Agenda - Council - 08/12/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Police Chief Katers shared that they would like to reclassify a current community service officer (CSO) to a CSO Lead. He added that they would also like to reclassify the Record Tech/Crime Analyst to just a Crime Analyst. He stated their final request is to add a new role for a Police Record Technician as well as a new Police Officer. He noted that as the City's population grows, so do calls for service. Mayor Kuzma asked about the ratio of officers to the population. Police Chief Katers explained that years ago the International Association of Police recommended one officer per 1000 residents. He shared that in the Midwest, this percentage is very low. He noted that using population as a way to measure how many officers would be needed as the number of calls for service are also a factor. Councilmember Musgrove asked about how the additional officer would benefit other officers being able to take vacation time. Police Chief Katers explained that this officer would be a patrol officer who would be put into the patrol rotation. He said that this role would help supplement so other officers are able to take time off throughout the year. Councilmember Specht asked if they have anyone on the Drug Task Force. Police Chief Katers said they do have an officer assigned to the Drug Task Force which is a four year commitment. He said the Drug Task Force is highly effective in combating drugs and they also help with violent crime calls. Finance Director Lund added that there is no grant funding associated with this and it is a cost to the City. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if there is a current CSO Lead and if the reclassification is to backfill the role or if it is an entirely new role. Police Chief Katers said it would be a reclassification of an existing position for someone who is taking on the CSO Lead tasks without being compensated. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby shared the Public Works personnel request of reclassifying a Mechanic to a Lead Mechanic. Street Supervisor Turner explained that there was a situation just this morning where a vehicle was urgently needing maintenance and if there was a Lead Mechanic in the shop then they would have been able to make the decision to prioritize this repair rather than waiting for Street Supervisor Turner's approval. Councilmember Musgrove asked if this mechanic would still be under Street Supervisor Turner's direction and if he would be a working mechanic rather than overseeing the work. City Council Work Session / July 23, 2024 Page 2 of 12