Agenda Packets - 2021/09/13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council August 23, 2021 Regular Meeting Page 4 1 Mayor Mueller thanked the residents for coming forward to share their comments and concerns 2 with the Council. She discussed the history of the City's street improvement program 3 commenting on how the City had worked to create a 17-year program that would update all 4 streets without assessments. She commented on how the sidewalks along her street (Groveland 5 Road) has improved safety. She noted she has not reviewed the plans for Spring Lake Road but 6 she encouraged all of the residents in attendance to attend the upcoming neighborhood meeting, 7 which was scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, 2021. She reiterated that the common goal was 8 for the City to update the infrastructure under the street, while also providing residents with new 9 curb, gutters and streets. 10 11 Council Member Bergeron commented until he knows what the plans are his vote will be up in 12 the air. He noted he would be attending the neighborhood meeting on Wednesday night. 13 14 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 15 A. 2nd Quarter Police Report — Chief Harder. 16 17 Police Chief Harder provided the Council with a presentation on the 2nd Quarter Report on behalf 18 of the Mounds View Police Department. He stated he was very happy with the two officers that 19 were hired during the second quarter. He explained two cold case suspects were arrested in the 20 community and were awaiting trial. He noted traffic stats were back up along with community 21 engagement and outreach. He reported the department received a DUI grant again this year, 22 along with a grant for a use of force/de-escalation virtual reality simulator. He noted this 23 simulator would be shared with other agencies. He reviewed the calls for service in 2021 and 24 noted there has been an increase in violent crimes. He expressed frustration with the repeat 25 crimes that were occurring in the community but noted his officers were doing great work to 26 make arrests. 27 28 Council Member Hull asked why repeat crimes are being committed. Police Chief Harder 29 explained this was occurring because the offenders are being given probation on top of probation 30 or are bonded out immediately by the Minnesota Freedom Fund. 31 32 Council Member Bergeron commended the department for increasing the number of traffic stops 33 in the community. He stated this was very encouraging to him. Police Chief Harder explained 34 speeding became a huge concern during the pandemic. He reported the radar trailer has been 35 deployed, along with signs in hopes of reducing speed. He indicated his officers were committed 36 to addressing this concern and were conducting a lot of stops. 37 38 Mayor Mueller requested further information regarding the sacrifices the team made during the 39 civil unrest and throughout the pandemic. Police Chief Harder reported he had to cancel vacation 40 time for about six months. He appreciated the fact his officers stepped up, even if they got sick. 41 He indicated the call stats over the past year speak volumes as to the level of commitment his 42 officers have to the department. He stated last year was not an easy year for any officer. 43 44 Mayor Mueller commented she was incredibly proud of how the Mounds View Police 45 Department has served the community and its people over the past year and a half.