2023.09.12 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Axberg asked what else makes the Public Safety Department unique. Paetznick stated having police based EMS was unique. He explained his officers were highly trained and delivered tremendous emergency medical care. He estimated his officers responded to 2,400 medical calls each year. He commented further on the medical response training his officers receive on a yearly basis and noted the State made recent changes to these requirements. He discussed the great relationship the department has with Allina Medical, which was the organization that provided ambulance services to the community. Councilmember Axberg supported the City charging a small administrative fee to the school district for overseeing the SRO’s. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas recommended a contractor be selected that assesses the departments culture. Paetznick indicated this could be done stating he greatly appreciated the culture within his organization. Paetznick reviewed the strong partnerships the department had in place with NYFS, CPY, Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MPCA), Allina and with the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) noting these groups assist with meeting the emergency needs of the community. He reported the department was also connected with the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT, VCET, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office and the Mounds View School District. He further discussed the operational alignments and efficiencies between police and fire. Paetznick commented on the diverse backgrounds of the paid on-call firefighters within the department, noting he had a wide variety of skill sets covered. In addition, he had City staff members that served as firefighters. He explained the fire department was closely allied with the Ramsey County Fire Chief’s Association, the North Suburban Hazardous Materials Response Team, the Ramsey County Fire Investigation Team and the New Brighton Fire Relief Association. The emergency management resources available to the Public Safet y Team were also discussed. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas supported the contractor making an assessment on if the department was staffed properly to handle a haz mat situation that could occur if a trail derailed. She noted the City of New Brighton has a large number of trains moving through the community and she wanted this risk assessed. Councilmember Dunsworth commented she was pleased to see the City had a number of staff members still opting to serve as on-call firefighters. Paetznick agreed stating this was a commitment for staff members. Paetznick explained the timing of the study was timely due to leadership transitions that would be occurring and to assist with succession planning. Staff wanted to address recruitment and retention challenges along with the service demands for public safety officers. He commented on how there has been community growth and demographic changes in the City and he wanted assistance with setting strategic priorities for the next generation of community policing. He provided further comment on the scope of the study noting the City received public safety aid from the 2023 legislature and these dollars could be used to cover the expense for the organizational assessment. Councilmember Axberg questioned if staff had vendors in mind. Massopust stated staff was seeking Council support for the assessment and if so, an RFP would be drafted. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked if the Council supported this assessment. Councilmember Dunsworth supported the project moving forward.