CC MINUTES 06091998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes • June 9, 1998 Page 11 1 Cavanaugh stated the measurement would be the safety of the community. 2 Engstrom stated this was not as accurate as people might think. 3 Cavanaugh stated that in July of 1997,the City also had the opportunity to just add to the police 4 force. The application for the grant is for a defined period to accomplish something, not just a 5 means to expand the police department. 6 Faust stated he was under the impression that it was the Federal Government's way of getting the 7 City Councils off the dime while putting more cops on the street. 8 Mayor Ranallo asked Engstrom if he could suggest a specific program that would be new to the 9 community which would have measurable outcomes. 10 Engstrom stated he could not answer yes to that question. 11 Thuesen stated he liked the ability to review the addition at the end of the three year period. He 12 did struggle with the requirements that this be a specific program which is new to the community 13 and measurements. �4Cavanaugh suggested the measurement requirement be dropped. 15 Faust stated that the Police Chief by past performance, has proven his expert policing skills. The 16 Council's role is to provide philosophy and guidance. He stated that he is confident that the 17 Police Chief will provide the most efficiency for the money. He has not requested an increase to 18 the Department in 10 years even though the CUB has required a lot of resources. Faust 19 suggested the Council should not try to tie his hands and micro manage. Every year the budget 20 and the manpower is discussed and the Chief has a moral obligation to tell the Council exactly 21 what his department needs. To this date, there has been the ability to have this type of 22 relationship. Faust also stated he did not want to hire someone with the knowledge that in three 23 years they might not have a job. He felt the City may not obtain the best people under those 24 conditions. The City needs officers now in crime and prevention. 25 Cavanaugh stated he was looking at the physiological difference between increasing the number 26 of the force and applying for a grant program. The grant was not supposed to increase the force. 27 It is a specific program with specific requirements and he wanted to be certain that the 28 Department carry out the spirit of that grant. 29 Mayor Ranallo asked if Marks and Faust accepted the amendment to the original motion. Cavanaugh stated it was intended to be a Motion to amend the original motion. Thuesen seconded that motion.