Agenda Packets - 1991/10/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RAMSEY COUNTY COURT STUDY COMMISSION I attended the second meeting of this commission earlier this month. There is growing consensus among the members of this commission, both judges and County Commissioners, that a central suburban court facility is the most palatable course of action. Discussions centered on the need to have the suburban facility located around the Rice Street area and to initially include booking and holding facilities and a broader range of services in subsequent phased in approach. Naturally, New Brighton is not too thrilled about this as it most readily impacts their facility. However, a central suburban facility which included the facilities listed above would significantly decrease officer travel and down time as all booking could be handled just a few miles away. The concerns which will be addressed in future meetings are: * Costs of the suburban facility - new versus an existing building * Location - need to meet the needs of the eastern and western communities . * Funding - bonding, increased taxes, etc. * Service needs and corresponding facility construction timing. The next meeting of the Ramsey County Court Study Commission will be Wednesday, November 6, 1991 at 2:00 pm at the Shoreview Community Center. RAMSEY COUNTY STUDY COMMISSION The Commission met Wednesday, October 30th to discuss the preliminary recommendations for consolidation to be presented to the legislature next year. I have attached a copy of the draft copy of the five areas which have been addressed by the Commission, their recommendations and the staff response. I wish I could say that the Commission is moving along in a direction that will be beneficial to the suburban communities, but that is just not the case. The St. Paul lobby (including the St. Paul delegation) is working very hard to shift financial responsibility for many functions off their shoulders and onto the shoulders of the suburban communities . The meeting last night was--perhaps the most frustrating to- date Commissioner McCarty appeared to be the only one of the Study Commission to enthusiastically defend the suburban position. 2