March 02, 2001 The Finance Committee met in session on Thursday evening March 01, 2001 at 7:00p.m. with the following members present Wiewel, Lowe, Martin, Mayor Harold L. Ludwig and City Attorney Kruse. Also present at this meeting, Bruce Schmitter, Larry Seckington, and Jeff Bliss from Mark Twain Gaming, Steve -Johnson and Larry Buschjost from the Missouri Gaming Commission. Mayor Ludwig opened the floor to Larry Seckington. Seckington stated he was surprised with the list of items they had received from the City Attorney regarding the Police and Fire Dept. Seckington stated they had thought when the City had asked for the $100,000 this would cover the cost of officers. Seckington stated they have exhausted all funds and they would have to go back to their lenders. They would have to ask for an amendment to their budget and get the other lenders to approve the amendments. Seckington stated they were hoping tonight to see if there was any other solutions the City could look into.

Mayor Ludwig stated the Council as well as himself were under the assumption with the advancement of $100,000 it would keep the City afloat until the Casino was up and going. But after meeting with the Missouri Gaming Commission there was no way the City could get all the needed equipment and officers hired before the Casino opened with the present City budget. City Attorney Kruse asked how many officers would this make with the additional officers being requested with the list. Mayor Ludwig stated 10 officers including the Chief. Seckington asked about the first advancement and the amount of time requested. Wiewel stated the first request was for 36 weeks. Steven Johnson from the Missouri Gaming Commission stated their position was if there was not sufficient officer's working they would not license the Casino. Johnson stated the number of officers they have been discussing is based on experience. To try and have 7 officers would be a bare minimum and this would not allow for vacation time, comp time or sick leave. Frankly 9 to 10 officers is not unreasonable. The Gaming Commission, first concern is having safety in place. Johnson stated they would hold granting a license, if there were not enough officers, because they are not going to let someone get hurt. They will do whatever it takes to try and make this work. Johnson stated another concern was not having a detention center. Wiewel stated the County has a sheriff and three deputies and they have stated they would help, but don't count on a lot. Johnson stated one idea that has worked in other agencies would be to contract with the Sheriffs office. Wiewel asked Johnson if he felt, there would be a lot of warrant arrest. Johnson stated he was not sure, because he did not know the demographics of the area. City Attorney Kruse stated the City presently handles low level crime in the Municipal Court. Kruse asked Johnson if he estimated an increase in cases going to the County verses the City Court. Johnson stated he did not know the volume. Johnson stated they have concerns for after hours when the Casino is closed, you could see a big up swing in crime, but it helps to have the police hired and working. Seckington stated they don't have any quarrels of getting the officers. Seckington asked about contracting with the County. Mayor Ludwig stated he did not see the difference in hiring for the City verses hiring a deputy and purchasing a car for the County. The County voted down having a Casino and the City of LaGrange was the only one wanting to have a Casino. Mayor Ludwig stated he did not agree with cost sharing with the Sheriffs office. Martin stated he agreed with Mayor Ludwig he could not see any savings or advantages. Schmitter stated not having the management headache. Martin stated he felt it would be an even more raw deal for the citizens of LaGrange to pay the County for a deputy and car, when they are already pay taxes for projection. Lowe stated the Sheriff and Charlie Jones stated they did not have the money in their budgets for more officers. Wiewel stated it takes our officers two hours to transport and book a prisoner in the County jail. Schmitter asked the committee if they felt they had the applicants to fill the five remaining positions. Mayor Ludwig, Martin, Lowe and Wiewel stated yes. Mayor Ludwig stated the reason there were not more officers hired by now was due to Chief Baker being the only one training.

Kruse stated there is a concern sharing a deputy with the County, he could see the deputy being called out to the trailer park and not being in town when needed. Johnson stated whatever arrangements are made there need to be a professional relationship with all the departments.

Seckington asked what item on the Fire Dept., list did the committee feel critical. Martin stated there was only one item he felt was critical and that was the thermal imaging camera. Schmitter stated you would pick the most expensive item. Seckington stated if they were to purchase the camera they might as well do the whole list. Seckington asked the committee if they were confident that this amount would meet all the needs. Martin and Wiewel slated yes.

Discussion was held on whether or not the City could get a loan, or were they wanting to try for an advancement. Wiewel stated the City was not allowed to borrow or put another Council in debt. Seckington stated they would do some more talking.

Discussion was held on the town meeting. Mayor Ludwig stated this meeting was to let the citizens know what is going on with the Casino and why the City needs to hire the number of officers. Seckington stated he would get back with Kruse on Friday, March 02, 2001 after talking with Bill Grace. Seckington stated both Schmitter and himself would be at the town meeting. Discussion was held on needing to know as soon as possible which option the Casino was going to take, because it would take 60 days for the delivery of the cars and base radio. Schmitter asked about MULES Chief Baker stated they were not presently on MULES, but hoped to be up and running within 60 days, Chief Baker stated his biggest concerns right now were the vehicles and equipments.

Discussion was held on the list of items totaling $200,000. Discussion was also held on when the City would start receiving revenue from the State once the Casino is up and running. Johnson stated usually 15 days after the end of the month. Martin stated he wanted to apologize to Seckington about having to ask for more money. Seckington stated he understood, emergencies do come up. Having nothing further being the Gaming Commission or representative from Mark Twain Gaming, Mayor Ludwig and the Committee thanked them for coming.

Mayor Ludwig stated Chief Baker wanted to speak to the Committee. Chief Baker stated his printer/copier/fax machine has quit working. They first thought it was the ink packets, but they have changed them and it still does not work. Chief Baker stated he could pick up another one from Wal-Wart for $300 or $400. The Committee gave approval for Chief Baker to purchase another unit not to exceed $500. Mayor Ludwig asked the Committee how they felt about taking another advancement. Wiewel and Martin stated they did not have a problem with taking the advancement. They would just as soon take the advancement to keep things moving.

Discussion was held on the amount of time it took to take a prisoner to Lewis County verses Marion County. Chief Baker stated it takes about two hours, because they have to book in their own prisoners at Lewis County, at Marion County they just have to take them in and they do the rest.

Chief Baker stated he would like to have a Police Committee meeting on March 8, 2001 to do interviews for dispatcher and police officers. A meeting was set for March 8, 2001 at 7:30 p.m.

Having nothing further before the Committee, Martin motioned to adjourn. Lowe second the motion. Motion carried all yes.