Agenda - Council - 06/22/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 5.25. Meeting Date: 06/22/2021 By: Katie Schmidt, Administrative Services Information Title Adopt Resolution #21-169 to Hire a Police Officer Filling the Current Vacancy Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to request the City Council to hire a Police Officer, backfilling the current Police Officer vacancy that was created when a veteran Police Officer was assigned to the DWI Enforcement Task Force. An internal and external recruitment was conducted. The applicant met the necessary training and experience threshold and was invited to take part in the City's physical agility fitness testing and an interview. The candidate also completed a "shoot/don't shoot" video scenario activity. Staff selected Ms. Kayla LaTarte as a finalist to be advanced to the psychological assessment and pre -employment physical and drug screen. At this time, Chief Katers is recommending Ms. Kayla LaTarte for the position of Police Officer with the City of Ramsey. With the City Council's authorization, Ms. LaTarte's start date as a new Police Officer will be on or near July 7, 2021. Ms. LaTarte, as with all new Police Officers, will serve a 1-year probationary period and will be subject to the City's Personnel Policy and the LELS Patrol Labor Agreement. Notification: All Police Officers are covered by the LELS - Patrol Labor Agreement. Observations/Alternatives: For background regarding this recruitment, please see the following 12/8/2020 Case to Accept Grant Funds: CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 12/08/2020 Submitted For: Jeff Katers, Police By: Brad Bluml, Police Information Title: Adopt Resolution #20-307 to Approve Acceptance of a Grant for Dedicated DWI Enforcement and Authorize an Additional Police Officer Hire in 2021 Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to consider approval of the attached Resolution 20-307 that approves acceptance of a grant for dedicated DWI enforcement, and to authorize an additional Police Officer Hire in 2021. In the summer of 2019, and again in the summer of 2020, Sergeant Hemmerich applied for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a full-time DWI Officer. The DWI officer would work on local roads during the peak nights and times when drinking and driving occur, targeting traffic and DWI enforcement. Unfortunately, we were not selected on either of these first two applications. In November of 2020, Sergeant Hemmerich applied for a third time, and on December 1st was notified the City of Ramsey was awarded the grant. The award is currently estimated at $80,099.85 of reimbursable funds; covering full-time wages, fringe benefits, and any potential overtime. Federal guidelines require this money to be spent on projects designed to reduce DWI incidents. Progress