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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2006Q A A C E. MINUTES MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 7:00 P.M. Monday, April 10, 2006 Council Chambers, City Hall Meeting No. 06-10 CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chambers, at City Hall, and was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Longrie. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Diana Longrie, Mayor Present Rebecca Cave Councilmember Present Erik Hjelle, Councilmember Present Kathleen Juenemann, Councilmember Present Will Rossbach, Councilmember Present Mayor Longrie notified visitors agenda item L1 -Removal of City Manager is an employment issue, not a Public Hearing. Therefore, during Visitor Presentations, visitors may not speak to that issue. APPROVAL OF AGENDA M1. Tourist Cabin Site M2. Environmental Opportunities M3. Sky Warn N1. Council Retreat Councilmember Rossbach moved to approve the agenda as amended. Councilmember Juenemann amended Mr. Rossbach's motion removing agenda item L1 from the agenda, stating that the action would be "inappropriate, unnecessary and potentially harmful to the city's future". Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach Ayes-Councilmembers Juenemann and Rossbach Nays -Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave and Hjelle Motion failed. Mayor Longrie moved to approve the agenda as it stands. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes -Mayor Longrie, Councilmember Cave and Hjelle Nays-Councilmember Juenemann and Rossbach APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from the March 23, 2006 Special City Council Meeting Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve the minutes from the March 23, 2006 Special City Council Meeting as presented. Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach Ayes -All City Council Meeting 04-10-06 F. G 2. Minutes from the March 27, 2006 City Council Meeting Councilmember Cave moved to approve the minutes from the March 27, 2006 City Council Meeting as presented. Seconded by Mayor Longrie Ayes -All 3. Minutes from the April 3, 2006 Council/Manager Workshop Mayor Longrie moved to approve the minutes from the April 03, 2006 Council/Manager Workshop as presented. Seconded by Councilmember Hjelle VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Ayes -Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Hjelle, Juenemann and Rossbach Abstain-Councilmember Cave Peter Fisher -2443 Standridge Avenue, Maplewood, expressed concern about what he felt was "bad politics" within the city council and lack of trust between the council and residents. 2. Steven Carlson, 1890 Barclay, Maplewood, expressed his concern about democracy, reminding council that the election is over and asking them to focus on city business. 3. Mary Flister, 1763 Beebe Road, Maplewood, highlighted what she felt was disconnect between election results and what residents want. 4. Dale Trippler, 1201 Junction Avenue, Maplewood, shared his dissatisfaction in the proposed removal of City Manager Fursman. 5. Mike Stocksted, President, Maplewood Firefighters Association, commented on data access and personnel issues. City Manager Fursman explained the process for Responsible Authority - Data Practice Requests. 6. George Cave, 2020 Prosperity Road, Maplewood, expressed his support for the council and encouraged them to continue with city business. 7. William Kayser, 6408 81st Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, updated the new councilmembers on a property his mother owned in Maplewood and related legal proceedings. 8. Barbara Kern, 2485 Arlington Avenue East, asked council to be civil and respectful of each other and stay cohesive to maintain a unified focus to do what is best for the city. 9. Judith Johannessen, 1610 Woodlyn Ave. East #3, Maplewood, felt a coincidence between the March 10th memo from the City Manager and the March 14th motion to remove Mr. Fursman as City Manager. APPOINTMENTS/PRESENTATIONS None H. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Rossbach moved to adopt consent agenda items 1, 4, 7, 8, Seconded by Mayor Longrie Ayes -All City Council Meeting 04-10-06 Mayor Longrie moved to table consent agenda item 2 to allow staff to obtain the additional information requested by council. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes -All Councilmember Juenemann moved to adopt consent agenda item 3. Seconded by Mayor Longrie Ayes -All Councilmember Cave moved to adopt consent agenda item 5. Seconded by Mayor Longrie Ayes -All Councilmember Juenemann moved to adopt consent aaenda item 6. Seconded by Mayor Longrie Ayes -All 1. Approval of Claims ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: $ 228,697.30 Checks # 69536 thru #69588 dated 3/21/06 thru 3/28/06 $ 144,881.61 Disbursements via debits to checking account dated 3/27/06 thru 3/23/06 $ 394,491.87 Checks # 69589 thru # 69648 Wire Transfer # 2346493 dated 04/04/06 $ 293,821.73 Disbursements via debits to checking account dated 03/24/06 thru 03/30/06 $ 1,061,892.51 Total Accounts Payable PAYROLL Payroll Checks and Direct Deposits dated $ 472,607.83 03/24/06 $ 2,284.75 Payroll Deduction check # 104627 thru # 104628 dated 03/24/06 $ 474,892.58 Total Payroll $ 1,536,785.09 GRAND TOTAL City Council Meeting 04-10-06 3 2. Ramsey County CDBG Agreement Item tabled to the April 24, 2006 City Council Meeting, 3. Conditional Use Permit Review — Grubers (1762 White Bear Avenue) Approved the Gruber's Power Equipment's conditional use permit for exterior storage at 1762 White Bear Avenue and agreed to review it again in six months to ensure all remaining exterior improvements (landscaping and parking lot) are complete. 4. Temporary Gambling — Church of the Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary Approved the following resolution for temporary gambling for the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1725 Kennard Street for their annual Parish Festival: RESOLUTION 06-04-044 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, that the temporary premises permit for lawful gambling is approved for the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), 1725 Kennard Street, Maplewood, Minnesota. FURTHERMORE, that the Maplewood City Council waives any objection to the timeliness of application for said permit as governed by Minnesota Statute §349.213. FURTHERMORE, that the Maplewood City Council requests that the Gambling Control Division of the Minnesota Department of Gaming approve said permit application as being in compliance with Minnesota Statute §349.213. NOW, THEREFORE, be it further resolved that this Resolution by the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, be forwarded to the Gambling Control Division for their approval. 5. Donation to the D.A. R.E. Program Accepted the $100 donation from the students at Presentation School for the D.A. R. E. program to be used for supplies for the program. 6. Donation to the Cops `n Kids Fishing Clinic Accepted a $200.00 donation from Saturn of St. Paul for the Cops `N Kids Fishing Clinic to be used to purchase supplies for the event. 