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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 10-13 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 13, 2004 CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Work Session and was called to order by Mayor Myrna Kragness at 8:37 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Myrna Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, and Diane Niesen. Also present: City Manager Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager/Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Police Chief Scott Bechthold, Fire Chief Ron Boman, and Deputy City Clerk Maria Rosenbaum. REVIEW OF DISPATCH STUDIES AND OPTIONS City Manager Michael McCauley discussed that the presentations made this evening by the Police Chief and representatives of Hennepin County are being provided for an overview of the materials that had been assembled to date and used for the employee meetings, along with identifying the Council's questions and concerns that should be addressed on November 8, 2004. If the Council were to chose not going with Hennepin County, the Council would need to consider the remaining options or what direction they would like to proceed. Mr. McCauley informed that he had received a new proposal from St. Louis Park since the materials had been prepared. The new proposal indicates higher capital costs and lower operating costs than the PSC Alliance report. At this time there are still a lot of unknowns with Hennepin County and the St. Louis Park and City of Minneapolis proposals and staff would need more information before making a recommendation. Police Chief Scott Bechthold outlined a PowerPoint presentation discussing the background and timeline; current dispatch scenario and challenges; myths and truths; frame parameters; and compared alternatives for status quo dispatch, enhanced dispatch, three -city dispatch, four -city dispatch, and Minneapolis dispatch. Mr. McCauley outlined an updated slide that presented the new information from the City of St. Louis Park. That information included the revised capital costs of $536,700 and the revised annual operating costs of $575,678. 10/13/04 -1- Council discussed the option of having dispatch services at the City of St. Louis Park along with CAD issues, sharing of information, current dispatch scenarios, and staffing levels. Fire Chief Ron Boman discussed that he believes the dispatching services have been broken for a long time; however, the dispatchers do a wonderful job. The Fire Department has always had its own dispatch and if cost were not an issue he would like to see the four -city dispatch offer considered. He believes there are some problems with Hennepin County; however, those problems are ones that can be worked out and after meeting with Hennepin County feels better about their offer. Captain Rick Mulek, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, addressed the Council to outline a PowerPoint presentation from their office that included an overview of Hennepin County's Sheriff communications; staffing; dispatching; computer aided dispatching; user involvement; and new computer aided dispatch. During Mr. Mulek's discussion he informed that the only additional costs that may be added would be for additional modems in 2006. He discussed that the response time should not be an issue and that he believes the City would not see any type of delay with calls for service. He is not aware of any problems with people getting through with their 60 phone lines. If the City were to be added to Hennepin County's dispatch there would be three additional dispatchers added; and if all cities were to be added to Hennepin County there would be a total of nine new dispatchers added. Aaron Surratt, Brooklyn Center Firefighter, addressed the Council to express his concern with losing local dispatch services and fire main issues. Mr. Mulek discussed that Hennepin County has not had many complaints from fire calls and discussed that an issue that Mr. Surratt may be referring to, as a problem with a fire call, would have been a mistake on a new dispatcher. Since then there had been a policy change on fire calls. There is an advisory board that problems can be addressed; there are few problems with the level of service Hennepin County has to offer. Mr. Mulek expressed that there has never been an incident of a call not being heard. Councilmember Niesen asked for more information on fire calls and the difference between the response times for police and fire calls. Mr. Mulek informed that there is a line designated for fire calls and that there is no difference between the response time for police and fire calls. Councilmember Carmody asked about the surrounding cities that do not have fire departments. Mr. Boman discussed that there is a statewide channel. Mayor Kragness questioned if there is a plan for the City's current dispatchers and expressed concern about the dispatchers who have been with the City for a long time. Mr. Bechthold discussed that the current dispatchers will be offered the opportunity at a 24n shift at a different rate of pay and that they will have an option. Mr. McCauley added that one of the costs of transition would be in fairness to assist the point of transition and is an unidentified cost comparison. 10/13/04 -2- A member of the audience asked if there would be slide presentations from the other cities. Mr. McCauley discussed that if the Council would like to have the other cities make presentations he could contact them. It was the consensus of the Council to have the cities of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park contacted about making presentations to the City Council. Councilmember Niesen expressed that she would like to have the protocol differences with the other cities addressed. Councilmember Lasman expressed that she would like to have a list provided of the cities that currently participate in Hennepin County dispatch services. BROOKDALE TAX SITUATION AND POSSIBLE NOTICE OF DEFAULT Mr. McCauley discussed the current situation with Brookdale in default and questioned what direction the Council would like to precede. It was the consensus of the Council to take no action at this time. ADJOURNMENT A motion by Councilmember Lasman, seconded by Councilmember Carmody to adjourn the Work Session at 10:49 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. &W 4-uj� '-- 1,4� City Clerk 4ayor 10/13/04 -3-