelter-in-place spaces raised concerns, particularly around door/lock mechanisms that need improvement.
DPW to track follow-up from CPTED, including reviewing the May 15 written report and acting on feasible “low-hanging fruit” fixes (e.g., lock plates, shelter-in-place lock improvements).
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| | 9. | | Items for future agendas and set next meeting date.
Minutes note: Send any future agenda items to Jim Owczarski the chair, or Carmen for inclusion on the next agenda.
Jim Owczarski and Chief Lipski to draft the council preview/presentation (based on the April 7, 2026 Preparedness Committee update) and email it to the group for input.
Chair/co-chair to schedule the next regular meeting (avoiding Friday afternoon) and notify the group.
Coordinate with Alderman Spiker to lock in an April/May council agenda date and keep the group posted. | | | |
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| | 10. | | Adjournment
Minutes note: Meeting adjourned at 9:41 am
Carmen O Roman
Staff Assistant | | | |
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