05-28-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETEING Monday, MAY 13, 2019 7:00 o'clock p.m. The West Metro Drug Task Force did a phenomenal job this year and performed 104 arrests, conducted 131 search warrants, seized 65 guns, filed 100 state charges and 10 federal charges, and confiscated 1.2 pounds of cocaine/crack, 70 pounds of methamphetamines, 69 grams of heroin, 96 pounds of marijuana, and 3,982 narcotic prescription pills. The estimated street value of the drugs seized in 2018 was $2.6 million. In 2019 this area is seeing an increase in burglaries. One of the tactics used by the burglars is taking a rock and throwing it through a sliding glass window. If no alarm goes off, they then enter the home. Farniok encouraged the residents to contact the police department if they see a strange vehicle in their neighborhood. Walsh stated people overall are pretty safe in Orono, but there has been an increase in people going to different garages, finding that the side doors are open, and then gaining access to the keys in cars. Walsh encouraged people to lock their homes and garages as well as take their keys inside the house. Farniok noted Orono is 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and that the homes in this area are not always close to another residence. Farniok recommended people take the keys out of their cars, lock vehicles, take any valuables out of their car, and then call the police department if they have any questions or concerns. The police department will again be starting their bike patrol this year in some of the higher density areas, which is another way to engage the community. Printup asked when Orono has last had a bike patrol. Farniok indicated they had it for a number of years but then it was disconnected. The newer officers wanted to get this program going again and so the police department has partnered with the Crime Prevention Coalition, who has donated a bike that can be used. Farniok noted the 2018 report will be available to the public on Tuesday. Johnson asked whether there is some legislation being proposed that would eliminate some of the drug task force money that is received by the City. Farniok indicated the police department has worked with the City's lobbyist to help change some of the language in the bill. Currently the City receives back a portion of the money seized by the Drug Task Force and the proposed bill would eliminate that. The City currently receives around $120,000 from that program, which is used for equipment or overtime. Farniok stated if he sees some changes coming up from the legislature, he will notify the City Council. Walsh stated whenever cars or cash is seized, the City currently receives a portion of that. The state is now proposing to take all of those funds and put them into the state's general fund and not give it to the cities who participate in the program. Walsh encouraged the residents to call their local representative to help support the police department. Farniok noted the barrier on Highway 12 was achieved through various members of the public contacting their legislator. The City Council took no formal action on this item.