Sponsor: Sheriff's Office
Title
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Amendment to the Agreement with the City of Falcon Heights for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the amendment to the agreement with the city of Falcon Heights for law enforcement and public safety services for a two-month period of January 1, 2025 through February 28, 2025.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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On February 6, 2024, Ramsey County and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office entered into an agreement with the city of Falcon Heights to provide contract law enforcement and public safety services for a term of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. At the time, neither party intended to renew or extend the term of the agreement.
On October 23, 2024, the city of Falcon Heights requested a temporary extension of the agreement through February 28, 2025, which was the fourth such request since 2022. The Sheriff’s Office is amenable to continue to provide contract law enforcement and public safety services to the city for an additional two-month period through February 28, 2025. The city of Saint Anthony will start to provide contract police services on March 1, 2025 to the city of Falcon Heights.
For reference, for over 60 years, the Sheriff’s Office has provided contract law enforcement and public safety services and continues to serve the cities of Arden Hills, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear Township (collectively referred to as the “Contract Communities”). Contracting with the Sheriff’s Office provides effective, efficient, and economical delivery of community policing and critical services.
The agreement approved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on February 6, 2024, included many of the same terms and conditions of other agreements for contract law enforcement and public safety services as well as additional protections for the county. The additional protections include obtaining and maintaining a tort liability insurance policy in the amount of $4 million per occurrence. In addition, the city of Falcon Heights pays a premium to the county for the costs associated with general liability, professional liability, and automobile liability provided by the county’s self-insurance program. Under the amendment, the agreement still remains independent from the other agreements with the Contract Communities and is effective through February 28, 2025, with no options for renewal or extensions.
Under the agreement and amendment, the primary cost driver is that overtime will be required to fill shifts as staffing models are in place without the city of Falcon Heights. There is not sufficient personnel to staff the city without the use of overtime on a regular basis. A Commander is assigned to serve as the city’s primary liaison, including scheduling, management, and supervision.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The combined population of the city of Falcon Heights is 5,300 people, which represents a diverse community. Once approved, this action continues to provide law enforcement and public safety services with a commitment to community policing as well as gender and racial equity. The Sheriff’s Office continues to advance racial equity through diverse hiring practices, training (including diversity, crisis intervention, de-escalation, mental health, and implicit basis), and service delivery. To promote transparency and accountability for all, in-car and body-worn cameras were implemented.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Sheriff’s Office regularly meets with city of Falcon Heights staff. The Sheriff’s Office also attends city council meetings and workshops. Feedback is routinely provided regarding the provision of law enforcement and public safety services.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There is no impact to the county property tax levy as all of the costs associated with providing contract law enforcement and public safety services will be funded, and paid for, by the city of Falcon Heights, including salaries and benefits, equipment, and training during the term of this agreement. In addition, under this agreement, the city of Falcon Heights is required to maintain a $4 million liability insurance policy. This requirement will help protect the county’s self-insurance fund in the event of a claim.
Last Previous Action
On February 6, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the city of Falcon Heights for Law Enforcement Services (Resolution B2024-028).
Attachments
1. First Amendment to the Agreement for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services