DAYTON PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION                    CITY OF DAYTON

January 9, 2008                                                         HENNEPIN / WRIGHT COUNTY

7:00 P.M.                                                                                DAYTON, MN 55327

PRESENT:     Commissioners Richard Heeter, Tina Johnson, Anne Ziebell, Doug Hagel, Chief Richard Pietrzak, Asst. Fire Chief Gary Dotseth, Council Liaison Phil Forseth and minute taker Lynn Reichstadt  

ABSENT:  Public Works Superintendent Rick Hass

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 10, 2007

Commissioner Anne Ziebell asked if anyone had corrections. No corrections were noted.

MOTION:    I’ll make that motion to approve the minutes of October 10th, 2007

Motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Heeter

Ayes:   Ziebell, Johnson, Heeter, Hagel          Nays:   None       

Motion declared passed

REPORT TO COMMISSION:

FIRE DEPARTMENT: GARY DOTSETH

Assistant Fire Chief Gary Dotseth mentioned they were reposting for the position of Fire Chief.  The new election would be held on January 10^th.  The new fire truck is planned to be ordered in 2010 or 2011.  The Fire Department was made aware of another option.  Maple Grove may have 2 2006 engines for sale.  This would save the city a significant amount of money and is worth looking into. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT: CHIEF RICHARD PIETRZAK

Chief Pietrzak mentioned that the Administrative Tag Fines ended up at about $48,000 since the department began using them.  So far everything has gone smoothly with using them.  The Police Reserve has a new candidate, Nicole Labrosse, and there is also a new part-time officer candidate, Ed Subject.  Ed has worked for the City of Dayton previously and both will be a welcome addition to the department. 

Motion:           Motion to recommend Nicole Labrosse for the Police Reserve and Ed Subject for a part-time officer position.

Motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Hagel

Ayes:               Ziebell, Heeter, Johnson, Hagel

Nays:               None               Motion declared passed

LIAISON: COUNCIL MEMBER PHIL FORSETH

Council member Forseth mentioned that the council had its general beginning of the year meeting where they made commission liaison appointments.   Council Member Forseth will be the liaison to the public safety commission for the year 2008. 

OLD BUSINESS:

The commission discussed the draft Rental Property Ordinance. There was discussion about the concern of making this ordinance apply to owner occupied homes.   The commission discussed that the intention of this ordinance is to assure people have a safe place to live and to protect the city and neighbors from bad landlords.  The commission then discussed the importance of requiring egress windows for any lower level room that is rented for safety reasons.  There was discussion about whether this should be a requirement for owner occupied rental property.  The commission agreed that the property owner, when property is owner occupied rental property, should be required to obtain a license, but not have to have the inspection.  They would have to sign something making a declaration that any lower level rooms have windows that meet current building codes for a bedroom.  The commission decided to table this issue until the next meeting where they can review the draft ordinance again. 

There was discussion regarding hunting on Diamond Lake and our current weapons ordinance.  The commissioners agreed that the current ordinance is out of date and needs to be updated.  Chief Pietrzak mentioned he would like to see the city move to permit only hunting. There are not as many areas open to hunting as there were years ago and the Police Department responds to several complaints a year of people hunting on private land without permission. This would allow the Police Department to ensure people are hunting in an area where they are allowed to hunt. It was decided that a public hearing should be held so the residents, especially those around Diamond Lake, could voice their concerns and would help in deciding what changes need to be made to the ordinance.  This item will be tabled until after a public hearing is held.

The commission then discussed traffic concerns in the City of Dayton.  There was discussion about County Road 12 and Pineview Lane.  The commission is concerned about the sightlines at that intersection.  This issue has been discussed with Hennepin County and as of yet, they have not been willing to make any changes.  There was discussion about the fact that there are many intersections that need improvement and that the commission should prioritize these intersections.  There was also discussion about the new Crow River Bluffs addition and the increased traffic that will come to an already busy area.  Commissioner Ziebell asked if there will be turn lanes installed.  Council Member Forseth mentioned that with developments such as this, the turn lanes may be in the plans, but they may not be installed until towards the end of the project.  The commission agreed that they would like to be included in any planning such as this. 

Motion:  Motion to adjourn

Motion was made by Heeter, seconded by Johnson

Ayes:   Heeter, Johnson, Ziebell, and Hagel

Nays:   None               Motion declared passed

Approved: __________________________  Attest: _____________________________