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The four member Lakes Area Police Commission inched towards giving shape to the proposed new law enforcement facility for the Chisago City-Lindstrom shared police force.  

Commissioners voted January 10 to table action on a contract proceeding with  requests for proposals (RFP) for design of the building.  They agreed, however,  to a special meeting February 7,  to revisit the RFP action.  

The commission normally wouldn’t meet until March.

In the interim, city councils will be brought up to speed on the lobbying effort to win state bonding aid for the new facility, and councils will get estimates on operating cost estimates and learn about optional construction materials.

Consultants from Kraus Anderson have been studying what are now two year old facility plans and have been updating details.  The firm was asked to bring down the project cost and  calculate operating budgets for a new facility.  

The hard part is predicting inflation, which even in a normal economy is four to six percent, the consultants said.

The new public safety facility is getting a fresh look, due to newly seated Lindstrom council members and the new mayor having some discomfort with the facility and with how it would be paid for.  Lindstrom put the brakes on at approximately $9 million. The project options presented last week have grown in price due to inflation and affiliated supply chain and labor issues, and the commissioners heard that to bring down the price tag the square footage needs to be trimmed.

Kraus Anderson’s Dustin Phillips and Mike Phillips said there needs to be official discussion to revise the 18,700 square foot project by some 4,000 square feet.  

There can also be savings in systems, exterior finishes and use of precast and pre-engineered components.   These don’t get finalized until the RFP for design goes out and plans are finalized.  Even then, if the Police Commission doesn’t get the state aid of $4 million, there is no project.

The Governor released his list of preferred projects to be considered by the legislature for bonding bill inclusion, January 16. The Lakes Area Police facility was on the list seeking $4 million.  Last year, the facility was up for a third of project funding at $3 million.  Commissioners submitted this upcoming ask at $4 million— half of the goal for the project at $8 million, with each city pitching in $2 million instead of three.

(State Senate Committee members were scheduled to tour the Lakes Area Police facilities January 17. The tours are meant to view in person existing work conditions.)  Lakes Area Police really have no interview room, little storage and holding for evidence or suspects, security shortcomings and lacks efficiency in operations. 

The new headquarters is planned for near the fire hall on Karmel Avenue, in Chisago City.  The land was already city-owned so no loss of property tax results, and has sewer and water, and it is centrally located within the Lakes Area law enforcement service territory. It is also close to the impound lot.

The two cities merged their police operations 20 years ago and the commission is made up of two elected officials from each.  Lindstrom and Chisago City contribute to the budget 50-50.

Lakes Area Police offices are now in Lindstrom’s city hall.  

There had been discussion at earlier meetings about what could be done to improve the existing city hall space, as either an option to building new or as an interim solution. This aspect was not mentioned at last week’s meeting.

Lindstrom City Council liaison commissioner Brian Norelius questioned if everybody was okay with Kraus Anderson being chief construction consultants and later, construction managers. Norelius said there haven’t been any other quotes for these services reviewed.  

He also asked about revisions to the LAPD contract and when the commission will review how costs are to be apportioned.  “This  (RFP discussion last week) is seeming to put the cart before the horse,” he added.  

The two consultants offered to provide information about fees and their experience with other municipal projects Kraus Anderson has done.

Commissioners spoke highly of the company and Lindstrom city administrator Dan Undem said he has no concerns about proceeding with Kraus Anderson. Collecting other quotes and reviewing firms would just delay things and prices would increase, washing out any potential savings, he added.

The tentative timeframe for the project calls for May 2025 as the construction start— if the commission acts at the special meeting.

In other business, the commission accepted with regret the resignation of longtime reserve volunteer Dan Schmidt.  Chief Bill Schlumbohm said he was reliable and easy to work with.  He had contributed 775 hours to support department activities.

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