ADMINISTRATION - Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works
Title
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR A FOUR DAY PER WEEK INSTITUTION COMMUNITY WORK CREW IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,000.00
Background
The City entered into a contract with the State of Minnesota Corrections Department for a two day per week work crew to perform various labor intensive work throughout the city. We have already experienced excellent service and received significant benefit from this contract. As discussed at the September 6 City Council Work Session, this action would expand that contract to a four day per week contract. The primary focus of the additional time will be spent on forestry management related to the Emerald Ash Borer threat. As such funding is proposed to come primarily from the Forestry and other tree work budget line items.
As a refresher; the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Correction offers Institution Community Work Crews (ICWC) to cities to provide labor for local efforts at the purchaser’s discretion. The ICWC Program’s structure and philosophy were modeled after the Minnesota Department of Corrections’ (DOC) Sentencing to Service (STS) program, which had already established an excellent track record of working in the community. Carefully selected, non-dangerous, minimum-security inmates work on crews under the supervision of a qualified DOC crew leader. The program goal is to teach social and work skills while communities accomplish projects.
This new contract will provide the City of Blaine with an ICWC crew on Mondays through Thursdays (four days per week) for 52 weeks. The total expense to the City for all compensation and reimbursements to the State under this contract is $88,000.00 as our share of the cost of providing a crew leader and placing the work crews into service on the ICWC Program during the term of this agreement. The City may request additional time at an overtime rate for projects such as storm or event clean up.
Recommendation
By motion, authorize the Mayor and City Manager to contract with the State of Minnesota for an Institution Community Work Crew in the amount of $88,000.00.