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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/28/1970 Council MinutesThese minutes were taken of an informal meeting and are placed here for informative purposes only: The followup special meeting on policing was held at the Lino Lakes Village Hall on September 28, 1970, presided over by the respective Mayors of Lexington, Circle Pines, Centerville and Lino Lakes. Members of the four councils were in attend- ance as were some police officers. Mayor L'Allier called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. A questionaire had been sent out to part time police members; 11 replies had been received. Mayor Anderson stated that the overwhelming opinion was for separate full time police forces; 2 replies had favored staying with part time. A letter had been received signed by 7 couples in Circle Pines who recommended going with the County proposal. Copies of the Sheriff's proposal were passed around. Mayor Rivard of Centerville commented that there had been repercussions on the proposed subsidy by the County of 50% of the Sheriff's proposal from other areas of the County. This was discussed. Gene McMurchie stated that he would object to the remainder of the County sub- sidizing this area on the grounds that he would not want to receive such money. This was disputed by Mayor L'Allier who noted the proposals for tax disparities correction, ,ar}icuiarly in schools. Mayor L'Allier asked for comments from any part time police officers who would like to give reasons for going with the County proposal. He personally found it difficult to proceed in violation of State laws against part time policing. Mr. Myhre felt that the comments on the bottom of the questionaires should be reed. Mr. Anderson read Mr. Myhre's at his request. He had suggested that the Villages hire their oWn full time police forces, keeping the present part time men for evening work if the full time cost should be prohibitive. If necessary, each department could hire extra men, not so with the County. Mayor L'Allier noted that if they went consolidation they would need a committment from each Village, that because of the investment, none would be able to pull out. Mr. Myhre felt that Mr. Drowns' proposal could be cut somewhat -- he didn't see any need for a tower and some of the other equipment at the beginning of the program. Mr. Munson wished to hear the views of the Councilmen. Ron Jaworski of Lino Lakes felt we should try the County since the combined proposal is prohibitive. There was discussion, with the note that Federal funds might be 1 year to 18 months in coming, even if approved. Mayor Anderson felt that with the estimated growth of Circle Pines, they could not go full time on their own. He felt that Lino Lakes would grow the fastest. Mr. L'Allier felt that the ultimate was Lino Lakes own full time force, but in the interim something else must be done. Bill Bohjanen of Lino felt that we needed a full time force now and thought we should try the County for 1 year with the 50% subsidy. A discussion with Mr. McMurchie ensued on the current amount of service from the County in the town- ships and villages. It was decided that the townships receive extra traffic policing. John Peterson of Centerville stated that before the new County Court system went into effect, they received some money from fines; now they can't afford to issue a ticket. He suggested that we get action for an evening or Saturday court and 202 have one attorney representing the 4 villages in order to save money. Mr. L'Allier mentioned that the same thing happened on the Highway Patrol tickets which we must prosecute; he liked Mr. Peterson's ideas. Mr. McMurchie stated that the whole area will have Metro Police in 5 years and we will be one precinct; however, if we had the County service, they would be reimbursed. There was discussion. Mr. L'Allier noted that if we get adequate protection, we could keep the Metro Council out. Councilman Otte of Lexington stated that he would like to see how long before they would be locked up for violation of the law if they keep the part time force. They could have 1 full time man. He felt the Metro Council would only come if the people let it come. Mr. Rosengren stated that he would prefer to stay as we are if we could, but he leaned toward the County. He feels there will be a great change here in the next year and we may do something altogether different. Mr. Cardinal agreed with Mr. Rosengren, feeling that the County could buy the equipment so we would not be out so much. Mr. McMurchie asked where it was in black and white that the County would purchase the equipment. Mr. L'Allier stated that this would have to go in the contract. Mr. Myhre questioned why there should be this difference in the proposal0 favored by the police and the Council members. Robert Patt of the Circle Pines department asked what the Sheriff had to offer -- he felt it wasn't half of what the part time forces gave now. With the consolidated plan the Villages would have control. Mr. Patt stated that on medical calls the Sheriff's department waits for an , ambulance whereas the local men save time and money by taking a less -- ,seriously injured person directly to the hospital themselves. Mr. L'Allier felt that even if we went County we could keep one of our cars to use and keep the constables on. Darrel Knell asked why there couldn't be evening classes for the training; he felt that we should keep the 4 departments together, so they could overlap a little. There was discussion,- Mr. McMurchie suggested that we ask for an answer from the Attorney General's office, stating that we have no intention to jeopardize our part time police departments and need part time training. There was discussion on reimbursement for wages and for tuition; it was suggested that clauses be added to contracts on reimbursement of tuition so that the officer would have to stay with his own force; perhaps a department hiring a recently trained man could reimburse the one paying for the tuition. Mayor Munson stated that Centerville was not obligated to go with either plan since they are under 1,000 population. As for Lexington, they are against the County proposal because of previous dealings with them. He commented that since Mr. Kordiak feels this is a gift to us and mentions the other public buildings which the County has provided for various communities (such as Columbia Arena), that maybe we should ask for full time County policing at no cost to us. Mr. Munson felt that the County police force would be run like the Court system. He agreed with Mlr. Otte that we should wait and see -- nothing has happened yet. He thought it unfair that the cost should always be based on population rather than area or valuation. Mayor Rivard stated that Centerville had requested a proposal from the County as early as 1960. For the past year and one -half help from the County has diminished to a point where calls for help have gotten nothing. 1&r. Rivard thought that another motive for the Sheriff's proposal was that this would help the Sheriff's department which doesn't have as much as it wants. He felt that Centerville wouldn't get much more help under the County proposal. Mr. Myhre questioned why the County would give so much for a few years. There, was discussion on Ramsey County policing which seems satisfactory and is financed by taxes. Al Westerhaus of Circle Pines asked whether the Village attorneys had checked the two proposals. Mayor L'Allier stated that Lino Lakes had not done so but would have the Attorney check a contract. Attorney Locher, now present, stated that he had read through the combined proposal but had made no determination. Mayor L'Allier asked Mr. Locher if there was any basis for the charge that such a subsidy was an illegal use of funds. Mr. Locher stated that it seems the County can enter into contract and levy special assessments. It was mentioned that all 4 villages were required for the proposals. Richard Hirt of Lexington stated that he didn't like either cost; for the money, Lexington could provide a full time force. There was further discussion on the training and the training officers furnished by the County. Mayor L'Allier noted that the session was out of time. He would ask the Lino Council if they wished to seek an Attorney General's opinion on the training statutes. Mr. McMurchie stated that he had talked with persons on Federal funding -- a program director and a financial officer would be necessary. Mr. Otte stated that with Federal money comes Federal controls. The meeting closed at 8:31 p.m. Minutes approved at the meeting of October 13, 197 Clerk- reasurer. The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes Village Council held on September 28, 1970 was called to order at 8:34 p.m. by Mayor L'Allier with all members present. There were no minutes ready for acceptance because of lack of time for preparation due to the primary election and the two budget meetings. Mr. L'Allier mentioned that a meeting to discuss mobile home parks as part of a continuing effort to obtain information on same was tentatively scheduled for October 13th. Letters requesting proposed legislation for the 1971 session on taxation of mobile homes had brought answers from the Metro Section of the League of Minn. Municipalities and the Minn. Mobile Home Assn. These answers were read. Mr. T. H. Walters, Exec. Director of the Mobile Home Assn. was present. Mr. Summers, representing Gilbert Menkveld, stated that he had requested Mr. Walters to make a presentation and would call him during the hearing.