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March 24, 2009 Page 6 of 8 <br />4. Approval ofApplication Process for 2009 COPS Hiring Recovery Program. Report No. 09-086. <br />4p*Moved from ConsentAgenda. <br />Mayor Larson clarified this grant program would pay for an entry level police officer for 36 months, and the <br />City would be required to retain that officer for year number four. Director Jacobson explained this item was <br />to request approval to apply for the grant for two officers. If the grant were to be awarded., City Staffwould <br />come before the council in the future. Councilmember Doffing explained she moved this item to Council <br />Business for discussion because she never authorized the reduction of a Police Officer in 2007, and <br />questioned how this decision was made. City Manager Lotter explained there were a few attempts to fill the <br />vacant position, however candidates were unable to make it through the probation period. The costs <br />associated with Police Officer recruitments are substantial, and the decision was made not to fill the position, <br />along with a Marketing & Events Coordinator position until some budgetary concerns were addressed. <br />Councilmember Phillips questioned if we are increasing the number- of officers. Director Jacobson <br />responded since August 2007, the Police Division has been operating one sworn peace officer short of its <br />authorized full-strength staffing of 29 licensed police officers. Director Jacobson stated two grants are being <br />requested in order to get to 30 total police officers. Councilmember Phillips stated he would not support the <br />request of two officers, if we are just one short of our authorized strength of 29 Police Officers. <br />Councilmember Burg stated that by trying for two officers, we could be in a favorable situation in the events <br />of retirements in the department, and the final decision of how many to hire would not need to be determined <br />yet. Councilmember Doffing stated as Councilmembers they should be very concerned about having <br />adequate Police coverage in the City. Councilmember Bauman asked if the grant money stays with the <br />Officer, in the event he/she leaves the City. Director Jacobson confirmed the funding stays: with the position, <br />not the individual. Director Jacobson reiterated that upon receipt of'the grant(s) Staff would come before <br />council for approval. <br />Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Doffing to wove approval of the <br />application process for the 2009 COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) offered through the <br />United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services <br />S Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried <br />Motion by Councilmember Doffing to direct Staff to create a formal policy whereby, if there is a 6 <br />month vacancy in the Police Department, that Council direction would be sought. <br />Motion failed for lack of a second. <br />Mayor Larson stated he was not in agreement with the motion, as the Council does not oversee personnel. <br />Councilmernber Bauman stated she would like to discuss this policy at a worksession. Councilmember <br />Doffing expressed her fivstration with not being able to get this item on a recent agenda, and having a <br />shortage in the Police Department since August 2007. <br />4. Appmul ofApplkniion <br />Pnxmfor2009COPS <br />Hiring RecoveryPnWnn <br />ReMrtNo. 09-086. <br />*MxE dfrom Consist <br />Ag -Oa <br />