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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/1991 Council Minutes1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF LINO LAKES COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 9, 1991 DATE • TIME STARTED : TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT : December 9, 1991 5:38 P.M. 6:25 P.M. Bisel, Bohjanen, Kuether, Neal, Reinert None Staff Members present: Chief of Police, Dean Campbell; City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and Clerk- Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson. The purpose of the work session was to discuss the organization of the Police Department. Mr. Schumacher explained that earlier this year the City Council had directed that he and Chief Campbell to review and prepare a recommendation regarding supervision within the Police Department. Currently the Chief is head of the entire department. There is an acting sergeant in the department who supervises the night shift. The acting sergeant is also the Administrative Officer. The duties of the Administrative Officer include much of the work that is included in the job description for the proposed Captains position. A copy of the Captains job description was given to the Council. It is proposed to incorporate the position of Administrative Officer into the Captains position. Mr. Schumacher outlined the duties and illustrations of work for the Captains position. He noted that it is proposed to establish this position to give an individual responsibility for all of the described work areas. The job description was prepared with the help of the Administrative Assistant to be sure it would be consistent with the overall policy of the City. Mr. Schumacher asked for Council direction on this matter. Chief Campbell explained that the responsibilities of the Administrative Officer had been put into position about two (2) years ago. Since that time, additional duties have been added to the position. He noted that the Captains position would bring better continuity into the department especially in areas of PAGE 1 210 211 COUNCIL WORK SESSION liability and 24 hour supervision. Mr. Schumacher explained that the new position would not impact the 1992 budget. DECEMBER 9, 1991 Council Member Kuether asked for an explanation of the Administrative Officers duties. Chief Campbell explained that originally the position was created because the Lino Lakes Police Department had purchased computer equipment that would allow the department to be "on line" with the State of Minnesota computers. A police officer certified with the State was required within the department before the State would allow the City to go "on line ". This officer was also given the responsibility of scheduling of shifts and releasing information to the media and citizens. Council Member Kuether asked if it were normal for the Captains job description to include computer duties? Chief Campbell explained that in this case the person will assume a lot of records supervision. The records personnel are not certified law enforcement officers and cannot satisfy state requirements. However, normally computer duties are not included. Council Member Kuether asked if he really needed three (3) supervisory officers with only nine (9) full time officers. Chief Campbell said yes, since there are records personnel and a CSO officer as well to supervise. He also noted that a police department is a para - military, 24 hour service and the supervision is needed. Council Member Kuether asked how the position would be filled. Chief Campbell explained that there would be competition for those who will qualify. Council Member Kuether noted that if the Chief had a certain person in mind he could design the job description so that no one else would qualify. Compensation for the position was discussed. Chief Campbell explained that normally, the position is paid $300.00 to $400.00 over top patrol officer compensation. At this time the Administrative Officer is receiving $125.00 over top patrol officer. He noted again that if the Captains position were established, the Administrative Officer position would be abolished. Council Member Kuether asked what shift the Captain would work. Chief Campbell explained the power shift. This would leave only the period of 3:00 A.M. to 6:30 A.M. without any supervision. Council Member Bohjanen said he felt that the new position would bring supervision closer to 24 hours per day. Council Member Neal asked if the position would be non - union. Chief Campbell explained it would be non - union. There was a PAGE 2 1 1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 9, 1991 discussion regarding firing union and.non -union personnel. Council Member Reinert asked Chief Campbell to explain the number of employees in the Police Department. Chief Campbell explained there are nine (9) full time police officers including himself, two (2) part time police officers, a CSO officer and three (3) clerical positions. Council Member Reinert noted that the Circle Pines Police Department has three (3) supervisory positions and fourteen (14) full time police officers. He asked why Lino Lakes would have such a high level of administration. Chief Campbell explained that he believes the supervision and safeguards with the added position is needed. Council Member Kuether asked who supervises when the acting sergeant and Administrative Officer is off for the weekend. Chief Campbell explained that he assumes supervision on an on- call basis. Council Member Reinert noted that there are two (2) supervisors during the day time hours. Chief Campbell explained that his functions require that he be unavailable some of the time. Council Member Reinert asked if the position could be title Deputy Administrative Officer and not Captain? Chief Campbell explained that the title is a recognition by other officers of increased administrative duties. Council Member Kuether said that she felt it was not necessary to have two (2) supervisory positions during the day. Council Member Reinert said that he felt something could erupt if it appeared that the Captains position was filled by a "hand picked" person. Chief Campbell explained that there usually are not two (2) supervisors on duty during most of the day. He noted that there are a lot more activities during the day and this will increase as the City grows. Council Member Kuether asked why the Police Department needs another supervisor? Chief Campbell explained that the Administrative Officer must delegate a lot of things to the patrol officers and in their eyes the Administrative Officer is just another patrolman. Mayor Bisel said he felt that creation of the Captains position will only redefine a position already in existence. Mr. Schumacher explained that this is the first attempt to bring about reorganization in the Police Department. The position can be re- evaluated and brought back for consideration. PAGE 3 212 .213 COUNCIL WORK SESSION 1992 FINAL BUDGET DECEMBER 9, 1991 Council Member Reinert asked if there has been any further contact from the citizens since the adoption of the final budget. Mr. Schumacher explained that there had been none. Mayor Bisel noted that the planner's position had been eliminated from the budget. He asked if the City has a severance pay policy. If was explained that the City did not have such a policy. Mayor Bisel said he felt the position is a professional position and some type of severance pay should be extended. This matter will be added the regular agenda. Council Member Reinert said that a severance pay policy was a significant issue and the consideration of such a policy should be publicized and not just "thrown" on the agenda at the last minute. CIRCLE PINES GAS FRANCHISE Mr. Schumacher handed to the Council a copy of a portion of the Circle Pines Gas Franchise. This section refers to the termination of the franchise. Mr. Schumacher explained that this is the first opportunity that the City will have to purchase the Lino Lakes portion of the franchise. He noted that the City should look at its options of selling, buying or other issues and send a letter to Circle Pines indicating the intent to purchase. This matter will be placed on the December 19, 1991 agenda. The work session ended at 6:25 P.M. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on Dejemb r 19, 1991 M/ J ar'ilyG. Anderson, Har 1 L. Bise Mayor Clerk- Treasurer PAGE 4