07-10-2023 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS – Item 2 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 2 Date: July 10, 2023 To: City Council From: John Swenson, Public Safety Director Re: Minnesota Public Safety Aid Background The 2023 Tax Omnibus bill approved by the Minnesota legislature provides $300 million in December 2023 to townships, cities, counties, and tribal governments for public safety purposes. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety must determine and notify each government entity the amount of public safety aid the entity will receive by August 1, 2023. The funds must be disbursed to the entities no later than December 26, 2023. Based on the funding formula included in the legislation we anticipate that Lino Lakes will receive approximately $929,294 in public safety aid. Senator Gustafson, who was chief author of this legislation in the Senate, has previously provided information on what this public safety aid can be used for. Here is that information: • Money to provide public safety, including but not limited to community violence prevention and intervention programs, community engagement, mental health crisis responses, victim services, training programs, first responder wellness, or to pay other personnel or equipment costs. • Proceeds may not be used for employer contributions to the public employee’s police and fire fund if the entity received police state aid in the year immediately prior, or any costs associated with alleged wrongdoing or misconduct. • Proceeds may not be used for the purchase of an armored or tactical vehicle • Proceeds may not be used for the purchase of tear gas, chemical munitions, or substantially similar items • Proceeds may not be used for construction, reconstruction, remodeling, expansion, or improvement of a police station, including related facilities. For purposes of this clause, "related facilities" includes access roads, lighting, sidewalks, and utility components on or adjacent to the property on which the police station is located that are necessary for safe access to and use of the building. The decision related to the use of these one-time public safety dollars will affect the 2024, and possibly the 2025, Public Safety budgeting process; therefore staff is seeking Council direction on proposed uses of these funds.