WS 2004 09 09
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
COUNCIL PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Council members: Ayotte, Peterson, and
Lundquist.
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager; Justin Miller, Assistant to the City
Manager; Bruce DeJong, Finance Director; Paul Oehme, City Engineer
OTHERS PRESENT:
Sheriff Bud Olson, Sgt. Jim Olson, Jim Prosser (Ehlers), Dick
Setter (Ehlers), Don Davis (Ehlers), Dave Callister (Ehlers), Melissa Gilman (Villager)
Mayor Furlong called the meeting to order at 5:35
PUBLIC SAFETY EVALUATION PROCESS:
Todd Gerhardt introduced the draft
public safety evaluation plan presented by Ehlers and Associates and stated that he felt it
met the intent of what the Council was looking for. Jim Prosser then stated that the short-
term goals of the process were to evaluate the 2005 police contract and the long term
goals were to evaluate the needs of the community, identify gaps/overlaps in service and
to identify potential alternatives. Councilman Ayotte asked that one of the goals also be
to better define what the definition of public safety is for our community.
Prosser then explained the roles of his consultant team and Don Davis went through the
process as outlined in the report. Councilman Ayotte asked to include an analysis of
what impact a new investigator would have on the City’s prosecution contract and the
value of a public safety commission/ombudsman. Sheriff Olson asked about demands on
his staff in terms of data collection. The council agreed to proceed with the 2005 contract
review and Todd Gerhardt stated that he would come back to the Council with a contract
for the rest of the services outlined.
DISCUSSION OF 2005 BUDGET:
Bruce DeJong introduced this item and said that
the two main discussion items from the last meeting, restoration of the Market Value
Homestead Credit and the differential in police budget amounts, were addressed in the
new figures. He also stated that due to how the fiscal disparities formula is calculated,
the City would receive the entire benefit of the TIF districts returning to the tax rolls, but
the City would lose the fiscal disparities money in 2006. The staff proposed levy was the
same as the last meeting. Sheriff Olson explained his rationale for increased policing in
2005, based upon the Maximus study performed on his organization and the new
.8 officers/1000 population. Council agreed that the proposed preliminary levy was a
good start and that they were looking forward to more detailed budget presentations in
the coming months.
PROPOSED 2005 LAKE LUCY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT 05-01:
Paul Oehme presented this item because it was not included in the original 2005 street
maintenance plan and wanted Council’s direction before meeting with the affected
property owners. This would be an overlay project but would also include sewer for
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
homes on septic tanks, narrowing the road for safety reasons, and possibly adding a new
sidewalk to get pedestrians off of the roadway. Council agreed that the next step should
be the presentation of a feasibility study to the Council and the preparations should be
made for neighborhood meetings.
Prepared by:
Justin Miller
Assistant to the City Manager