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11 <br /> City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br /> February 8, 2000 <br /> Page 11 <br /> 1 The Department, he stated, needs a facility in which multiple moving targets in a dim-light <br /> 2 setting can be used for training. Buying space at other facilities is expensive. In that respect, Mr. <br /> 3 Ohl presented photographs'of existing ranges, both outside and inside, and expressed his support <br /> 4 for construction of a firing range in conjunction with the new Public Works Building. <br /> 5 Thuesen asked about the difficulty of obtaining range time and if Mr. Ohl foresaw that as a con- <br /> 6 tinuing trend. Mr. Ohl stated that he has been involved in researching this issue and found that, <br /> 7 although some proposals have been discussed in surrounding areas, that the issues are compli- <br /> 8 cated. Outdoor ranges are being shut down, and there are new requirements regarding air <br /> 9 quality. <br /> 10 Thuesen remarked that if the Police Department is going to continue to be an asset for the City, <br /> 11 that appropriate training must be available. <br /> 12 Hodson inquired if the amenities for the proposed facility would coordinate with court standards. <br /> 13 Mr. Ohl stated that the issue of amenities for POST and court standards would be resolved in the <br /> 14 type of range that he has proposed. <br /> 5 Regarding outside revenues for the range, Hodson asked about the type of training that could be <br /> 6 brought into the City. In other words, could the City outsource the range to other agencies? <br /> 17 Mr. Ohl stated that outsourcing is a viable option for the future. A benefit of the range would be <br /> 18 to provide a higher level of training to the Police Department, as well as to provide gun safety <br /> 19 programs and have the potential to provide many other types of programs. <br /> 20 Sparks inquired about the process for obtaining solid answers to questions. <br /> 21 Mr. Ohl stated that first the Council needs to determine whether the funds are available to <br /> 22 provide a training range for the Police Department. He further stated that Hodson brought up <br /> 23 excellent points about outsourcing the range to provide for additional revenue. <br /> 24 Sparks stated it would be beneficial to obtain some solid figures in order to justify the project to <br /> 25 the public. <br /> 26 Hodson stated that the potential liability to the City for outsourcing the facility needed to be re- <br /> 27 viewed, but even more importantly,the liability to the City for the Police Department potentially <br /> 28 not receiving the required training. <br /> 29 Mr. Ohl stated that, although at this particular point, the Police Department does not have a place <br /> 30 for training, a place would be found and requirements for training kept in compliance. However, <br /> 1 Mr. Ohl stated that he is presenting an opportunity for the City to increase its level of service and <br />