City Council

Maple Grove City Council work session Meeting minutes September 13, 2023 Call to order Pursuant to call and notice thereof, a City Council work session was held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the Maple Grove Government Center/Public Safety Facility, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Present was Mayor Mark Steffenson, and Councilmembers Judy Hanson, Kristy Barnett, Kristy Janigo, and Rachelle Johnson. Absent was none. Present also was City Administrator Heidi Nelson, Chief of Police Eric Werner, Finance Director Greg Sticha, and Community and Economic Development Director Joe Hogeboom. Mayor Steffenson called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 2024 budget Finance Director Sticha noted the City Council previously discussed the 2024 discussion budget in work session on August 7, 2023 and on August 21, 2023. Due to time constraints at those meetings and need for further discussion, tonight’s meeting serves as a continuation of the 2024 budget discussion. There was continued discussion on the Police Department’s CSO pay structure and the request for part time CSO positions to become benefit earning, in addition to earning the same hourly rate of pay as full time CSO’s. Data was reviewed regarding the number of CSO’s that have been retained by the Police Department as officers or hired by other agencies as officers. This change would assist with retaining those part-time positions as well as assist with recruitment for patrol officers. Community and Economic Development Director Hogeboom discussed Emerald Ash Borer and other tree-related diseases that are on the horizon that would be managed by a city forester position. He explained the proposed city forester role would be part of the Community and Economic Development Department since one of the primary focuses of the position would be landscape and tree enforcement on commercial properties in addition to public land and open spaces. The role of the position was discussed in detail, with 75% of the position being field work with residents, business owners, and contract vendors for tree removal/treatment and 25% in the office for coordinating those matters. Finance Director Sticha discussed the five-year levy projection, road reconstruction levy and state public safety funding. Direction to staff was to bring forward three levy options, with the option to reduce the street reconstruction levy understanding that additional MSA dollars would be coming to the city post the 2023 legislative session. Council also directed that the public safety funding be targeted towards the next three years of the AXON body camera contract, officer wellness and recruitment, and additional funds for the purchase of Fire  Department Engine 52. Further discussion of the Community Engagement Unit within the Police Department would take place at the winter Council/Staff Planning Session. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Steffenson at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Nelson City Administrator