HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004/08/30 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionAGENDA SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
August 30, 2004
7:00 p.m.
1. Call To Order
2. Public Safety Dispatch Discussion Report Attachments
3. Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make
arrangements, please call the Administration Department at 952/924-2525 (TDD
952/924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
City Council Special Meeting
August 30, 2004
Public Safety Dispatch Discussion
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Public Safety Dispatch Discussion Police and Fire
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION: To discuss the results of the Phase II Public
Safety Dispatch Consolidation Study done by PSC Alliance consulting firm. This
discussion will include a PowerPoint presentation by PSC Alliance staff and
comparison of various options. Attached is a draft copy of the PowerPoint
presentation and a “comparison matrix” which will be presented by the consultant
at the study session. Please note that the PowerPoint presentation is intended to
focus directly on the feasibility of a PSAP consolidation involving the cities of St.
Louis Park, Golden Valley, Richfield and Brooklyn Center. In addition, the
presentation also contemplates several other configuration options which might
involve some or all of the study participants and/or the use of Hennepin County
dispatch. Council will have the opportunity to discuss and evaluate the options
which have been identified for future public safety dispatch services in St. Louis
Park.
BACKGROUND: Discussion on the 2004 budget during the first quarter of 2003
identified the public safety dispatch center as an area which should be evaluated
further for potential budget savings. In a cursory analysis, two options existed
which appeared to offer some potential for cost reduction in this area. The first
was to begin dialogue with Hennepin County regarding public safety dispatch
services provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department. The second
option was to open dialogue with neighboring communities who were not
receiving public safety dispatch services from Hennepin County and explore
interest in a consolidation of independent PSAPS in the county. This resulted in the
following:
• In 2003 PSC was retained by a ten city consortium to examine current PSAP
operations in the County and possible consolidation options. This study was
presented to the City Council in February, 2004.
• In March, 2004 PSC was retained by the cities of St. Louis Park, Golden
Valley, Richfield, and Brooklyn Center to examine the specific feasibility,
costs, etc of a four city consolidation.
• Conversations were initiated with Hennepin County regarding their
provision of PSAP services. This resulted in the County Board formally
indicating they would provide PSAP services to St. Louis Park and other
cities at no cost. Attached is a copy of a letter from the County which
City Council Special Meeting
August 30, 2004
Public Safety Dispatch Discussion
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outlines their position. You will note the County is requiring interested
cities to make their decision by November 30, 2004. It a city should choose
not to move to the County, the window would then be closed for at least
eight years.
At this point, the following three options exist for future public safety dispatching
along with a summary of the advantages and disadvantages for each option (the
attached information provided by the consultant provides an even higher level of
detail):
1.) Golden Valley/St. Louis Park PSAP – This is the current model for police
and fire dispatch services in the two communities.
Advantages:
• Worked successfully for 11 years
• Designed to be flexible and responsive
• Dispatchers are familiar with communities, police and fire personnel
and local service issues.
• Provides staff support for jail and front counter at SLP PD (after
hours).
• Other value added services other than 911 calls.
Disadvantages:
• More costly than option 2 or 3 (relates to operating costs; more info
and explanation will be provided by consultant at study session for all
options)
• Highest capital costs for equipment upgrade and 800 MHz migration.
2.) Four city consolidation under joint powers agreement – This model would
provide public safety dispatch for St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Richfield
and Brooklyn Center. This model might also be viable for three of the four
communities, with some impact on potential economies of scale. For various
reasons the consultant is recommending the PSAP be located in Brooklyn
Center for a four city consolidation.
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August 30, 2004
Public Safety Dispatch Discussion
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Advantages:
• Potential for some elevated economies of scale (cost savings from
current approach).
• Retain some degree of responsive and flexible service and
participative governance.
• Reduced capital costs for equipment upgrade and 800 MHz migration.
• Potential for further growth and possible cost savings.
Disadvantages:
• Costs still exceed option 3.
• Loss of jail and front counter staff support (or the need to “backfill”
with additional staff at SLP PD).
• More difficult for dispatchers to maintain local familiarity.
3.) Hennepin County Sheriff Dispatch– This model is used by the majority of
the communities in Hennepin County and operates under the governance of
the sheriff using input from a user advisory board. Inner ring suburbs
currently receiving dispatching from Hennepin County are Crystal, New
Hope, Robbinsdale and St. Anthony. Others include Plymouth, Maple
Grove and Brooklyn Park.
Advantages:
• Most economical/largest cost savings
Disadvantages:
• Basic service only – policies and minimum staffing prevent value
added services.
• Current practices conflict with St. Louis Park in areas of officer
safety, documenting proactivity and information collection for
community policing (quality of life) initiatives.
• Loss of jail and front counter staff support (or the need to back fill
with additional staff at SLP PD).
• Dispatchers cannot maintain local familiarity.
• Participation requires that St. Louis Park (and by implication Golden
Valley) lose direct access via mobile data computers to our LOGIS
data system and replace the radio modems with equipment capable of
accessing the County’s system.
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Public Safety Dispatch Discussion
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SUMMARY: Each of the three options identified in this staff report has
advantages and disadvantages. The study session is intended to provide Council
with an opportunity to fully evaluate these three options during discussion with
staff and consultants. We are requesting that as a result of this discussion, some
next steps are provided towards the future of public safety dispatching in St. Louis
Park.
Please note that Golden Valley has been a valued partner in our current PSAP
operation. Any decision or next steps should be mindful of this relationship and be
taken in concert with Golden Valley.
Prepared By: John D. Luse, Chief of Police
Approved By: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Attachments: (Electronic Copies Available Friday 8/27/04)
PowerPoint presentation (PSC Alliance)
Comparison matrix (PSC Alliance)
Letter from County