10-09-2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 25, 2006 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ (15. POLICE SERVICE CONTRACT, Continued) Murphy stated it is the opinion of the Orono Police Chief and others that the level of service being provided to Long Lake is the correct level of protection and that community-wide policing is important to keep ahead of the issues facing this area in the upcoming years. Murphy stated he has enough confidence in the level of service and competency that the City of Orono has been providing that the current service level should continue and that the issue may be related to miscommunication regarding the basic versus supplemental provisions. Murphy recommended discussions commence with the City of Long Lake while their level of service is maintained. Murphy stated the city has a fundamental responsibility for public safety and that he would like to see that level of service continued. Murphy recommended the Police Advisory Board meet more frequently. Murphy stated the proposal that he put forth in the work session is that Long Lake’s level of service remain in effect for the next six months while discussions are commenced between the City of Long Lake and the City of Orono on the issues. Murphy requested Long Lake seriously consider the continuation of police service at the current level in the future and reconsider their decision. Sansevere stated he is unsure why a work session cannot be scheduled in the immediate future to discuss these issues and avoid the need to continue the services for the next six months at a cost to the taxpayers of Orono. Sansevere stated the City of Long Lake made their decision and that the Orono City Council should respect that decision. Sansevere recommended Orono find a way to continue the number of police officers rather than reducing the police force. Murphy stated if the City of Long Lake does not agree to continue the level of service that they are presently at, he would recommend reducing their protection down to 35 hours as requested. McMillan commented she feels this is a good faith effort between the two cities to arrive at a solution and that she is hopeful it will not take six months. Sansevere stated he has a hard time telling the City of Long Lake what is best for them. Chief Stephanie Good stated she is not able to tell the Council whether to make the six month proposal to Long Lake. Good indicated they have tried to increase communications with all of the residents by assigning a police liaison to Long Lake, by participating in special events and citizen police academies, but that it is difficult to create a forum to discuss exactly how the police contract works. Good stated the loss of one officer would impact all the cities, particularly in the event of an emergency. Good stated the police department has also tried to address issues dealing with how residents should handle a possible drug house and the time of response to a call. Good stated in her opinion the police department has been doing a good job and she is more than willing to look at ways to continue to provide that level of service to Long Lake. White stated one of the things that came out of the work session is if the Orono Police Chief feels the force is adequate, the City of Orono should find some other way to offset that loss and continue to employ the same number of police officers. White stated another issue is to make the contract more ______________________________________________________________________________ PAGE 9 of 14 Item #02 - CC Agenda 10/09/06 Approval of Minutes 09/25/06 [Page 9 of 14]