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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />August 22, 1989 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />..-' <br /> <br />Special Order of Business, continued <br /> <br />Growing areas of concern involve the social services area. The <br />aging population, chemical dependency, the mentally ill, juvenile <br />de 1 i nquency, and domesti c abuse have all been contri butors to a <br />drain on social services delivery systems. <br /> <br />The Ramsey County Board drafted a comprehensive plan for a proposed <br />light rail transit system. Public hearings will be held in <br />September and October to discuss public issues. <br /> <br />Mr. Schutten said the current County budget is $347,000,000. The <br />County employs 3,000 full-time and 500 part-time individuals. <br /> <br />Over the past couple of years, the criminal justice system has put <br />a large strain on the County's budget. The overcrowding of prisons, <br />cocaine babies, and child and domestic violence are all contributors <br />to the increase. The possibility of building a new prison facility <br />has been discussed. ' <br /> <br />The County developed a capital improvement plan which rated items <br />of concern accordingly. Public safety and public health are <br />considered high priority items. A 14 member citizen advisory <br />commi ttee also ranked the capital improvement projects and rated <br />these issues quite high. <br /> <br />Benke asked if a second suburban court facility has been discussed. <br />Mr. Schutten said, with the restricted dollar availability, a new <br />suburban court facility did not rank high in the capital improvement <br />plan. For the short term, the County will continue to maintain the <br />two facilities, one of which is in the New Brighton City Hall. <br />Benke mentioned the possibility of locating a Ramsey County <br />Community Services facility in the proposed community center/armory. <br /> <br />Mr. Schutten noted that the County work house has become increasing <br />crowded because of increases in domestic violence, child abuse, and <br />drunk driving cases. Gunderman asked if juvenile counseling has <br />he 1 ped to decreased thi s trend. Mr. Schutten said there are a <br />number of school counseling programs that have been successful. Mr. <br />Schutten noted that the aging population would help decrease the <br />number of cri mes since it is generally the younger persons who <br />commit most of the crimes. <br /> <br />Mr. Mack said the County operates and maintains five regional parks, <br />two regional trail corridors, twelve county parks, and ten ice <br />arenas. Many of these County parks have been i dentifi ed for <br />improvement projects in the next couple of years. <br /> <br />Special Order of <br />Business <br /> <br />Presentation by Ramsey <br />County Representatives <br />