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Mounds View City Council November 9, 2009 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br /> <br />avoid potential overtime. Deputy Police Chief Kinney recommended the Council approve the <br />hiring of a replacement police officer to fill the opening created by Officer Koss’ resignation. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney asked if the second vacancy would be filled. Deputy Police Chief <br />Kinney stated the second opening was created by the resignation of Police Chief Sommer. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller asked why the police officer resigned and if it had happened before. <br />Deputy Police Chief Kinney stated he preferred to not publicly state the reasons and he does not <br />recall a resignation during the probationary period in the past 24 years. With regard to the <br />officer’s equipment, it will be held for future use by another officer. Council Member Mueller <br />asked what is the City’s expense to find an officer. Finance Director Beer stated the background, <br />medical, and psychological tests will cost several hundred dollars. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn asked how long is the probationary period. Deputy Police Chief Kinney <br />stated it is one year and this officer was with Mounds View just less than three months. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney asked about the Civil Service Commission eligibility list. Deputy <br />Police Chief Kinney stated it was certified in February or March and valid for one year so they <br />hoped it contained viable candidates. <br /> <br />MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7520, <br />Authorization to Hire a Police Officer. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney stated that due to loss of LGA and funding shortages, he supported <br />looking at the cost of staffing, justification for the number of Police Officers, and options for <br />shift rotations to work with 13 officers. He noted New Brighton is twice the size and population <br />yet functions with only four more officers than Mounds View. Council Member Stigney stated <br />there will be a reluctance to lay off employees, so costs should be looked at prior to filling a <br />vacancy to see if there are other options to fill those responsibilities. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller stated she had the same thoughts; however, not replacing this officer <br />runs the risk of spending more wages in overtime dollars. She referenced the Police Department <br />quarterly report, unaudited revenue and expense, that indicated actual overtime for the Police <br />Department is almost $35,000. So, adding one person to staff would be less than paying <br />overtime costs, which are higher this year than last year because there were no vacancies last <br />year. Council Member Mueller noted the 2009 calls for service averaged 18.5 per day. She <br />stated the Police Department is very busy, overtime this year is higher than paid last year, and <br />hiring a patrol officer would cost less than paying overtime. <br /> <br />Finance Director Beer stated the Police Department generates overtime for Safe and Sober events <br />but without analyzing the situation and knowing the timing of events, he would not make a <br />“blanket statement” that 2009 overtime has resulted solely due to being short one officer. <br /> <br />Council Member Hull questioned when the ballot question was asked about patrol officers. <br />Finance Director Beer stated it was in the fall election of 2003, effective 2004. Council Member