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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-20 Board Minutes1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OTAY WATER DISTRICT February 3, 2020 1.The meeting was called to order by Treasurer Thompson at 8:02 a.m. 2.ROLL CALL Directors Present:Gastelum, Robak (joined the Board in Closed Session), Smith and Thompson Directors Absent: Croucher Staff Present: General Manager Mark Watton, Attorney Jeanne Blumenfeld, Human Resources Manager Kelli Williamson, District Secretary Susan Cruz and others per attached list. 3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4.APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Director Smith, seconded by Director Gastelum and carried with the following vote: Ayes: Directors GasteIum, Smith and Thompson Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Directors Croucher and Robak to approve the agenda. 5.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION BUT NOT AN ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA No one wished to be heard. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION 6.CLOSED SESSION The board recessed to closed session at 8:04 a.m. to discuss the following matter: a)PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT [GOVERNMENT CODE §54957] 2 TITLE: GENERAL MANAGER The board reconvened at 2:57 p.m. and Attorney Jeanne Blumenfeld indicated that the board took no reportable actions in closed session. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION 7.ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING Mr. Oscar Ramirez, Safety and Security Administrator, provided a brief background of Sgt. Oscar Lizardi who provided the training. Sgt. Lizardi indicated District staff has already taken his active shooter training. He stated that his training differs from other active shooter training as it focuses on the importance of awareness before getting into the subject matter. He provided additional details of his background and expertise as a law enforcement responder from Santa Ana, Orange County, a Senior SWAT Team Leader, and a previous supervisor who managed several Divisions (Gang Unit, and Violent Crimes and Suppression Unit). Please reference the attached PowerPoint presentation for details of Mr. Lizardi’s training. In response to several questions from Director Thompson, Sgt. Lizardo suggested that active shooter trainings should be held at least once a year and that the District provide quarterly reviews and reminders of its active shooter policy and procedures. In addition, law enforcement and first responders should be invited to the District to become familiar with the layout of the buildings/facilities, and security personnel should be at board meetings to monitor entrances and any suspicious activities. Mr. Oscar Ramirez noted that Ms. Nicky Felt, a safety advisor for the Department of Homeland Security, was in the audience and that her services includes assessments and recommendations on how to increase safety. Also, in the audience were representatives (John and David) from Eagle Systems, Inc.; a company that produces devices/sensors that detects gun shots. In response to discussions and several concerns from board members, General Manager Watton stated that the District could research the possibility of hiring an on-duty first responder to provide security services at board meetings. Ms. Nicky Felt suggested to close the boardroom door during board meetings as it would add another layer of defense and buy time for board members and attendees to take action. Director Hector Gastelum stepped off the dias at 4:16pm and returned to the dias at 4:18pm. Sgt. Lizardi provided a demonstration of gunfire with various calibers (.22 and .38) from different District locations (boardroom, lobby and outside entrance). 3 Mr. Ramirez stated that he will explore the possibility of establishing message alerts (via cell phone text messages) to all District staff. Director Thompson requested that the General Manager Mark Watton return to the board within 90 days and provide recommendations for safer board meetings. 8.ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Board, Director Thompson adjourned the meeting at 4:46 p.m. ___________________________________ President ATTEST: District Secretary SC:TRK “Preparation is the Key to your Success” Active Shooter & Personal Safety Awareness 213 casualties (85 killed, 128 wounded) 2 law enforcement killed 6 law enforcement wounded 27 shooters (23 M, 3FM 1 AL) 10 committed suicide 11 apprehended by police 4 killed by police 1 killed by citizens 9 incidents ended with exchange of gunfire by police and shooter *Ages 13-64, 18 workplace related, 5 schools An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation. Poor situational awareness makes it difficult to identify threats and respond to them in a timely manner Develop the habit of scanning the area around them, watch what people are doing and be mindful of changes to their environmentLook for people and things that don’t belong, or don’t follow the pattern Most of the public couldn’t tell you what’s happening beyond six inches from their nose … don’t let friends and family become one of these zombies “OODA Loop” –Col. John Boyd Make a habit of identifying ways to get out of whatever space they find themselves inLook for doors, stairs and service entrancesLook for things that can be used to smash through windows –or even walls –to create an exit where none exists Identify the obstacles and chokepoints that could prevent you from getting out when a crowd rushes that way in a panic Hitting the deck during the initial moments of an attack might make a lot of sense and prevent you from getting hit by gunfire, but it might be a bad place to stay in the long runStaying on the floor-trampled by the crowd or targeted by an attacker Don’t freeze in place on the ground. It might make sense to stay still in some situations, but in most cases, your odds of survival will improve if you get out of there quickly A moving target is hard to hit, but a slow-moving or stationary target on the floor is easy target for an attacker Take the threat seriously, the shock and stress of an attack can lead an unprepared mind to panic and freezeThese events are survivable, even if you are wounded, if you keep your head and make good decisionsLearn “tactical breathing” or other skills that will help to calm you down, and gain control of emotions so you can think and act Ignoring the threat won’t make it go away, and will only set you up for failure if you’re unlucky enough to get caught in one of these situationsTraining, training and more training Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life Remember that our customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation Have an escape route and plan in mind Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow Leave your belongings behind Help others escape, if possible Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be Keep your hands visible Follow the instructions of any police officers Do not attempt to move wounded people Call 911 when you are safe Be out of the active shooter’s view Move to protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door) Don’t trap yourself or restrict your options for movement Lock the door to prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place Blockade the door with heavy furniture Lock the door Silence your cell phone Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions) Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks) Remain quiet Remain calm Dial 911, if possible (If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen) As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her Throwing items and improvising weapon Yelling Commit to your actions! Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard Officers usually arrive in groups Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety First officers on scene will likely not provide aid to injured Officers will give commands for everyone to show their hands Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets, weapons) Immediately raise hands and spread fingers Keep hands visible at all times Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises Casualty Collection Points established Safety Corridors Rescue Task Forces established Medical Treatment Extractions/evacuations Designated Triage area Transportation to Hospitals Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.