HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packets - 2011/02/07
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA
MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL
Monday, February 7, 2011
7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Flaherty, Stigney, Hull, Mueller, Gunn
PUBLIC COMMENT
Citizens may speak to issues not on tonight’s agenda. Before speaking, please give your
full name and address for the minutes. Also, please limit your comments to three minutes.
Agenda Items Discussed by Consensus
1. Discuss Possible Vacant Building Registration Ordinance
2. Review 2010 Citizen of the Year Award
3. Discuss Agenda for Council/Staff Retreat
4. Review Section 2 of the Mounds View Personnel Manual about ”Attendance
and Leaves”
5. Review Police Department Vehicle Needs
Next Work Session: Monday, March 7, 2011, at 7pm
Next City Council Meeting: Monday, February 14, 2011, at 7pm
Item No: 2
Meeting Date: February 7, 2011
Type of Business: Work Session
Administrator Review : ____
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Desaree Crane, Assistant City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: 2010 Citizen of the Year Award
Introduction:
The City of Mounds View Citizen of the Year Award recognizes ordinary citizens who have
demonstrated initiative to improving the community. Past recipients of this award include:
2004: David Jahnke
2005: Frank Silvis
2006: Ed Lanz
2007: Don Hodges
2008: Barbara Haake
2009: Diane Wuori
Nominations are open to the public and the award is subject to the following guidelines below:
Eligibility:
Nominees must be a Mounds View resident, business owner or land owners. Current elected
officials, City employees, City contractors, or past Citizen of the Year Award recipients are not
eligible.
Selection Criteria:
1. Courage: Exemplifies courage and determination to follow one’s own values.
2. Initiative: Demonstrates drive and initiative in his/her approach and overcoming
challenges on the way.
3. Time Commitment: Volunteers a significant amount of time and energy to the
betterment of the City of Mounds View and its residents; more
than just financial contributions.
4. Effectiveness: Generates positive results for the community.
Item 02
February 7, 2011 Work Session
Page 2
5. Unselfishness: Does not expect anything in return for his/her actions, i.e., financial
compensation, fame or political notoriety.
Discussion:
This award is currently scheduled to be awarded at the April 18, 2011, Town Hall Meeting,
located at City Hall. Below is the timeline for applications and City Council approval. Staff will
advertise on the City’s website, draft an article in the Mounds View Matters, and submit press
releases to the Sun Focus and the Bulletin.
Applications Available at City Hall & on the City Website: Tues, Feb. 8, 2011
Applications due to Assistant City Administrator: Fri, Mar. 4, 2011
Applications to the City Council for Review: Mon, Mar. 7, 2011 (WS)
2010 Citizenship Awarded by City Council Resolution: Mon, Mar 14, 2011 (Council Mtg)
2010 Citizenship Award Recipient Contacted: Tue, Mar 15, 2011
2010 Citizenship Award Plaque Ordered: Wed, Mar 16, 2011
2010 Citizenship Award Presented to Recipient: Mon, Apr 18, 2011
Recommendation:
Staff wanted to inform the City Council that Staff is starting the process for the 2010 Citizen of
the Year Award. Applications for the 2010 Citizen of the Award will be available at City Hall and
the City’s website starting on Tuesday, February 8, 2011.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Desaree Crane
Assistant City Administrator
Item No: 3
Meeting Date: Feb 7, 2010
Type of Business: Work Session
Administrator Review : ____
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: James Ericson, City Administrator
Item Title/Subject: Review Draft Agenda for February 15, 2011 City Council /
Department Head Retreat and Goal Setting Session
Introduction:
The Council has scheduled its annual goal setting retreat for Tuesday, February 15, 2010,
at Random Park. We plan to meet at 6:00 pm and begin with a light meal, starting the
formal activities at 6:15 pm.
Discussion:
The agenda is proposed as follows:
6:00 pm Food & Informal discussion
6:15 pm Introduction, talk about expectations
6:30 pm Review 2010 City & Department Accomplishments
6:45 pm Review 2010 Council goals and priorities
7:00 pm Discuss Potential 2011 Budget Adjustments
7:30 pm Discuss 2012 Budget Expectations & Assumptions
8:00 pm Discuss Potential Goals and Priorities for 2011
8:45 pm Rank proposed goals
9:15 pm Discuss Need for a Fall 2011 Retreat
9:30 pm Retreat Conclusion
The time allotted for each discussion point is an estimate based on previous retreats,
however these can be modified or omitted altogether at the Council’s discretion. If anyone
feels something should be added or removed from the draft agenda, please provide such
direction at the work session to allow enough time for staff to make appropriate
preparations.
Recommendation:
Please review the proposed agenda, start time and duration, and let us know if changes
are needed, or if there is anything more that could or should be discussed or if anything
that should be removed from the discussion.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
James Ericson
City Administrator
Item No: 5
Meeting Date: February 7, 2011
Type of Business: Work Session
Administrator Review : ____
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Thomas Kinney, Chief of Police
Item Title/Subject: Police Vehicle Purchasing Discussion with Black and White
Design and 4 Wheel Drive SUV consideration
Introduction:
The police department has planned to replace two marked squad cars this year. These
particular vehicles are a 2005 and 2006 model Ford Crown Victoria. The department
only purchased one squad in 2009 and deferred the purchase of one squad in 2010.
The amount of $23,000 was budgeted for each squad replacement, as well as $6000
for the set up. As a result, $58,000 in savings has occurred during the past two years.
