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the City covering the cost of a dunk tank rental, estimated at approximately $265, for use during <br />the upcoming Happy Days event. Additionally, the RPA is requesting that officers already <br />scheduled to work during the event be allowed to staff the dunk tank while on duty. Henoted <br />that this request falls under the provisions of Minnesota Statute 471.198, which permits the use <br />of public funds to promote positive interactions between law enforcement and the community. <br />Staff requested Council consensus on whether to support or not support the use of City funds for <br />the rental fee and allow officers to staff the dunk tank during their scheduled shifts. <br />City Attorney Knaak mentioned that the state statute allows this due to the City supporting the <br />fundraising. <br />Councilmember Busher proposed the City give the non-profit $400 instead of paying for the dunk <br />tank and providing the staffing for the dunk tank. Based on the return we would be spending more <br />than the return. She continued the statute mentions that its to foster law enforcement and the <br />community, Happy Days is not entirely to foster law enforcement and the community. <br /> <br />City Attorney Knaak confirmed the City can contribute directly to the non-profit under M.S. <br />471.198. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman asked if the proposal is in lieu of the dunk tank. <br /> <br />Councilmember Busher confirmed, yes, the dunk tank can presumably be canceled and then the <br />Police department is not being paid to volunteer for a non-profit entity while they are being paid <br />to work the event. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley stated he would support this since this is allowable and costs the City less <br />and presumably provides the non-profit more money. He does not support paying people to <br />volunteer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht stated he likes the idea of donating $400 but he also likes the idea of the <br />dunk tank, he thinks it creates good community and he is okay with paying Police Officers to work <br />the dunk tank to build that rapport. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman asked Police Captain Frankfurth if he thinks the dunk tank builds rapport with <br />community members. <br /> <br />Police Captain Frankfurth stated it is a lot of interaction with the community, the benefit is for the <br />association to use the money to use for different things, and ultimately the Community Service <br />Officers and staff will be doing the typical police relations. He stated it is tough to schedule the <br />shifts needed for the dunk tank along with the normal shifts. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated he would hate to see the dunk tank go away as it is a unique <br />connection point. He has a small issue with paying people to volunteer but doesn’t want to see the <br />dunk tank go away. He asked for confirmation that the dunk tank will have a cost this year, if in <br />years past there was not a fee. <br /> <br />City Council Special Work Session / September 2, 2025 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br /> <br />