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The proverbial political football which the future Lakes Area Police Department facility has become, is no closer to the end zone than it was a couple of years ago.  In the wake of the police commission meeting last week any opportunity for progress is now in Chisago City’s hands.  The Chisago City Council decided as a result of their recent informal work sessions;  to recommend Kraus Anderson consultants update cost estimates for the Chisago City potential site.

Lindstrom and its city council have already paid for analysis of feasibility and costs to retrofit the existing city hall/community center for police uses.  

Commenting to the police commission, Chief Schlumbohm said, “We are where Lindstrom was a couple years ago.”

The Chief added that the Chisago City Council realized in its work sessions the project budget numbers for the Chisago City possible location, on Karmel Avenue, were no longer current or comparable to what Lindstrom analyzed. He added, the council “...doesn’t want to decide based on a cocktail napkin (estimate)”

So, with Marie Rivers sitting in for Mark Anderson, the four commissioners approved giving Chisago City an undetermined timeframe for its analysis.

Lindstrom Mayor Judy Chartrand said she understands Chisago City wishing to refine costs in present day numbers and Commissioner Jeremy Dresel agreed as staff was directed to move the numbers review forward.

The police commission selected a city owned parcel on Karmel, next to the Chisago City Fire Hall, as a location for the new public safety facility over 10 years ago.  The commission worked with legislative lobbyists and caucus leaders to get the project about 50 percent funded in a state bonding bill. The state fiscal aid never materialized.  

New Lindstrom Police Commission members came on board through an election and a longtime commissioner passed away (the Chisago City Mayor) and gradually the concept of re-use of Lindstrom City Hall began to be promoted.  

Lindstrom paid the bill for analysis of the building’s potential for law enforcement operations, which has been received.  

Still, the questions remain such as:  where do Lindstrom administrative functions relocate to?  What site can be utilized as a new community center?  What is the city hall value and how much should taxpayers in the LAPD service area pay to acquire the site?

 In other business before the police commissioners: Schlumbohm reported there will need to be a special meeting to get into the 2027 budget. Health insurance plans and their costs are delayed in coming together. The police commission will meet to discuss budget specifics Wednesday July 29 at 5:30 at Chisago mCity Hall.

And, Chief Schlumbohm announced that the area’s law enforcement agencies  (sheriff and municipal) have selected a new “backbone” for a comprehensive I-T system.  ProPhoenix is selected as the hosting agency (for using the cloud to store data.)

Schlumbohm said he is making the commissioners “aware” and while he expects an investment of time and energy— making this happen should be budget neutral.  The system LAPD has utilized since 1999, is no longer well-supported technically. Having all the agencies on the same shared system is the endgame. 

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