However, with the delay in squad replacement, the department is risking reduced
reliability with increased maintenance and repair costs as the wear and tear of 24 hour
operation of these vehicles is showing. The 2011 budget has designated one squad
replacement at a total cost of $29,000 while the second squad purchase would come
from the police forfeiture fund. Elk River Ford was awarded the state bid for the 2011
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The Crown Victoria is being sold at a base price
of $21,518 excluding, registration, tax, and license. The order deadline for this vehicle is
March 1, 2011.
Discussion:
There are some other areas to consider in assessing our departments needs for
vehicles. Many municipal agencies have re-designed their squad cars to a black and
white color scheme. A reason for this change is to increase visibility, as well as to
improve recognition by all community members, particularly those of a diverse culture.
Our community has seen a steady increase in the diverse representation throughout the
city. Higher visibility of a black and white squad is even more prevalent against the
white snow cover. A black and white squad can also aid the perception of a more
noticeable police presence and promote a positive image. A black and white squad car
leaves little doubt as to what it represents to the observer. In order to achieve this two
tone option, a solid black car would be ordered and the front and rear doors would have
a white vinyl film applied. This would add about $600 for each car to the cost. The set
up for the police equipment and graphics has been budgeted separately. This
procedure makes it convenient for future re-sale so the vehicle does not have to be sold
as a two tone color design.
The current make up of police vehicles consists of 7 marked and fully equipped squads
used primarily for call response, traffic enforcement and prisoner transport. There are
also three unmarked/administrative cars and one marked public service officer vehicle
for a total fleet of 11 vehicles. The police department does not have a four wheel drive
vehicle within the existing fleet. During past winters and particularly, this current winter
season has presented challenges in the ability to effectively patrol and respond to
emergency matters due to the difficult snow and ice conditions.
The addition of a 4 wheel drive vehicle would provide more reliable mobility during
these challenging snowstorm conditions. The department did have a 4 wheel drive
Blazer issued to the Police Chief during the 1990’s that was successfully used during
snow storms to assist in the mobility of the street patrol officers. It is of the utmost
importance for the police to be able to respond to any emergency, as the officers are
the first responders to any medical, fire or law enforcement emergency. Situations have
occurred this season where a timely response was somewhat of a challenge due to the
winter conditions. A vehicle properly equipped with emergency equipment would enable
a safe and quick response under nearly any weather situation. For the best all around
use, a 4 wheel drive vehicle would best serve the community’s needs as a sport utility
vehicle (SUV), capable of transporting prisoners, animals and any needed equipment.
These are some of the more commonly purchased SUV’s used by law enforcement to
consider and they are outlined in the table below:
Vehicle & Price Setup Cost & Graphics Total Cost
2011 Ford Explorer - $23,829 $3988 $27,817
2011 Ford Expedition - $26,713 $3792 $30,505
2011 Chev Tahoe -$29,186 $3792 $32,978
To highlight some of the specifics in these three listed SUV’s, the Ford Explorer, while
the least expensive, is also less conducive to conversion for police patrol use. This
vehicle comes with a center floor shifter making any equipment setup quite difficult.
This vehicle is also smaller with less overall passenger room. Comparing the Tahoe
with the Ford Expedition, the Expedition has slightly less interior driver and passenger
room, although actually being slightly larger in the overall exterior size. The Tahoe is
rated at a city driving fuel rating of 15/mpg, with the Expedition rated slightly lower at
14/mpg. Although the Tahoe is approximately $2500 more, it has been selected by
more law enforcement agencies due to a higher comfort level. The Tahoe is also
offered with a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty at no additional cost compared to the Ford
3 year/36,000 warranty. Considering these various factors, the Tahoe seems to have
advantages over the Expedition.
In order to compare with other metro area suburbs, the following table indicates which
jurisdictions currently have black and white designs and/or a four wheel drive vehicle as
part of their fleet:
City Black & White 4 x 4
Columbia Heights Yes No
Brooklyn Center Yes Yes- Two vehicles
Brooklyn Park No Yes- Two vehicles
Spring Lake Park No No
Coon Rapids No Yes- Two vehicles
New Brighton Yes Yes- Two Vehicles
Roseville Yes Yes- One Vehicle
Anoka Yes Yes- One Vehicle
St Anthony Yes Yes- Two Vehicles
White Bear Lake Yes Yes- Four Vehicles
Robbinsdale Yes Yes- One Vehicle
Maplewood Yes Yes- Four Vehicles
Staff seeks direction from the council on whether to proceed with the purchase of:
1. Two black Ford Crown Victoria squad cars to be applied with white vinyl film for a
black and white color design, with new graphic lettering
2. One Ford Crown Victoria squad and one Chev Tahoe four wheel drive special
services package.
3. One Ford Crown Victoria squad and one Ford Expedition four wheel drive special
services package vehicle.
All purchasing will come from the existing department budget, with one vehicle being
funded from the police forfeiture fund. Any expenditure exceeding the total amount of
$29,000 budgeted for one vehicle and setup would come from the police forfeiture fund.
Recommendation:
Staff is recommending the approval to purchase two vehicles and designing each with a
new black and white color design. One vehicle will be a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria
marked squad car to be purchased with police budgeted funds and the second vehicle,
a four wheel drive SUV 2011 Chev Tahoe, to be funded through police forfeiture funds.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________
Thomas Kinney
Chief of Police