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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 11-21 CCM Special Work Session MINUTES OP THE PROCEEDINGS OF TIC CITY COUNCIL OF THE CT1=Y OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 21, 1994 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special work session and was called to order by Mayor Todd Paulson at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson and'Councilmembers Dave Rosene and Kristen Mann. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, Finance Director Charlie Hansen, and Council Secretary Barbara Collman. Councilmembers Barb Kalligher and Celia Scott were excused from this evening's meeting. Also in attendance were Financial Commission Chair Donn Escher, Mayor -Elect Myrna Kragness, and Councilmember -Elect Debra Hilstrom. CONTINUATION OF PROPOSED 1995 BUDGET The City Manager noted the date December 5 is available for a Council Work Session if needed. SPECIAL REQUEST TO APPROVE MOBILE DIGITAL TERMINALS (MDT) EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT The City Manager stated there is a request for action at this work session to be followed by formal consideration at the next Council meeting. There was a brief discussion of the current status of staffing in the police department as well as the cost and number of squad cars under budget consideration. The City Manager stated Staff needs a decision regarding the MDTs in order to notify the other communities cooperating in the project. The City Manager indicated his opinion was the MDTs would contribute more to the effectiveness of street officers than an additional police officer. 11/21/94 - 1 - The City Manager explained the purchase of ten MDTs would provide a unit for each of the marked squad cars. The preliminary budget has enough money for MDTs as well as one officer. The start -up cost for the MDTs is $32,000, which would come from an appropriation of $23,000 currently in the 1994 budget plus other available funds. However, it would be futile to start the program in 1994 without a budget commitment for 1995. The program will take a couple of months to be functional. The other communities involved have already committed to budgeting for both 1994 and 1995. Councilmember Mann asked whether there are future costs expected. The City Manager said there is an ongoing lease cost for about three years. After that, the system would be owned outright and one -third to one -half of the annual cost would be dropped. He explained the system operates by purchasing air time. The system is secure, however. There are enhanced features which could be added later at an additional cost. Councilmember Mann asked whether another dispatcher had been hired and whether the institution of the MDT system would mean another dispatcher would not be necessary. The City Manager said another dispatcher has not been hired and it is a possibility one would not be necessary. We are hopeful that MDTs would at least delay the need for an additional dispatcher. The MDT system operates as a radio connection to both LOGIS and the county systems, bypassing the dispatcher. The officers themselves can access the computer system. County approval is needed but is expected. Councilmember Rosene encouraged other Councilmembers to observe the MDT system in action in Brooklyn Park, as he has. Chairman Escher noted the Financial Commission supports the MDT system but does not support the hiring of an additional officer and purchase of another squad car. Councilmember Mann agreed since a policeman has not been hired this program would be a good alternative. Councilmember Rosene also expressed support for the MDT system. Mayor Paulson noted it is not necessary for the Council to choose between the MDTs and an officer. The City Manager agreed and noted Staff needs an answer so it can let the other three cooperating communities know. Following discussion, it was decided a commitment to the MDTs would not, in actuality, affect either 1994 or 1995 budgets. Mayor Paulson stated he supports the program since it does not require an increase in the proposed budget. 11/21/94 -2- The City Manager explained the MDT system would make the Police Department more effective. In many cases, police officers do not check licenses in an effort to not overload the dispatchers. After the has been in effect for a year, its effect will be known and a decision can be made concerning dispatchers. Other communities using the system have noticed measurable effects. Councilmember Rosene noted the system has memory capability which could provide vital information in certain situations. Using the usual dispatcher service, it could take five to ten minutes for an officer to obtain a driver's license check and a motor vehicle check since it is possible a dispatcher would not be available. With the MDT system, the information would be available in much less time. Also, police officers would have the capability of communicating car to car without monitoring. Another safety feature is that if an officer logs onto the system but doesn't follow up there is an alert. The total 1995 cost for the MDT lease would be $45,000, and the total annual cost for acquiring a new police officer would be $55,000. The City Manager asked Council to consider a motion which would be followed by formal confirmation at the next Council meeting. There was a motion by Councilmember Mann and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to approve the purchase of MDT equipment for the Police Department and place a confirming