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<br />Councilmember Riley stated that if the City Council approves moving forward with the grant <br />application, he would support requesting funding that accurately reflects the City’s actual needs <br />rather than simply requesting the maximum possible amount. He noted that he would defer to those <br />with more experience applying for grants to determine the best strategy for submitting the <br />application. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley then asked where the position would be located within the Police <br />Department and how the program would be integrated into the department’s operations. <br /> <br />Councilmember Specht asked whether the position funded by the grant would be a full-time City <br />employee position with benefits and union affiliation. <br /> <br />Police Chief Bluml clarified that the position would be a full-time City employee but would not <br />be part of a union. <br /> <br />Administrative Services Director Colleen Lascher stated that the position would likely be <br />classified as a non-union City employee. She then confirmed whether that the position would not <br />make it one of the highest-paid positions within the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman noted that the estimated cost discussed for the position includes more than just <br />salary. He explained that the amount also covers related expenses such as cell phones, computer <br />equipment, and office setup. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman added that the average cost for the position would be approximately $120,000 <br />per year, totaling around $240,000 over the two-year grant period. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson suggested that when preparing the grant application, it may be helpful to <br />include some financial cushion beyond the basic estimated cost. He noted that if the current <br />numbers leave little flexibility, it could be wise to account for potential unexpected expenses. He <br />recommended requesting the amount needed for the position, with a modest buffer to cover <br />contingencies or unforeseen costs. <br /> <br />Mayor Heineman asked if the City Council had any additional questions or comments regarding <br />the item. After confirming that there were none, he moved the meeting forward. <br /> <br />3. TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION <br /> <br />3.01: Review Future Topics/ Calendar <br /> <br />Noted. <br /> <br />4. MAYOR / COUNCIL / STAFF INPUT <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / March 10, 2026 <br />Page 20 of 21 <br />