Paving in 2015

The city has been working on a couple of smaller paving projects for this year.  They involve the paving of Snowman Circle and a short section of Thrane Drive.  Thrane Drive is the roadway that goes to the Pelican Lakes Conservation Club.  It was at one time called Plant Road as it is the roadway that leads to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The City received bids for the project on March 27.  Three bids were received; Tri-City, Anderson Brothers, and Ideal Construction (from Staples).  The apparent low bidder for the improvements was from Anderson Brothers Construction at $44,949.31.  With the bid schedules in hand the construction cost for Snowman is $39,257.78 and the construction cost for Thrane is $5,691.53.  Added to these amounts are the soft costs such as engineering.  The total cost for Snowman Circle to be assessed is $54,492.44.  The total cost for Thrane Drive to be assessed is $7,421.80.

The city generally assesses on a per lot basis.  In other words the cost is divided by the number of assessable lots.  For lots in Snowman Circle the cost to the majority of the lots is $7,784.63.  The cost for the two corner lots, as they were already assessed for the other abutting roadway, is 50% of the full assessment or $3,892.32.  There are two lots abutting Thrane Drive and the cost for each of these lots is $3710.90. 

The process of construction will occur as soon as possible.  Anderson Brothers Construction, who gave the winning bid, has an portable asphalt plant in Breezy Point and intends on moving this plant to another job site around June 1^st. 

ALPR, Whats That?

Automated license plate readers (ALPR) have been around for some time and the automation technology continues to improve. With automation, the use by the police department becomes easier and safer.  Updates to the data base can be accomplished with ease.  This enables the reader to recognize the most current information.  It was felt the use of these devices will save lives as well as solve crimes.  ALPR has been used to locate vehicles involved in the distribution of controlled substances, apprehend fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants, locate stolen vehicles, and identify high-risk drivers who operate motor vehicles with revoked and suspended licenses. 

Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system utilizes one internally mounted optical/infra-red camera to collect license plate information.  The information is then compared with state and national “hot sheets” of wanted vehicles and individuals. 

The vendor, PlateSmart, has their systems being used by the Minnesota State Patrol. They have recently offered a discount of 40-50% to improve their use in the Minnesota market.  With the discount offered it makes this technology affordable to the Breezy Point Police Department.  The city council approved the use of forfeiture funds to purchase a PlateSmart system for one of the squad cars at a cost of approximately $6,000.  With the use of forfeiture funds there is no impact to the budget or tax levy.  This adds one more tool to the toolbox. 

Paramedic Renewal

The Paramedic Program in Breezy Point is a model that was created by the city about a decade ago, in March of 2005.  The program involves the hiring of police officers who are trained paramedics.  As paramedics, their skill set and training is far superior to that of a first responder.  They have the authority to administer drugs, use specialized medical equipment and life-saving methods but they are not physicians.  As such they need to operate under the auspices of a physician.  

This relationship has been undertaken by North Memorial Medical Center and is memorialized by an agreement between the city and North Memorial.  The agreement specifies the responsibilities and relationship of the parties.  The agreement has been renewed every other year as a two year agreement.  The agreement was again approved at the April meeting and is now in place until April 21, 2017.  

The paramedic program continues for another 2 years with this relationship being reaffirmed.  Residents of the city benefit from the two paramedics police officers we have on staff.  We have appreciated the efforts of Officers Joe Garcia and Jason Rieber who have served the city well in this regard for a number of years.