12-13-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 7 5. Mn/DNR Water Appropriation Permit – Residential Irrigation Ban – 253 Community Development Director Grochala recalled information, as included in his staff 254 report, on certain legal actions relating to water use, levels, White Bear Lake and 255 surrounding communities. Regulations of the Minnesota Department of Natural 256 Resources (DNR) are part of the consideration. There was an appeal process undertaken 257 regarding certain orders and, after further court consideration, some requirements were 258 confirmed; an appeal process continues. Director Grochala noted that the City recently 259 received notification that the lake has fallen below the designated mark for instituting 260 certain restrictions/actions. The City has been asked to comply voluntarily and 261 recognizing the time of the year (end of irrigation season), staff feels the City is in good 262 shape in complying. The DNR will be attending a future work session to discuss the 263 matter. He added that there are also implications on new wells. 264 6. Rice Creek Watershed District Appointment – City Administrator Cotton 265 reviewed her written staff report. Staff is seeking council direction on this appointment 266 process. The City and council have received notice of vacancy of a manager position. 267 Individuals can submit their names to Anoka County for consideration. Scott Robinson, 268 Lino Lakes resident, has applied. Ms. Cotton reviewed the statutory process guiding 269 appointments. Some other cities will be nominating individuals and, considering the 270 process, she is recommending that the council approval a resolution joining in submitting 271 a list of nominees, helping to ensure that the City has representative on the board. 272 273 Councilmember Stoesz asked if there is compensation for these positions; Administrator 274 Cotton will provide that information. Councilmember Stoesz asked if it would be 275 appropriate to interview an applicant. Ms. Cotton suggested that the council has not done 276 so in the past and ultimately the appointing authority belongs with the Anoka County 277 Board. 278 279 Mayor Rafferty supported staff’s recommendation with the understanding that the name 280 of Scott Robinson will be included. The council will consider the resolution at the 281 regular meeting. 282 7. 2022 Police Division Staffing – Public Safety Director Swenson explained that 283 there is information he’d like the council to have as well as make a request. There would 284 be a change in the budget related to his recommendation but no change to the preliminary 285 budget amount. 286 287 Director Swenson noted that the police division has been facing vacancies and has been 288 in a continual hiring cycle. The department is authorized at 28 sworn personnel and is 289 currently at 26. One sergeant is currently on light duty, one out on FMLA and three 290 officers are currently in the training program (finishing in December, January and spring). 291 He is proposing to delay the hiring of the 28th officer until July 2022 and using those 292 funds to hire a third Community Service Officer (CSO) and using savings to bring on a 293 retired officer part time to work on background checks. He explained that the CSO 294 program has been a good feeder program to hiring officers but there is some difficulty in 295 aligning openings. Now the department has identified two good candidates for one CSO 296