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csc-minutes-feb-1-21REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by Commissioner Kumagai. Roll Call Commissioners present: Gloria Kumagai, Secretary Andrew Wold Commissioners absent: None Council Member Present: Gillian Rosenquist Staff present: Jason Sturgis, Chief of Police Dave Kuhnly, Commander Amanda Johnson, Police Operations Supervisor Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Wold to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Wold to approve the November 25, 2020 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0. Agenda Item Chief’s Report/Staffing Projections for 2021 Chief Sturgis provided a department update. He reported staffing schedules and some operations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; patrol officers moved to team schedules for several months in 2020 and administrative staff and investigators have been working remotely since March. The department continues to host virtual monthly staff meetings and weekly department meetings. Most community events were cancelled in 2020, but some are anticipated to resume in 2021. Chief Sturgis reported the department is working with Hennepin County on an embedded social worker program and is exploring a partnership with Normandale Community College for an internship program. Chief Sturgis reported the department lost a couple recruits in 2020. There were six early retirements and another retirement is expected at the end of April 2021. Chief Sturgis stated there are nine February 1, 2021 – 9:00 am Public Safety Conference Room Golden Valley Police Department 7700 Golden Valley Road City of Golden Valley Civil Service Regular Meeting Minutes February 1, 2021– 9:00 am 2 candidates on the eligibility register, four of which started with the department on January 18th. A background investigation has been completed on the next candidate on the eligibility register and staff will be reaching out to the remaining candidates on the register to begin additional background investigations. Depending on the number of viable candidates remaining on the list in the next couple months, a new officer hiring process may be needed. Chief Sturgis advised the department is also exploring hiring additional community service officers or resource officers to handle certain types of calls that patrol officers currently handle. Commissioner Wold stated based on recent discussions at task force meetings, it does not appear a new commission will be formed to replace the Civil Service Commission. Commissioner Wold asked Chief Sturgis what kind of changes he would propose for the Civil Service Commission to allow the hiring process to be more fluid and expedite making hiring decisions if the Civil Service Commission remains in place. Chief Sturgis stated he would like to see a more open process where applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. He stated two candidates from the last process were high on other department hiring lists and having an open process and list would allow the department to move quickly in hiring and compete with other agencies who are interested in hiring the same candidates. Commissioner Wold requested Chief Sturgis consider changes that could be proposed to the legislature to revise the state statute pertaining to Civil Service Commissions that would allow the commission to be more fluid and better able to accommodate department hiring needs. Council Member Rosenquist informed Commissioner Wold it is important to be realistic about legislative priorities especially because they can take many years. She stated the City has already identified priorities and proposed them to our state representatives on issues like police arbitration reform and were advised that these will likely not gain traction this year given a divided legislature and urgent measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Council Member Rosenquist advised that the Council has already discussed the Civil Service Commission and members have agreed to eliminate it and move forward with a new commission. Council Member Rosenquist stated she is excited to work with the task force to re-imagine community involvement in public safety in a modern way and to replace the current structure with a new one that will serve the goals identified by the task force members. Commissioner Kumagai thanked Chief Sturgis for his openness with the commission and stated she especially appreciates the statistical and demographic data from the officer hiring process that was provided to commissioners. Election of Officers Per state statute, the commissioner in the last year of his/her term is the designated chair of the commission. Commissioner Kumagai will serve as chair beginning May 1, 2021. City of Golden Valley Civil Service Regular Meeting Minutes February 1, 2021– 9:00 am 3 Commissioner Kumagai nominated Commissioner Wold as secretary. Seconded by Commissioner Wold. Commissioner Wold was elected secretary by consensus. Commission Communications Adjourn Motion by Commissioner Wold to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 am. Seconded by Commissioner Kumagai. Motion carried 2-0. ________________________________ Gloria Kumagai, Acting Chair ______________________________________ Amanda Johnson, Police Operations Supervisor Gloria L. Kumagai (Apr 12, 2021 14:01 CDT) Gloria L. Kumagai