7. June 12, 2006 Council Meeting at Carver Elementary Approved for the June 12, 2006 City Council meeting to be held at Carver Elementary School at 2680 Upper Afton Road. 8. Release of Master Development Agreement/Legacy Village Approved the release of obligation under the Master Development Agreement and the Special Assessment Escrow Agreement to allow Harford to close on the property. PUBLIC HEARINGS None J. AWARD OF BIDS None City Council Meeting 04-10-06 K. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Conditional Use Permit Review — Comfort Bus Company (1870 Rice Street) a. City Manager Fursman presented the report. b. City Engineer AN specifics from the report. C. Lee Rossow, owner of Comfort Bus, was present for council questions Mr. Rossow testified that he did not concur with the restrictions and indicated that the City could not restrict traffic on Roselawn due to the State Aid funding used for the roadway. Mr. Rossow also indicated that the City could condemn his property as an alternative to the placing of these types of restrictions. He also testified of his plans to expand the number of buses on the site and the likelihood that traffic conditions and the number of buses on Roselawn were likely to increase due the financial nature of the timing of his business operations. He did not feel that he could place the types of controls proposed on the routes for his drivers. d. Kerry Kapaun, 113 E. Roselawn, Maplewood, would like to videotape the bus traffic on Roselawn to show council it is not a trickle of busses on Roselawn, but a steady stream. Council Member Rossbach noted that a number of concerns and issues of the CUP and noted that the Council in 2001, in issuing the original CUP for this site, discussed the possibility that restrictions on the number of buses on the site and restrictions of traffic to Roselawn were possible conditions. Council Member Cave acknowledged that she reviewed the tape of the original CUP discussion and confirmed that the conditions were part of the original discussions. Both Council Member Rossbach and Council Member Cave concluded that the Council, in 2001, gave instructions to continued monitoring of the impacts of the Comfort Bus operation with the possibility that these types of conditions could be placed during future year reviews of the CUP. Siting the violations of daytime noise standards as noted by the City Engineer and the testimony of Lee Rossow that Comfort Bus planned additional buses on the property, Council Member Rossbach acknowledged that additional controls were needed on this CUP. Council Member Juenemann acknowledged that she concluded there was a reasonable nexus between the maintenance of the buses and the operation of the same buses on Roselawn. She stated that without maintenance the buses likely could not be operating on Roselawn. All other Council Members upon a question from City Attorney Kelly acknowledged that they were comfortable with the nexus between the maintenance operation and the condition on the CUP. Councilmember Rossbach moved to approve the review of the Conditional Use Permit for Comfort Bus Company at 1870 Rice Street again in one year, and to add the following condition: Traffic on Roselawn and Jackson Street should be limited to a total of 162 busses per day and that staff should continue to monitor traffic and pollution on Roselawn Avenue. Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes -All 2. City Manager Purchasing Authority Ordinance — Second Reading a. City Manager Fursman presented the report. b. Finance Director Faust presented specifics from the report. Councilmember Rossbach moved to adopt the second reading of the Purchasing Authority Ordinance and changing the $5, 000 limit (item iii) to $10,000. City Council Meeting 04-10-06 Seconded by Councilmember Juenemann Ayes-Councilmembers Juenemann and Rossbach Nays -Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave and Hjelle Motion failed. Mayor Longrie moved to adopt the second reading of the following Purchasing Authority Ordinance: ORDINANCE 868 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-102(G) OF THE MAPLEWOOD CITY CODE. THE CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 2-102 of the Maplewood City Code is amended as follows: Sec. 2-102 (g) The city manager shall keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city, and he shall prepare and submit to the council the annual budget. The city manager shall be the chief purchasing agent of the city. All purchases for the city and all contracts shall be made or let by the manager when: (i) The purchase or contract is: (1) made in furtherance of obligations previously approved by the council; (2) periodic payment of an existing City obligation (e.g. utilities, sewage treatment, insurance premiums, debt payments); (3) necessary to invest surplus balances; (4) solely for the purpose of transmitting money or fees received or collected for other entities; (5) for the payment of taxes, charges, or similar obligations due to other units of government. (6) payment for postage; (7) payment for or retention of legal counsel related to the issuance of municipal bonds; (8) payment for or retention of financial consultant services related to the issuance of municipal bonds; (9) required to be made or let prior to the next regular meeting of the council in order to avoid endangering public safety, damaging public or private property, or interrupting City services. (ii) The amount of the purchase or contract does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), for all other purchases or contracts. (iii) All claims resulting from a purchase made or contract let by the city manager shall be audited and approved by the council as provided by law. SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage and publication. Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes- Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave and Hjelle Nays-Councilmember Juenemann and Rossbach 3. Predatory Offender Ordinance — Draft/First Reading a. City Manager Fursman presented the report. City Council Meeting 04-10-06 b. Police Chief Thomalla answered council questions. Councilmember Cave moved to proceed in focusing on education for children and families and take no further action pursuing an ordinance. C. The following persons were heard: John Brandt, 2837 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood Nancy Sabin, Executive Director of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation Ron Cockriel, 943 Century Avenue, Maplewood Councilmember Cave provided the following specifics for a proposed educational plan: "Something comparable to the DARE program including tapes such as the ones America Most Wanted has." Including: • Calling the Wetterling Foundation • Organizing public safety seminars • Putting together a public safety plan • Holding town meetings Councilmember Rossbach suggested a Council/Manager Workshop be designated for Predatory Offender Education. Councilmember Cave renewed her motion: Councilmember Cave moved to proceed in focusing on education for children and families and take no further action pursuina an ordinance. Seconded by Councilmember Hjelle Ayes -Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave, Hjelle and Juenemann Nays-Councilmember Rossbach A five minute break was taken. 