Finance committee recommends $319,000 to add ballistic glass, access controls at City Hall

The Waukesha City Finance Committee on June 30 voted unanimously to recommend a $319,000 amendment to the capital budget to fund security upgrades at City Hall.

Rebecca Peterson, communications and engagement manager, told the committee the city has recorded several disorderly incidents at City Hall that have left employees feeling unsafe and, she said, prompted some workers to resign. "The fear has gotten to the level that we have had employees actually resign from their position stating that they did not feel safe in their work environment," Peterson said.

The proposal includes four main elements: updating access-control levels on all floors so employee-only circulation is secured; installing barriers and bollards to better protect exterior utility access points and vehicle approaches; standardizing door and room numbering so first responders can quickly locate interior spaces; and installing a ballistic-rated glass and wall assembly at the Clerk-Treasurer counter and the engineering/public works customer service counter, where staff routinely interact with the public.

Joe Welter, facilities and construction manager in engineering, described technical specifics, saying the work would add card readers on the main floor, add an access-controlled door between staff circulation and public counters, expand camera coverage at current blind spots, and include design and implementation for ballistic glass at two public counters. "That would be a ballistic rated glass and wall assembly," Welter said.

Chief Thompson of the police department urged the committee to act, citing violent incidents at other agencies as a reason to install protective barriers now. "The cost is what we're talking about. It's the safety of our employees," Thompson said, noting that similar installations followed shootings at other facilities.

Committee members asked why the work was being proposed midyear instead of in the 2027 CIP. Staff responded that the city has available cash on hand — primarily accumulated interest earnings in the capital projects fund — that can be used now rather than waiting. "If this budget amendment passes, it will be using basically existing fund balance or reserves," a finance staff member said.

Members also pressed staff on whether other public-facing facilities would receive similar protection; a committee member said the water utility building already has ballistic glass and restricted access. Several members suggested the city standardize security features in future building protocols.

After discussion of design alternatives, timetable constraints around elections and tax season, and possible temporary staff relocations during construction, Alderman Doreen moved to recommend the capital budget amendment to allocate $319,000 for the City Hall Security Improvements Project; a committee member seconded. Staff emphasized that individual contracts will still be bid and brought forward for approval as required.

The committee held a voice vote; the record reads four ayes and the motion passed 4-0. Staff was directed to proceed with bidding and to coordinate construction timing to avoid high-demand service periods.

The committee also noted schedule items: the next committee meeting is set for July 14, and the first public CIP presentation for the 2027 budget cycle is scheduled for Aug. 25 at the City Garage.

The Finance Committee adjourned after the vote.