HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/25/1976 Council MinutesMarch 25, 1976
The special meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:00
P.M. by Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present; Karth, McLean, Schneider, Zelinka.
Mr. Locher was also present.
Mayor Bohjanen noted this meeting is for the express purpose of hearing information
relative to the complaint of Mr. and Mrs. John Webster. A petition with approxi-
mately one hundred signatures asking for the removal of Chief Myhre and Sgt. Costa
for using bad judgement had been presented to Mayor Bohjanen at the March 22, 1976
Council meeting. The Mayor requested the Clerk to read the heading on the petition.
Chief Myhre made the following remarks relative to the charges. The charges on the
petition only cite 'bad judgement' with no specific charges listed; only 94 persons
on the petition live in Lino Lakes; only 64 are registered voters; quite a few of
the names listed are persons who have had dealings with the Police Department.
Chief Myhre cited the number of incidents the Police Department have handled and
the many cases that have been solved. He felt the Department is run efficently and
the incidents are handled correctly.
Mr. John Webster presented their side of the incident and the reasons for the pet-
ition. There was a difference in the length of time Mrs. Webster was detained.
Cheif Myhre said the time is recorded on tape at Central Communications - it can
be checked.
When Mr. Webster had concluded his statement, Mayor Bohjanen asked if any one had
any comments.
Chief Myhre explained why the Lino Lakes Police Department was at the location and
for what purpose, The stopping of the Webster car was handled in the normal proc-
edure for any department involved with a possible felony suspect.
There was discussion on the wearing apparel of Mrs. Webster, the fact the weather
was bad and there was poor visibility, the location of the driveways and the common
driveway of two of the buildings.
Mr. Zelinka read an article from a Texas paper citing an incident where the wrong
apartment had been forcibly entered and searched for drugs. There was no legal
action planned against the officers who participatedin this action; it stated they
simply made a mistake.
Chief Myhre quoted the State Statutes that supported the action they had taken.
He apologized to Mr. &Mrs. Webster but felt they had acted in accordance with the law
and relevant to the situation.
Mr. Webster asked why he had not been called and Sgt. Costa said there was one civ-
ilian on the scene and they did not want any one else involved in what could be-
come a dangerous position.
Chief Myhre was asked if he knew Mrs. Webster, why was she held? He said he knew
who she was but he was instructed by the Anoka County Sheriff's office to hold and
they would advise. Mr. Zelinka noted that evenif this person had been the Chief's
brother, he couldn't have let him go.
Mr. Schneider said the petition says 'several' incidents, what are the others?
Mr. Webster cited an incident with a motor home that occurred in 1973. Chief Myhre
presented his side of the incident, and the advise he had given to Mr. Webster.
March 25, 1976
Mr. Webster paid the way he sees things and the way the Police see things are very
different- . He felt there was no reason to continue this discussion. He said
he was just going to give up.
Mr. Locher reported that he had consulted with the Sheriff and the Detective in-
volved in this case. He has a copy of the detective's report and the indication
of an armed and dangerous man is noted in this report. This person has been under
suspicion of first degree murder.
Mr. Webster had made several references to the Police Reportand he was asked how
he had this information. Mr. Webster said he had a copy of the Police Report.
The Council was asked if this was common practice to give out copies of the Police
reports. Mr. Zelinka said the report contained no information other than reference
to the incident involving Mrs. Webster and he had given Mr. Webster a copy of the
report.
There was discussion as to what happens to this report - does it stay in the local
office or is sent on to Anoka County. Chief Myhre said this report stays here.
Mrs. Vi Schwankl felt the positive actions of the Police Department should be poi-
nted out and appreciated, not to always point out the mistakes.
Mayor Bohjanen said the complaints to him have concerned Sgt. Costa and he has dis-
cussed this matter with Sgt. Costa. Most People who have contacted him have ob-
jected to the manner in which they were treated. They felt Sgt. Costa was too
blunt.
Sgt. Costa said he can accept this a constructive critism. He said he is an ex-
New Yorker and some times the manner in which he presents himself is on the gruff
side.
Both officers apologized to the Websters and assured them and the people who had
signed the petition, this incident would be forgotten.
Mr. Zelinka moved to tender Council apology to the Websters but the handling of
this matter was within proper Police action and no further action will be taken.
Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Bohjanen told the Websters the records of this incident stay at the City Hall
and will go no further.
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Mr. Zelinka said it was proper this matter was brought to the attention of the Council,
since the Websters felt it had not been handled properly.
Someone asked if the petition waspublic information? Can anyone get a copy? Mr.
Locher said, Yes, once it is filed with the Council, copies may be had but they
must be paid for.
Mr. McLean moved to adjourn at 9:00 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Zelinka. Aye
These inutes were .pproved, with corrections on
CLERK- T'EASURER
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