City Council Meeting Date: May 7, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Mark Elliott, Chief of Police
Title
Consider Approval of Updated Joint Powers Agreement with the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers a motion approving the attached updated Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the Cannon Valley Drug and Violent Offender Task Force, and directs the Mayor, City Clerk and Police Chief to sign the JPA.
Summary Report
The Cannon Valley Drug and Violent Offender Task Force (CVDVOTF) Board of Directors recently amended the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to reflect updated operation protocol and updated Violent Crime Enforcement Team guidebook from the State of Minnesota. This language change is consistent with other multi jurisdiction Violent Crime Enforcement Teams that operate in the state. The JPA approval is required to be updated every five years and is due in 2024.
The Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force (CRDVOTF) is one of 21 State regulated and grant funded Violent Crime Enforcement Teams in the State of Minnesota. CRDVOTF includes the following government entities: the Cities of Dundas, Faribault, Lonsdale, Morristown and Northfield and the County of Rice, and County of Le Sueur and has a service area of Rice and Le Sueur counties. The CRDVOTF investigates drug and violent crimes in these counties and works with the local law enforcement departments, as well as coordinating with neighboring teams on their investigations. The task force is staffed with officers from Rice and Le Sueur Sheriff’s Departments, Faribault PD, and Northfield PD. Northfield has one officer assigned to the CRDVOTF. The CRDVOTF is jointly funded through a grant from the State and member government entities contributions. The Northfield contribution in 2024 is $4,500.
The CRDVOTF focuses its efforts on mid and upper level illicit drug dealers and violent offenders throughout Rice and LeSueur counties. In 2023 the CRDVOTF opened 121 new cases, made 104 arrests, conducted 186 search warrants, seized 34 firearms, and seized illegal drugs with a combined street value of $760, 654. The most common drug for cases opened were Meth and Fentanyl distribution.
Alternative Options
Council could decide not to sign the JPA. The delayed approval could jeopardize the operations and state and federal funding of the CRDVOTF.
Financial Impacts
$4500 annually
Tentative Timelines
If approved by Council, the JPA will be signed by the Mayor, Clerk, and Chief, and will then be submitted to the Rice County Attorney’s office to be included with the JPA records.