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September 24, 2024 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 6 Councilmember Elnagdy asked about the retention bonus and whether it would go past 2025. She feels it would be beneficial for it to go forward. Police Chief Spiess agreed and he was proposing 8% of base pay for the retention bonus. Councilmember Doolan asked if the retention bonus was a one-time bonus that is received. Police Chief Spiess stated it would be a one-time lump bonus. It is not added to their base pay. Councilmember Randle stated if this is done it needs to be done right. If the department is saying this is what is needed the Council needs to adhere to that. They need to be given what is needed to succeed. Councilmember Randle stated discussions of the facility have been held for many years. Mayor Webster requested the Council to consider the recruitment bonus, retention bonus and hiring bonus at this point. Councilmember Jenson stated he feels these are important. He asked about the March 1st date. Chief Spiess stated St. Anthony would be providing 24/7 911 call response as of March 1, 2025. There would not be an active patrol present in Falcon Heights. Councilmember Doolan stated she appreciates how the conversation was started this evening. She feels it is important to consider what will be in the next 10 years. Resiliency needs to be built into the department. Councilmember Doolan asked if there is a financial impact of increasing the cadet program to six. Chief Spiess stated they are offered 25 hours per week at the rate of the community service officer position per hour. The City also pays for their skills training ($5,000). The current two cadets will be going to their skills portion of training in 2025. Councilmember Doolan asked if the increase is included in the financial plan. Mr. Yunker stated that is not included in the 2025 budget. Councilmember Elnagdy asked what the training period is for the cadet program and Mr. Yunker stated it is two years. Chief Spiess stated they generally look at cadets with less than 1 year of training remaining. Councilmember Jenson asked how many positions are currently posted and Chief Spiess stated they are on two websites for 1 police officer. There is an open application for police officers. Chief Spiess stated currently three are being attempted to be hired to get to regular full strength. Mayor Webster referred to the building/facility upgrades. The Council is in support of the building upgrades but more information is needed and how that will be accomplished. Mayor Webster summarized there is consensus of the Council for a recruitment bonus, hiring bonus, retention bonus, referral bonus, and the Cadet Program increase. Also, support for compensating the administrative staff for overtime. Mayor Webster believes administrative staff needs to be compensated for overtime. Mr. Yunker stated it will be worked out how to pay administrative staff for overtime. Mayor Webster posed the question from staff and requested Council's response: Is renewing the partnership in the long-term best interests of the City and Police Department? – Councilmembers Elnagdy, Jenson, Doolan and Mayor Webster stated their support. Councilmember Randle does not agree. 16