01-25-2021 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,January 25,2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. 12. HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF UPDATE—Continued Mayor Walsh said the biggest event going on regarding Orono is on the 4th of July over on Big Island; over the years they have had a lot of issues and have gotten better with a lot of patrol enforcing them and have drive-lanes so they can get in there when there is a problem. He cannot recall anything that happened last year. He is hoping it continues because anything that happens is just a blight on their reputation on Lake Minnetonka and obviously,they want it as safe as possible. Mayor Walsh thinks the Sheriffs Department did a great job last year. Minneapolis is obviously far away and they have great faith in the Police Department and the Police Chief in Orono does a great job and is always prepared. Mayor Walsh hopes they take care of their action in Minneapolis as well so nothing comes out Orono's way,but hopefully the patrol with the new people in charge will continue the great job they are doing, especially on the 4th of July. Sheriff Hutchinson said he was actually out there on the 4th of July for probably 10 hours and COVID had a little to do with it but those drive-lanes did make a difference. They had the DNR and every single deputy available and it is the same thing,he wants people to go have fun but as soon as someone does something that is going to damage property or hurt somebody. He stated there was civil unrest last year but people did not hear about it because it was lawful,had good arrests and noted that the deputies got in a foot chase with one individual who was eventually caught. Again,he said they are out there and said for people to have fun, legally,and noted once they cross that line,Captain Magnuson and his team will take them. Crosby appreciates Sheriff Hutchinson's comments tonight and stated this community supports law enforcement and they thank them; he knows they put their lives on the line for the residents' safety and it is truly appreciated. What happened last year was horrific—God-willing, with prayers and the right tactics—they will not be going down that path again and he appreciates the Sheriffs words on that tonight. Regarding the water patrol,he has to throw something out there as it is a pet peeve of his as a boater: he sees too many kids riding boat rails on cruisers,etcetera. Crosby said they need to start writing more tickets for that,he thinks that would be terrific. Obviously,the biggest problem on any lake and probably in boating and cars is boating under the influence and is what causes the havoc on Big Island; after ten years on the Fire Department,he would say 90%of the calls were booze related. Crosby reiterated they appreciate everything the Sheriffs Department does,the water patrol guys are awesome, and it amazes him on a hot day how they can be in that uniform. Sheriff Hutchinson said the water patrol does do a great job and reiterated they are one of the best in the country,not because of the Sheriff but because of the long tradition and dedicated men and women that work out there. He said if one is a 20-some year-old deputy,the water patrol is probably the best beat to have. He said if they could have 50 deputies out there,they would,but there is always a little funding stick, especially now with the anti-police,defund stuff. It is hard for them County-wide but he thinks the City needs to hold the County Board to their word, and they need to spend their money better. He stated if law enforcement wants to make the strides that everybody wants from Orono to the North side,to wherever,they must give more money to modernize,have better training,hire better people. Sheriff Hutchinson said when people start talking about police reform,he says yes,that is great...but expect to start paying new cops what we are paying doctors,because if they are asking everybody to do all this with making zero mistakes,they must start paying a lot more money, especially as they are at a 25 year low of applicants. In talking about police reform—they do need to do better—but to get better people,they must start paying them better. Page 3 of 11