09/14/1970 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. L'Allier stated there had been several meetings between the mayors of these communities and these alternatives had evolved: 1. If we continue with part time policing, we are in violation of a 1969 law which requires training of these personnel. This law was not enforced in 1970, but it has been indicated that enforcement will be tightened in 1971. Therefore, to comply we must send our part time officers for full time training.- 2. Individual full time police forces can be set up. However, it would not be economical for Centerville, Lexington and Lino Lakes to do so. 3. The joint proposal for the 4 Village full time force. 4. The County proposal by the Sheriff's department. Mayor Anderson of Circle Pines stated their choice would be the full time proposal. The cost is quite comparable with the Sheriff's proposal; it is possible that the County would subsidize a portion of the cost. However, if the Villages must pay the full cost, then he would prefer to pick Circle Pines own force. If the County were to subsidize 50% or so, it would be economical to go that route. If funds were available for a combined force, they would go that way. W. Mavity wished to stress there was no way he could say that we could get funds for certain. The proposal does meet the priorities and would get a good review by the advisory committee. He stated that at maximum it would be a 3 -year appli- cation, with the application reviewed each year, and a new grant made on the second IIIand third years. He stated that the deadline for applications for the second phase funds was October 15, a final decision would be made by November 25, but funds would not be available until the spring of 1971, maybe in February or March. The appli- cations are reviewed by the regional group, the Metro Council and the Planning Committee. It was noted that the grants are not guaranteed renewable. W. Mavity stated that the grants are 60-40, with the government supplying 60% and the Village 40 %. Not more than 1/3 of the funds can be used for personnel. It does not cover cars, etc. The 40% can be made in soft match or it -kind grants (such as office space or personnel). A new application must be made each year, and the review is based on evaluation of the first year's program. The grantee is expected to say how the-project will be continued after the duration of the grant period. Mr. Mavity stated that the Metro Council office does provide assistance to municipali- ties in making the applications in order to 'make them feasible. It is not realistic to assume that the match will be made in money. Mr. Mavity stated that the County could apply for the same type grant to cover the same kind of proposal if their proposal is accepted. This would be a model of coordination. He admitted that be was not clear on all of this, that he had not studied the Sheriff's proposal. He felt that the need for better policing of this area was great, that the combined proposal would increase the quality and efficiency of the total operation, that modern management is needed, and that we could use 3 or 4 times the amount of men alloted in the proposal to cover this area. Eight officers is not an ideal situation. IIIMayor Munson asked whether Federal funds obtained by the County would have to be used here to spread out in-the County. Mr. Mavity stated that the County could apply for funds to use in any way they thought necessary, that it wouldn't have to go to any specified area. However, it would have to be approved by the County Board to be addressed to specific needs.