CC WORKSESSION 10081979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF ST. ANTHONY COUNCIL MINUTES Budget Work Session October 8 , 1979 The meeting was reconvened from September 13, at 7 :05 p.m. Present: Letourneau, Ranallo, Haik, Sundland and Sauer. Also present: Fornell, Hickerson, Puffer and Johnson. C The City Council considered the police department budget, goals and P g service priorities . Considerable discussion ensued about productivity, performance, the role and usefulness of the C.S .O. , and volunteer assistance for the department. Staff discussed the departmental goal and service priority exercises and requested Council feedback. Mayor Haik suggested that each Councilmember also prioritize the police services and return their list by October 12. Concern was expressed about the efforts to establish a police reserve . Staff felt that training and feasibility with the small number of applicants warranted Council direction. The Council consensus was to proceed with the reserve and other volunteer programs and use what- ever training resources are available and workable. • The projects of and need for the C.S.O. position were discussed. The Council consensus was that other personnel in the department could perform the duties of the C.S.O. or that some activities were of lower priority. The failure of the Special Duty Officer to work in juvenile relations was criticized. Staff said the investigative case load of the S.D.O. has been significant and increasing. Over- time expenses for investigation were cited as well as the use of comp time to reduce the expense. There was no consensus to continue the C.S.O. position and it was to be dropped from the budget. Staff requested a computer teletype terminal for the department and cited its advantages and cost. The Council requested that it be in- cluded in the 1980 budget. After a short break, the Council continued the budget review with the fire department budget. Chief Hall was present to discuss . j Concern was expressed about the adequacy of the overtime budget. i Staff suggested staffing changes to minimize the expense. The Council and staff talked about recruitment and future equipment needs . Pre- serving the city's fire insurance rating was a high priority of Councilman Sundland. Staff cited the fact that, according to one of the city's insurance agents, there is no difference in premium cost between classes 3, 7, and 8. The Manager explained what he was • thinking of for the proposed study of the department 's organization. No changes were made in the proposed budget.