Staff Report Access & Security[16158]
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: October, 20 2020
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Access control & Security Camera’s
Background:
Security of the city facilities is of high importance. All the facilities are used by multiple people
and groups. With the new Covid-19 rules there is a need for a way to control access to our
buildings that will still leave them secure. Last year the city added remote door locks and
security cameras to the warming house to allow for access during off hours and to have video if
anything were to happen at the site.
Fire/Public Works;
Over the years the fire department has considered the option of upgrading the doors for better
access and control. We currently have to have the locks re-keyed every couple of years as
employees quit and vendors change. We have also had issues with the way the building is used,
but without video it is hard to determine who is not acting as required. Currently the fire station
is used by MN dot, WC sheriff’s office, WC public work, State patrol, Scandia public works &
Scandia fire fighters. By having monitored access we would know who has entered the building
and video would allow for even more knowledge of who is in the building. We would also have
the ability to see if any of the doors (service or overhead) are left open since we are working
remotely and do not have as many staff in the building as normal. The area behind the fire station
has also been used as a dumping area for people. A video system would assist with stopping the
illegal dumping. We could also advertise an area as a safe meeting place for our residents; I have
been contacted by residents in the past looking for this option.
Community Center;
With the current by appointment only policy this would allow staff to allow the public in when
needed more efficiently. We also have the issue of key control, with the new system if a key fob
is lost or stolen that fob can just be deactivate vs currently the lock would need to be re-keyed
and new keys distributed. With the video system around the building would be monitored and the
front entry and hallway would be monitored.
Quote from Twin City Hardware has been included in your packet.
Issue:
Should the City install new access control and a Video surveillance system?
Proposal Details:
Install new access control on the outside access doors on the fire station and public works
building, some doors would also have a code keypad for access when you do not have a key card
with you or are not assigned one. The keypad would be for agencies like the sheriff, state &
county public works, and we could give out many different codes to each department to have
even a better idea of who is entering. We would also have the ability for the first person that
arrives at the station to unlock the exterior door for other responders to have quick access during
emergency calls. We would also install security cameras in both fire & PW truck bays to allow
us to see who is there and confirm that doors are all closed. And install Cameras around the
building for security. For city hall we would have access control on both the inner and outer
entrance doors for access to the new window system that is going to be installed. There would
also be new access locks on the event room so if someone entered the building they would be
limited to the hallway if they did not have an access fob.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact to complete entire project is $$48,861.53
Fire station portion is $14,087.33 for the door access system and $6,917.82 for the
camera system
Public works portion is $7,198.35 for the door access system and $4,611.88 for the
camera system
City hall portion is $8,444.66 for the door access system and $7,601.53 for the camera
Options:
(1) Direct staff to proceed with security upgrade for fire/PW & city hall buildings
(2) Determine a different solution
(3) Do nothing
Recommendation:
Option (1).