Minutes - Council - 02/10/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PRESENTATION BY RAMSEY TOWN CENTER, LLC Removed from the agenda. PRESENTATION REGARDING JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT UPDATE Police Chief Way reported on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, he and Councilmember Pearson attended the Joint Law Enforcement Council meeting in the City of Anoka. The election was held and County Attorney Johnson was again elected chairman of the Council. Appointments were also made, and he was put on the Criminal Investigation Division and the Education Training Committee. Police Chief Way relayed the following information: · The Central Communications Committee reported the 800 megahertz radio system is moving along and the work on the towers is nearly completed. There is 3.3 million dollars going into the radios themselves, and the radios will be here in the next two weeks. It has been learned that the company that supplies the mobile data in the squads will be going out of business. A contract will be started with Sprint, and there will be an additional 12 dollar charge per vehicle per month. This was not budgeted for this year, and it will be next year. · The Range Committee reported there is a touchy situation in Coon Rapids at the Anoka County Range, which has townhomes and homes all around it. The range is a target for different groups that are trying to have it removed. They may be coming to the Council for support on the range. The next closest range is in Princeton and Zimmerman, which is not convenient. At this time officers that are on duty can be sent to the range. · Training for defensive tactics and use of force last year was done in two hour blocks; this year it will be done in one eight hour day. Councilmember Kurak asked when the 800 megahertz system will be up and running. 'Police Chief Way responded they are hoping to get it started in early June. If it is not ready at that time they will likely wait until after the summer, which are the busiest months. CITIZEN INPUT Jim DuCharme, resident and representative of J.R.'s Outpost at 6141 Highway 10, stated he would like the Council to hear from a group of people that would like the City to consider changing the on-sale liquor law to a 2 a.m. closing. The need for a 2 a.m. closing is for fair business practice to compete with competition. Mr. DuCharme stated the time between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. is not the issue. They are having trouble from 10 p.m. to closing, as a lot of the customers are going to places that are open until 2 a.m. This is not only hurting their bar and restaurant, it is also hurting Diamonds and Spectators and the charitable organizations in their establishments, as well as local businesses such as gas stations and stores. Mr. DuCharme stated his understanding is Town Center L.L.C. is also behind the 2 a.m. closing and has indicated this will be a large concern for people putting restaurants and bars into Town Center. Mr. DuCharme stated the business at J.R.'s Outpost is getting worse each and every month. Many people have commented they are going to places that are open until 2 a.m. He stated they are asking for the opportunity to keep things fair and to stay open until 2 a.m. to compete with the surrounding cities. This issue was removed from the agenda and they would like to have it discussed. City Council/February 10, 2004 Page 3 of 18