HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2016 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 28, 2016
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE :March 28, 2016
5 TIME STARTED 6:00 p.m.
6 TIME ENDED 6:25 p.m.
7 MEMBERS PRESENT Councilmember Rafferty, Kusterman,
8 Maher, Manthey and Mayor Reinert
9 MEMBERS ABSENT :None
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12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Deputy Public Safety Director
13 Police —Kelly McCarthy; City Clerk Julie Bartell
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15 1. ACE Program Update —Jeff Karlson noted the high level of activity for the
16 city's ACE Program. The council had received a report at the last meeting on the activity
17 level along with three options to meet the increasing demands —limit participation in the
18 program, add an additional part time Community Service Office (CSO) position or add an
19 Office Tech in Administration to handle the work. Mr. Karlson said he has eliminated
20 the Office Tech possibility because a CSO is much costly. He reviewed the cost of the
21 CSO position and noted that, without a change, the Police Department will have to begin
22 limiting participation in the program now (they are already not allowing the option for
23 speeding tickets).
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25 Council Member Maher noted the department's grant funded traffic safety officer
26 position and asked how long it is in place. Deputy Director McCarthy explained that it is
27 in place for an additional two to three years. Administrator Karlson noted that the
28 position is also tied to production but that has not been a problem.
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3o The council discussed the usual term of an individual in a CSO position, with staff
31 explaining it is commonly about two years; most often individuals in that position move
32 into police officer positions, either here or within other departments.
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34 The idea of automation was brought up at the last meeting and staff explained the option
35 was reviewed but was not found to be feasible; Deputy Director McCarthy explained the
36 department's evaluation of automating the process. Additionally the volunteers that
37 were working with the program have pretty much stepped away but that's the nature of
38 using volunteers —they aren't always going to be there.
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4o Mayor Reinert reiterated his concern that any new position would have to be tied to a
41 certain activity level so it could be lowered if that activity goes down. Deputy Director
42 McCarthy said she'd have to get more data together to tie a position to activity numbers.
43 Council Member Manthey said he' d like to know if the program was originally budgeted
44 based on an accurate number. Administrator Karlson noted that the budget has increased
1
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 28, 2016
_ APPROVED
45 from its onset and Council Member Manthey suggested that it would interesting to review
46 a participation and cost comparison timeline.
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48 The council discussed the effectiveness of the program with Deputy Director McCarthy
49 who explained how the department continues to gauge the benefit. She also noted the
5o positive feedback they've received.
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52 The council discussed why speeding tickets have been eliminated rather than other tickets
53 and Deputy Director McCarthy explained the analysis that went into that decision. It's
54 based on continuing with areas where they feel people benefit most from an educational
55 push.
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57 Mayor Reinert suggested that it's appropriate to consider a change if a thorough review
58 indicates one but, again, only with a threshold included where that staffing can drop if
59 that becomes appropriate. The council concurred noting the benefit of the program to the
6o community, the learning potential and increased revenue associated with the program.
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62 2. Review Regular City Council Agenda —There were no changes to the council
63 agenda.
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65 The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
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These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on
April 11, 2016.
Bartell, City Clerk