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Council narrows proposed workplace policy to personal vehicles and firearms, asks city attorney to reword and return
Summary
After extended discussion about tools, pocketknives and workplace safety, the council directed staff to amend a proposed policy so it addresses personal vehicles and firearms in city facilities and approved the revised language.
The council considered two personnel policies drafted by the city attorney’s office on Feb. 27—one on personal vehicles stored on city property and the other on weapons in the workplace—and asked revisions to focus the policy on firearms while clarifying vehicle language.
City Attorney Jennifer Ritchie (Messer Fort PLLC) described the draft weapons definition as including “firearms, explosive knives, and other weapons that might be considered dangerous or that could cause harm.” Council members raised concerns that a broad definition could unintentionally cover tools routinely used by public works staff, such as pocketknives and screwdrivers, and sought clearer language distinguishing tools used in the ordinary course of work from weapons brought with violent intent.
Council members agreed to revise the vehicle provision to use the word “vehicles” instead of “cars” to reflect all personal vehicle types and to limit the weapons policy to firearms rather than a blanket prohibition on all items that might be considered dangerous. A motion to change the draft accordingly and approve the revised policy passed unanimously.
The council also directed the city attorney to return updated policy language that clarifies definitions (for example, tools routinely used on the job vs. weapons) and search‑and‑seizure procedures for employee property, noting that searches should be handled by law enforcement under a reasonable suspicion standard.
