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.