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MEETING TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING POLICE DEPARTMENTS WITH THE CITIES OF BREEZY POINT AND PEQUOT LAKES JULY 18, 2005 PRESENT: Chief Steve Rudek Mayor Doug Rach Deputy Chief John Ryan Mayor Cathy Malecha Clerk Sandy Peine Mayor Rach stated that the combining of police departments is something other communities are due to cost savings to the communities. He and Chief Rudek have spoke to another community (Chisago City and Lindstrom) who have actually done this. They indicated they would be willing to help us by sharing both positive and negative points. The joining of departments could be done on a contractual agreement or a joint powers agreement. Chisago City and Lindstrom have joined police departments through a joint powers agreement with the Mayor, City Administrator, and a Council member from each perspective city on the board. They have their own clerical staff that would be responsible for payroll. It was noted that there would be some positive and negative issues in combining the two departments. Identity issues, response time and shifts would be negative issues. Dave and Cathy indicated that they have received a negative response from the public regarding the combination. It was hoped that positive issues would include cost savings to the two cities, but it was not certain how much would be saved. Mayor Rach indicated that cost savings should not be the only issue, but that it would have to be a win-win situation between both cities. Time frame was discussed. The City of Pequot is going ahead with the hiring of a police chief and an officer. The group felt that if the merger is pursued it would take quite a bit of time to implement. Many questions would have to be answered and the public would have to be heard regarding the issue. It was also felt that a significant cost savings may not be realized at this time. The group stated that if there is no consensus to move forward at this time, it would be better to drop the issue now and possibly reconsider it sometime in the future. Mayor Malecha indicated she would provide the Council with the information from this meeting and let the Council decide if the City wanted to move forward.