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Wyoming Council adds police car to fleet |
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
Alice Pickering
Wyoming Reporter
The Wyoming Police Department will get a new squad car as part of budgeted departmental purchases. However, council members approved the purchase as a marked squad car, instead of an unmarked one.
Acting Police Chief Scott Dexter presented the request to the council explaining the need to replace the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria. It is important to order the car early to get orders in for the state bid. The build date will be the end of March.
Craig Mattson, city administrator, said in his experience new vehicles usually go into service as squad cars, then nearer the end of useful life to unmarked cars. He said the new cars should be put into service to protect the health and safety of officers.
Equipping the squad car was budgeted in 2007. Paying for the paint will cost about $390 according to Scott Dexter, acting police chief, with money for this work to come from the 2007 budget.
Mayor Sheldon Anderson had learned about the proposed purchase last fall. There are seven cars in the police fleet. Anderson did not believe that the two newest vehicles should both be unmarked cars.
He is concerned about a visible presence in the neighborhoods. “The newest vehicles should be out on the road as much as possible,” the mayor said. “Visibility is something residents deserve.”
Councilman Blake Tiedeman said he welcomed a new car and wanted a marked one. He echoed Anderson’s comment about officers being more visible on patrols.
Councilman Tom LaBarre says he has had calls from residents who say “we never see an officer out there.” He favored a marked squad.
Councilman Gary Menne was concerned about warranty of the new car. A three-year or 60,000 mile warranty would be in effect for the car.
Dexter responded to questions about the leased vehicles in the fleet. Two of the cars are on state leases, terms of which include gas for the vehicles. Dexter said these vehicles are being used to full potential.
In the end council approved the purchase of a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, at a cost of $18,703.15. The purchase is budgeted in the 2008 capital improvement budget. The paint job will be black-and-white. The radio for the car is to be purchased from funds budgeted last year.
Council also authorized sale of the Crown Victoria, but will keep the Impala squad. The vote was 5-0 for the purchase.
Other actions
Council tabled a decision about a contribution to the Chisago County Senior Center Meals on Wheels and the congregate dining program. Mattson said statistical support for the request should be better.
Tiedeman had specific questions about the number of participants in the programs who are Wyoming residents.
Council members want statistics which can be easily interpreted and which give a clearer picture of a standard unit of participation. It may be that some activities overlap; a meal and staying for another activity after a meal.
Tiedeman hopes to provide more specific questions which can be answered by the data available. He would also like to see a clearer breakdown of costs for operation.
Funds from charitable gambling are available to provide assistance. Most were in favor of a $1000 contribution; however a decision was tabled until the April 1 meeting.
Council authorized the Minnesota Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to use Railroad Park and its parking area as a rest stop on the Larkin Hoffman MS 150 ride 2008. The event is scheduled June 6-8.
The area is adjacent to Sunrise Prairie Bike Trail at the intersection of Viking Blvd (CR-22) and Forest Blvd. (Highway 30/61). The area will be used as a rest area Sunday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Vote was unanimous.
Council member Menne requested council discussion about the cost sharing of the joint city/township comprehensive plan. Mattson said the cost for the comprehensive plan is $29,865.64, to date. The original plan called for $46,600.
Menne wanted to know if Wyoming Township had paid its share of the cost as agreed. When the annexation issue is resolved, payment might be from the city to itself, Mattson said. No action was taken.
In other business on March 18, the council:
Other business
•Scheduled a public hearing for Fairview Health Services, related to the refinance of bonds sold in 1997. This is a requirement because a Fairview health facility is located in the city. The hearing is scheduled 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at City Hall.
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