Staples World photo by Dawn Schimpp Timbs Sharing his concerns Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel stopped by the Motley City Council meeting April 14, to share his concerns in regard to council member Duane Solga's proposal to restructure the Motley Police Department. At least one Motley City Council member seems to believe that making signifi cant cuts to the Motley Police Department is the best way to pay for city streets.

Not everyone agrees.

At their regular meeting April 14, the Motley City Council (with input from the public) spent almost an hour discussing a proposal by council member Duane Solga to "restructure the police department."

Solga's proposal strives to cut the police department's budget from approximately $194,000 to $70,000 by making the following changes:

o Cut the MPD's leased

squad car

o Use the existing Crown Vic; purchase a used Tahoe patrol car and rotate use between the two for no more than 18,000 miles a year

o Discontinue out of town assist calls unless there's an extreme reason

o Purchase a speed radar control sign

o Cut the department to one salaried paid position. This officer would, according to Solga's proposal, live within so many minutes of the city hall for a response time; patrol town streets; and stop in on local businesses and have self visible for public as city sees fit.

Solga seems confident that this plan can work; and that it could be a solution to costly infrastructure problems.

"We can't afford any more taxes," Solga stressed.

One member of the public, Motley busi- ness owner Ervin Bjerga, appeared to be in support of Solga's proposal. Others at the council meeting, however, voiced their concerns about it.

Of particular concern to Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel and Randall Police Chief Bill Vanden Avond was Solga's view on mutual support.

Solga would like the city's police department to stay (for the most part) within the city limits. He questioned the number of agency assists recorded each month by Police Chief Brian Madison.

According to Solga, he's heard from Motley residents who say they are concerned that the squad car is out of town a lot, often seen at The Friendly Inn, Solga said.

"That's false," said Chief Madison, adding that he never hears concerns like this brought forward, except at city council meetings. "You should be talking to Rob Sampson (council police department liaison) so that he can bring these to my attention before they're discussed at a council meeting."

As far as agency assists, Chief Madison said that many of those he documents take place by phone. "I never leave the city during some of those assists," he said.

Sheriff Wetzel said that his department has mutual aid packs with all cities in Morrison County. Yes, the Motley officers do go out of town, Wetzel said, but he isn't aware of them simply wandering around.

"If our officers are in Mora or Upsala, it's nice to know these guys can go three or four miles to help stabilize a situation. Crooks and accidents don't know geographical boundaries," Wetzel said.

"We like to think we repay in-kind services as well," he added.

Because Motley "hangs on the end of the county," Wetzel said, they may not always get as much assistance from the Morrison County Sheriff's Department as towns like Pierz or Upsala.

Yes, Motley residents pay county taxes, Wetzel said. However, the sheriff is not required to respond to petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors or violations, Wetzel said.

Bjerga said he thought Motley should expect the same amount of time from Wetzel's officers as the city of Upsala, since they all pay county taxes. "Maybe you should pay us for the calls we help you with," Bjerga said.

Police Chief Vanden Avond said that his department has probably assisted Motley's more than they've assisted him. "I don't expect Motley to pay my department for my part," he said. "It's a mutual aid agreement we have."

Another person who expressed her appreciation for the MPD was Machel Marshall, who said she lives about one-half mile north of Motley. "I live in Cass County and I'm so glad these guys are close," Marshall said. "It would take too long for Cass County to get to my place," she added.

Wetzel said that his

deputies like working with

the Motley Police officers. "They are skilled, talented

officers," he said.

Solga said he agreed that Motley had a fine police department. "That's not the issue. It's our budget."

Solga wondered how towns the same size as Motley (and some a bit larger) get by with fewer officers and a much smaller budget for their police departments.

Bjerga added that he had called around to different towns (including Eagle Bend, Pierz, Randall, Sebeka, Rice and Royalton) to compare their police departments to Motley's, as well as the towns' populations.

Most of these, Bjerga reported, were staffed with one full-time and one parttime officer. Motley currently has two full-time officers and one part-time.

Wetzel said that Motley generates a lot more calls for service than some of the above-mentioned towns.

Mayor Konrad Alexander pointed out that every town is different and that Motley is at the far corner of three counties; and is situated along three busy highways.

"I agree that we have to make cuts somehow," Mayor Alexander said, "But $70,000 is way too much."

Solga stressed, again, that Motley residents couldn't afford to pay higher taxes for improved infrastructure. He maintained throughout the meeting that he feels money saved by making cuts to the police department could be used for city streets.

Bjerga said he has heard from others in the Motley area that taxes need to be lowered. "That's why they (Motley residents) voted for Rena (Underhill) and Duane," he said. "They both pledged to lower taxes."

City resident Ginger Olson urged Solga to come up with a detailed outline to help people better understand where and how he would make cuts to the police budget.

"We have money to fix streets; that's already covered," said council member Rob Sampson, in reference to the city's reserve fund for infrastructure work.

With the $250,000 set aside for Motley's streets project, city engineer Aric Welch said he believed a large portion of Beaulieu Street could be completed.

City Clerk/Treasurer Terri Smith told the council that cuts to the budget had already been made, after the city lost $23,000 in Local Government Aid for this year.

In the police department alone, Smith outlined in a later e-mail, a total reduction of $21,188 will be made to this year's budget.

The savings come, Smith said, from a second parttime police officer position that had been budgeted for (but was not advertised for); and thanks to full-time city employees voluntarily taking two weeks vacation without pay.

Motley resident Betty Starke said that she is proud of the Motley Police Department. "I think if the council would walk door to door and ask people how they feel about it, most people would say that they feel safe with the amount of police protection the city has." Don't make cuts, Starke urged.

In the public forum which followed the regular meeting, Motley resident Cliff Goodwater said, "As an ex-officer myself, I think if you cut back on patrol, the neighborhood will be less safe and it will be more expensive in the long run. You could lose $70,000 in one day," Goodwater said.

In other matters the council:

o APPROVED Sampson's motion to allow time off (probably a day) for maintenance workers Wayne Barros and Bruce Brotherton, in order for them to accompany WSN engineers as they begin working on the Beaulieu Street project.

o ACCEPTED the offer of the city's full-time employees, as presented by Smith, to take two weeks vacation time without pay (to help alleviate the loss of LGA for this year); and to prorate the hours so their benefi will not be affected.

o AGREED to sell the police department's four used "H" tires at $100 a piece, with the condition that the buyer signs a waiver. The tires had been purchased by the city for approximately $158 a piece.

o AUTHORIZED the fire department to apply for the 2009 DNR Grant which requires a 50/50 match from the city. First Asst. Chief Dave Greig told the council he believes the total bill for needed items would be just under $8,000, which would mean $4,000 in city money would be needed. The motion, made by Sampson, is contingent on there being funds available to cover the city's portion.

o APPROVED adding approximately $682 to the specs for the new fire truck, which was originally priced at $192,000. "We forgot the dunk tank..." on the original specs, explained Greig.

o HEARD maintenance report from Bruce Brotherton, maintenance assistant. Brotherton reported that all 11 aerators in the ponds are running; and that the city had four violations from the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) this past month.

o APPROVED having City Attorney Peter Vogel write a letter to council member Rena Underhill asking what her intent is, in regard to her position on the city council. Since coming on board this past January, Underhill has only attended a couple of regular meetings, her last being Feb. 10.

Smith informed the council that according to MN Election Laws, the council can declare a vacancy if an officeholder is unable to serve or attend council meetings for a 90-day period because of illness, or because of absence from or refusal to attend council meetings for a 90-day period.

o SET next regular council meeting for Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m.