GENTRY — Council chambers were unusually full in Gentry Monday night when business owners and other citizens came to voice their concerns about the upcoming implementation of a 2006 ordinance requiring commercial buildings in Gentry to have a key box installed by May 1, 2011.

The ordinance requiring businesses to install key boxes - also called Knox boxes because approved key boxes have been manufactured by the Knox Company - was passed by the Gentry City Council on April 3, 2006 (Ordinance No. 06-587). It required all newly constructed business buildingsand major remodels - renovations with an estimated cost of 25 percent or more of the estimated new cost of the business structure - to install the lock boxes at the time of construction or remodel but allowed a 5-year grace period to have the boxes installed on existing business structures. The ordinance requires all Gentry businesses to have approved key boxes in place by May 1, 2011.

The council took up the old ordinance again on Monday after a petition was circulated and submitted to the city with signatures of more than 40 Gentry business owners requesting that the council reconsider requiring existing structures to install the approved key boxes by next May.

Business owner’s complaints about the ordinance were varied, from concerns over giving the fire department keyed access to their businesses and being forced to give up civil liberties and privacy, to the cost of the boxes themselves - estimated at about $200 before installation.

A common complaint was the lack of communication between the council in 2006 and business owners. Most said they knew nothing of the ordinance which passed more than four years ago until recently.

“It’s about choice,” said business owner Marsha Bland. “It’s a hard pill to swallow when you’re told you’ve got to do it. And a lot of people cannot afford the $200 right now.”

“I wouldn’t want to give the fire department a key to my house, and I don’t want to give them a key to my business,” said business owner Dean Shafer. “I don’t want to give up my civil liberties.”

“I’m against the key box,” said business owner Jack Elder, adding that the requirement could stifle growth in Gentry. “Are you listening to the 50 businesses (who signed the petition)?” he asked.

Councilman Jason Barrett recommended the council amend the current ordinance and strike the portion requiring key boxes on existing business structures unless a remodel of the structure amounting to 25 percent or more of the building’s current construction cost were to take place. After discussion, he amended his motion to also require the key boxes on buildings with sprinkler systems or fire alarms. Councilwoman Janice Arnold voiced a second to the motion and its amended form.

The importance of having key boxes on structures with fire alarms or sprinkler systems is related to the need to investigate the alarms when they come in rather than waiting for the owner to arrive or the fire to become visible from outside the structure. Waiting can also make it more dangerous for the firefighters who enter the buildings if a fire has burned under a floor or inside a wall or ceiling.

The key boxes make it possible for the fire department to investigate alarms without breaking down doors or breaking out windows, and they make it possible for the fire department to enter immediately and prevent greater damage if there is a fire or a sprinkler system has been activated.

Councilwoman Janie Parks suggested striking the whole ordinance and requiring key boxes only on those structures with sprinkler systems or fire alarms.

Gentry Fire Chief Vester Cripps said he liked the ordinance as it was and helped draft the 2006 ordinance.

“I like the ordinance as it is,” Cripps said. “It’s a little stricter than the state requirement but easier to implement now than when we have twice as many businesses. I can live with dropping the key box requirement for existing structures,” he said but explained that he really thought it best to require all commercial structures to have the boxes.

Gentry resident and Highfill Fire Marshal Rob Holland said the key boxes were a safety issue for firemen and could reduce damage to a structure in the event of a fire or broken sprinkler system. The time spent waiting for a key in the event of an alarm could cost a fireman his life, Holland explained.

Though the police do not have access codes to key boxes, Gentry Police Chief Keith Smith told the council he would like to see the city require the key boxes at all schools, day care facilities and banks, where the possibility of a hostage situation could arise. He said the availability of a key and an undetected entry could make a difference in saving lives.

When the roll was called, the entire council, with the exception of Parks, voted to bring back an ordinance for consideration which would strike the requirement that key boxes be installed on existing commercial structures, but retaining the other provisions of the ordinance and adding a requirement for key boxes on commercial structures with a fire alarm or sprinkler system. The proposed amendment will be brought back before the council at its November meeting.

Skate Spot Park

With the completion of the city's new Skate Spot Park at hand, the council approved a new street light configuration on Main Street by the park which will change out two light fixtures and add a third 400-watt lamp aimed toward the new facility. The cost to the city for the three lights is $11.21 per month, with no upfront charge.

News, Pages 1 on 10/06/2010