09-24-2012 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 10, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 13 of 26 (MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT, Continued) McMillan noted the Willow Drive trail application was placed on the Consent Agenda tonight but that the property owner is in attendance. McMillan stated her and her husband have allowed Medina to connect one of their neighborhoods with Orono’s trail on Willow Drive. McMillan stated she would like them to know that it was a very nice thing for the community to allow the trail connection to happen on their property and that it shows a lot of support for the community. McMillan stated trails do not happen without the cooperation of residents such as the Leskinens. McMillan reported that Norina Dove, a former Spring Park Council Member, has assembled a forum on the use of heroin in this area. Dove felt it would be nice for the community to have some type of awareness/prevention forum and she has asked the mayors and police chiefs from Spring Park, Mound and Orono to attend the forum. The group is actively working on a heroin awareness project and will be meeting this coming Friday. McMillan stated she should have some more information on this project by the next council meeting. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT 12. CONTRACT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES Loftus noted the City received a request from Mound approximately two months ago for the Orono Police Department to provide a proposal for police services to their community. On August 27, this item was on the Orono City Council agenda where it was discussed and to provide information to the public. On August 28, the Mound City Council voted to approve the contract. Loftus stated it is a 10-year contract and would add 10 current officers from Mound as well as one additional officer, and that they would be using the Mound facility as a satellite station. The draft contract has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is before the Council tonight for approval. The contract will restructure the police department and also requires the approval of an organizational chart, which would take effect in 2013 and would add a deputy chief position. Loftus indicated part of the benefit to this effort is the savings and efficiency by eliminating two upper management positions. The restructuring would also add an administrative support position to assist with transcription, data entry, and community contact. Loftus noted those two positions have been placed as separate items on the agenda depending on how the Council chooses to act on the contract. Loftus noted this contract would not impact the zero percent tax levy that the Council is considering. Printup noted he sent an e-mail today to City Administrator Loftus citing some concerns he has with the contract after he further scrutinized the contract. Printup stated with the hardcover ordinance, there has been a considerable amount of discussion by the City over the last 18 months involving the changes but not one mention of the police proposal in the local newspapers. There have been maybe three articles in the Mound newspaper concerning the new police contract. Printup noted a recent article in the Star Tribune talked about the Mound Police Department disbanding and the Orono Police Department taking over even though the Orono City Council has not voted on it yet. Printed indicated he has had some citizens approach him and ask him about it in light of the articles and they were shocked to learn that the Orono City Council has not even voted on it yet. Printup stated in his Item #02 - CC Agenda - 09/24/2012 Approval of Council Minutes 09/10/2012 [Page 13 of 26]