CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES April 21, 2014 5:30pm
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES April 21, 2014 5:30pm 1) Call to Order Hunt called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. Present: City Council: Acting Mayor Anne Hunt, Mark Vanderlinde, Arlene Donahue and Bob Christians Staff: City Administrator Mike Funk, Assistant City Administrator Michael Barone, Community Development Director David Abel, Finance Director Brian Grimm, Police Chief Paul Falls and City Clerk Terri Haarstad 2) 2014 City Council Mission Hunt distributed a draft copy of the Mayor’s Message she wrote for the Minnetrista Messenger and requested Council input. By unanimous consent the Council offered no suggestions for changes and agreed to add it to the agenda at the regular meeting with the intent to read it on camera. 3) Discussion regarding School Resource Officer (SRO) Agreement with Westonka Schools Discussion included: Council disappointment in delays in the approval of this agreement Terms of the City’s original offer extended in 2013 The history of negotiations regarding this agreement The land donation The expiration date of the current contract Reasoning for training staff The selection and training process for staff The study completed when the City Council was considering merging Police Departments with Mound suggested money could be saved by reducing SRO hours between the Middle School and High School The pay structure of the Waconia SRO and how the school and City fund this position without using resident tax dollars Whether or not the Waconia, Delano and Watertown-Mayer are subsidizing Westonka Schools Whether or not the school would agree to pay an hourly rate in addition to an increase of $4200 Dave Kolb (1045 Deer Creek Rd) asked the Council if they are familiar with the history of the position and questioned what the costs associated with the SRO position have to do with water treatment and a land donation. He pointed out that the proposed price agreed upon by the school district is more than has ever been paid in the past and asked if the Council valued training for an officer newly appointed to the position. He pointed out that Minnetrista has the lowest officer staffing of any lake area community and pointed out that Minnetrista has an obligation to provide service to Westonka Schools regardless of whether or not the City is getting any reimbursement from the school district. He cited Council members’ campaign literature and asked that they keep their promises to not cut services. Falls pointed out that while the land donation has been tied to the SRO contract, the SRO agreement being discussed does not include mention of the land donation. He also pointed
out that the ESCI study recommended reducing the SRO position under the scenario in which the entire school district would be under one jurisdiction. He also pointed out that the SRO is used to assist in investigations, not just to answer calls at the schools. Ralph Harrison (Westonka School Board member) confirmed that the SRO does not spend 100% of their time working on school work. He expressed disappointment in the Council’s current position and stated that it was a 180 degree turn from what had been agreed upon in January 2014. He stated that the delays were from waiting for the City Council clarification of the land donation wanted and time required to obtain a legal description He expressed discontent that Council members are blaming the school when it was City Council members representing the City who requested the Hennepin County Assessor valuation to be used in lieu of obtaining a private assessment. The crowd in the Chambers asked the Council to add this item to the regular meeting agenda and to approve the agreement offered. Bill LaTour (840 Bayside Lane) implored the Council as his elected representatives to represent his wishes and approve the SRO agreement. He pointed out that all Council members stated their agreement that the SRO position is vital to the schools. He pointed out that in this day and age, with Colombine, Sandy Hook etc, it is vital to approve this contract. Tina Prchal (6780 Pinnacle Way) spoke as both a parent of children in the district and as an employee of the school in favor of the SRO agreement and described how much the presence of the SRO comforted her, other staff and students after Sandy Hook. The Council unanimously agreed to add the SRO Agreement to the regular meeting agenda for a vote. 4) Planning Commission Candidate Interview Funk explained that John Watson has joined a non-profit board which has conflicting meetings with the Planning Commission. As such, he has submitted his resignation. The position was advertised and former Planning Commission member Bob Pollman applied to fill out the remainder of Watson’s term through December 31, 2016. The Council asked Pollman to describe his primary frustrations/suggestions for improvement regarding his prior service as a former Planning Commission member. Pollman stated that he would appreciate more Council/Commission interaction. 5) Adjourn Hunt adjourned the meeting at 6:18pm. Respectfully submitted,
Terri Haarstad City Clerk
out that the ESCI study recommended reducing the SRO position under the scenario in which the entire school district would be under one jurisdiction. He also pointed out that the SRO is used to assist in investigations, not just to answer calls at the schools. Ralph Harrison (Westonka School Board member) confirmed that the SRO does not spend 100% of their time working on school work. He expressed disappointment in the Council’s current position and stated that it was a 180 degree turn from what had been agreed upon in January 2014. He stated that the delays were from waiting for the City Council clarification of the land donation wanted and time required to obtain a legal description He expressed discontent that Council members are blaming the school when it was City Council members representing the City who requested the Hennepin County Assessor valuation to be used in lieu of obtaining a private assessment. The crowd in the Chambers asked the Council to add this item to the regular meeting agenda and to approve the agreement offered. Bill LaTour (840 Bayside Lane) implored the Council as his elected representatives to represent his wishes and approve the SRO agreement. He pointed out that all Council members stated their agreement that the SRO position is vital to the schools. He pointed out that in this day and age, with Colombine, Sandy Hook etc, it is vital to approve this contract. Tina Prchal (6780 Pinnacle Way) spoke as both a parent of children in the district and as an employee of the school in favor of the SRO agreement and described how much the presence of the SRO comforted her, other staff and students after Sandy Hook. The Council unanimously agreed to add the SRO Agreement to the regular meeting agenda for a vote. 4) Planning Commission Candidate Interview Funk explained that John Watson has joined a non-profit board which has conflicting meetings with the Planning Commission. As such, he has submitted his resignation. The position was advertised and former Planning Commission member Bob Pollman applied to fill out the remainder of Watson’s term through December 31, 2016. The Council asked Pollman to describe his primary frustrations/suggestions for improvement regarding his prior service as a former Planning Commission member. Pollman stated that he would appreciate more Council/Commission interaction. 5) Adjourn Hunt adjourned the meeting at 6:18pm. Respectfully submitted,
Terri Haarstad City Clerk
