03-25-2015 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA MARCH 25, 2015 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 25th day of March, 2015 in the Council Chambers of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor John Keis called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Mr. John Keis Council Member Mr. Tom Fischer Council Member Mr. Michael McGraw Council Member Mr. Rick Montour Council Member Mr. Christian Torkelson ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mr. Joel R. Hanson Ramsey Cty. Sheriff Comm. Ty Sheridan City Clerk Ms. Kathy Glanzer SECURITY The City Administrator reported that the purpose of tonight's workshop ISSUES meeting is to discuss meeting security issues with the Sheriff's Department. Montour asked what sorts of security measures could be taken in the building to ensure a sense of comfort and safety for staff, residents, and Council Members. Commander Ty Sheridan, Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, indicated that some cities are installing Kevlar as part of their council tables. He noted that Kevlar is not impenetrable, however. Sheridan pointed out that other issues to consider relative to security at Council meetings involve exit routes and sight lines. He also noted that the degree of safety improvements the City might want to make also comes down to cost. Relative to safety improvements that could be made in the City Center front counter area, there are options to install bullet-proof glass barriers at the front counter. These are in place at the Sheriff's Department offices given the issue of safety for administration personnel in dealing with some of the individuals that come into the Sheriff's Department. There is also the option of installing a glass barrier at a front counter that is not bullet- proof. Sheridan also reported that three of the contracting cities (Falcon Heights, Shoreview, and Vadnais Heights) have a deputy attend their council meetings. Shoreview also has a deputy at Planning Commission meetings.