4. Preservation of City Records a. City Manager Fursman presented the report. b. REAL Director Guilfoile presented specifics from the report. C. IT Director Fowlds confirmed that the City's Retention Schedule will be placed on the city website. No action was taken. L. NEW BUSINESS Removal of City Manager a. Mayor Longrie presented the report. Mayor Longrie moved to adopt the following resolution removing Richard Fursman as the Maplewood City Manager, an at -will employee, effective as of the conclusion of the April 10, 2006 council meeting and appointed Greg Copeland as the interim City Manager at a salary of $1,500 per week (including the standard city benefits) and starting at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 11th: City Council Meeting 04-10-06 RESOLUTION 06-04-045 City Council Meeting 04-10-06 Seconded by Councilmember Cave Ayes -Mayor Longrie, Councilmembers Cave and Hjelle Nays -Council members Juenemann and Rossbach Mr. Fursman extended his thanks to city staff and the community for 5 %2 wonderful years. He also expressed a wish that council could come together to pursue a united vision for the city. In light of the sensitive nature of the previous agenda item, Mayor Longrie moved to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. The remainder of the unaddressed agenda items will be moved to the April 24th City Council Meeting agenda. Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach Ayes -All City Council Meeting 04-10-06 Jacob Wetterling Foundation Contact: Michele Longe Manager, Programs mlonge(cb-jwf.org 651-714-4673 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STRANGER DANGER EDUCATION PUTS CHILDREN AT RISK Jacob Wetterling Foundation (JWF) Urges Parents to Teach Kids How to Talk to Strangers ST. PAUL, MN June 23, 2005. Fortunately, 11 -year-old Brennan Hawkins is safe and back at home with his family in Utah; however, his case may have parents pondering how to best teach children and teens personal safety skills. Few parents can conjure thoughts and images more frightening than the abduction and/or harm of their children. For most parents these fears result in brief, directive exchanges instructing their children never to talk to strangers. Unfortunately, stranger danger education is difficult for children to comprehend and not based on the facts about missing and sexually exploited children and teens. For fifteen years, Jacob Wetterling Foundation has worked locally and nationally to bring accurate awareness to communities about missing and sexually exploited children and teens. In the past few years, through its prevention education program, JWF has presented to 350 groups. These presentations bring to light the many fears and misperceptions that persist in our communities. For example, few participants are aware that most often people who offend against children and teens are known to them and that the number one lure to gain a child or teen's trust is attention and affection. Through JWF's presentations, attendees also learn about the many ways adults violate the stranger danger rules they teach children and teens. For example, a child who has been taught not to talk to strangers is still expected to greet unfamiliar adult friends of parents, speak to cashiers in the grocery store, and interact with the bus driver on the first day of school. It is easy to imagine how it might be difficult for a child to distinguish between acceptable strangers and unacceptable strangers. Brennan's recent case highlights another concerning aspect of stranger danger. What should a child or teen do when they must rely on help from people unknown to them? Had Brennan been taught how to talk to strangers, perhaps he would have been rescued earlier. JWF urges parents to teach children to distinguish between unsafe and safe situations, not people. Children and teens should be given clear rules and boundaries that help them to make safe decisions by asking the trusted adults around them for guidance. Additionally, adults should encourage children and teens to consider what they would do if a trusted adult is not present and they need help. JWF teaches parents to play "what -if games" with their children to encourage them to think critically about how to handle potentially unsafe situations. These games give parents insight into how their children problem solve and provide opportunities for parents to guide children. For example, parents can use the game to teach children to ask a mother with children for help in the event that they are lost in a public place. (more) Teaching personal safety to children cannot be a one-time conversation. Additionally, there is not one rule children can be taught to protect them from harm. Rather, JWF encourages parents to discuss personal safety as often as possible and at teachable moments. It is important to provide children with multiple opportunities to develop their ability to distinguish between safe and unsafe situations and to practice their skills. Perhaps the most valuable outcome of these ongoing personal safety discussions is maintaining a close relationship with children that will serve to guide and protect them throughout their youth. Jacob Wetterling Foundation (JWF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency established fifteen years ago on January 24, 1990, following the abduction of eleven year old Jacob Wetterling from rural Minnesota. JWF's mission is to protect children from abduction and sexual exploitation through its prevention education and victims assistance programs. JWF holds adults responsible for the safety of children and therefore strives to enhance adults' abilities to educate and guide their children. The Foundation recognizes the growing need to raise awareness of and provide specific tools to address the complex relationship between the problems of child sexual exploitation and abduction. JWF focuses its attention on the primary prevention of child sexual abuse and abduction so that fewer children experience the trauma of victimization. It is JWF's hope that through a coordinated community effort, adults will be engaged and better prepared to protect children so that they live healthier, happier lives in a safer world. To learn more about how to educate and protect children and teens in our communities, visit JWF's web site at www.iwf.orq. To schedule a personal safety presentation, call 651-714-4673. Due to the tight economy, JWF increasingly relies on donations from individual and corporations to continue its work and to assist policy makers in protecting our most precious resource, our children. Visit JWF's web site to learn more about how you can help support this important work and bring a voice to issues that affect our children. JWF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit led by an independent board of directors and an Executive Director. For more information about Jacob Wetterling Foundation, please call 651/714-4673. 