11-16-2020-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 16, 2020 2 the first quarter of 2021; the preference of the Sheriff's Office is to hold it in-person, but COVID- 19 is making it difficult to hold the meeting. Councilmember Holden questioned how the contract with the Sheriff s Department works. City Administrator Perrault explained Ramsey County was a separate entity from the City of Arden Hills. He reported for as long as Arden Hills has been in existence, Ramsey County has been providing contract police services, along with six other cities. He noted the Sheriffs Office was an independent police organization that created and enforced their own policies. Councilmember Holmes asked how the City was billed for contract police services. City Administrator Perrault explained traditionally the Sheriffs Department creates a budget for providing services to the City and a cost formula is applied to the contract cities. He estimated Arden Hills pays 13% of these fees. Councilmember McClung inquired when the Council last signed a renewal on the last contract. City Administrator Perrault stated the last contract was signed in late 2018 and it was a three year contract. He noted this contract would expire at the end of 2021. Councilmember Holden discussed the event that occurred in Falcon Heights with Philando Castile, noting at the time Falcon Heights had contract police services with the City of St. Anthony. She commented further on how difficult it would be for Arden Hills to change policing services. Mayor Grant stated it would also be cost prohibitive for a community the size of Arden Hills to create its own police force. He asked if the police activity reports were public records. City Administrator Perrault stated the police activity summary report from Ramsey County was part of the public record. Councilmember McClung recalled Ramsey County provided the City with quarterly and yearly reports on police activity. He explained he was be supportive of the City posting these reports on the City's website. Councilmember Holden reported this information is provided to the City and is disbursed to the City Council. She clarified these reports were always public information. Councilmember McClung thanked Councilmember Holden for the clarification. Councilmember Holmes stated she visited the Ramsey County Sheriff Departments website recently and she believed they were lacking transparency as only general information was posted. She indicated there were very few reports available to the public. She believed this information should be available on their website for the contract cities to review.