The Babbitt City Council heard a proposal on Tuesday evening from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office for potentially absorbing the Babbitt Police Department, due to the town’s difficulty in hiring a new police chief.
The job opening has been up for several months, with no applications received.
Sheriff Gordan Ramsey began the presentation with, “We’ve lost 11 police departments in the county over the last few decades; which comes at a significant cost to the county because we have to cover those places.”
The current budget for the County Sheriff Department is $50 million. In 2008 and the late 80s, the county was approached by Babbitt about possible absorptions, but the plans were tabled.
Council members John Fitzpatrick and Joseph White were quick to ask what would happen to the remaining two officers Babbitt employs in the event of the takeover.
“That’s something we would have to discuss. Obviously, we need the staff, so there’s definitely an opportunity to talk about that further,” said Ramsey.
If Babbitt moves forward with the integration, Ramsey says the move could be complete in four to six months.
Interim police chief Todd Heikkila noted that his opinion is dependent upon the manner in which the existing Babbitt officers are hired by the county. Some concerns were brought upbycouncilmemberJimLassi regarding the existing officers vacation time rollover.
“If we can’t do something about hiring a new police chief, we gotta get absorbed,” said Heikkila.
Due to the uncertain future of the Babbitt police department, the question of whether to buy a new squad car was tabled until further notice.
A new squad car would cost the city upwards of $40,000 dollars. Instead, some major repairs were authorized on one of two squad cars owned by the PD.
Lassi had an update for the council from the Planning Committee on a new marina proposal. The planning and design of marina is complete, as well as the funding secured. However, the parking lot adjacent to the proposed marina needs expansion and repairs.
Lassi said, “Should the council choose to continue with the project, we would need to look for additional funding through LCCMR and other areas.”
LCCMR is the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources; they give out grants to protect and maintain Minnesota’s natural resources.
The next city council meeting will be held Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. due to a conflict state-mandated caucuses on Feb. 3.
The council meeting was followed by a quick economic development meeting, where the council discussed updates on the city’s website to make it easier for new business owners to find where to apply for loans.
In other business the council:
• Didn’t have a city clerk update as it was Nancy Sanford’s first day back in office.
• Approved the Retirees Insurance MOU.
• Approved the LELS MOU was formally approved after previous approval in the last meeting.
• Assistant ambulance director Rebekah Littler was approved for hire.
• An ordinance to increase the size of the planning commission was approved.
• Scott Eckman was hired as street casual laborer.
• Did not pass a resolution relating to a CSAH 100 Railroad crossing grade separation project.
• Approved waiving facility rental fees for the Friends of the Library on June 5-6.
• Lassi expressed concerns at a lack of formal process to request attorney presence at council meetings, a motion was approved to find out what the process is.
• Approved a resolution in support of a grant for the Babbitt Snowmobile and ATV Club grooming equipment.
• Decided not to reschedule the Feb. 17 council meeting despite two councilor’s planned absence.