3. Play interactive "what if" games throughout your child or teen's life, in order to continuously reinforce personal safety. For example, ask your child when you're in the Mall, "What if we got separated, who would you run to for help? Why would you pick who you did? Again, one of the safest bets is to run to a mom with children. 4. Reassure and regularly communicate with your children at all stages in their lives. Communicating only in times of crisis doesn't encourage children to come forward with needs and concerns in everyday situations. Ask them to show you how to go online and where some of their favorite places are. 5. Report any unusual activity that you witness, related to children or adults within your community. If your intuition or "guts" tell you something is odd or wrong, it probably is. Speak up. Check things our further. Trust your instincts and tell your kids to do the same! When trying to head off "risky situations", look for these types of Red Flags: ■ Adults who want to spend time with your child in unique or isolated situations ■ Children who suddenly withdraw from other children and want to spend more of their time with a particular adult ■ Children who are receiving unexplained gifts, cell phones, event tickets, clothes, etc. ■ Adults who take children to special places where they do not take other children or adults ■ Adults who spend long periods of time alone with a particular child in private places (i.e., long trips, overnights, secluded parks/buildings). www.,iwf.org 02003,Tacob Wetterling Foundation 1.800.325.HOPE '7//U/o e, P4�-� PERSONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES: HELPING ADULTS EDUCATE CHILDREN & TEENS Primary prevention stops harm before it happens—meaning it prevents those who hurt others from doing so. Sadly, children and teens are harmed each day and must be protected from people willing and able to hurt them. Protecting children and teens from violence and inappropriate sexuality is up to adults. Our job is to be aware of warning signs and hurtful behavior, to know how to respond to potentially dangerous or harmful behavior in kids and adults, to supervise and guide our own children and teens, and to help protect all kids in our communities. While it is not up to kids to protect themselves, there are skills they should be taught so they know how to help. Teaching personal safety to children and teens is not a one-time conversation. Rather, JWF encourages adults to discuss personal safety as often as possible and in a positive manner at teachable moments. Likewise, there is no one rule kids can be taught to protect them from harm. Instead, it is important to provide children and teens with multiple opportunities to develop and practice their ability to distinguish between safe and unsafe situations, not people. One of the most valuable outcomes of these ongoing personal safety discussions is maintaining a close relationship with kids that will serve to guide and protect them throughout their youth. Use these guidelines to start personal safety conversations with children and teens: F! SETTHETONE Encouraging children and teens to talk about personal safety requires a calm, open and responsive tone. Children and teens need to know that they can speak with the trusted adults in their lives about safety and sexuality. By bringing up personal safety topics often and at teachable moments, adults can reinforce their willingness to talk about these important topics and their receptivity to questions from kids. Remember to tell children and teens that they are loved unconditionally and will always be loved no matter what happens or what kinds of questions they ask. ;moi USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE It is important for adults to be open to questions and stories about bodies, touching, privacy and personal space. Experts highly recommend that adults teach correct names for private body parts, along with accurate names for other body parts. Additionally, adults should use language that is respectful of all backgrounds and experiences. Children learn tolerance, acceptance and empathy from adults who reinforce positive social behaviors. 1 BE AWARE OF KIDS ACTIVITIES Adults are responsible for monitoring kids' activities. Not only should adults be aware of where children are at all times, they should also pay attention to what types of television shows they watch, computer games they play, music they listen to, friends they spend time with, etc. Staying involved in children's and teens' lives helps adults to better guide their decision making, problem solving and safety planning and identify potentially risky behaviors. KNOW KIDS' FRIENDS Kids spend lots of time with friends and at friends' homes. Parents and caregivers should know their kids' friends' names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, parents' names and parents' contact information. Additionally, parents and caregivers should share their family rules with kids' friends and their parents so that clear expectations and guidelines for behavior are established. i SET APPROPRIATE LIMITS Children and teenagers thrive when there are clear boundaries and rules to guide their actions and decisions. Help kids navigate the world more safely by establishing and posting understandable rules for your family. For example, establish rules about the type and the amount of time kids are allowed to play video games, watch television and/or use the computer. Likewise, kids need to know how to set and respect personal space boundaries. Check out the list of personal safety rules to teach to kids on the back of this page. "I TEACH KIDS HOW To RESPOND Children and teens should be taught how to respond to peers and adults in potentially harmful or uncomfortable situations. Kids are often confronted with peer pressure, bullying, violence, and potentially harmful sexuality. Adults should spend time talking to kids about how they can safely respond to these situations so that they don't experience or perpetuate harm. TEACH KIDS TO Do No HARM Just as children and teens should be taught how to avoid risky or dangerous situations, they also need to be taught to help protect others by not perpetrating violence or participating in harmful behaviors. For example, kids should be taught not to bully or intimidate anyone, not to share secrets or gossip about others, and not to forward harmful or explicit materials online. Kids and teens need to be aware that emotional, physical and sexual violence are all harmful behaviors that are in many cases illegal. l TEACH KIDS HOW To SPEAK UP Children and teens need to be taught how to be engaged bystanders who know what to do when they see potentially harmful or dangerous situations. Teach kids to tell trusted adults immediately if they witness or hear about situations that seem unsafe or are sexually inappropriate or confusing. Remind kids that they are part of a larger community that cares about and protects each