CENTENNIAL LAKES
JOINT POWERS POLICE GOVERNING BOARD
Monday, February 11, 2013
Centennial Lakes Police Department
- CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Dave Bartholomay, Circle Pines Mayor
Ben Fehrenbacher, Centerville Councilmember
Tom Wilharber, Centerville Mayor
Mike Pitchford, Lexington Mayor
Karin Payment, Lexington Councilmember
Deb O’Brien, Circle PinesCouncilmember
Also Present:
Jim Keinath, CirclePinesCity Administrator
Dot Heifort, Lexington City Administrator
Dallas Larson, Centerville City Administrator
Kurt Glaser, Lexington & Centerville City Attorney
Chief James Coan, Centennial Lakes Police
Captain Ron Nelson, Centennial LakesPolice
Cindy Lewis, Centennial Lakes Police
2.OFFICER SWEARING IN CEREMONY
Chief Coan introduced Dennis Spreng who then told all in attendance a little about his extensive law enforcement background. Dennis has served as a Reserve Officer with CLPD for the past two years and recently re-activated his peace officer license so that he could take the position of Part-Time Police Officer with our department. Chief Coan read and Dennis agreed to the Oath of Office.
3.CITIZEN FORUM
Barb Mahr, a Lexington resident, read from a letter and analysis she had prepared and presented copies to the board. The document requested the Board to consider reviewing and makingadjustmentsto the funding formula used by the three cities to determine what percentage of the PD’s annual budget each city is responsible for. Mahr stated that by using the current formula, citizens in Lexington pay a 60 – 70% higher cost per capita for police services.
Richard Runbeck, a Circle Pines resident and city council member stood to address the Board. Dave Bartholomay, the Circle Pines mayor, made a statement to the effect that Mr. Runbeck was representing himself, not as a city council member and not speaking on behalf of the city of Circle Pines.
Runbeck stated that he wanted to address the matter of what he considers the persecution of Tom Beard. His concerns were in regards to a Lexington case involvingthe enforcement of city ordinances and the conduct of a CLPD officer.
Attorney Glaser advised that the matter is still being litigated and it would be best to deal with this matter after court proceedings have been completed. M. Pitchford stated that he considers R. Runbeck’s address to the Board to be a conflict of interest.
R. Runbeck withdrew his comments at this time but will return once litigation is completed.
4.APPROVAL OF AGENDA WITH CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS
T. Wilharber requested that Item 5C under the Consent Agenda be pulled out for discussion, this item was moved to Item 6E under Discussion/Action Items.
A motion was made by T. Wilharberand seconded by D. Bartholomayto approve the agenda as corrected. Motion carried.
5.CONSENT AGENDA
- Recommendation to Approve Minutes of November 5, 2012 Meeting
B.Financials –Unaudited
A motion was made by D. Bartholomayand seconded by B. Fehrenbacherto approve Item A and B of the Consent Agenda. Motion carried.
6.DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
A.T.E.D. Program Update
Attorney K. Glaser stated that the change in policy approved at the last Governing Boardmeeting regarding an across the board 10% discount to court fines had beenimplemented this month. He also mentioned the new flyer (golden ticket) that should accompany all citations issued by officers.
A discussion regarding the fines listed on the back side of the flyer culminated in the decision to somehow highlight either the offenses that are eligible for the education program or to highlight those offenses that are not eligible.
B.Chief Coan’s Employment Agreement
City Administrator Larson requested approval of the enclosed employment agreement for Chief Coan, subject to a satisfactory annual performance review. Some changes included a 2% COLA, a $500 clothing allowance, and a clarification that a maximum of 30 days of unused leave may be carried over to the next year. It was suggested that the section covering moving allowance be removed.
A motion was made by D. Bartholomay to approve the terms of employment for the Chief as presented, subject to his performance review. Motion was seconded by B. Fehrenbacher. Motion carried.
C.Insurance Liability Coverage Waiver
A motion was made by D. Bartholomay and seconded by T. Wilharber to designate that the department “does not waive” limits on the Liability Coverage Waiver Form. Motion carried.
D.2013 Pay Equity Report
A Pay Equity Report was prepared by the department and copies were passed out. No action by the Board was necessary, other than obtaining the Chair’s signature.
E.Unaudited 2012 Financial Statement
T. Wilharber asked whether it would be fiscally better to go back to funding for 17 officers rather than incurring large overtime expenses. Chief Coan advised that it is hoped that with the hiring of part-time Officer Spreng, overtime costs will be lower.
Also questioned was whether enough budget money has been designated towards maintenance of the PD’s building. There was some discussion on creating a Capital Improvement Fund with no decisions made.
A motion was made by T. Wilharber and seconded by B. Fehrenbacher to approve the 2012 Financial Statement as presented. Motion carried.
7.OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
A.Potential Changes to Personnel Policy
City Administrator Keinath presented a memo which outlines a proposed change to the Personnel Policy by providing a Retirement Health Care Savings Plan for all non-union employees with more than 20 years of service. The Sergeants currently have such a Plan. In addition to employee bi-weekly contributions to the Plan, a percentage of employee’s severance pay would also go into the Plan at separation.
A second request is that any employee eligible to participate in the RHCS plan and who has more than 960 hours of sick leave be allowed to convert those hours on a basis of one hour of compensation to the RHCS plan for every two, three or four hours of reduced sick leave over 960 hours. The ratio is to be determined by the Board.
A motion was made by D. Bartholomay and seconded by B. Fehrenbacher to approve the suggested language for the first part of the potential policy change but to amend the language on the second part of the change to state that sick leave hours in excess of 960 hours would be converted to a cash contribution to the employee’s HCSA plan on a one hour cash contribution for every three hours of excess sick leave hours. Motion carried.
8.CHIEF’S REPORT
Chief Coan updated the Board on personnel changes including the hiring of part-time Officer Spreng, the completion of probation by Officer Zech, and the hiring of Community Service Officer Lucas Frederickson.
Chief Coan presented the CLPD Strategic Plan which documents the department’s goals over the next three years and provides a framework for us to work within.
A motion was made by D. Bartholomay and seconded by T. Wilharber to approve the 2013-2015 Strategic Plan. Motion carried.
9.DEPARTMENT REPORT
Captain Nelson advised that this is a slow time for COP/POP activities but he highlighted a couple of new projects including the creation of a department Facebook page and a project to enhance the sharing of information with neighboring agencies/jurisdictions.
D. Bartholomay mentioned that Fridley PD had received an award for their COP and POP activities.
D. Bartholomay thanked the Chief for accommodating a young Circle Pines resident and MSU student who is interested in law enforcement by arranging a ride-along with a CLPD officer.
D. Bartholomay announced that Centennial High School would be hosting a community summit on the topic of Bullying.
D. Bartholomay also stated that he is on a committee looking for a new superintendent for the Centennial School District.
D. Bartholomay discussed his opinion regarding Barb Mahr’s presentation earlier in the meeting. He stated he hoped the Board and staff would take a good look at the documents provided by Mahr.
10.ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by T. Wilharber and seconded by D. O’Brien to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried.
*Next meeting: May 13, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.