Council stymies some TRF Police Department Public Safety Aid requests

by April Scheinoha Reporter It was a mixed bag when it came to approving Police Chief Marissa Adam’s requests at the Thief River Falls City Council meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20. The council approved opening a patrol officer position. Officer Erik Jax resigned Wednesday, Jan. 24. The department currently employs 15 full-time officers and is two officers short. By a vote of 7 to 1, the council approved purchasing a replacement radio for a squad vehicle. Mayor Brian Holmer voted in opposition. The used radio was installed in 2023 and hasn’t been working correctly. Stone Mobile Radio told police that replacement parts stopped being made 10 years ago for the radio, which the department purchased from the Minnesota State Patrol. Purchase and installation cost $7,500, which will be covered by Public Safety Aid money. The city received $378,395 in Public Safety Aid money in December. The one-time aid was allocated to all cities and counties. Also receiving the aid were townships with a population of 10,000 or more, and the 11 federally-recognized tribal governments in the state. Holmer said he had no qualms about replacing the radio, but he thought the matter would have been discussed beforehand at a meeting of the Budget Committee or Committee of the Whole. Council member Jason Aarestad agreed with Holmer, noting it should be handled that way moving forward. Holmer said he didn’t think it would be an open checkbook and everyone agreed that they would meet to prioritize the expenses. The council tabled purchasing new office desks for the police department, including two additional workstations in the department squad room. The matter was sent to the Public Safety Committee. Adam requested seven new desks, including two new computers, to replace broken and worn-out office furniture. She believed the desks could have been at the department since day 1. The purchase was estimated to cost $9,000, which would have been paid with Public Safety Aid funds. Aarestad wanted further research regarding the layout and costs from various companies. City Council sent a request to purchase two Microsoft Surface Pro tablets for the police department back to the Administrative Services Committee. The tablets, which cost a total of $3,972, would have been funded by Public Safety Aid funds. Adam and Deputy Police Chief Mike Roff would have used the tablets in their vehicles to view calls for service, track officer activity and have access to records similar to devices used in patrol vehicles. When asked by council member Mike Lorenson, Adam said the tablets would be in addition to desktop computers used in their offices. Lorenson responded that most companies have one device, not two, per employee. He raised concerns about having to replace two pieces of aging hardware in the future. Adam told him that other city department leaders have more than one device. Lorenson replied that the city shouldn’t have such a standard. He then made a motion to send the matter to the Administrative Services Committee. By a vote of 7 to 1, the council approved purchasing four portable radio batteries and upgrading the headlights for two fire engines and a rescue truck. Holmer voted in opposition. Fire Chief Rick Beier said failed batteries have put two portable radios out of service. The other two have declining capacity. The headlights are original to all three vehicles and produce low-quality light at night. Both purchases are estimated to cost $3,000. Public Safety Aid money would cover the cost. Holmer voted in opposition, noting he was opposed to the process leading up to the matter appearing before the council. City Council approved the Teamsters 320 Public and Teamsters 320 Fire union contracts. City Administrator Angie Philipp said the contracts include 3% wage increases for 2024. For each of the next two years, the amounts are 4%. In August, the council hired Flaherty & Hood to assist with labor negotiations with all city unions. The firm expected to charge $2,850 to $10,400 depending upon the nature, extent and volume of such services. At the Feb. 20 meeting, Lorenson said it was money well spent.