other. Jacob Wetterling Foundation PERSONAL SAFETY RULES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS Few parents can conjure thoughts and images more frightening than the abduction and/or harm of their children. For most parents these fears result in brief, directive exchanges instructing their children never to talk to strangers. Unfortunately, stranger danger education is difficult for children to comprehend and not based on the facts about missing and sexually exploited children and teens. Instead of teaching stranger danger, use these rules to help protect and guide children and teens: .?! CHECK FIRST Children and teens should be taught to check first with parents and caregivers before going anywhere with anyone, accepting gifts, or allowing someone to photograph them. Additionally, kids should check first with parents before sharing any private information including their home address and telephone number or school name. Aj HANG-OUT IN GROUPS Encourage children and teens to walk to and from school, wait at the bus stop, go out into the community, and spend recreational time in groups. Parents should know the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of all children's and teens' friends and their parents and/or caregivers. * TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS Teach younger children how to recognize their instincts and what to do if they are scared or confused. All children, teens and parents should honor their instincts in determining safe versus unsafe situations. 0 TELL ALL SECRETS Children and teens should be taught the difference between secrets and surprises (surprises are kept quiet for a short time and never harm anyone, like a surprise birthday party). Kids should never be asked to keep secrets. X1 SAY No, GET AWAY, TELL AN ADULT When a child feels uncomfortable, is touched inappropriately or is otherwise harmed, he/she needs to be taught to say'no' loudly. Then he/she should get away from the situation and tell a trusted adult immediately. ?al DIAL 911 IN EMERGENCIES All children and teenagers need to know how to call 911 for emergency situations. Kids should be taught that 911 calls are free from any phone, what types of information the 911 operator will need, and not to hang up until told to do so by the. operator. Ai KNow ALL ABOUT YOU Children and teens need to know their phone number, address, parents' or caregivers' numbers, along with other important contact information like their school information and numbers of trusted adults or neighbors. V - REMEMBER THE 3 ONLINE SAFETY RULES Children and teens need to be taught 1) never to give out personal information online; 2) not to meet online friends in person without a parent or caregiver; 3) to tell a trusted adult if they receive online communication that is scary, confusing or harmful. 4? REPORT SCARY OR EXPLICIT EMAILS Children, teens and parents should report all scary, confusing or sexually explicit emails to www.cybertipline.com or 1 -800 -THE -LOST. Additionally, online communication that contains references to violence or the intent to harm anyone should be reported to local law enforcement authorities. Alf FIND FIVE TRUSTED ADULTS Parents/caregivers should help children and teens develop a list of five trusted adults and their phone numbers so that they can contact them if they ever need additional help or guidance. X! PLAY WHAT IF GAMES Play what if the games with children to teach and reinforce safety and healthy sexuality messages. Log on to the JWF website www.iwf.org or call 800.325.HOPE [local 651.714.4673] for more information. **ft Jacob Wetterling Foundation April 10, 2006 To: Mayor Diana Longrie, Council Members: Will Rossbach, Kathy Juenemann, Erik Hjelle, Rebecca Cave, City Administrators: Richard Fursman, Melinda Coleman, Police Chief, Dave Thomalla, City Attorney, Pat Kelly. Re: Proposed Maplewood Sex Offender Ordinance Madam Mayor and Council Members, I'd like to commend the council on an excellent discussion of public policy issues at the last council meeting. I was encouraged that council members appeared to be searching for good information, buried in a sea of misinformation, conflicting reports, and fear -based rhetoric. Given my relationship with Mapletree group home, some friends and colleagues have advised that it may be foolish for me to weigh-in on the proposed ordinance. Especially given the fact that Mapletree has been called before the council again for a CUP review on April 24. However the council is already well aware of my connection with the group home, so I don't know that there is much downside. The upside could be an important contribution to the development of good public policy, and I think I have a somewhat unique perspective: First, I'm an 18 -year, vested resident of the city (lifelong Ramsey County). Second, I have worked with hundreds of young men with sex offenses since 1983 when I began professionally evaluating and treating sex offenders. Third, as a licensed mental health professional and educator, I have helped hundreds of families to recover from these difficult issues, participated in as many court proceedings as an expert witness, and presented workshops at the local, state and national levels. The call for sex offender residency restrictions appears to be driven by a handful of very high- profile rape cases. The truth is repeat sex offenses are quite rare. In fact, I understand the Maplewood PD reports not a single case of a convicted sex offender committing a repeat sex offense in the city of Maplewood. Perhaps one or two cases have been overlooked. However in a city where there are hundreds of violent crimes every year, a zero (or near zero) incidence of repeat sex offenses should be a glaring absence. While public perception creates the passion for action, it is poor public policy to enact laws and mobilize valuable community resources for undocumented problems. Public perception of sex offenders is long on opinion and short on facts. While it's true that many sex offenders have multiple offenses and/or victims. That statistic is prior to intervention. Post -intervention (arrest, prosecution, treatment) re -offending is a fraction of all offenses. This is because intervention is highly effective. According to information provided by Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, only 5.3% of violent sex offenders commit a new sex offense within three years of their release from prison. That's a 94% success rate in reducing repeat sex offenses, and that's among the worst offenders. Treatment for teen offenders has the best outcome of all groups. A sex -offender residency ordinance is predicated on the idea that offenders are abducting unknown children from public places. That is not the case. The overwhelming majority of victims are family members, followed by acquaintances. Sexual assault on strangers is a small fraction of offenders. Of the hundreds of young men that I have worked with, none of them found their victim at a playground, park, school, church, or bus stop. The vast majority of offenders are remorseful, treatable, and