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Commission approves universal metal-detector screening; brief executive-session settlement announced for $85,000
Summary
On June 3 the commission voted to require all meeting attendees, including commissioners, to pass through security screening; in executive session the commission agreed to settle a pending automobile-accident lawsuit for $85,000, according to the public record at the meeting's close.
The City Commission voted during its June 3 work session to require everyone entering commission meetings — including elected commissioners — to pass through the metal-detector/security screening that had been used selectively at some public meetings.
Commission discussion focused on equal treatment and safety; Commissioner John Howard said he was "absolutely" concerned about his safety, and other commissioners agreed. The chair called a roll and recorded affirmative votes; the chief of police advised the commission to post notice at meeting entrances indicating that screening is a condition of attendance.
Later in the agenda the commission moved into an executive session to discuss "pending litigation." After reconvening to open session, the mayor announced the commission had discussed a proposed resolution to settle a state-court lawsuit (Runell James v. City of Albany) arising from an automobile accident. The commission agreed to a settlement of $85,000 payable to the plaintiff's attorney, and the mayor said the plaintiff's attorney will dismiss the case upon payment.
The metal-detector screening policy was adopted by roll call at the June 3 meeting and will be implemented with posted notice; the settlement was authorized in executive session and announced in open session with the payment and dismissal conditions described publicly.
