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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 2, 1996 3 D. Sergeant Gary Swanson, Washington County Sheriff's Department requesting support of a fourth deputy for Lake Elmo through "COPS Fast" grant. Sgt. Gary Swanson encouraged the City's support for adding a fourth contract deputy in the City. There is COPS FAST grant funds available to help off -set for three years the cost of an additional officer. Swanson provided data on the increase in calls justifying adding a fourth contract officer and the grant had nothing to do with the recent situation in Cimarron.. The funds for this deputy would be available January 1, 1997. Sgt. Swanson pointed out the benefit of a fourth deputy would be participation in a federal grant, more police presence in the City, same officers answering the calls all the time would get to know the people in the City, and the City could then have close to 24 hour coverage. Karen Kelly, Treasurer of Cimarron Coalition, is interested in getting a neighborhood crime watch because crime is getting bad in Cimarron. Sgt. Swanson informed the Council the Sheriff's Dept. is in the process of working with the Cimarron residents establishing crime watch groups. Tom Kelly added that a deputy was particularly helpful when responding to a child who became violent in their home and supported the City hiring the fourth deputy. Captain Johnson offered the Sheriff's apology for the City not being appraised in advance of the neighborhood meeting in Cimarron. Johnson explained if they are going to apply in the 1997 process, he hoped the City would consider the addition of a fourth deputy in the budget process this year. He asked for direction to have the staff work with them to start the application. If the City receives a grant, it must pay 25% of the deputy's salary in 1997, and 50% and 75% the following two years. Currently, the City spends $120,000 to contract with the Sheriff's Department. Council member DeLapp asked about sharing police. Mayor John supported the proposal, but pointed out there were only two Council members present to make this decision and he would like input from the other Council members on the subject. The Council will wait until the fall when the City sets the 1997 budget to reach a decision. M/S/P Johnston/DeLapp - to hold the public hearing for amending hours of operation for construction equipment called for 7:30 p.m. based on the number of interested residents in the audience. (Motion passed 3-0). 8. PLANNING, LAND USE & ZONING: A. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance amending hours of operation for construction equipment This is a public hearing, ordered by the City Council, at its June 18,1996 meeting. Although an amendment to this section of the municipal code would not legally require a public hearing, the Council directed the publication and a City-wide mailing of the hearing notice. Administrator Kueffner explained the proposed ordinance was drafted to be liberal. The reason for this is that the Council could make the ordinance more restrictive than what has been proposed, but it would not make it less restrictive. The Council is under no obligation to extend the hours of operation for heavy equipment. Kueffner suggests a definition of "an emergency situation", and "the event of a determination of substantial economic loss to a person" as well as a definition by whose authority a special permit can be issued. Mayor John opened up the public hearing at 8:06 p.m. in the Council chambers. The City Council received a letter from Marilyn and Jeff Downs, 3793 Jamaca Avenue N., supporting the longer working hours and Saturdays if that would let the contractor finish on schedule. Laverne & Francis Downs, 3759 Jamaca Avenue N., would like to see the landfill project finished even if it means working longer hours and weekends.