cooperative. When it's intra- familial, their families and their victims typically forgive them and participate in a healthy family recovery. Except to the extent that public safety is a concern, it is counterproductive for public policy (i.e. residency restrictions) to interfere with family recovery. If therapists, prosecutors, judges, and family members feel that it's appropriate for men to live in the community or with their families, residency restrictions should not dislocate men in recovery. If we could stop first time offenders, it would save millions of people from the tragedy of sexual assault. However residency laws target repeat sex -offenders. Such laws will have little effect on the incidence of sexual assault, while making it extremely difficult for offenders to make a successful recovery. Public policy should be commensurate with the risk for re -offending. For the most part we are doing that. Currently, all convicted sex offenders are being evaluated, referred for treatment, and generally on long-term supervision. Leveled sex offenders are identified by a multidisciplinary review of offenders. There are some offenders who are clueless, if not dangerous. They wash out of treatment, or worse, refuse to cooperate. Like the chronic drunk driver, we want to stop them before they do any more damage. With a 90%+ success rate we are effectively reducing repeat sexual assaults. From a public policy perspective, that is highly effective. Alcohol treatment, for example, has less than a 20% success rate. At some point in time we need to simply remove dangerous offenders from society. The system is also doing a fairly effective job of that through the targeting of Level 3 sex offenders and the careful use of sexual psychopath commitments. Both the Pioneer Press Editorial Board (3/30/2006) and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner (Pioneer Press 11/30/2004) have published well -researched and well -reasoned opinions about the issues of sex -offenders. The Council would be wise to incorporate such information into decision making about a sex -offender ordinance. The risk of repeat sex offenders, as a group, is greatly overblown and full of hyperbole. I trust that the Council's intention is to draft a cutting-edge ordinance, well defined, targeting just the intended population, while minimizing unintended consequences. However residency laws will do almost nothing to make the community safer and will have serious, counterproductive, unintended consequences. It is poor public policy to suggest that a bad sex offender ordinance is better than no sex offender ordinance. Dangerous individuals should be carefully excised from society through careful judicial review, not by dropping an atomic sex offender bomb on the city of Maplewood. Thank you. Jon Brandt 2837 Southlawn Drive Maplewood, MN 55109 651-777-5004 88 M THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2006 _ SPAR RIDDER PUBLISHER EDITORIALS DEALING WITH SEX OFFENDERS `Safe zones' won't make your kids any safer What would you think if your city council told you that it was going to pass a law that not only encourages sex offenders to go underground and avoid registering with police, but provides no guarantee that your children will be any safer? We suspect most people would be outraged. But that's what's being proposed in Maplewood. The City Council is proposing to create "safe zones," imagi- nary 2,000 -foot perimeters around schools and day-care centers that would purportedly keep sex offenders away from children. While the desire in every community to protect children is per- fectly rational, this is a clear example of government doing "something" instead of doing something smart and effective. Why? Because evidence suggests that these ordinances have exactly the opposite effect that's intended IOWA PROSECUTORS: LAW DOESN'T WORK The Maplewood ordinance is based upon an Iowa law. But the lowa County Attorneys Association recently asked Iowa's Legislature to rescind the law, passed in June, because it "does not provide the protection that was originally intended." The group recommends replacing it with "more effective protective measures." Indeed, the attorneys PROPOSED MAPLEWOOD note that there is "no cor- relation between residen- SAFE ZONE" ORDINANCE' cy restrictions and reduc- ing sex offenses against n Leve12 or Level 3 sex children or improving the offenders whose victims were safety of children." That's younger than 16 could not live largely because children within 2,000 feet of a school or are most likely to be day-care center. abused by someone they ■ It would prohibit property know, rather than a owners from renting to certain; stranger wandering onto offenders and hold landlords the playground. liable for violations. The attorneys noted r it would bar offenders from "80 to 90 percent of sex distributing tandyon crimes against children Halloween or dressing up in are committed by a rela- Santa Claus or Easter Bunny tive or acquaintance who costumes. has some prior relation- ship with the child and access to the child that is not impeded by residency restrictions. Only parents can effec- tively impede that kind of access." More alarming yet: Iowa police are finding that the legislation "is causing offenders to become homeless, to change residences without notifying authorities of their new locations, to register false addresses or to simply disappear." Iowa has about 6,000 reg- istered sex offenders. The number that was unaccounted for when the law took effect in June was 142; it has since doubled to 298. "The resulting damage to the reliability of sex offender reg- istry does not serve the interests of public safety," the Iowa attor- neys said. That last point is important, particularly for Minnesota. Despite the outrage over the Dru Sjodin case, Minnesota does pretty well at treating and tracking sex offenders, especial- ly the most dangerous ones who are likely to re -offend. In the first year that they're out of jail, they're under intensive super- vised release. That means a Department of Corrections officer can call on them any time day or night, and they visit each of them at least four times a week. Furthermore, the caseload is restricted to 15 offenders per officer, so it is pretty intense super- vision. If offenders do well their first year out, they'll typically be downgraded to "enhanced" supervision, meaning the caseload goes up to 35 or 45 offenders per officer. The Legislature recently provided money for the manpower to do exactly this. And finally, there's regular supervised release, at 60 or 80 cases Per officer. u APPEALING, BUT IMPRACTICAL We're also concerned that these ordinances are not just too broad in terms of civil rights, but in terms of allowing any sex offenders to live in these communities. In a 2003 report (see the Web address below), the Department of Corrections found that a proposed 1,500 -foot restriction would make it almost impossible for a sex offender to live anywhere in Minneapolis. While that may be appealing to some communities, it's clear that it would be unworkable if every town in the