Town Council Meeting Notes, Reporting a Concern, Shared Police Services

San Anselmo Town Council Meeting Notes

At the meeting of Tuesday, Feb. 14, the San Anselmo Town Council took the following actions:

• Set a Town Hall community meeting for Saturday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to noon to receive public input on the council’s ideas for strategic goals for the town. More on this next week, but please mark your calendars.
• Approved the downtown event application for the San Anselmo Baseball Association (SABA) opening day parade on Sunday, March 18 on San Anselmo Avenue.
• Approved the resolution supporting a grant application by the Marin Energy Authority to the California Strategic Growth Council’s Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program for Start-Up Funding of a Marin PACE Program (residential solar installation financing).
• Approved the resolution supporting extended producer responsibility (EPR) to encourage manufacturers to share in the responsibility for eliminating waste from initial production to ultimate disposal.
• Authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of support regarding HR 192, the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act.
• Directed staff to announce and publicize expirations on the Capital Program Monitoring Committee, Quality of Life Commission and Flood Committee.
• Concurred with the recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Commission and changed the hours of the lighted tennis courts at Memorial Park to end at 9 p.m. instead of the current 10 p.m.
• Approved the resolution authorizing the issuance of pension obligation bonds to refinance outstanding side fund obligations.
• Approved the resolution amending the 2011-12 budget, allocating funds for a new town phone system, video services in the Council Chambers, and street sweeping services.

Report a Concern 

Check out a new feature on our website called “Report a Concern.” The button is located just beneath our town logo at www.townofsananselmo.org. It’s the one with a mailbox icon. Use the feature to let us know about a problem, ask a question or just make a comment. We promise to get right back to you!

Shared Police Services

The term “Shared Police Services” is used to encompass all the ways Police Departments can work together jointly to operate more efficiently and effectively in providing services to our communities.

As a part of a continued effort to improve the quality of police services within their communities, San Anselmo Police Chief Charles Maynard and Twin Cities Police Authority Chief Todd Cusimano conducted extensive research into the possibility of sharing services between the two agencies. Shared services can be of value in addressing several strategic issues, including limited financial resources, reducing employee costs and improving service.

With the approval of all three city/town councils, the Twin Cities Police Authority and the San Anselmo Police Department began sharing services in August 2011.  There was an immediate cost savings in total compensation for personnel in both agencies. Through attrition, other positions will be eliminated and further cost savings will be seen. 

Sharing services:

• Provides a higher level of service.
• Additional resources at a more affordable rate.
• Reduces duplication of management and supervisory staff; therefore, saving money on total compensation and benefits.
• Reduces infrastructure costs.

Sharing services with Twin Cities is now under way. Currently, SAPD and TCPA Investigation Units are working together and sharing cases. Citizens can expect to see TCPA or SAPD Detectives following up on cases in all three communities. Dispatchers have been cross-trained to work at either SAPD or TCPA dispatch consoles. The Dispatch Center will be relocated from SAPD to the new TCPA building in late February. SAPD Investigations Unit, Community Service Officers, and Property/Evidence storage will also relocate to the new facility.  Both the TCPA and SAPD Traffic Units will operate as one and will be located at the San Anselmo Police Department. 

Here are some frequently asked questions:

Q: When I dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, will the service be the same?

A: 9-1-1 calls will be answered the exact same way they are now. The 9-1-1 system will direct calls to the new Dispatch Center located at 250 Doherty Drive in Larkspur. 

Q: When I call for police assistance, where will they be coming from?

A: Police officers will be assigned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in Corte Madera, San Anselmo and Larkspur just as they are now.

Q: How are we saving money if service isn’t reduced?

A: By reducing redundant positions and combining resources for improved service, we can save money. 

Q: Will both police buildings still provide front counter service?

A: YES! Front counter service will be available at both police buildings during business hours and in the evening via a direct telephone line to the Dispatch Center.

It will continue to be the goal of the San Anselmo Police Department and the Twin Cities Police Authority to be creative in their approach to improving services to their communities while continuing to be fiscally responsible. The sharing of services between both agencies is a new and innovative way of policing and is a testament to the commitment of both agencies.

The police departments provide twenty-four hour service to their communities seven days a week and do not close. Administrative services, such as records and parking permits, will be available upon request. Hours of operation at the San Anselmo Police Department front counter are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.