CITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 Citizen Advisory Commission Regular Meeting July 12, 2016 New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Wills called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: Commissioners Daniel Gates, Michael Isenberg, Rick Riley, Michael Schaefer, Dick Sievert, Mike Terres (arrived 7 p.m.) Bill Wills None Susan Rader, Staff Liaison Tim Fournier, Director of Police APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Gates made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2016 meeting. Commissioner Schaefer seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Gates, Isenberg, Riley, Schaefer, Sievert, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: Commissioner Terres. Motion carried. UPDATE ON SPACE NEEDS TASK FORCE Chair Wills reported that the task force had met on June 22 and had reviewed options for a potential location. He explained that three different locations had been considered: To the west of the current city hall; on the current city hall site; and on the site of the outdoor pool. He stated that the next meeting of the task force would be held on Thursday, July 21. Commissioner Riley added that the site options had been based on the results of soil boring tests. He mentioned the pool site, and thought that the pool had been scheduled for some improvements. Ms. Rader replied that the pool was over 50 years old and in need of replacement. She explained that the shallow water pool had been scheduled for replacement last summer, but had been postponed until staff could apply for a Hennepin County Sports grant to assist with the cost. She noted that the city had not received the grant at that time, but had planned to move forward with replacement of the shallow pool this fall. She added, however, that staff had recently decided to postpone any improvements to the pool until the location for the new city hall complex had been determined. She informed the commissioners that a full improvement project would cost around $6.3 million and would need to be bonded. Commissioner Terres guessed the pool would be closed for at least one summer if that site was selected for the new city hall complex.
Ms. Rader felt that it would probably be closed for two summers. She explained that an improvement project at the current pool location would still close the facility for one year. Commissioner Terres wondered whether there had been any discussion of where the pool might be relocated. Commissioner Riley replied yes, but added that there was also discussion of whether or not the pool should be replaced. Commissioner Isenberg stated that the pool improvement project was a completely separate project that would not be decided by the task force. NORTHWOOD PARK PLAYGROUND UPDATE DISCUSS CRIME STATISTICS Ms. Rader reported that the trails would be paved the following day. She stated that mulching and tree planting would occur in the next few weeks, and the playground would be installed in about two weeks. She added that the rain gardens had been dug, but had not been planted. Tim Fournier, Director of Police, addressed the commissioners. He began by discussing the current climate in law enforcement. He stated that there had been more demands placed on police departments due to acts of terrorism, mental illness, and cultural overload. He discussed the increase in calls related to mental illness, and felt it was due in part to the decrease in institutionalizing the mentally ill. He reported that states were requesting that each officer receive 40 hours of training, but felt it posed a burden on smaller departments. He explained that different levels of training were available and noted that most of the officers would receive eight hours of training this year. Commissioner Riley wondered about the different types of housing for the mentally ill. Chief Fournier explained that group homes housed people who could not care for themselves and had round-the-clock supervision, while other homes could house those released from facilities who were also under supervision. He added that information on those released into the communities was not made public. Commissioner Riley wondered whether the city would be notified and whether licensing was required for the homes. Chief Fournier replied that the homes were privately owned and were licensed through the county. He stated that the police department received notification when someone was released into the community, but could not share that information with the public. Commissioner Riley wondered whether the number of group homes was dictated by the county and whether there was a maximum per municipality. Chief Fournier replied that there was no limit on the number of group homes within a city. Page 2
