By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A lock box ordinance — the on-again, off-again local legislation that has, at times, drawn heated debate — is moving forward in the new year, following a recent decision by officials.
In a narrow 4-3 vote, the Common Council on Sept. 6 voted to re-enact the lock box ordinance and begin enforcement Jan. 1.
At its core, the document requires a number of multi-tenant residential and commercial facilities provide accommodations for police, firefighters and emergency medical professionals to access a building in the event of an emergency. Property owners bear the responsibility of funding the secure boxes and matching keys.
Council members voting in favor of the change included James Allen, Lynn Binnie, Chris Grady and Patrick Wellnitz. Voting against it were Council President Patrick Singer and council members Stephanie Goettl and James Langnes III.
After receiving an earful of complaints, city officials early this year held off on enforcing the lock box ordinance indefinitely. Some property owners complained of inadequate notice, while others simply asserted their own private insurance provided similar or, in some cases, better protection.
In an attempt toward taking property owners’ concerns into consideration, a task force, led by council member Lynn Binnie, combed through the city’s existing four-page document and made recommended changes with input from city staffers.
Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell discussed some of the logistics around lock boxes at last week’s meeting. The goal, McDonell said, is to provide qualified officials with the proper equipment and information to gain the necessary access in emergency situations.
“The system would provide for a secure box to be placed in each vehicle, including police, fire and rescue,” McDonell said. “The box would be opened with a pass code that would be issued to each qualified member of the department. Each member would have a unique, confidential pass code.”
During the most recent deliberations, McDonell attempted to underscore that there would be a system of checks and balances if and when an emergency responder accessed a building through the lock box system. Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher backed up this assertion.
“The secure key system would provide an audit trail by recording the date, time and identity of the person opening the box and would bring an added level of security for guarding against improper use of lock box master keys,” McDonell said.
One of the most notable changes, following the task force’s input, is the scope of which property owners would be required to obtain a lock box and conform to city ordinances.
In its initial state, 102 industrial, commercial and multi-residential facilities were eyed for the ordinance. The number, as of the Sept. 6 meeting, was whittled down to 58 facilities.
Speaking to the change, McDonell said the buildings since omitted from the list met one or more criteria, including a consideration for being “low-risk” or a freestanding facility. Contiguous buildings — particularly the commercial properties in the downtown area — remain on the list since the likelihood of fire spreading is higher.
Last week’s ordinance revision was considered a first reading. On Sept. 20, the council is slated to make a second, final vote on the issue, meaning further amendments could be incorporated into the document.
Whitewater is not alone in its lock box ordinance review. A number of Southeastern Wisconsin communities have undertaken similar steps in recent years.
The boxes typically cost around $250. A company known as Knox has been supplying the boxes and keys.
