Minutes - Planning Commission - 04/04/1995 - Public Hearing @ 7:35

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Anoka County had no knowledge of the home and City Inspector Glyn Huff had no idea this was the reason for building the addition to the McLafferty home. Mr. Henderson advised that the offenses of the boys can range from truancy to attempted murder, yet because juvenile records are sealed, the public has no way of knowing what the offenses are and whether they are first, second or third offenses. He referenced the 14-year-old boy who recently stabbed a 4-year-old girl to death, and reported that this youth's last legal residence was a group home in Wisconsin. Mr. Henderson noted that the Department of Corrections Rules for Governing Group Foster Homes has absolutely no reference concerning the public's right to safety. Mr. Henderson also expressed concern that by allowing the applicant a permit for eight boys, thereby setting a precedent, he will then attempt to get ten, etc. Mr. Henderson reported that group homes are now incorporating, referencing Nexus Corporation (a sex offender home in Minneapolis) and Second Chance (a home in Coon Rapids), and they are run by staff only. Although he has no information regarding the Volunteers of America, the Director of Corrections of Anoka County advised Mr. Henderson that a home in Coon Rapids receives $118/per day/per youth, which would generate into $258,420 for eight youths, a majority of which is tax-free! He reported that the home in Coon Rapids, which has 6 teenage girls, has generated 10 police calls in the last 7 months, and that a similar facility in Ham Lake has generated over 87 police calls in less than 3 years. Mr. Henderson revealed that he obtained a copy of a report from the Ramsey Police Department outlining that there have been 8 police calls to the home since the McLaffertys moved in a little over 10 months ago, including a report that as of 2/9/95 there is a sex offender registered as living in the home. Mr. Henderson concluded that 8 boys is too many; 6 boys is too many. He submitted his findings, along with the Ramsey Police Report and the Department of Corrections Rules Governing Group Foster Homes, to be included as a part of the minutes of the public hearing (see attachment A). Irene Draxten, 7250 155th Avenue N.W. - stated that because of the heavily wooded neighborhood they live in, all the residents are terrified of the woods catching fire. Last fall, she called the fire department because of unidentified smoke in the area. She reported that Mr. McLafferty visited her, after this call, and warned her repeatedly that she was never to call the police or fire department regarding anything to do with his house. She concluded that she did not want this house licensed for eight boys. Applicant Pat McLafferty responded that they had a bon fu'e last fall, and he only approached Ms. Draxten to obtain her name and phone number so that he could notify her of future bon fires thereby avoiding fire calls. Mr. McLafferty also stated that he only recently met Mr. Henderson. Mr. McLafferty explained that he is licensed as a foster home with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and he was licensed for 8 in Shoreview. He advised that he is not associated with the County Department of Corrections. He stated that before he is even considered for foster care, the child must go through a state referral and then through the Volunteers of America. He reported that he has never had a murderer and that he is unaware that he has a sex offender; the strongest violator he had was a youth convicted of car theft or fifth degree assault. Most referrals come from treatment centers. He communicated that the boys he gets are long-term and he will most likely have them until they graduate. He disclosed that he does not get $118/per day/per child, but approximately $30. He revealed that it is a very stressful and difficult job at which he works full time. He listed his experience of working with the support services of a police department and working as a volunteer firefighter for ten years. Jim Fiala, 15330 Rhinestone Street N.W. - was concerned that state regulations also determine what is to be zoned in a residential area and wondered whether we were "easy pickings" for this to continue to happen. He stated he did not want a group home in his neighborhood because it will affect his property value. He commented that the City seems to jump into things too quickly, and he urged the Planning Commission to research this thoroughly before making a decision. Rick Christian, 7330 155th Avenue N.W. - was concerned that the area might be reclassified from R-1 Residential to R-3 Residential because of this exception. Mr. Christian opposed the rezoning Public Hearing/Planning Commission/April 4, 1995 Page 2 of 4