resolution on the next Council agenda. A citizen in the audience, Joe Noonan, asked the Council for justification of the expenditure. He asked several questions regarding the payback and whether the Council had the necessary background on which to base a decision on this issue. He suggested the MDT system might only he desirable because it is state of the art. Mr. Noonan also stated he had been a caller on the phone -in line during the last City Council meeting. He felt callers should not have to give their names, although he would have if he had been asked his name. He said he is a homeowner and business owner concerned with property values and the image of the city and has no hidden motives. The City Manager explained the figures justifying the expenditure had been presented at an earlier stage of consideration of the system and the information presented this evening wasn't intended to provide for the initial justification which was made 12 months ago with the 1994 budget. If Council wished he would resurrect the initial 1994 budget justification. Councilmember Rosene stated Council does have the background needed to evaluate the expenditure. He said he had seen a demonstration of an MDT in use and described a feature where the characteristics of the owner of the vehicle were provided so the officer could compare the driverof the vehicle to the owner. Such a feature could be valuable to stave off certain crimes. 11/21/94 -3- The City Manager mentioned this system is used all over the United States and is a proven system. The MDTs can connect with the county computer system, other cities' computer systems, and Brooklyn Center's computer system. He added the four cooperating communities had evaluated five similar systems before selecting the recommended MDT system. The motion passed unanimously. The City Manager noted a corresponding resolution would be presented at the next City Council meeting. REVIEW OF BUDGET BEGINNING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET Councilmember Mann asked how much of the police department budget goes to the canine unit. The City Manager answered the costs are in the officer's salary and maintenance of the animal. The City Manager noted the canine officer has been out over eight months with an injury and may not be back to work at all. The new Police Chief will need to decide the fate of the unit. Councilmember Rosene said it would be nice to have figures showing the success rate of the canine program. He noted the system is fallible if there is only one qualified officer and he is injured and unable to work. The City Manager mentioned he had personally not recommended the canine program from the beginning. Mr. Escher noted the Financial Commission had not recommended the program either. Councilmember Rosene questioned whether the program could be cut from the budget. The cost of the program was estimated to be between $3,300 and $10,000 beyond the officer's pay. The City Manager said Staff could ask the police department if they would like to make a recommendation on the issue. He noted the program has not had good luck because of a history of illness and injury to the officers and their dogs. Councilmember Rosene indicated he would like to hear the police department's comments concerning the canine unit. I, Councilmember Mann added the police department should state the effects of the program. There was a discussion concerning the inclusion of costs for additional officers and provisional officers in the budget. Mr. Escher presented a graph detailing the growth in real estate taxes. He also noted the Financial Commission questions the need for an additional officer, with the associated costs. He stated it is not necessarily true that adding a police officer will solve a crime rate problem. Crime rates have actually gone down, so the statistics do not demonstrate a need for another officer. Society calls for more manpower but the Council should not react to 11/21/94 -4- I�, political pressures. Rather, they should rely on facts and figures in deciding the issue. He also recommended the City get out of the dispatch business. Councilmember Rosene stated he had supported the addition of another officer because often the force is short an officer or more and is operating on a minimum number. Higher staffing levels are necessary to enforce existing laws more consistently. Mr. Escher noted the concern of the Financial Commission is with the principle that tax rates affect the City's public image. He urged the Council to look at the overall picture of budget distribution. Councilmember Mann stated the City will eventually need to go with the county for dispatch services. She inquired whether the problems had been resolved in order to use the county for fire dispatch. The City Manager said a local dispatch system is still preferable for fire calls. The Finance Director said some glitches were resolved with using the county system, but not all were worked out. The City Manager stated there will be an evaluation made of the other communities using the dispatch system but they haven't been operational for a long enough period yet to evaluate. Councilmember Mann said she supports using the county system. Councilmember Rosene said part of the reason Council had chosen not to go with the county system was the MDT system is proven and safe. He had worried about the fees being inflated but is more comfortable in supporting the county system now as he trusts Pat McGowan. He noted a glitch with the fire system was the inability to communicate truck -to- truck. He