state started passing these ordinances. In short, Minnesota does pretty well managing offenders now. Yes, we need to keep very close tabs on these people. They're some of our most heinous offenders. But legislation like that proposed in Maplewood won't make us any safer. It'll only make us feel that way — for a while. ■Department of Corrections report, from 2003: www.doc,state.mn.us/pqblications/legislitivereporWpdf/, 2004/Lvl %203%20SEX%200FFENDERS°/o2Oreport%202003% 20(revisecl %202=04). pdf ■ letter from Iowa County Attorneys Association: Go to www.Twin.Cities.com and click on "Opinion" to read the letter." TRIED AND NOT TRUE "People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election." Otto von Bismarck, German chancellor, 1815-1898 Told -iHioi VV r u j iv f J= TUESDAY, !YpVEMbER 30, 2004 +170 Facing the facts about six o itenders n the wake of Dra y .iodin's kidnap - ,(sing one year ago, public policymakers vowed to fix the sys- tem that somehow y, allowed this horn- �. ble crime to happen. That reform was. SUSAN n't accOmplished GAERTNER during the 2004 leg- islative sessiatt, What occurred was tense, emotional and partisan standof With the 2005 session approaching, ou policymakers have a chance to put the Political posturing behind theca and jualo sorne needed changes in the law. Its tim( to focus on frank, honest discussion abou this terribly important imuie. As a starting Point, let's acknowledg( that we can't send every sex offender away for life. We can't afford it, and it doesn't make sense anyway. Rverybody agrees that soave dangerous. sex offenders dont ever belong on the streets -- at least not for a very, very long time. That's not debat- able Our laws should be strengthened to protect us from these predators. The problem is, some people talk as though every sex offender is an Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., Sjodin's alleged killer. If that were so, the solution would be easy. Just lock 'era all up and throw away the key. The bet is, most sex offenders don't lit Rodriguez's alleged criminal profile. Con- sider the following facts: ■ Stranger abductions and assaults are relatively) rare Only 5 percent of sex Offenders sentenced in Minnesota in 20x2 were strangers to their victim& The vast majority of uses irrvolve acquaintances or fly members. a Sex offenders don't always re -offend. Only 5.3 percent of violent sex offenders committed new sex crimes within three Years of their release from prison, accord- ing to a recent study by the U.S. Tustice Department, ■ Most sex offenders aren't violent rapists. They include the 18 -year-old youth W110 has sex with his underage girlfriend and the first-time offender who makes unwelcome sexual advances on a date. These are serious matters. They call for Appropriate consequences. But lengthy Prison sentences aren't always the answer. It's easy to focus solely on high-profile cases like Rodriguez. It grabs headlines, and it doesn't require a lot of thought,13ut this approach diverts public attention from far more complex and difficult issues. Many of theta center on this reality: Soon- er or later, most convicted sex offenders Will be back in society. We need to deal with that fact Any politician who denies it just isn't being honest. Some lower -level sex Offenders get jail time and probation. in IiI of nrtonn t0/zo•d Approximately s ow such offenders are ion probation in our state, Other offenders are sentenced to prison and eventually gain release. Today, 13,524 registered s(M offenders are living in Minnesota commu- nities. An effective sex offender policy must focus oa minimizing the risk from all of these offenders — not just the "worst of the worst," Our strategy must recognize the importance of effective treatment and supervision — the two primary tools to protect the public from predatory offend- ers fn our community, We should evaluate what works and what doesn't -- and then target our limited public resources into the most effective programs. We also need to be honest about options for protecting against the worst Offenders. Civil comrnitment is an excel- lent tool in a narrow range of cases. Unfor- tunately, some political leaders have creat• ed wildly high expectations for thif: process, The fact is, the Iegal standard tc, indefutitely WmWit a sex offender to a. state hospital is very, very high.. I learned KNIGHT R!DOER TRIBUNE sanally handled Dennis Linehan's commit- ment — the first case tried urxlel, the state's Sexually Dangerous P01.8n11S Act. We can and should commit those offend- er's who meet the strict legal limits. At best, however, this process will affect only a small pemntage of cases_ In my view, the best way to protect the Public from dangerous predators is to enact Indeterminate sentencing, Instead of receiving a .fixed prisonsentence, an offender would receive a minimurn and maximum sentence, For first-degree crimi- nal sexual conduct, the range might. be from 12 to 50 years_ This stiN'tem would allow well -informal devh:iani, �Ihuut the safety of releasing individuol nfferders into the community, I am hopeful that stUc: policymakers Will thoughtfltlly consider the full range of sex offender issues In the monlbs ahead. We need to ratchet down the rhetoric and adopt sound policies that minimize the risk from all sex offenders, What better legacy for Dr!1 Sjodin? 90 : bZ 90IM–OT-NciJ Greg & riett�i Copeland GS 1 --'7'7c - 7894 a lee -a te I 'Ixfv 612 East Cook Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 65101 a 651-776-7894 • gcopeland911@aol.com EDUCATION Harmine University, St Paul, Minnesota a The Graduate School of Public Administration and Management Graduate Studies in Master of Arts in Public Administration Program St Leo University, St Leo, Florida s B.A., Cum Laude, May, 1976. Political Science a Editor, St Leo College Newspaper, THE MONARCH • Abbott Marion Bowman Activities Award, '1976 a Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges, 1975 and 1976 Kearsarge Regional High School, North Sutton, New Hampshire A Graduated, June, 1972 a Kearsarge Regional High School Student Organization Award, 1972 EXPERIENCE Liberty Resources Corporation, St Paul, Minnesota a President. Consulting services in government relations; program planning, management and evaluation; public affairs communications and marketing; and grant writing. Independent General Lines Insurance Agent, Spring Hill, Florida �► Self Employed. Specialized in marketing health maintenance organization plans to Medicare beneficiaries and small business owners. July, 1987 -June, 1992. Private Industry Council of Pasco County, Inc, Port Richey, Florida a Public Relations Specialist. Responsible for the development and execution of the marketing and public relations plan for this employment training organization. Corporate spokesman. Developed all advertising and produced ail marketing materials used by the corporation to solicit job training contracts, with area businesses and to recruit trainees for placement inff) employmerit and training opportunities. Coordinated all corporate special events. Public speaker at schools, businesses and community organizations. Febrw-.