It won’t be inexpensive to put in place security enhancements at the City Council chambers.

The City Council when they meet Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m., will weigh four options they asked staff to prepare for their consideration.

Each would include ongoing $1,500 on cost each meeting for police overtime.

Upfront costs from $1,000 to $10,000 for each of the first three options and up to $100,000 for the fourth option.

The options are:

*Law enforcement personnel and K9 presence at all council meetings.

*Hand held “wand” screening.

*Mobile walk-through metal detector, and secondary hand-held “wand” screening.

*Walk-through metal detector, bag screening, and secondary hand-held “wand” screening.

The proposals were advanced in response to safety concerns expressed by some council members.

The current conditions include electronic access to controlled staff-only areas, operational law enforcement presence during council meetings, and the open design of the city hall complex.

The presentation notes there are evolving public facility standards, an increased focus on the safety of elected officials, more improved access management technologies available, and an opportunity exists for proactive modernization.

The review of security enhancement options is being driven by a need to maintain public accessibility while supporting visitor, staff, and council safety.

The first option of law enforcement presence at all council meeting would include a K9 officer to provide an extra layer of security, is the least invasive to the public, and would have no additional anticipated personnel costs.

Drawbacks include limited K9 law enforcement personnel and the fact all of the department’s K9 officers may not be suited to the specific purpose to respond to all types of threats.

The hand-wand screening can be conducted by law enforcement personnel, provides enhanced detection accuracy with adjustable sensitivity, is portable as well as cost effective, and would likely not require additional law enforcement personnel

The walk-through metal detector, bag screening, and secondary hand-held wand screening is touted as providing the most security during public meetings.

Drawbacks include the expensive costs associated with improvements, equipment, and staffing.

It also would create potential delays for people to enter council meetings and such.

Police suggested additional City Hall safety improvements as well in addition to the requested options for the council chambers.

Those improvements include:

*Protective safety glass at counters.

*Controlled staff access doors.

*Enhanced separation between public and staff areas.

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To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com