Minutes - Council - 03/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Jeffrey, Dehen, Look, Olson, and Strommen. Voting No: None. Mayor Gamec observed a key will be to work with the lot to the north. Case #4: Authorization to Hire a Patrol Officer Human Resources Manager Reed Kone reviewed that in November 2006 staff received authorization to create an eligibility list for two patrol officer positions: one position was created as a new position in the 2007 budget and the second position was created as a result of the retirement of Sgt. Bob Kuhn. Melissa Wi strom, former Community Service Officer, was hired by the City Council to fill the new position that was created in the 2007 budget. Staff conducted an external recruitment process to fill the position that was created as a result of Sgt. Kuhn's retirement. During this recruitment process, approximately 70 applications were received and 25 applicants were interviewed. After careful consideration, the Police Chief recommends that Richard Webb be hired as a patrol officer with the City of Ramsey. The results of Mr. Webb's background investigation, psychological exam and pre-employment physical and drug screen are satisfactory. Motion by Councilmember Jeffrey, seconded by Councilmember Olson, to adopt resolution #07- 02-072 authorizing the hire of Richard Webb as a patrol officer. Further discussion: Councilmember Dehen stated he was not on the Council during the approval of the budget authorizing the additional officer, and does not have enough information on the necessity of the hire. There is a discussion coming up in the near future on the role of the police and community service officers in the ordinance enforcement process. He does not know that he is in opposition to this hire yet, but would like the matter tabled until Council has that discussion. The second point is that he was reviewing the Ramsey Police Department Monthly Report for January and February. He understands there are a lot of elements that go into hiring an officer, namely the population increase and whether there are new developments that require additional police officers. He does not know that he is informed enough as to the necessity of this officer and will not rubber stamp the appointment of this officer. For that reason he will vote against it if it is not tabled at this time. Councilmember Look stated these decisions were made back in November. He agrees with Councilmember Dehen that there needs to be more discussion on this. He would be opposed to the hire as well. They need more information to make a reasonable decision. Councilmember Strommen stated if Councilmembers Dehen and Look are not comfortable since they were not part of the budget process they could abstain from the vote. Council approved this hiFe in the budget process, and this actual hire is a replacement due to a retirement. Councilmember Look replied the bottom line is that this decision does not necessarily have to be made this evening. Councilmember Strommen stated Council made the decision to allow staff to recruit and has already authorized the position. Councilmember Look pointed out that an abstention is a yes vote. Councilmember Dehen stated the Consent Agenda included information that one of the factors in deciding whether there should be an additional hire is whether there is increased crime. Crime in Ramsey had gone down in January of 2007 as compared to 2006, as well as in February of 2007 as compared to 2006. As leaders of this City Council / March 13, 2007 Page 14 of 21