wondered if Staff should investigate MDTs for fire trucks. The City Manager said his impression was MDTs in fire trucks would not be an advantage when using the county system. Mayor Paulson asked where the increase of five to six million came from. He wondered whether it was from property taxes with a zero percent increase. The Finance Director noted the amount had to be made up from 1993 to 1994. The City Manager noted the City is not spending more, just taxing more. Mr. Escher commented the policymakers need to consider whether the City can continue to "do it all." 11/21/94 - 5 - Mayor Paulson said that question will be addressed, but public safety is a priority. Adding more officers and using them for preventative measures has lowered the crime rate. Mr. Escher mentioned the City has been free of bonding and using bonding will add a burden. He noted the Financial Commission did not claim to have the answer to the issue. The City Manager noted the figure of $100,000 includes the code enforcement officer, sixth squad car, the patrol officer, and the school liaison officer. He had recommended the sixth vehicle not be added. Councilmember Rosene said if the City Manager does not believe a sixth car is necessary, he would agree. It would mean a deletion of $20,000 from the budget. There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Mann to delete the sixth squad car for the police department from the budget. Councilmember Mann questioned how much could be taken off the budget if the addition of an officer was deleted. She was told that action would save a total of approximately $50,000 to $55,000. Councilmember Mann stated effective utilization of officers should be studied. A line has to be drawn somewhere and the City has been getting by even with officer positions unfilled. Councilmember Rosene said the officers must be producing well but they may be experiencing stress. Councilmember Mann noted the police officers have a union watching out for them on that issue. Councilmember Mann commented adding additional officers would not reduce overtime. The City Manager agreed, noting overtime is necessary because of court time and other circumstances such as an arrest which occurs right at the time of a shift change. Councilmember Rosene said some overtime could be eliminated since some is due to officers working extra shifts. Mayor Paulson noted the officers need to take the vacations they have earned. Councilmember Rosene stated officers are needed to fill the new programs which have been established. Also, if they have a lower number of calls to answer they can have time to stay on top of "smaller" incidents which often slip by unnoticed. There was a discussion with Mr. Noonan concerning prudent use of money, management and utilization of employees, and making choices. Mr. Escher recommended the Council research the overtime situation carefully. 11/21/94 -6- The City Manager noted overtime was cut back 20 percent two years ago. He said an evaluation can be performed. A time clock is used and overtime is monitored by a captain and a field supervisor. There was more discussion regarding overtime by police officers. It was mentioned three percent of the total police budget goes to overtime pay. The budget allows for 100 hours per year per officer in overtime. Councilmember Mann suggested Council meet December 5 to complete the budget review. Mr. Noonan stated the City should drop out of the retail liquor business. The City Manager and the Finance Director said if the City followed that suggestion it would then have to raise taxes, and the revenue from the liquor stores is $100,000 per year and there is no other source of revenue to equal that amount. The liquor stores are self - supporting and provide a profit to the City. There were further comments from Mr. Noonan concerning what he considers superfluous involvements (i.e. the golf courses, the liquor stores, the recreation center). It was decided to defer the remaining agenda items to December 5, 1994, work session. DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL MEETING CALL -IN PROGRAM Councilmember Mann expressed concern that it might be necessary to reconsider a decision already finalized and the caller might not have even been a citizen of Brooklyn Center. Mayor Paulson felt the trial call -in had gone well. He thought there should be another trial in order to have enough information to reach a decision. He noted there was not a necessity to revisit a closed issue, so maybe that apprehension could be put to rest. Councilmember Mann inquired as to the cost of the trial. The Finance Director estimated $35.00. Councilmember Mann felt $35.00 was reasonable. She stated enough information is not provided through just publishing the agenda. The citizens need access to more complete information. She said she would agree to another trial of the call -in program. There was a motion by Councilmember Mann and seconded by Councilmember Rosene to authorize another trial of the call -in line at the next Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Noonan commented he liked the call -in line as it was convenient. He said the callers should not be intimidated by being questioned. Everybody's opinion should be respected. 11/21/94 -7- ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Rosene and seconded by Councilmember Mann to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Todd Paulson, Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Barbara Collman TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 11/21/94 -8-