09/14/1970 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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188 Al Westerhaus inquired what percentage of applicants were granted funds. Mr. Mavity replied that it did not actually go on a percentage basis. Out of $1,650,000 allowed for region G, 40% of the funds or $700,000 went to the 14 police- related projects which were applied for. Mr. Al Ross wished to acknowledge the presence of the Mayor and others from Centerville in the audience. W. Mavity left at 8 p.pi. Sheriff Talbot called on Bob Johnson, County Attorney, for comments. W. Johnson mentioned that although the quality of our part time forces was great, there is the factor of protection of police officers on whom there seems to be an "open season ". He stated that the pressures and the dangers of law enforcement were great and tremendous sophistication was necessary. He stated that he would hesitate to apprehend someone now like he had done 10 and more years ago; that we have been lucky in this area. We need full time, fully trained officers. W. Johnson noted that the Sheriff and the County have tried to bring a coordinat'U effort together. Some situations and responsibilities are regional and transcent municipal lines. Under the Joint Powers Act, they want to set up a Joint Law Enforce- ment Council which will be composed of the local chiefs of police and one appointed official of each Village plus the Sheriff and 3 other men from the County for a total of 16 persons; these will appoint a chairman from outside this group. There was discussion on what this Council could do and what powers it would have. Mr. Johnson felt they would undertake a study to determine aptitudinal changes in school systems. After a- few comments, Mr. Johnson left at 8:07 p.m. for another meeting. Mayor Anderson stated again that the Sheriff's and the combined Village proposals were not too dissimilar. He asked Sheriff Talbot to give the gist of the proposal. Mr. Talbot read the services to be rendered from the proposal along with the figures, totalling $133,500.00. He stated that the County would underwrite 50% of the cost for the first year, 40% the second year and so forth until we are self- supporting. This was discussed. Administrator Bernie Steffen stated that the underwriting could continue for 5 to 10 years, but they would not pin down a definite period. He thought it would go for a minimum of 5 years and be negotiated after that. Mr. L'Allier inquired whether we would repay the subsidies; Mr. Steffen stated that there had been no discussion on this. The mayors gave the cost of present policing as follows: Circle Pines - -$5.00 per head; Lexington- -$6.50 per head; Lino Lakes - -$4.00 per head; Centerville --$5 -6 per head. Mr. L'Allier noted that the Sheriff's proposal with 50% subsidy would cost $6.50 per head and the combined proposal would cost $9.82. He noted that it cost roughly $10 per head for full time forces in the County now. Mayor Anderson noted that the revised cost on the combined proposal would make the per capita cost $11.20/head, whereas the Sheriff's proposal could cost anywhere from $10 to $13 per head. Mayor Anderson noted that Circle Pines would have to increase its budget by 30% or $30,000 if we went by the County proposal; that 7% would be added to their total mill rate for policing alone. He felt that this was too much of a load to add and they were reluctant to do so. Circle Pines would like to keep the part time force, but since it looks like the law will be enforced, their choice is down to 2 full time forces. Mayor L'Allier called on Commissioner Kordiak to speak. Mr. Kordiek stated that the County is interested in helping the Southeast portion of the County; Columbia Heights is opposed to the subsidy. Initially they would cover 50% of the cost of the contract