HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/12/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session,�ll$t. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 4, 2017
The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Police Chief Harcey, Deputy City
Manager/Human Resources Director (Ms. Deno), Communications Manager (Ms. Larson), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: community members
Off -sale Intoxicating Liquor
Mayor Spano stated that the council had not reached consensus on this topic the last time it was
discussed. He suggested placing a moratorium on the topic of off -sale intoxicating liquor,
capping the number of permits at the present number, and then discuss it further when the new
council is in place in January.
Councilmember Mavity stated she supports this.
Councilmember Brausen stated that there have been nine discussion with council on this topic,
including this evening, and his position has not changed. He feels that the market will dictate this
matter and it does not need to be discussed again.
Councilmember Miller stated that his position has not changed on this topic. He feels that the
marketplace will decide and added that he has not seen this as a public issue at this time.
Councilmember Hallfrn disagreed with Councilmember Miller, stating that the council has the
ability to look closer at and regulate this issue. He did agree to the moratorium and to having the
new council discuss it in 2018.
Councilmember Lindberg added that he is supportive of the moratorium, adding that this is a
policy discussion for the new council to have.
Councilmember Sanger stated that she disagrees with the statement that the council did not reach
a decision. The decision was to not make any changes. She added that if the council decides to
limit the size of liquor stores in the future, it gives free reign to the largest stores in the area. No
others will be able to compete, which is not fair. She stated that she would not support any size
limits making St. Louis Park stores smaller than the largest liquor store in the area.
Council directed Mr. Harmening to place a resolution on the agenda at an upcoming meeting.
2. SLP Policing Model/Critical Incident Planning Follow-up Discussion
Mr. Harmening and Chief Harcey noted that they would like council to provide thoughts and
observations on what they learned from the four sessions on the SLP Policing Model and Critical
Incident Planning.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- December 4, 2017
Councilmember Miller stated that he learned much about the importance of quality in hiring
officers, noting that this is the Chief's most important job. Chief Harcey agreed that this is one of
his major responsibilities. Maintaining the culture of the organization starts with recruiting and
hiring.
Councilmember Miller congratulated and thanked the Chief -- noting quality is key.
Councilmember Brausen stated that all four presentations emphasized building culture, adding
that he appreciates the police force and the fact that police officers participated in the
presentations.
Councilmember Mavity commented on the first presentation and the Police Department's
mission. She stated that she trusts that each police interaction includes decisions on both legality
and morality, while communicating St. Louis Park community values. Chief Harcey stated that
the police force will be discussing this topic further and will review their use of force policies, as
well.
Councilmember Sanger asked Councilmember Mavity if she is actually referring to morals or
ethics in her comments. Councilmember Mavity stated that the city's community policing model
intentions are very positive and very proactive. She hopes that the police would not use a
punitive approach. It is in the best interest of the community to make that part of the city's
policing mission. Chief Harcey added that this topic may be most appropriate for the police
force's core values statement. Councilmember Mavity stated that she wants it to be front and
center and to communicate that the community is about values and not quotas.
Councilmember Hallfin stated that he liked the many different faces of the force that presented to
the council in the sessions. All the content was informative. He noted that since these
presentations, he has had some good face-to-face conversations with police officers, and he has
much confidence in the police force.
Mayor Spano stated that the change in hiring and the pilot program are both great. He added that
training can only go so far, and at some point, officers must apply that training judiciously and
fairly. He added that there are not many faces of color or women on the police force, but he is
pleased that steps are being taken to diversify the force.
Councilmember Sanger stated that all four sessions were terrific. She noted that in the second
session, it was stated that officers are required to ask anyone that is arrested where they were
born. Chief Harcey stated that this question is state and federal policy. Councilmember Sanger
asked who gets that data. Chief Harcey stated that the data goes to Hennepin County, the State of
Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the FBI, Homeland Security, and ICE, who
then decide how to handle it. He added that an arrested person who is booked into our jail is
required to answer; however, they can choose not to comply. Chief Harcey added that the reason
for asking this question is for verifying identity and for identification purposes to create a
criminal history.
Councilmember Mavity asked which statute requires that the police ask this question, adding she
is surprised that it is required by state law. Chief Harcey stated that he will look into it and bring
that information back to the council. Councilmember Mavity distributed an ordinance from the
City of Minneapolis related to immigration status, adding that she would like council to review
and consider this type of ordinance for St. Louis Park. She added that she wants to know the
minimum requirements for the police when they arrest someone. Chief Harcey stated that
arrested individuals who are booked in our jail must be fingerprinted for targeted misdemeanor
Special Study Session Minutes -3- December 4, 2017
crimes, including those arrested for theft, stalking or harassment, gross misdemeanor and felony
level crimes. He added that it is required that all fingerprints be sent to the FBI in order to
identify them and to create a criminal history.
Councilmember Mavity stated that as much as she wants to ensure public safety, she would like
to minimize immigration status questions to move to an ordinance similar to the one Minneapolis
uses. She added that the police also have more work to do on examining how the city is doing
collecting data, including race -based data.
Councilmember Brausen, noted there is a conflict if the police are to collect race -based data but
cannot ask for an individual's ethnicity.
Councilmember Lindberg added that there will need to be very clear reasons for the police to
start tracking race data and decisions to be made on what to do with that information.
Councilmember Mavity stated she wants to be clear that race and immigration status are two
very different things.
Councilmember Sanger stated that she understands the concerns of Councilmember Mavity.
However, she noted that there are implications if police ask a person's race, adding that it could
be seen as provocation and create a worse situation, leading to all types of civil rights claims.
She stated that the data could be used against the city. It is best to have color-blind policies. She
added that she has concerns with current federal policies related to sanctuary cities, as well.
Councilmember Mavity stated that the council should talk to GARE, and see how other cities
conduct this process and what the implications and best practices are for doing this data
collection and tracking.
Mayor Spano agreed and also working with the Chief and the Police Advisory Commission. He
stated that he is interested in this conversation, noting that he agrees these questions are valid and
legitimate. There will be further opportunities to discuss this. He stated that it will be important
for the public to see if our policing focuses on behaviors or on appearances and who the police
are pulling over. He added that this should all be in keeping with the spirit of our community -
oriented policing.
Mayor Spano added there is also an urgent need to make the body camera policy decisions soon.
Mr. Harmening stated that the equipment and software are included in the 2018 budget, and the
policy drafts will be run through the HRC and Police Advisory Commission. Chief Harcey added
that there will also be a public forum to discuss the body cam/dash cam policy.
Mr. Harmening stated this will all come back before council in 2018 for review and decisions.
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. and the councilmembers departed to the newly designed
council chambers for training on the new audio and visual systems.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only
3. Via (PLACE) Project Update
Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk