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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 10, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 19 of 26 (12. CONTRACT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, Continued) McMillan stated in three years Mound could negotiate with another city and use that as leverage with Orono. McMillan noted this contract would basically double the size of the Orono Police Department and that when you start talking about career development, that takes time. McMillan stated there is commitment on the part of both cities to deliver quality public safety to both communities and the other contract cities, which is truly a commitment. There are benefits for both Mound and Orono. Exactly who benefits more and who benefits less will play out over time but that it is everyone's hope it will be mutually beneficial. McMillan noted Orono is taking on some operational risk but at the same time Staff has worked hard to find a price point that was attractive to Mound but would still allow Orono to gain some efficiency at that price point. If inflation is 10 percent in five years, it will be difficult for all of us. McMillan pointed out that one of the big efficiencies is having an extra patrol car in the Orono coverage area, which will also give the police department the ability to have more cars on the streets to react to crimes. Crime fluctuates around the area and patrol cars from other cities provide coverage when needed. McMillan stated a bigger department gives Orono the advantage of having better coverage in this area. Bremer noted that Spring Park and Minnetonka Beach are the two contract cities that Orono provides service to currently and that representatives from those cities have met with the Police Commission on a couple of occasions to discuss this proposal. They have been provided with an update on this proposal and both cities have expressed their support for this plan because they trust Police Chief Farniok and because Orono will be adding additional officers. Bremer stated one of the only ways Orono can afford to increase police presence is by increasing the coverage area, which this proposal does. Wysocki stated if in fact the City is looking for more officers, they could perhaps approach the Hennepin County Sheriff. Wysocki stated he is concerned about it being revenue neutral and also with the City committing to a 10-year contract. Wysocki noted it is Orono's tax dollars that are at stake. McMillan noted Mound is currently paying for two CSO officers and they will continue to pay for those. Mound will also be paying for their police facility to be used as a satellite location and Orono will not be paying any money toward debt or utilities for running that facility. Franchot asked what the term is of the fire contract. Ron Olson indicated it is 20 years. Franchot noted the LMCC franchise agreement is also a 10-year agreement and that it is not unusual to have a long-term contract. McMillan stated the City does not charge the residents for rescue operations and that Orono provides those services even though they are not exactly a dollar for dollar item. McMillan stated the City is not going to bill someone for how much service someone receives. McMillan stated the City has been in the contracting business over the years and unfortunately lost Long Lake’s police business. Orono paid the unemployment for Long Lake but they have learned from that business change. McMillan stated the police chief and city administrator have spent a lot of time reviewing and drafting the contract and that Orono's police chief wants to provide the best service he can for all of the areas that are covered. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 09/24/2012 Approval of Council Minutes 09/10/2012 [Page 19 of 26]