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2 <br />0 <br />0 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />City Council Joint Town Hall Meeting Minutes <br />April 18, 2024 <br />Page 7 <br />Council has no responsibility to provide policing services to Falcon Heights; it is the Council's <br />responsibility is to St. Anthony. <br />Joan Peterson, 3200 Hilldale, asked what happens if contract is signed and St. Anthony can't find <br />the additional officers that are needed, what happens to the contract. She also asked how does <br />Council know for sure they will be able to hire 9-11 officers in this environment, and will there <br />be liability with the contract signed or does that mean there would be less support to St. <br />Anthony. <br />Mayor Webster announced the Town Hall is now closed. She thanked all for sharing their <br />feedback and stated the St. Anthony City Council will not take official action on items discussed <br />tonight. The City Council will discuss next steps at their Council meeting on Tuesday, April 23. <br />Councilmember Randle stated from the beginning his main concern was what the SAPD Officers <br />want to do. He did not take the survey and has only attended meetings in St. Anthony. The only <br />opinion that matters is the officer's. <br />Councilmember Doolan thanked Dr. Weinsten for doing the survey of the Police Department to <br />provide an external perspective for transparency. The SAPD was not pressured to answer in any <br />manner. She also thanked Goff for looking at the data from an unbiased lens, noting a <br />considerable outreach was made to the residents to gain input. She said looking at the financials <br />is the next phase. She heard increasing taxes for residents is not an option. <br />Councilmember Stephens thanked everyone and their feedback. She echoed what <br />Councilmember Doolan stated that there need to be shared liabilities across the board. We will <br />take all comments into consideration. <br />Mayor Gustafson thanked everyone for tonight's and previous comments, noting Falcon Heights <br />has been on a journey to try to figure out policing needs for a while. He stated he is the last <br />remaining Councilmembers from 2016. Since 2016, he has been trying to find the best way to <br />provide policing in Falcon Heights and the errors made to make the relationship sour. SAPD has <br />provided good service to Falcon Heights. St. Anthony has been a shining star for police <br />departments across the company. A police department needs to provide the services needed by <br />the community. He noted that by having Falcon Heights participate with St. Anthony, Falcon <br />Heights is willing to share the cost for the service. They are looking for solid policing that works <br />for the community. Falcon Heights is willing to cover their fair share of the costs and they are <br />looking for a solution that will work for 10-20 years down the line. Falcon Heights is a <br />residential community and 2 square miles include the University of Minnesota and the State Fair <br />grounds, which are tax exempt. He noted that Dina lives next door to a convenience store/gas <br />station. <br />Mayor Gustafson stated Falcon Heights is asking the City of St. Anthony to work with Falcon <br />Heights to benefit both cities to make the future brighter for both cities. Public engagement is <br />refreshing, noting they could have worked in the shadows and come to the cities with a deal. He <br />stated they wanted to involve the residents in the process to move forward or can we move <br />forward. He asked are the communities ready to move forward on this. That is why this has been <br />