06-23-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JUNE 23, 2004 xAPPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT NO. 2004-I3 AMA AUTAORIZ7NG THE AD vERT]SEMENT FOX I37DS; *APPROVA7_ OE PAY REQUES"1' FOR 2003 IMI'IZOVEMENTS AS Si173MITThD 73Y PARK CONSTRUCTION The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by LaVa(le. Ayes (5) Anderson, LaValle, Montour, Blesener, Fahey. Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. 800 MHZ The City Administrator reviewed his memo dated June 18, 2004 relative SYSTEM to Ramsey County's initiative to create an 800 MHz communication system. The Administrator indicated that since he prepared the memo, Ramsey County has decided to locate its dispatch center in the same building with the City of St. Paul's and continue to explore the possibility of merging these two dispatch centers. The Cities of White Bear Lake and Maplewood have opted out of a co-located system at this time. The Administrator indicated that the unofficial position of the cities contracting with the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department are in support of separation for the reasons outlined in the June 18'x' memo. "The Council discussed the location of the County's dispatch center in a same building with the City of St. Paul's. Fahey expressed concern that this relocation would be a huge expense that the suburban cities would be asked to absorb. Concern was also expressed about service and staffing levels as well as the potential for cost shifting to the suburban cities, thus significantly increasing costs. Anderson pointed out that Little Canada did not support the location of the new Sheriff's Department in Arden Hills. Now there will be additional costs to move the dispatch center into a shared building with St. Paul. Fahey suggested that dependent on cost impact to Little Canada, the City may have to look at its options with regard to obtaining police sewices. Blesener noted that there are not a lot of options available to Little Canada, acid other evaluations that have been done have shown the County to be the most cost-effective. However, this could change depending on increases iu dispatching costs. Don Smiley, Emergency Services Coordinator, reported on the County's efforts to locate a site large enough to the County's and St. Paul's dispatching services. 15