Chief speaks up in favor of having deputy chief

With Corky McQuiston promoted to chief of police, his former position of deputy chief will remain open - but could be filled in the future.

The Brainerd City Council on Monday defeated by a 6-1 vote a motion from council member Bob Olson to not fill the deputy chief position at this time.

Olson made the motion because the city doesn't know what its local government aid payment from the state will be in 2011 and not filling the deputy chief's position would save about $100,000.

Olson noted there will still be six supervisors, including sergeants, in the police department.

"The sergeant can do the same supervising, I think, as a sergeant as he can as a deputy (chief)," Olson said.

McQuiston said he strongly disagreed with the motion. Having been in the position, he noted how important the deputy chief works with the police chief in managing the office.

McQuiston also said the police department has always had a second in command, be it a captain or deputy chief.

"It's a necessity for the department," McQuiston said.

Council member Kelly Bevans voted against Olson's motion because there was no recommendation Monday to fill the deputy chief's position. The position should be part of the 2011 budget discussions, he said.

"This is kind of a crazy motion," Bevans said. "The motion says to not fill the position at this time, but there's not motion to fill the position."

Olson said it wasn't a crazy motion but a serious financial motion. If a sergeant is promoted to deputy chief that person will receive an automatic $30,000 raise, Olson said.

In other action, the council:

Approved by a 5-2 vote appointing a council member to the Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board. Voting against were council members Lucy Nesheim and Anne Nelson Fisher. While Nelson Fisher thought it would be useful to have a council member on the board, she wanted to make sure the council wouldn't be filling a resident position on the board.

Olson noted that nine out of 14 city commissions or boards have a voting council member on them, and it was more important to have a council member than a resident. Mayor James Wallin, who appointed members of the HRA board, asked any council member interested to contact him. The council on Monday also appointed Marlee Larson to the HRA board. City Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick said by state statute the HRA can have seven directors, and currently there are five.

Was informed by Transit Coordinator Tom Jay that starting Aug. 2 there will be a new bus service route in the city. The route will from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except holidays. The cost is $1 and there will be hourly pickups at 14 spots in the city. A map of the routes and pickup spots can be found at www.brainerdcitybus.com.

Heard a presentation from Miranda Anderson on the Brainerd-Baxter Area Mississippi River Vision plan.

Was informed by City Planner Mark Ostgarden that he removed campaign signs in the city's right-of-way as directed at the last council meeting. Ostgarden said he contacted the candidate on Friday, gave them the weekend to remove them but they weren't removed. Ostgarden said the signs can be picked up at city hall.

Approved using a part of a $500 donation from Walmart to the Brainerd Police Department to purchase two covert digital video recording devices and a portable high definition digital video recorder.