Minutes - 2009/01/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 26, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 5 needed soon to assure no there is no gap in coverage. He explained that if an experienced officer was being considered, at a higher salary, the decision would be brought before the Council. Council Member Gunn stated her support for the resolution considering the survey results indicated a high priority on being safe and feeling safe in the community. She stated this was solely to the thanks of the Police Department. MOTION/SECOND: Gum~/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 7404, Authorization to Create an Eligibility List to Fill a Police Officer Position. Council Member Stigney stated he has no objection to creating the eligibility list but is concerned about authorizing hiring at this time. He noted the Council does not yet know what will happen with the budget and maybe the State will do something to help. AMENDMENT MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/Hull (for discussion purposes). To Waive Reading and Approve Resolution 7404, Authorization to Create an Eligibility List to Fill a Police Officer Position, as revised to remove the "Now Therefore be it Further Resolved" paragraph. Council Member Mueller stated while she understands the concern, thinks there are other places in the budget that can be cut besides Public Safety. She stated Police Chief Sommer runs a "lean department" and is recommending this action. She supports doing so as quickly as possible and noted the survey results indicated the importance of Public Safety. Council Member Hull stated he would ordinarily agree with Council Member Stigney on staff issues of this sort but in 2003 or 2004 residents raised the levy to hire two officers, showing they are willing to pay more in taxes to have good police services. Also, when considering combining police services with another community, residents were adamantly opposed to it. Because of those two issues, he does not support the motion amendment. Council Member Gunn agreed that residents spoke in the referendum that they want awell- staffed police force to protect this community. She felt that with a rise in some crimes, it is important for residents to have that comfort level, which is thanks to the Police Department. Council Member Stigney clarified the amendment is not to make a cut in Public Services but to create the eligibility list and, once completed, the Council can consider giving authorization to hire or not hire. He felt giving that authorization at this time would tie the Council's "hands" before it knows the budget situation. Mayor Flaherty noted the survey clearly indicates that Public Safety is very important to the community and is the most visible service provided to residents. Also, as Council Member Hull indicated, citizens stepped forward and voted to pay for excellent police services. He agreed that everything is on the table when considering the budget, and tonight the discussion is on Public Safety. Mayor Flaherty stated his support for a seamless transition between the retiring officer and new officer so he favored adoption of the resolution.