Chief Fournier then discussed retention and commented that it had been an issue. He informed the commissioners that there were currently three openings within the department, and discussed some of the challenges in hiring and retaining quality officers. Chief Fournier next reviewed some highlights of the department s training. They included: Multi-city active shooter training Riot training K-9 training SWAT Chief Fournier informed the commissioners that mandatory training with neighboring cities had been held for all police officers at Pilgrim Lane Elementary on separate occasions. He added that staff continued to train at properties slated for demolition. Chief Fournier reported that he had budgeted for additional riot equipment. He informed the commissioners that the city currently had two officers who had been trained in riot control and who would be training the rest of the department. He also mentioned that he and one of the captains had previously attended riot command school. Chief Fournier explained that the city of New Hope shared SWAT services with the cities of Golden Valley, Crystal and Robbinsdale, and noted that each department had openings for five or six officers. Commissioner Isenberg wondered whether any member of the department could call out the SWAT team. Chief Fournier replied that the sergeant on duty would assess the situation and notify the SWAT commander if necessary. He added that he, as well as the captains, would be notified of a situation within the city of New Hope. Chief Fournier briefly discussed succession planning. He mentioned that sworn officers were eligible to retire at age 55, and noted that one captain was currently eligible. He also mentioned that he may retire in another five years. Chief Fournier informed the commissioners that he also served in other capacities, including current president of the Hennepin County Chiefs of Police Association. He also mentioned that he served on the planning committee as well as an instructor for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. He added that he regularly spoke to groups at cities and corporations regarding personal safety. Crime Statistics were then discussed. Chief Fournier briefly reviewed Part 1 Crimes, which included homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, auto theft and arson. He reported that in the first six months of 2015, 251 Part 1 Crimes had been reported. In comparison, he noted that 210 Part 1 Crimes Page 3
had been reported in the first six months of 2016. He informed the commissioners that the most common Part 1 Crime was theft, along with burglary and assault. Chief Fournier then discussed some of the department s SMART goals. He explained that the acronym referred to goals that were specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. SMART goals included: Increase training time department-wide by 5% annually over the next three years. Increase efforts to recruit and retain police officers in a growing and competitive climate. Increase number of inter-/intra-jurisdictional traffic details over the next three years. Chief Fournier also briefly reviewed CIP items. He stated that half of the portable radios had been replaced in 2016 and the other half would be replaced in 2017, at a cost of around $84,000 per year. He also noted that outfitting two more SWAT officers would cost of around $10,000, and additional riot gear was estimated at $25,000. Chair Wills wondered how patrol vehicles were categorized for replacement. Chief Fournier replied that the Public Works department budgeted for the vehicles, and noted that four or five cars were purchased annually. He explained that there were approximately 20 cars in the fleet, and noted that patrol cars were currently on a three-year replacement schedule. Chief Fournier mentioned body cameras, and commented that the state legislature had proposed a bill that the state Chiefs of Police Association felt they could support. He reported that the state Chiefs of Police Association was currently developing a model policy, which would be released in January, 2017. He commented that the city of New Hope would probably not have body cameras available to its officers until 2018, and noted that not only was the equipment expensive, but the cost to store the data was expensive. The commissioners thanked Chief Fournier for his presentation. He excused himself from the meeting at 8:25 p.m. BASSETT CREEK REGIONAL TRAIL UPDATE PARK REPORTS Ms. Rader stated that staff had not yet received a schedule from the contractor, but thought the project would probably start around the beginning of August. Ms. Rader mentioned that she had received park reports that included photos, and expressed her appreciation for the photos. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Rader made the following announcements: Duk Duk Daze would be held this weekend. The next movie in the park, Inside Out, would take place on Friday, July 15 at Civic Center Park. Staff was still looking for a sponsor for the August movie in the park. The summer musical, You re a Good Man, Charlie Brown would begin Page 4
on Thursday, July 21. The deadline for the In Focus Photo Contest was August 1. The deadline for RAVE! Award nominations was August 1. Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that there would not be an August meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Isenberg wondered if there had been any interest in having a Little Library in a park. Ms. Rader replied that no one had yet made a request, but noted that staff was working with a girl scout who was interested in putting one in at the Ice Arena. Commissioner Riley mentioned that one was located on a private residence across from Northwood Park. Commissioner Isenberg inquired about the criteria for having handicapped swings in the parks. Ms. Rader replied that they were typically installed upon request or as equipment was updated. Commissioner Isenberg also wondered if the city had considered working with a private individual to purchase a lot for a scattered site housing redevelopment, rather than solely working with developers. Ms. Rader replied that it would be a question for the community development department. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Terres made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Sievert seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Penny Spitzer Recording Secretary Page 5