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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MAY 27, 2025 4 Mayor Grant asked why he wouldn't place a camera on Snelling. Undersheriff Ramacher said there are some limitations to where they can be placed based on right-of-way. The State doesn't allow cameras on their right-of-way. Snelling, or Highway 51, is a State highway. Flock has said they are beginning to relax those restrictions. Councilmember Monson said these cameras are being pitched as a means to avoid hiring FTEs. She asked if they are still short staffed. Undersheriff Ramacher said their staffing levels were low during COVID. They are almost fully staffed, now. There was a challenge, for a few years, to get people to join the law enforcement profession, in general. RCSO was losing more officers than they were hiring because RCSO had remained stagnant while other departments were giving raises. The labor groups at the Deputy, Seargeant and Commander levels have settled their contracts and the pay increases will improve their ability to retain and recruit. Councilmember Monson asked if recruitment is better now, or has the loss just slowed? Undersheriff Ramacher said recruitment is better because they are able to offer a better wage. It hasn't fixed the recruiting issue within the profession. Councilmember Monson inquired what metrics were used to determine when additional FTEs are needed. Undersheriff Ramacher said it is population driven. Councilmember Monson asked how much growth he has seen in call volume because of the cameras. Undersheriff Ramacher said it's too early to tell. He said North Oaks and St. Paul have some cameras. There are three with the Sheriff's office that are online with three more pending approval and St. Paul has a handful. Councilmember Monson said RCSO is starting the Flock expansion in the contract cities, not in the rest of the county. Undersheriff Ramacher said yes and no. RCSO is responsible as a primary police agency here. They know St. Paul is getting into the market. They are communicating about who is responsible for what. The primary police department in those cities should have the ownness of putting cameras in their cities. Councilmember Monson said it sounds like this is the only footprint to do Flock and the contract cities are it, and St. Paul, but nothing beyond that. Undersheriff Ramacher said no. There are conversations happening with the smaller entities in the County. They are being encouraged to expand the program. This is happening in the contract cities because this is clearly RCSO's responsibility.