-iry,1985-June,1987 . o Contract Compliance Monitor Responsible for Federal Job Training and Partnership Act, (DTPA), contract monitoring for fiscal and programmatic compliance. Conducted performance evaluations of the Private Industry Council's On -the -Job, Classroom and Customized Training Programs. Uctober.1904-January,1985 Mid Florida Community Services, Brooksville, Florida a Deputy Director, Community Action Agency. Responsible for fiscal and programmatic planning, preparing all grant applications, contract negotiation and supervision of program managers for this multi -county service organization. Full responsibility for development and implementation of the agency's public relations program to reach its constituency of local elected officials, state and federal legislators, business, civic organizations and targeted service population groups. Assisted the executive director in staff hiring and evaluation. Responsible for evaluation of programs; Head Start, Job Training Partnership -Act. Older Arrrericons Act, Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Day Care, Congregate Dining and Community Care for the Elderly. April,1979 - July -1982. Greg & Betty Corel and G 5 1 W? -"f 094 h' 3 Daily Sun Journal, Brooksville, Florida *Staff reporter. Reported on all aspects of local and state politics including the School Board, Board of County Commissioners and Regional Planning Council. April 1976 to July 1978. Won Newsmaker Award, 1978 presented by the Florida Teaching Profession - National Education Association (FTP -NEA) for outstanding reporting. APPOINTED AND ELECTED PUBLIC SERVICE St Paul Charter Commission, St Paul, MinneUota 0 Commissioner since 1996. Chairman from September, 20001 to June, 2002. The Charter Commission reviews and analyzses governmental issues and public concerns regarding proposed ch::ingvs to the St Paul City Charter. rhe Commission serves to encourage citizen participation in city government_ As Charter Commission Chairman, supervised consultants and staff in redistricting the seven City Council wards in 2002. Appointed by Ramsey County (District Court Chief .fudge in 1996. Reappointed to a second four year term in 2000 and third term in 2004. Served as Vice Chairman of the Commission from 1998 to 2000. Minnesota Emergency Energy Assistance advisory Council, St Paul, Minnesota Appointed by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce in 2002 as Consumer Representative to advise the Commerce Department on legislative and regulatory policies on low income energy assistance programs. City of St Paul Capital Improvement Budget Committee, CiB, St haul, Minnesota Vice Chair CIB Committee in 1998 grid 2000 The cm Committee evaluates St Paul's $60 million annual Capital Improvement Budget projects and recommends a final list of projects to the Mayor and City Council. Vice Chair of the Capital Maintenance Committee and served on the Residential and Economic Development Task Force and Streets and Utilities Task Force. Appointed by Mayor Coleman in 1994 and reappointed in 1997. Pasco- Hernando Community College, Trustee, (".lade City, Florida Gubernatorial Appointment 1981--1985. Hernando County Commissioner, Brooksville, Florida. Elected 19$2-1984. St Leo Town Commissioner, St Leo, Florida. Elected 1974-1976. VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATiONS Energy Cents Coalition, St Paul, Minnesota Board member since 1994. Vice President 2001 to 2005, President from 1997-2001. This statewide coalition of low incorne consurners, senior citizens, charities. churches, Indian tribes and community action agencies advocates for affordable utility rates for low and fixed income people by encouraging their participation in public policy. Speaker at 1998 National Low iric;arr+ Energy Conference in New Orleans, LA Greg & k3eatty C ore l and r�5 1 4 Payne -Phalen District Five Planning Council, St Paul, Minnesota Elected to Board of Directors, April, 1994, AphI1998 and April,2000. President, May, 1995 to September,1996. As President championed removal of Arlington House, a 20 bed rooming house and long term neighborhood nuisance, for redevelopment by the city, county and Habitat for Humanity into affordable housing. Selected by the District Five Board of Directors to be named to the Mayors' St Paul Neighborhood Honor Roil in 1998. Block Club Leader Established Cook -Lawson Block Club, April, 1993. Wrote a successful Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization, STAR Grant, for $15,000 to remove a burned vitt home in 1995.This was later accomplished without use of any public funds and the STAR Grant funds were returned to the city ;and the property remains on the tax roil to this day. Neighborhood Energy Consortium, NEC:, St Paul, Minnesota Member of the NEC Board of Directors, The NEMC operated the city wide curbside recycling program in St Paul. Served as the Chair of the Public Policy Committee. Appointed by District Five? Planning Council June,19` 4 through January, 2000. Hennepin - Ramsey County Attorneys' Nuisance Property `Cask Force Court Reform Sub Committee=, August 1996. This group of landlord, tenant and neighborhood crime prevention associations proposed legislation to the 1997 legislative session dealing with chromic drug dealing and nuisance properties. Phalen Corridor Initiative, St. Paul, Minnesota Member Phalen Corridor Steering Committee, Phalen Corridor Advisory Committee, Phalen Corridor Environmental Impact Staternent (EIS) Committee. 1995-1996. Brain Injury Association of Minnesota Government Relations Committee, 1994. (Drafted legislation to expand and improve public services to persons with Traumatic Brain Injury (-TI31). Organized the first Minnesota Legislative Conference for TBI Service Providers at the Courage Center, Family Council Coordinator, Dayton's Bluff Con-irliunity Care CeritF-r. The Family Council serves as an advocate for fran"Iiiies with merribers in residence at this skilled nursing facility. The Council works with management to plan and monitor service delivery; to identify and resolve instiftitional proble nl$; to inform families of public policy issues and provide educational pro grarns..1993-19115- Ramsey County Human Services Strategic, Planning Committee, St haul, Minnesota Appointed by Ramsey County Board, July 1994. Mid Florida Area Agency on Aging, Gainesville, l•-1orrraa Board of Directors, 1986-1992. Hernando County Mental Health Center, Inc, Brooksville, Florida Board of Directors, 1982-1990. Board Chair, 1987-1990. Spring Hill Civic Association, Inc, Spring Hill, Florida Served three terms as President, 1979,1986, and 1987 of this 4000 member organization. Active at all levels of government as an advocate for more than 35,000 residents of this unincorporated 15,000 acre planned community. Lead successful campaigns to finance and ir►stall fire hydrant: and street lights throughout the community. Intervened at the Florida Public Service: Commission to sucre::svlully oppose a million dollar rate increase on residents by the developer owned water/sewer utility.