06/25/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL COUNCIL WORK SESSION JUNE 25, 2002 Councilmember O'Donnell inquired about the 800 -Megahertz system. Chief Pecchia stated the 800 -Megahertz system is not in the Plan and the legislature has passed a special taxing district regarding that issue. The County Board will be coming back to say they want local involvement in the program. Funding is an outstanding issue so it should not be included in the Plan at this time. Chief Pecchia stated that for every three officers added to the Department there are additional costs relating to work stations, training and uniform costs. All officers within the Five -Year Plan are grant officers because the City can justify the need for additional officers. Supervisory positions are not included in the Plan. There are currently twenty- two officers, four sergeants and one chief. Councilmember Reinert stated the growth in population over the next five years would probably be 10-12%. It is projected in the Plan that staff in department is increasing 50%. He asked why there is such a large increase in staff co ,fi d to the population increase. Chief Pecchia stated the projections come from populati dat, calls for service and availability to determine the number of officers that ded. As officers reach the top benefit level and they are on vacation more o � .a �, the number of officers increases, the number of officers on the street d of n essarily increase. The Department also expects an increase in the nu « ber ® calls because of the growing community. Figures also have to be based e population and not resident population alone. Councilmember Carlson stated she i : ncerned about the budget especially because of the shape the state is currently Chief Pecchia stated the Departm ows that it is expensive because it is labor driven. The Chief of Police fro as discussed the possibility of joining police forces with Mounds Vie o ow; cos' s. A joint police force is not included in the Lino Lakes Plan. Mayor Bergeson stated the percent of increase in the Plan includes inflation and will automatically go up 15% over a five-year period. He inquired about the number of officers in the Plan. Chief Pecchia stated the Plan includes 33 officers. Mayor Bergeson asked how many grant dollars the Department is currently utilizing. Chief Pecchia stated the current grant dollars are in the amount of $125,000. Councilmember Reinert stated increases in the Department seem excessive. The perception will be that the Council has accepted this plan and will have these kind of 2