Police Advisory Commission Agenda 04-14-2004AGENDA
MONTICELLO POLICE COMMISSION
Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 7 p.m.
1. Call to Order
2. Approve minutes of November 19, 2003.
3. Review and discussion of Groveland Park survey results
4. Review of enforcement activities done by Sheriff's Department in conjunction with state
snowmobile grants.
5. Review of ATV use in city parks.
6. Update by Sheriff's Department on activities for last quarter.
7. Adj ourn
MINUTES
QUARTERLY MEETING - MONTICELLO POLICE COMMISSION
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 --7 p.m.
Members Present: Dick Slais, Brian Stumpf
Members Absent: Jon Hoff, Dave Gerads, Brad Fyle
Others Present: City Administrator, Rick Wolfsteller, Patrol Division Lieutenant Dan
Anselment, Sergeant Mike Evan and Deputy Joe Hagerty.
4.
Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. It was noted that a quorum was not in attendance so
no official action was to be taken by the Commission.
Approval of minutes of Julv 16, 2003 Police Commission meetine.
Tabled.
Consideration of recommendations on Police Commission appointments.
It was noted that terms of Commission members Dick Slais and Dave Gerads will expire on
December 31, 2003 and a recommendation could be made to the City Council for individuals
who are interested in being reappointed. Mr. Slais noted he would be willing to serve again for
another three year term and the City Administrator was asked to contact Mr. Gerads to see if he
would be interested in serving another term.
Discussion with Sheriffs Department on possible service level chane_ es if City_ Brows
throueh annexation.
Commission members reviewed with Sheriff Department representatives proposed annexation
area that could add up to 11,500 acres to the City in the near future. Discussion occurred on
what type of service levels would be anticipated in this newly annexed area compared to the
rest of the City and it was noted by Dan Anselment that it was likely additional 8 hour shift
would be required by the City to provide adequate coverage for this area. This could amount to
$130,000 or more to the contract for this additional coverage. It was also noted that if the
annexation did take place, the Sheriff's Department would look at the number of calls that have
occurred in the past from this area and make a recommendation to the Police Commission and
City Council on what they feel would be an appropriate level of service to add to the contract.
5. Update by Sheriffs Department on activities for last Quarter.
Sheriff's representatives provided to the Commission members quarterly and year-to-date
reports showing calls for service in both the City and in the Township. It was noted that the
City of Monticello currently has about four times the amount of calls for service compared to
Police Commission Minutes - 11/19/03
Monticello Township but they have not done a breakdown on the calls for service in the area
that would be proposed for annexation. Considering that the annexation area has a higher
density of dwelling units, it was assumed that possibly two-thirds or more of the calls occurred
in the annexed area supporting their earlier suggestion that an additional patrol officer would
likely be needed for 8 hours a day if this property was annexed into the City.
6. Adiourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
r,
Recording Secretary V
2
Police Commission Agenda - 4/14/04
3. Review and discussion of Groveland Park survey results. (RW)
A. REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND:
The Groveland residential housing development located south of Gould Brothers Chevrolet and
west of TH 25 is in its final phase of development. The Monticello Parks Department has been
working on plans for developing the parks within Groveland for the residents and has recently
completed a survey of area residents asking what type of facilities they would like to see the parks
have and also whether they have experienced any problems with activities in the parks. One of
the reasons for the survey was to not only find out what type of playground equipment and
structures the residents would like to see but also to address some complaints the City has received
from property owners next to some of the parks on juvenile activities that are occurring.
A copy of the survey results are enclosed for the commission's review and the Parks Commission
ask that the Police Commission review the questionnaire with the Police Department
representatives to make everybody aware of some of the concerns that are noted and to discuss
whether there is anything additional the Police Department should be doing regarding these
concerns. I believe it is the Parks Commission's belief that as the parks are further developed and
more usage occurs by area residents, some of things noted in the survey regarding activities by
youth including foul language and vandalism will likely decrease.
No specific action is requested at this time other than to review the comments and hear any
suggestions the Sheriff's Department representatives might have.
B. SUPPORTING DATA:
Copy of survey results
CITY OF MONTICELLO
GROVELAND PARK SURVEY RESULTS
Survey Deadline: March 22, 2004 Total Surveys Received: 56
QUESTION #1:
Please place a number in the box of the amenities you would like to see constructed in the park
Number one for the first pick and two for the second and so on. (The results are as follows):
x _'r'b �cZ� t"C•Yy'F„� y�t'�"'� :w Y''Y.-u..t}.•' + ��� ��ir' �r,� s ,., 51 '", i l i 5'��4 J' k �. i„Y . � .��k... {p��,+���'�f:'}�^ i' L..��.((�uM1af�'nk4 � � i't
CHOICE DESCRIPTION#Ei F y5 All d WI�J/L. 3�
NO FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS
5
1
1
2
1
3
4
BASKETBALL COURT
15
16
4
4
3
1
2
BATHROOMS W/PICNIC SHELTER
191
10
2
4
2
3
1
PICNIC SHELTER ONLY
61
5
71
2
5
4
1
GAZEBO
-I
10
171
6
2
1
--
PARKING LOT
21
4
61
6
6
3
3
OTHER*
91
8
71
5
1
2
1
*NOTE: "OTHER" CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING:
ICE SKATING RINK/WARMING HOUSE 9
BALLFIELDS g
TENNIS COURTS 6
BENCHES 4
PET/DOG AREA 2
TREES 2
ARCHERY RANGE 1
GRILLS 1
HORSESHOE PITS 1
MORE EQUIPMENT 1
PLANTINGS 1
SAND IN PLAYGROUND 1
SAND VOLLEY BALL COURT 1
TIRE SWING 1
TOT LOT (6 & UNDER) 1
QUESTION #2:
When would you like to see these amenities added to the park? (The results are as follows):
(CHOICE DESCRIPTION '' I- YATES:
AS SOON AS FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE I 42I
OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS 7
OTHER* g
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*NOTE. "OTHER" CONSISTED OF.,
NEVER 4
WAIT AND SEE HOW IT GOES 1
AS LONG AS TAXES AREN'T RAISED 1
QUESTION #3:
There are concerns of some children's behavior at the playground. What are your concerns and
what can we do to help? (The responses are as follows and are in no particular order of
importance):
1. No teenagers hanging around with their foul language.
2. The older kids are very intimidating to the smaller children and their parents. Climbing on top of equipment,
foul language and rough housing. My children will not be able to go to the park with a baby sitter unless I
see improved behavior. They will only be going with me or my husband.
3. Concems are unattended children swearing and throwing wood chips and destroying playground equipment.
4. Strongly against any kind of picnic and shelter area. People who live in this neighborhood would then have
to deal with all the additional traffic and many other problems it would bring.
5. Have not had concerns. I think parents are over -reacting. I don't have kids but kids over 12 have to go
someplace too. I think parents with younger children don't want older kids there.
6. Have not been able to utilize facility due to the winter months. Will monitor.
7. Vandalizing houses around park, noise level, safety and lighting around playground and bathrooms. Motion
lights on buildings or lights on at night. More trees. Provide safety at the park such as have a side on the
park.
8. My concems are about the children in the 9 - 13 year range. There were several times we -were at the play
equipment and the older children were using foul language, fighting and riding their bikes on some dirt hills
they had made. I'm worried they will vandalize the play equipment because they don't have a "spot" to ride
and play.
9. 1 would love to get an area for a baseball field or basketball courts set up to keep them busy.
10. No smoking signs. Recycling for bottles.
11. We have none. We think the park is a great idea. There is always going to be behaviors with children at
parks. We can't let one person and their opinion stop stuff at the park. It's a great thing for this area, a place
for kids to go and be kids. Please still add the park.
12. Neighborhood Watch!
13. 1 would prefer to keep the park "as -is". I feel that it is an invasion of strangers and possible predators to our
neighborhood. I also feel the Park Board should build a fence around the areas they want to invade.
14. 1 have heard from other parents about the concems of older children swearing and throwing rocks at the play
equipment. These children were reported to be older than the maximum age forthe equipment. You could
try posting some signs or have the park monitored periodically to keep a limit on this type of behavior. The
play equipment should be for younger children to safely enjoy and not a "hang out" for teenagers!
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15. 1 have read the concerns that were distributed but believe the benefit far outweighs the issues presented.
16. Hours should be posted and if any issues arise, that may require further community involvement.
17. Noticed confrontations between teenagers and younger children.
18. Not encourage further problems by constructing additional amenities. It is insane to expect anyone to have
to listen to screaming, swearing kids all day from sun up to sun down, all summer long. We do not want this
outside our windows! How would you like it? These are not called improvements... they are called NOISE
MAKERS AND DISTRACTIONS!! Instead of more amenities, use the money to move the playground to a
location where fewer residents will be bothered by noise.
19. 1 am concerned about increased traffic in my yard and increased noise. You can keep the number of items
built away (200 ft) from property lines. Which would keep people in the middle of the park. If basketball
courts, bathrooms and more are built, help me pay for a fence.
20. Kids will find other areas to cause "trouble" in. That's a given, so parents should take responsibility on that.
I'm only worried that the wrong kind of people will lurk inside a bathroom facility. Also, how often would they
be cleaned? A parking lot would look funny in our small neighborhood. It would also stink to live right by
it!
21. Please remove the three large items in the grass. We are not sure what they are (they look like a roof of
something) but they are an eyesore and could potentially be dangerous for children. They have been there
since we moved here in July 2002.
22. Don't think there is much that can be done other than police patrolling every once in a while it really is the
parents responsibility. Please don't put in permanent bathrooms, it usually creates safety, problems. Porta -
potties would be better - people don't "hang out" there.
23. Traffic, a 4 -way stop, controlled intersection needs to be in place at Innsbrook/Woodside Drive and.
Savannah Dr. Also with traffic, the speed limit should be dropped to 20 mph.
24. Children that are a problem in the park should be barred from the park. Some say that it should -be for pre-
schoolers. If this is the case then the park should be removed altogether. There are some people here that
want the park ruled to them. Children will always fight and they get over it, adults don't.
25. Need to provide basketball, etc. for older kids so they don't bully other younger children. They will take over
the play equipment. I feel they have a right to be there too but they need something to do!
26. Kids will be kids, it is the parents responsibility to watch their kids. My one concern is people drive fast down
Innsbrook and Park Place Drive. We need more signs telling people to slow down "Children At Play" and
more speed limit signs. Otherwise, thanks for the park!
27. I'm afraid kids will hang out and cause trouble if there's a restroom. Kids might paint graffiti on walls, over-
flow toilets and bum garbage cans. Kids might come from far away to hang out at a parking lot to party,
drink and smoke pot.
28. Unsupervised children!
29. No concems at this time.
30. 1 have seen older (10 -13 years old) boys/girls just being plain wild on the playground equipment. Crawling
on top of the equipment, not caring about the younger children playing on the playground equipment. This
equipment may be destroyed if this happens often. This park should be patrolled in the evenings. I'd like
to see the park close at 9 p.m.
31. Parents need to quit using it as a baby sitter and supervise their own children.
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32. No bathrooms please. I feel that by having a place for older kids to hideout that they might do worse things.
33. Last summer whenever I went to the playground with my 2 -year old, there were older kids running around
playing tag. They would jump over my son and made the trip to the playground a lot less enjoyable. Also,
they would run up and down the slides, not paying attention to the kids who were there to use them the right
way. I heard a lot of swearing too. I did tell them once that I was concerned about the safety of small
children but they kept playing.
34. Parenting issues. You can't make parents care about their kids. Parents should go with their kids to the
park. Maybe distribute a notice on expected behavior at the park and actions that will be taken (i.e., littering
- clean park; damage property - fix it) call police - neighborhood watch.
35. Signage.
36. No concerns at all. We think it is an excellent idea and would add to the appeal of Groveland. It should be
up to the parents to control their kids, it's not the City's problem.
37. 1 am concerned about older children "hanging out" there and bothering younger kids. I've heard stories of
swearing, loud music, etc. What we can do to help ... I think parents need to be responsible for their own
kids. You can't always be there but keep an eye on the situation. Other parents watching also. My kids
won't go alone. It's a great park.
38. As parents we just need to monitor our children better. I am very irritated with some of my neighbors who
want to stop the park project just because kids misbehave. A park is a huge benefit to the neighborhoodI
39. 1 want to express my concerns about a bathroom. I feel there is no need for one. Most people using the park
live very close by. I think having any enclosed or private area is asking for trouble. It's -a place where kids
can be lured into without anyone noticing. I think a bathroom would be dangerous.
40. Our concerns are that people who live close to the park (which they knew was going in) will complain about
everything and nothing else will be added.
41. Just the above mentioned children.
42. Some of the older kids use foul language and disrespect adults. However, I have told the kids I will call the
police and always have my phone. Maybe a sign with the police non emergency number listed so they
understand more people will do the same.
43. Don't know. Low light levels?
44. Make the parents responsible.
45. No adult supervision, disrespecting adults present, indecent exposure, pulling down shorts of other kids,
destruction of property, offensive language and loud music, rock throwing at children, roller blades/skate
boards on equipment.
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QUESTION #4:
How often do you use the park? (The results are as follows):
CHOICE DESCRIPTION I VOTES
DONT USE IT 13
1 - 2 TIMES A WEEK 14
3 - 5 TIMES A WEEK 21
5 - 7 TIMES A WEEK 3
COMMENTS ON THIS QUESTION AREAS FOLLOWS:
*With a basketball court will use it 3 - 5 times a week
*When it's complete will use it 3 - 5 times a week
*Don't use it yet
*Just moved, will use park in summer
*Once per month
*During warmer weather use 1 - 2 times a week
*Have a toddler and expecting a baby, plan to use it a lot in the future
*Haven't gotten to use it yet but expect to use it 3 - 5 times a week
*Currently don't use, but expecting a baby so will use in the future
*Don't use but would if there were grass and trees to relax
*Use it with child but leave when older children are there
*Use it 1-2 times a week in winter and more in summer months
*No kids yet
*Haven't used it yet but plan to use it a lot in the summer
*Park is in back yard
*Have not been able to use yet due to winter months
*Use 5 - 7 times a week in summer
*We're new, haven't used it yet. Will in the spring
*This is an irrelevant question
*Didn't know it was there
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Police Commission Agenda - 4/14/04
4. Review of enforcement activities done by Sheriffs Department in conjunction with
state snowmobile Lyrants. (RW)
A. REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND:
Over the past few years, the City has received, in conjunction with the Wright County
Sheriff s Department, grants of $1,000 per year to help defray the cost of enforcement
activities relating to snowmobile operations. I believe the county sheriff department has a
special group of individuals who patrol and monitor snowmobile activities in various
communities using snowmobiles, and since the City of Monticello receives funding for
this that is turned over to the county sheriff to cover some of their cost, it might be
appropriate for the commission members to hear what type of activities and enforcement
issues are done in our community.
No other action is necessary by the Police Commission at this time other than to review
and hear an update on snowmobile enforcement issues.
Police Commission Agenda - 4/14/04
5. Review of ATV use in city parks. (RW)
A. REFERENCE AND BACKGROUND:
Recently it came to the city's attention that the Sheriff's Department had concerns on how
to deal with juveniles operating ATVS in city parks. The Sheriff's Department had been
getting numerous complaints about ATVS operating in parks and drainage areas in the
Groveland development and concerns were raised by the Sheriff's Department that it was
hard to obtain compliance and difficult to enforce the code if violated by the juveniles.
In reviewing the city ordinance with our city attorney, it appears that our ordinance is up
to date and can be easily used by the Sheriff's Department as an enforcement tool, just
like they would if a juvenile is operating a motor vehicle without a license. Our city code
does not allow recreational vehicles to be use in public parks, nor can they be operated on
public roads and right-of-ways without being properly licensed, etc.
If there are any concerns that Sheriff's Department representatives have regarding the city
ordinance prohibiting such use or if there is other discussion commission members would
like to have regarding recreational vehicle usage we could discuss it at this meeting
otherwise there isn't any action necessary.
STREET OR HIGHWAY: "Street or Highway" means the entire width between the
bouridary lines of any way or place when any part thereof is open to the use of the public
as a matter of right for the purposes of vehicular traffic.
ROADWAY: "Roadway" means the portion of the highway improved, designed, or
ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
RIGHT-OF-WAY: "Right-of-way" means the entire strip of land traversed by a highway
or street in which the public owns the fee or an easement for roadway purposes.
9-3-3: OPERATION OF A RECREATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE: It shall be unlawful to
operate a recreational motor vehicle within the city of Monticello:
(A) Within one hundred fifty feet (150') of a residence, or within one hundred fifty
feet (150') to three hundred feet (300') of a residence at speed in excess of ten (10)
miles per hour, except when loading, unloading, or testing the recreational vehicle
on the owner's property, and further excepting operation on an owner's property
where the owner lives immediately adjacent to property. on which it is lawful to
operate recreational vehicles.
(B) On publicly owned land, including school, undesignated park property,
playgrounds, recreation areas, and golf courses.
(C) In a manner so as to create a loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise which disturbs,
annoys, or interferes with the peace and quiet of other persons.
(D) On a public sidewalk or walkway provided or used for pedestrian travel.
(E) While under the influence of an intoxicating or alcoholic beverage or narcotics or
habit forming drugs.
(F) At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under all existing
circumstances.
(G) To operate or halt in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to endanger or
be likely to endanger any person or property or to cause injury or damage thereto.
(H) On any city street, state or county highway, or right-of-way without a valid
vehicle license to operate on said city street, state or county highway, or right-of-
way, except to cross said street, highway, or right-of-way at right angles thereto.
(I) To intentionally drive, chase, run over, or kill any animal, wild or domestic.
9-3-4: DESIGNATION OF PUBLIC AREAS FOR USE: The Council may designate areas for
use of recreational vehicles by approval of a majority of the members of the City Council
upon public notice being given.
MONTICELLO CITY ORDINANCE TITLE IX/Chpt 3/Page 2