---

The special workshop convened by the Lakes Area Police Commission ran about two and a half hours last week.  It was a good exercise in venting frustrations and sharing war stories about the years-long process creating a new facility plan.  But, it didn’t accomplish much in moving a new facility forward.  

The City of Lindstrom presented its priority next step  in the form of investigating an option to use Lindstrom City Hall for the police space.  The remodel of the building was supported as an option by Lindstrom city council, with the exception of David Waldoch. 

A drastically down-sized new facility in Chisago City, half of the identified working budget, is the second priority. 

Lindstrom Council wants to see if Lakes Area Police can utilize existing its city hall structure next to Lions Park, at a cheaper price-tag than the new public safety center proposed in Chisago City. 

The police commission members came to a consensus to study the city hall rehab concept.  However, Chisago City did not agree the police commission will help with the study cost.  And, there was reluctance expressed to use commission (two-city funds) to purchase the city hall for the department.

Chisago City Police Commission member Marie Rivers declared this new facility discussion has gone on for far too long.  The current lack of space and inefficiencies in the police operations mean “we can’t afford to do nothing.” 

And, Chisago City’s other commissioner Jeremy Dresel said Lindstrom may be frustrated (Press story Aug. 1)  with the process, but he too is frustrated with years of analysis, planning and personal involvement hours going down the drain.

Lakes Area police department has two members each from Lindstrom and Chisago City on the commission, which has been analyzing a new facility, studying and negotiating the location and a budget, for close to 10 years.  

Lakes Area Chief of Police Schlumbohm walked the members through the highlights of studies and analysis on buildings and land that were checked out, public sites where a new facility could be located,  and the reasoning for the ultimate selection— public property next to the Chisago City Fire Hall. 

The state legislature  was approached three times to earmark the project for an appropriation of capital project bonding proceeds.  The project was estimated at $8 to $9 million.

When the last request for $4 million in state aid fell through, the project became financially infeasible. 

The newly elected mayor and council members for Lindstrom used the opportunity to suggest the process undergo a re-do.   The City of Lindstrom has announced what it can put into a law enforcement facility is capped at $2 million, meaning the possible project needs to be carved down to about 4,000 square feet.  The original Karmel Avenue-fire hall lot facility was planned at 18,000 square feet or so.  

This provided vehicle storage, holding cell, evidence storage and training spaces.

The 4,000 square feet that is feasible now, is with Chisago City chipping in the same $2 million as Lindstrom.

Lindstrom officials noted the city hall offers 12,000 square feet.  To hire a remodel and materials analysis to put the law enforcement facility there will run $10,000 approximately.

Chisago City commission members and city administrator voiced their impression that Lindstrom’s stance is “disingenuous”  

Commissioner and now Interim Chisago City Mayor Jeremy Dresel,  commented it is tough to swallow when Lindstrom says it can’t spend more than $2 million on a police headquarters,  but certainly will end up needing a few million when faced with moving city hall operations somewhere else.  

Chisago City Administrator John Pechman pointed out that there was consensus for years,  that the police facility would be next to Chisago City Fire Hall.  He said Chisago City extended sewer and water and planned for this in “good faith”  The parcel is in the center of the police service territory and well positioned for future population growth.

If Lindstrom wants to investigate this city hall re-use study option, Lindstrom needs to do its own fact-finding, Pechman suggested.  

Chief Schlumbohm told commissioners staff is willing to work providing information for the two sides.  He simply looks forward to the police commission regaining confidence in the future by cementing its identity in a facility, and when staff have a decent work environment. 

Plus,  he said, “...it would be nice to just have everything in one space.”  Lakes Area Police in merging the two city departments, made due with placing operations, interview rooms,  and storage spread over four locations, the chief explained. Modern day Forensic equipment, the worsening of offender behaviors, safety and health standards and evidence handling regulations are only going to become more challenging. 

The normal meeting schedule for the police commission is every-other-month.  The chief pointed out, as food for thought,  there is money in the commission budget meant to start up an account for operations expenses, at what was planned to have been the new building. Each city contributes $20,000. If Lindstrom moves ahead on studying the city hall re-use this might be re-directed and would be sufficient to pay that consulting bill.

---