Agenda Packets - 2002/08/12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 22, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 33 Assistant City Administrator Reed indicated that the Community Service Officer is used when needed and is not an office staff person. Mayor Sonterre suggested Staff ask whether the person would like to be a part time clerical person and part time Community Service Officer while the City is looking for someone to fill the administrative position. City Administrator Miller indicated she had spoken with the Acting Chief earlier today and had asked him to put together some information on what would be needed and who could help out and he said he would be providing that information. Council Member Stigney commented that he thinks there is a need to have someone on an interim basis because it is not cost effective to have detectives and police officers doing office work. City Administrator Miller indicated she was directed at the last meeting to investigate some options for combining the police force with the New Brighton force. She then indicated she had sent a letter to New Brighton and had received a response that New Brighton was wondering if the City wished to pursue a contract for services arrangement. Mayor Sonterre indicated he was not interested in a contract for services and would only be interested in a joint powers relationship with co-ownership in the force. Council Member Stigney said he thinks the City needs to establish a purpose and a goal and, if you do not, there is no sense in going out to see what some other City wants to do with this City’s police department. He then asked, “what is the goal, cost savings or additional policing?” Council Member Marty indicated he was not interested in contracting out for service as it would not be cost effective for the City. He then said that he feels there is nothing wrong with the police department and it should be left the way it is. Council Member Stigney said that without a goal there is no sense in talking to anybody. Mayor Sonterre commented that when he first made the motion he thought it would be worth looking at it if the police department could continue operations at the current levels of coverage at a reduced cost. He then said the goal would be to provide public safety at the same or better levels at a reduced cost. City Administrator Miller indicated that she and Finance Director Hansen had given the matter a cursory review and it seems there may be some additional costs to a joint police department such as splitting the cost of the new facility being constructed in New Brighton.