Minutes - Council - 11/14/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Cook, Strommen, Elvig, Jeffrey, Olson, and Pearson. Voting No: None. The meeting was recessed at 8:49 p.m. and reconvened at 8:57 p.m. Case #12: Consider Joint Powers Agreement for Ramsey Star Express Commuter Coach Service Acted on as Case No. A. Case #13A: Request to Order 2007 Squad Cars in 2006 Police Chief Way stated the Police Department is requesting authorization from Council to begin the ordering process for the four primary squad cars and one administrative car that are in the 2007 proposed budget. This request to order the squads now is in lieu of waiting until January or February of 2007 to do so. Recent information has come forward from Ford, indicating that they are manufacturing only a certain percentage of Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors in the year 2007 and it is anticipated that some police agencies nationwide may need to seek other sources for their police cruisers needs. Currently in the State of Minnesota they have learned that some metropolitan police agencies have waited over six months for their 2006 police cruisers and this delay is expected into 2007. Staff believes that a delay in the delivery of replacement primary squad cars for Ramsey would put the City in a position of undue strain, racking up mileage and maintenance costs on the current vehicles and reducing the amount of resale on them. Mr. Way explained if Ramsey has to change away from the Crown Victorias they would need to buy new equipment that would likely be for a Dodge Intrepid. The current equipment would not fit, and the cost would be much more. If Council prefers, it would not be an issue to remove the one administrative car from this order, but staff would recommend purchasing the four squad cars at this time. Payments would not be made until the next calendar year, but it would allow them to place the order and get Ramsey's name on the order list. Mayor Gamec commented this has been done in the past due to problems getting the cars. Police Chief Way explained the final budget has not been approved; this approval will be a step towards including these vehicles in the final budget. Councilmember Elvig requested clarification that the request is for the four primary squad cars. Police Chief Way replied the request in front of the Council is for the vehicles being requested in the 2007 budget. If the Council prefers to hold off on the administrative car until the final budget is adopted the request would be to at least order the four squad cars. Finance Officer Lund indicated in previous years there have been three squad cars purchased; the 2007 proposed budget includes four squad cars. City Council / November 14, 2006 Page 20 of 31