03-17-04 WSITEM 3_4
CITY OF OTSEGO
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
WITH THE SHERIFF
4:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2004
1. Mayor Fournier call the Workshop to order.
Mayor Fournier called to order at 5 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Virginia
Wendel, Jerry Struthers and Dan Scharber.
Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator and Judy Hudson, City
Clerk/Zoning Administrator.
Others: Sheriff Gary Miller, Deputy Ryan Mitchell, Deputy Dean Olson;
Police Commission Members: Sandra Michelson, Tom Koerwitz and Tom Carter.
2. Discussion with Sheriff Miller.
Sheriff Miller distributed a report of Calls for Service by Hour for Otsego in Year
2003. He also referred to his report on his role in Municipal Contract Policing.
Mayor Fournier stated he feels there has been good progress since the Council
started having meetings with the Sheriff. CM Struthers feels there are still
problems in calling in non -emergency calls to dispatch. He feels dispatch is
taking far too much time with asking for all the personal questions when they
should be dispatching an officer immediately. Sheriff Miller responded that the
Sheriff's Department had 49,000 calls last year but he feels they can do better
and suggested rather than calling the non -emergency number people should call
911. By calling 911 the information on the caller automatically comes on the
dispatch screen and therefore can eliminate dispatch asking for so many
questions.
Sheriff Miller recommended to the Council to increase Otsego's coverage hours
to improve response time and improve the level of service Otsego wants. He
recommended adding another eight hours. He would also like to see a sub-
station in Otsego in the future. The Council agreed additional coverage will be
needed and will be discussed at Budget Meetings.
Mayor Fournier stated he appreciates the future planning Sheriff Miller is doing
and wants to keep law enforcement at a high level in Otsego. CM Heidner stated
he likes that the officers are going through all the streets in Otsego. The
Council agreed they would like to see a Sheriff's Report in the Elk River Star
News. Sheriff Miller does supply the newspaper the information. It was
suggested to have the Elk River Star News Editor attend a Council Meeting.
City Council Workshop of March 17, 2004. Page 2.
3. Any other Council Business.
Mike Robertson updated the Council on his recent discussions with a Post Office
Representative regarding starting a service in Otsego. This would basically be
offering postage and such items and not having a zip code. He said the
Chamber of Commerce is actively working on getting a zip code/post office for
Otsego.
4. Adjourn.
Workshop adjourned at 6:45 PM.
Mayor Larry Fournier
Attest:
Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning Adm