City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council Workshop Monday, July 8, 2019 6:00 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:05 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Sergeant Russ Clark; Finance Director Joe Huss; Economic Development Coordinator Erik Thorvig; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Engineer Dan Schluender; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Communications Coordinator Ben Hayle; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 7 - Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Jeppson, Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, and Councilmember Hovland 3 New Business 3-1 GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR VICTIM SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE POSITION Attachments: PowerPoint Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Podany stated the City has a grant opportunity for a Victim Services Representative position in the Police Department. This position would provide assistance to victims in crimes that do not have resolution, as well as pre-charge actions. This will also assist in various other items in the police department pertaining to victim services. Sergeant Russ Clark discussed the grant opportunity in further detail with the Council. He stated this was a federal grant opportunity being offered by the Department of Justice. He explained it was a three-year grant and 80 grants were City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes July 8, 2019 being offered. It was noted the grant deadline was July 25, 2019. He commented further on the role the Victim Services Representative would have within the Blaine Police Department and asked for comments or questions. Councilmember Swanson questioned what commitment the City would have to the position after three years. Sergeant Clark stated the City could establish or enhance a program after three years but noted there was no obligation to continue the position. Councilmember Paul stated he believed the proposed program was very good but questioned who would fund the position after three years. Police Chief Podany explained the position would have to be funded by the City in order for it to continue after the grant funds are depleted in three years. Councilmember Robertson discussed how the new position could assist with reducing the workload on officers. Police Chief Podany indicated shifting workloads would be one of the benefits to having a Victim Services Representative. Councilmember Garvais supported the City pursuing this grant. He recommended the department track the Part I and Part II crimes over the term of the grant in order to see the impact of the position so decisions could be made after three years. Police Chief Podany discussed the differences between Part I and Part II crimes. Councilmember Jeppson also supported the City pursing this grant. Councilmember Hovland stated he wanted to see the City filling the void and supported the Police Department pursuing this grant. Council consensus was to support staff pursuing a grant application requesting data be provided between Part I and Part II crimes for analysis of effectiveness of the program. 3-2 TRAFFIC ORDINANCE UPDATE - CHAPTER 82 Attachments: Proposed Parking Changes - 070819 Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Podany stated Chapter 82 of the Blaine City Code is the traffic ordinance section covering various items, including parking, snowmobile/recreational motor vehicle usage, etc. It has not been updated in a considerable amount of time and recommendations for updates were presented to Council. Councilmember Paul requested further information on the parking requirements. Police Chief Podany commented further on the City’s parking requirements both for the summer and winter months. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes July 8, 2019 Police Chief Podany asked if the Council supported contractors having trailers parked in their driveways. The Council supported contractors being allowed to park trailers in their driveway, but not on the street. Council consensus was to move forward with the first reading. 3-3 POLICE UTV DEMONSTRATION Informational. ADJOURN The Workshop was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 3