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HomeMy Public PortalAbout10/14/86 Special CCMThe Council of the City of Medina met in special session on Tuesday, October 14, 1986 at 7:30 P.M. Present: Mayor, Thomas Anderson; Councilmembers, Wilfred Scherer, Anne Heideman, William Reiser, Robert Mitchell (at 7:30 P.M.); Clerk -Treasurer, Donna Roehl 1. HOWARD GLAEFKE Moved by Heideman, seconded by Reiser to accept the resignation of Howard Glaefke, from the Planning Commission and ask that a letter of appreciation be sent to him. Motion declared carried Moved by Heideman, seconded by Reiser to have a notice inserted in the Crow River News asking for applications from interested citizens for Planning Commission appointment. Motion declared carried 139 2. NOVEMBER COUNCIL MEETING Moved by Heideman, seconded by Scherer to change the November 4th meeting date to November 5th, due to General Election Day being November 4th. Motion declared carried 3. POLICE SERVICE Thomas Anderson explained that at the present time Medina has two police officers and a secretary and that Council is investigating various alternatives for coverage: Contract- ing with Orono; Entering into a joint powers agreement with West Hennepin; Contracting with Hennepin County or rebuilding the existing department within the city. Mayors Jeff Walton and Marvin Johnson spoke briefly about West Hennepin Police. Police Chief, JIm Franklin reviewed the West Hennepin proposal which would include a 24 hour per day coverage for 1987, at a cost of $244,000. Thomas Anderson asked if they could serve the City of Loretto, which requests a specified number of hours of coverage. Jeff Walton stated that Medina should continue to contract with Loretto as they would prefer to expand the joint powers agreement by only one city, at the present time. Tom VanBeusekom, Mayor of Loretto, asked who Loretto would contact if there was a problem. Jeff Walton stated that the joint powers board concerns itself with large day to day problems are left to the Chief. Thomas Anderson asked for the philosophy of policing of the West Hennepin Jeff Walton stated that all things are kept in perspective and discretion is encouraged. Michael Sankey stated that West Hennepin would be most beneficial to Medina for the next 10 years; there would be continuity of service and the city would not have to deal with a 60% loss of the department as happened three years ago and has happened again. He explained that Medina would have control with WEst Hennepin, where they would not with Orono. He listed the following areas of concern with the Orono proposal that he had been asked to review: No control over who is working in the city; Animal control not provided which would cost about $6200 per year; Orono has a poor Part I and Part II crime solving record; a substantial amount is spent on a SWAT Team taht is used once or twice a year; Officer Hodapp's pay would be reduced; a car assigned to Medina might possibly be located on the southern edge of Medina, while the Hamel area might be ignored; Orono has a computer system of its own and could not use Medina's, whereas West Hennepin has none; cost per hour from Orono is higher than either West Hennepin or Hennepin County. Thomas Anderson stated that he had spoken to Mayors of two cities being served by Orono and two large businesses, all of whom, had spoken highly of the Orono department. He statd that Police Chief Kilbo had said that half time protection could be provided for $200,000. William Reiser asked if West Hennepin would assign the same officers to Medina on a regular basis. Jim Franklin stated that there is some rotation of officers so that all learn the entire area. Tom VanBeusekom asked if Loretto would need to look elsewhere for coverage for 1987. items and the department. of officers 14 0 Robert Mitchell stated that Medina has spent a great deal of money and time building up a police department and it did not make a.lot of sense to disolve it now. Michael Sankey stated that one officer should be hired immediately and that if Medina would like to continue the same type of service that is presently available West Hennepin could provide that service. Thomas Anderson asked if there would be a problem if one officer was hired. Jim Franklin stated that he would like to look at the resumes. Robert Mitchell stated that nine people are to be interviewed for Chief of Police and he asked if West Hennepin had any use for that type of individual. Thomas Anderson suggested that nothing be done until Jim Franklin had reviewed the files and the Council had talked to residents and businessess about the kind of, police service they would like for Medina. Patricia raskob suggested that Council listen to rebuttals from Orono and Hennepin County. She asked how much fine money was received in 1986. Clifford Raskob suggested maintaining a Medina department and asked what was wrong with Hennepin County continuing coverage as they now answer many calls. Harold Glampe stated that there has been to much law enforcement in the past few years and that if Hennepin County is hired it would be just as bad or worse. Patricia Raskob asked if West Hennepin had a quota system. Jim Franklin stated that their department is accountable to the community; that a five year history of the department shows that an officer issues two citations per shift, two warnings per shift, 1 call per hour and contact with the public every two hours. William reiser stated that the sheriff had said that there should be one officer for every 1000 people. Jim Franklin stated that statewide the average is 813, but average for suburbs is less Patricia Raskob stated that Medina should keep its own department if the savings are not sufficient. Allen Elsenpeter stated that whatever the city does it should keep 24 hour protection. Joe Raskob stated that a department needs public support, which has not been the case the past few years. William Reiser asked if the police secretary would be included in the West Hennepin proposal. Jim Franklin stated that she was included. Secretary, Karen Dahlberg, stated that she would need to decide if she wanted to travel to West Hennepin if there was no office at Medina. Marie Peterson stated that two Hennepin County cars responded to a call that she made, within 5 minutes. Arnie Ostlund stated that if the city was not going to save money then maintain the existing department, but residents should be asked for their opinion. Bruce Neumann stated that Medina should have its own department. Thomas Anderson stated that he was sending questionaires to businesses and residents. Moved by Reiser, seconded by Scherer to adjourn. Motion declared carried Meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. 04-74,-„) Clerk -Treasurer Mayor