2023.02.14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Worksession January 24, 2023 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle Councilmember Pam Axberg Councilmember Emily Dunsworth Absent: Councilmember Graeme Allen Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Tony Paetznick Guests in Attendance: Scott Williams, Nancie Pass, Jenn Hamrick, Zekeria Nigatu Ramsey County Appropriate Responses Initiative Paetznick stated the Appropriate Responses Initiative (ARI), which began in 2022, is intended to enhance 911 responses in Ramsey County by focusing on resident wellbeing and community. The initiative will help build safer communities, prevent violence and reduce disparities by investing in a wider range of response options for people in need. Expanded response options may include additional social and health services and new community responders. He reported there were representatives from Ramsey County to speak further on this topic. Scott Williams, Deputy County Manager for Ramsey County, introduced himself to the Council and thanked them for their time. He discussed his duties with the County and reported over the years he has believed it would be better to have more options for individuals that don’t need fire, police or medical help. He explained this led his team to create the ARI in 2022. He then introduced the members of his team. Nancie Pass, Emergency Communications Center Director, reported the strategic priority for the ARI was putting well-being and community at the center of justice system transportation. The key long term outcomes were to improve community well-being, having fewer people engaged with the public safety system, having fewer people incarcerated, and having fewer people financially obligated to the public safety system. Mr. Williams commented on how the County engaged with the public over the past five years. He discussed how the County wanted to address the number of people that were incarcerated, along with reconsidering how the County structures its fines and fees. Zekeria Nigatu, Planning Specialist, discussed the mission of the ARI which was to support 911 dispatch, the public wellness system and community institutions to more appropriately respond to people in need and by putting well-being and community at the center of justice system transformation. He stated the goals of the ARI was the development of new response types and enhancements to dispatch countywide resources. This would be done by expanding social services and public health responses, creating community based response capability and by enhancing 911 protocols so new response options can be fully and appropriately utilized.