Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
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Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement for the Ramsey County Sheriff Emergency Response Teams
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the amended and restated Joint Powers Agreement with the cities of Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Saint Paul, Oakdale, Roseville, Saint Anthony, and White Bear Lake, the University of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council, and Ramsey County for the Ramsey County Sheriff Emergency Response Teams upon execution.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office is requesting approval of the Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement of the Ramsey County Sheriff Emergency Response Teams. The Sheriff Emergency Response Teams, known as SERT, is a regional response team that supports emergency and critical incident response. The members of this team, and the parties to this agreement are the cities of Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Saint Paul, Roseville, Saint Anthony, and White Bear Lake; the University of Minnesota; the Metropolitan Council; the city of Oakdale; and Ramsey County. Minnesota state law requires governing body (i.e., county board, city council) to approve any joint powers agreement (JPA) (Minnesota Statute § 471.59).
This amended and restated JPA incorporates three teams as part of SERT: the Crisis Negotiator Team (CNT), the Mobile Response Team (MRT), and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Team. SERT will coordinate public safety, law enforcement, and emergencies services, such as efforts to provide joint responses to critical incidents, crisis negotiations, public order events, hostage situation, high-risk warrant service, barricaded suspects, active shooters, domestic violence, special events, natural disasters, and other incidents.
To improve efficiencies, avoid duplication of services, and respond in a more coordinated effort, the Sheriff’s Office has coordinated a regional response team in partnership with various cities. In 2016, a JPA was adopted with cities of Maplewood, White Bear Lake, and Mounds View. In 2018, the JPA was amended to include additional cities (Roseville, New Brighton, North Saint Paul, Saint Anthony, and New Brighton) in addition to the University of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council. Today, the JPA is amended again to include all previous signatories and the city of Oakdale while enhancing regional response services through the formal incorporation of CNT and MRT.
The CNT specializes in peacefully resolving high-risk situations such as mental health crises, hostage scenarios, and domestic violence incidents through negotiation. MRT quickly responds to events and situations to ensure community safety and support First Amendment protected activities. Additionally, SERT also includes Firefighters/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or Firefighters/Paramedics (EMT-P) as part of the team. In doing so, emergency medical services available at the greatest times of need.
Similar to previously approved JPAs, the Sheriff’s Office coordinates SERT activities in partnership with the participating agencies. This includes but is not limited to training, testing, planning, logistics, and operational deployments. The Sheriff’s Office also provides budgeting and accounting services for SERT.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
There is no direct racial equity impact linked to this action. This action is administrative only.
Community Participation Level and Impact
SERT members frequently participate in numerous community events throughout the year. Community events take place in various cities in the county. Events include but are not limited to Touch-a-Truck, Hot Dog with a Deputy, Superhero Day Children’s Hospital, fireworks displays, and the Minnesota State Fair.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Similar to previously approved JPAs, the Sheriff’s Office provides a budget for basic operations and assess an annual fee to each participating organization. The annual fee is assessed for training, equipment, other operational related expenses. In the Sheriff’s Office 2025 operating budget, $40,000 is budgeted for SERT. The 2025 participation fee is $12,000 per organization, totaling $108,000 in 2025. Funds will be requested in the Sheriff’s Office 2026-2027 operating budget for SERT.
Last Previous Action
On April 17, 2018, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the amended and restated Joint Powers Agreement for the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (Resolution B2018-109).
On July 12, 2016 the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Joint Power Agreement authorizing a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (Resolution B2016-173).
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement