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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-08-27 CC MIN Special Meeting7 • • • 1'1 w COUNCIL CHAMBERS Stillwater, Minnesota SPECIAL MEETING The meeting was called to order by Mayor Junker. Present: Councilwoman Bodlovick, Councilmen Harry Peterson, Roger Peterson, Powell and Mayor (The Mayor left at 4:45 P. M.) Absent: None Also Present: City Clerk, Schnell, Finance c Public Safety, Abrahamson; Fire Chief, Chial; Firefighters- Gordon Seim, Jack Sherin, Bob Barthol, Bernard Peltier, Dick Colemier, Kevin Charlsen. Police Officer, Larry Dauffenbach Citizens: Jim Gannon, Owen Thomas, Ed Cass, Paul Liberty, Paul Williams MAYOR JUNKER announced that this meeting was called for discussion between the City Council, Mr. Kriesel, Mr. Magnuson, the Fire Department and the Police Department - there will be no repremands at this time - he did not want any arguments and that the discussion is to be limited to one hour. It was stated by several of the Council members that the purpose of this meeting was to come up with some guidelines for riot control so that there would be the proper cooperation should another incident arise. GORDON SEIM felt that each department has separate obligations and that if their equipment was tied up in this riot then they would not have been able to serve the rest of the community in the case of a fire. He stated that the two depart - could work that beefed up. DAVID CHIAL stated this was the first time for something like this - felt that they should have had notification earlier in the evening and other personnel could have been notified along with the other department heads and the Council - there should be a plan for something like this so that no one gets hurt - a disaster plan should be set up. CHIEF ABRAHAMSON stated that he just does not have the manpower to take care of such situations - the reason that he called was to get another officer out of a difficult situation and they had even thought about using tear gas. He felt that the police officers that were down there did a good job, but felt that they could have done a better job with having a fire truck parked down there or some other truck to block the street. He is in hopes that some of the members will volunteer to take riot -mob taining. He felt that they should have a policy for the chain of command. He stated that he did call the Mayor and that he was notified. COUNCILMAN ROGER PETERSON stated that there is nothing to say that this cannot happen again and with the large numbers at the Boom Co. and when they come out on the street after closing that is when the problems begin - they control what happens on the inside. There is a need for a plan of action to handle a similar situation should it arise and there is nothing which could prevent - that the police feel the Fire Department should do and what the Fire Department feels the police should do. COUNCILMAN POWELL felt that what the Council could do is limit the sale of beer considerably and also to examine the liquor license for the Boom Company and felt that this should relieve the main cause. MR. ABRAHAMSON felt that this whole thing was blown up so far out of proportion as to the "rip-rap" between the chiefs - it was a learning experience for the Police Department and that they did a good job. He asked for some clarification of the resolution pertaining to the Public Safety Director's duties. BOB BARTHOL stated that they would do their best, but that they are not trained to turn fire hoses on people and did not feel that this was the way to take care of a crowd. MR. MAGNUSON explained the contents of Resolution No. 4419 and cited from Section 144 and 15; of the City Charter and 1 stated that the Public Safety Director is the supervisor of the Fire Department. He stated that the question was whether their excuse (The Fire Department employees) was justifiable in not the should with their be n thefuture. 381 • • August 27, 1979 4:30 P. M. 4 9 • • • ' (3 • , August 27, 1979 COUNCILMAN ROGER PETERSON felt that the Council, the Fire Department and the Police Department should each come up with some procedures and if there are some in existence at the present time that they be updated and then all of these put together to come up with something that is workable. Discussion was held about when there was a change made in having the Fire Chief pull regular shifts and Mr. Chial stated that he works the regular daytime hours in order to do the inspections with the Building Official. COUNCILMAN HARRY PETERSON read Resolution No. 4419 at this time and it was his feeling that the duties of the Public Safety Director were clearly defined in said resolution. DICK COLEMIER asked if they would be considered peace officers, that is the members of the Fire Department and MR. MAGNUSON stated that they could be deputized as citizens, but he could not comment on the advisability of that. CHIEF ABRAHAMSON stated that measures have already been taken for next year's Lumberjack Days and have plans for some road blocks to take care of such situations. The firefighters are not there as police officers and they don't want to have a part of riot control other than stressing fires - that is the way it is going to be in Stillwater. On motion of Councilman Roger Peterson, seconded by Councilman Powell, the Council instructed the Director of Public Safety to provide the Council with copies of the plan of action and request that the Fire Chief and the City Council also to request each of bhese departments and individuals to come up with updated suggestions to this plan of action as quickly as possible. DISCUSSION Paul Williams asked about the plan that was in effect and how long it was in effect and was it follwed and MR. ABRAHAMSON responded that it was about eight years old and was not followed in this instance. VOTE ON THE MOTION - (all in favor) The meeting adjourned at 5:25 P. M. Attest: ,e. tip Clerk Mayor R^1 • • • • • .