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Councilmember Stewart asked whether the Police Department currently has space available in the <br />building to accommodate the new position and whether there would be room for the person to have <br />an office within the facility. <br /> <br />Police Chief Bluml responded that the question of space within the Police Department building is <br />one he has been considering and that he does not yet have a definitive answer. He stated that if the <br />City Council provides direction to move forward with the grant application, the department would <br />then work to determine where the position could be accommodated within the facility. <br /> <br />Councilmember Stewart asked for clarification about the scope of the grant funding. She <br />questioned whether the approximately $300,000 grant would support only one position or fund <br />multiple staff members. <br /> <br />Police Chief Bluml confirmed that the grant would fund one position for two years. He explained <br />that the position would be for a licensed mental health professional and, based on current salary <br />levels for that role, would likely be six-figure. <br /> <br />Police Chief Bluml stated that when salary and benefits are included, the estimated cost for the <br />position is currently around $247,000 over the two years. However, updated estimates prepared <br />with assistance from City staff suggest the total cost may be somewhat higher. He noted that the <br />maximum grant amount available is $300,000. <br /> <br />Police Chief Bluml explained that there are two possible approaches when applying for the grant. <br />One option would be to request a lower amount to increase the likelihood of receiving the grant, <br />but that could make it more difficult to recruit or retain a qualified professional at a lower salary. <br />The other option would be to request the full amount to ensure the City can offer competitive <br />compensation, though that could potentially reduce the chances of being selected. <br /> <br />Police Chief Bluml also noted that, in some cases, grant awards may be less than the requested <br />amount. If that were to happen, the City might not have sufficient funding to move forward with <br />the position. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher shared that she has personal experience working with individuals who <br />have interacted with similar programs in other police departments. She explained that having a <br />mental health professional involved can be very helpful for individuals following a crisis, <br />particularly when they are trying to understand what happened and what steps they need to take <br />afterward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher noted that the follow-up component can also be valuable for other <br />professionals involved in those individuals’ lives. She said that in her work in child welfare, being <br />able to communicate with someone from the police department who understands the situation can <br />help provide better support and ensure the well-being of families and children involved. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher added that she believes the program's benefits could extend beyond the <br />individual receiving assistance, potentially helping families, neighbors, and the broader <br />community by reducing repeat calls and improving outcomes. <br />City Council Work Session / March 10, 2026 <br />Page 18 of 21 <br />