(A) No person shall be allowed to enter a public meeting at the City Hall, 1010 Broadway Street, in possession of any of the following items, and entering any such public meeting in possession of any of the following is expressly prohibited:
(1) Any gun or firearm of any kind or type;
(2) Any knife with any blade longer than two inches;
(3) Any drug, controlled substance (as defined in the state statutes), or any drug-related material or contraband; and
(4) No device or instrument that could be used as a weapon, excluding those items to assist with a handicap accessibility.
(B) All persons, property, purses, brief cases, computers (owners of computers must be able to demonstrate that the computer is functional and operates), recording devices, electronic devices, clothing or pockets, or other items may be searched for unauthorized items. Illegal items will subject the person to arrest.
(C) A metal detector shall be used to scan persons when entering the building. Any indication of metal on or about the person will be subject to further investigation, which could include a pat-down search of the person for the purpose of detecting any prohibited item. Entry will be denied to the building if any person refuses to comply with all reasonable demands of the screener.
(D) Items that are prohibited by this section that are not illegal may be removed from the building by the owner or they will be retained by the screener for safekeeping and will be returned to the owner upon his or her departure from the building and immediately before exit of the building. Illegal items seized will be subject to further legal action.
(E) The Chief of Police or his or her designee will be responsible for the security of public meetings and will make final determination of eligibility for entry to the building(s).
(F) Entrance to the City Council Chambers will be open to the public 45 minutes prior to the meeting start. Entry to the City Council Chambers, for the purpose of a public meeting, will require the entrance to the building through the City Police Department.
(G) Compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, ADA, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq. for access to the building will be accommodated by either prior notification to Police Department of your planned attendance by calling 217-847-3347 or upon arrival at the Police Department where arrangements will be made to provide access to the Council Chamber. People subject to ADA shall also be subject to any search deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police or his or her designee prior to admittance to the building.
(Ord. 10 (Series 2008-2009), passed 9-2-2008) Penalty, see § 10.99