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City Council Minutes Page 4 <br /> March 3,2014 <br /> 6.1 County and City Prosecutor Update <br /> Kathleen A. Heaney, Sherburne County Attorney, and Elk River City Prosecutor <br /> Scott Baumgartner were present to review Elk River statistics as presented in the <br /> staff report. <br /> Ms. Heaney commended the Elk River Police Department in their preparation and <br /> presentation of case files to their office. She also commended the Star News for their <br /> recent coverage on domestic abuse. Ms. Heaney discussed current crime trends and <br /> factors leading to those trends, such as mental health and substance abuse, and the <br /> programs her office uses to provide assistance to help people improve their lives. <br /> Mayor Dietz asked if the presence of the Sheriffs Drug Task Force helps mitigate <br /> drug use in the county. <br /> Ms. Heaney stated she felt the task force was an effective tool in the collective fight <br /> against drug use in the county. <br /> Mayor Dietz asked after reviewing the statistics provided in the staff report,in what <br /> situations would a gross misdemeanor domestic assault case be plead to a lesser <br /> cause. <br /> Mr. Baumgartner stated due to the emotional nature of domestic assault,it was <br /> sometimes difficult to encourage a victim and their family to remain fully involved in <br /> pursuing a conviction,and noted a case resolution is often drafted in order to <br /> provide the defendant with help on any underlying condition with efforts to keep a <br /> family together. <br /> Mr. Baumgartner introduced Attorney Derek Archambault to the Council, noting his <br /> assistance towards the overall success of their prosecution services to the city. Mr. <br /> Baumgartner updated the Council on his recent review of offenses in the city code of <br /> ordinances for Elk River that were chargeable as a misdemeanor. He stated some of <br /> these offenses were better suited to be resolved with a payable fine and not require a <br /> court appearance. He then reviewed his office's conviction rate and forfeiture data. <br /> He also echoed Ms. Heaney's comments regarding the Elk River Police Department <br /> and Star News. <br /> Mayor Dietz asked how much time officers were spending in court testifying. <br /> Mr. Baumgartner stated based upon the excellent police department case preparation <br /> and his office's ability to resolve cases before trial,very little officer time was spent <br /> for court. He did note the requirement for officer attendance at contested hearings <br /> may increase based in part by an upcoming Court of Appeals ruling that may affect <br /> DWI case law. Overall, however,Mr. Baumgartner and Ms. Heaney stated they were <br /> aware of the importance of keeping the time officers were spending in court to a <br /> minimum. <br /> 1`4M <br />