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MOU__N_DitSVV!rW <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br />Item No: 08B <br />Meeting Date February 22, 2021 <br />Type of Business: Council Business <br />City Administrator Review: <br />To: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From: Nyle Zikmund, City Administrator <br />Item Title/Subject: Resolution 9401, Approve budget adjustment for mental <br />health consultant and physical fitness equipment. <br />Introduction: <br />Council has placed human resources as one of their top priorities. Examples include <br />original probation requirements set forth in the Administrators hiring duties to focus on <br />HR, as well as ongoing goals/requirements in annual performance reviews. <br />Additionally, the strategic plan specifically includes a goal of focusing on our human <br />resources and Council and Staff have been diligent in addressing substantial and <br />numerous issues. <br />Discussion: <br />Law enforcement professionals, more than any other public servant- receive the <br />greatest amount of public scrutiny as well as regulation; and for good reason — given the <br />incredibly complex tasks required and critical role they play. However, the past five <br />years have been amongst the most challenging since the 1960's/1970's further <br />exacerbated by the death of George Floyd. Exacerbating this death, which led to a <br />world-wide condemnation — was the "defund the police" message conveyed by a <br />majority of the Minneapolis Council. <br />A message not shared, or embraced to a degree by the Mounds View Council or <br />residents. However, the impact of this messaging in conjunction with the upcoming <br />trials and national civic discourse and unrest have had an unprecedented impact on our <br />law enforcement professionals. <br />Degreed institutions offering training have seen disturbing declines in enrollment. <br />Postings for officers are met with near record — low numbers of applications, and <br />migration from the service is occurring via retirements, disability claims (PTSD), and <br />voluntary separation to pursue other careers. <br />Mental and Physical Health are critically important to all employees but more -so to <br />public safety and especially law enforcement. Now, more than any time in the past <br />decades — support is needed. <br />Investing in a law enforcement mental health consultant will provide Police <br />Administration another tool to work with department members to ensure they have <br />resources available- specific to their needs. Similarly, physical fitness is just as key. <br />Staff has identified a consultant as well as additional equipment for the workout area <br />that in combination totals $8,000, $5,000 for the mental health consultant and the <br />remaining $3,000 for additional equipment for the workout area. <br />The Mounds View Vision <br />A Thriving Desirable Community <br />