07-06-2015 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 6, 2015 APPROVED 46 officers always stop by the event to check on things and they do regular testing of the 47 sound. Council Member Rafferty noted that he spoke with the City of Hugo and received 48 some information on their conditions, which he will share with staff. 49 50 Chief Swenson suggested that there should be a check in after the event to review what is 51 or isn't working. He then noted that Mr. Wagner is requesting that the council authorize 52 removal of the two officer requirement. Mayor Reinert said he wants to understand the 53 Police Department's recommendation on that; he sees that Mr. Wagner is offering plans 54 to deal with the issues. 55 56 Mr. Wagner reviewed what he is offering to do: 57 - Continue to provide professional security (normally 10-12 trained individuals); 58 - Offer mandatory server training through the MLBA just before the event; 59 - A safe ride home program; 60 - Cards with drive home assistance. 61 62 Chief Swenson said everything that Mr. Wagner is offering to do is good but another 63 concern is that the event impacts the city's officers on duty on the nights of this event. If 64 there are 911 calls due to the event, officers on normal duty respond. If the city council 65 is comfortable with the program set forth by Mr. Wagner, he will concur but with a 66 recommendation for a thorough review after the event. 67 68 Mayor Reinert said he wants the Police Department to be comfortable and, if this is tried, 69 he wants the department to have expectations to judge how it worked. 70 71 Chief Swenson said, if the city council is comfortable and understands there could be an 72 impact on the department's resources those evenings, considering Mr. Wagner's plan to 73 meet the issues ahead of time, he is okay with a trial year. He expects there will be a 74 review meeting required within two weeks after the event. 75 76 The council concurred and directed staff to report back on the matter at the September 77 work session. 78 79 2. Civic Complex Island Landscaping Project — Public Services Director Rick 80 DeGardner and Parks Services Supervisor Mike Hoffman reported on landscaping around 81 the City Hall complex. Mr. DeGardner introduced Mary Schmuland who, with her 82 husband Carl, volunteered time to design and coordinate the installation of the beautiful 83 landscaping already in place around the complex. Ms. Schmuland has prepared a design 84 plan for landscaping the island at the complex and staff is bringing that forward for 85 council review. Ms. Schmuland reviewed the plans, including the incorporation of the 86 existing oak trees and identifying plants included in the plans. 87 88 Mayor Reinert noted that the council has heard many wonderful compliments on the 89 landscaping work already done by Ms. Schmuland around city hall. The previous natural 2