05/11/1987 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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- 104 COUNCIL MEETING MAY 11, 1987 No action was taken on the request for Lino Lakes to participate in paying the $1000. PRESENTATION OF MEDIATION SERVICES FOR ANOKA COUNTY - ANN WALLERSTEDT Ms. Wallerstedt introduced herself to the Council and explained that she is the executive director of this service and wished to inform the Council of its program. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process whereby people in conflict can sit down with a trained volunteer and work out their problem using win -win strategies. The volunteer's role is to facilitate the negotiation, remain impartial at all times and to help create options if needed. The mediators do not make decisions but maintain control. This program was instituted by the 1981 legislature. Some types of disputes considered by this service are, neighborhood disputes, junk cars, weeds, other peoples children, pets and noise. These disputes usually never get resolved, one party just moves from the neighborhood. The method of referring is by telephone, police, staff or parties in dispute. The mediation staff then calls the parties involved and lets them know of the information which they have received. There is no cost for the service. If the problem is not solved, the parties can go through legal channels as they normally would without this service. If the parties agree to meet, then each side gives their viewpoint and also their recommendation on how the dispute can be solved. If a settlement is reached an agreement is drawn up. Each side is given a copy of the agreement. There is no power to see that the agreement is followed. Ms. Wallerstedt noted that she is the only staff and she has an office in Coon Rapids. There are eighteen trained volunteer mediators. At this time Ms. Wallerstedt requested support of this program and funding at the rate of five cents per capita to help meet the annual expenses. She noted that in the future she expects the state to help fund these expenses and the persons in dispute may be asked to help pay some costs involved. She will also be soliciting funding from grants and other sources. Mr. Marier asked who qualifies as a mediator? Ms. Wallerstedt explained and noted that not applicants for this position were accepted. Ms. Wallerstedt thanked the Council for allowing her to make her presentation. Mayor Benson told the Council that Ms. Wallerstedt has made two requests. The first was for support of the services and the second was funding. After further discussion, Mr. Marier moved to approve the concept of the mediation services and noted that the point for