4.5. SR 06-16-2003Pover
MEMORANDUM
Item 4.5.
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
DATE:
Pat Klaers, City Admi_~/~tor
June 16, 2003
SUBJECT: Gun/Shooting Range
At the last City Council meeting, I didn't feel that I responded as well or as completely as I should
have to some gun range questions. Accordingly, I am going to give it another try.
I have been advised by Kraus-Anderson that the low bid for the mechanical component of the gun
range is still acceptable to the contractor. A small amount (under $4,000) of work was required by
this contractor regardless whether or not the entire system gets installed. There is about $93,200
worth of work left on this contract with SentraSota. Additionally, there are a few smaller items from
other contractors that need to be accomplished in order for the mechanical system to be completely
installed. The total remaining expenditure for the mechanical system would be under $100,000.
The mechanical system is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, although no
air conditioning is needed in the gun range. The gun range mechanical system is independent from
the rest of the building. Associated with this gun range HVAC system is the typical supply and
return duct work. The most expensive part of the mechanical system relates to air circulation and
removing from the building the lead remnants (that ends up in the air) that is generated from the
shooting activities.
As noted last week, if the mechanical system is not installed then it is likely best to just lock the door
and not use the space. The city would have to spend upwards to $20,000 for such things as fire
sprinkler, lighting, and possibly some ceiling in order to make the area meet code and for it to be
usable (mainly for storage). The type of storage that comes to mind would be for items that are
typically in the impound lot, such as bicycles, which are very bulky and take up a lot of space.
Another possibility is if the police department needs to store a large amount of evidence in a secure
location. This type of situation happens occasionally but it is impossible to predict. I have recently
been advised that even if the gun/shooting range is locked up and not used until a later date, there
will still be some work necessary in and under the floor as it relates to securing the facility.
In terms of the structure or "guts" of the gun range, this system looks very much like what you
would see on a tv cop show. The gun range structure is a system of rods that go the length of the
gun range for each of the shooting stalls and attached to each rod is a set of chains that allow the
targets to be moved forward and back and at angles. Caswell has this part of the gun range bid.
The most knowledgeable gun range person at the city is the Police Chief Jeff Beahen. Jeff was
involved in the installation of the gun range in Anoka and also served as their fire arms instructor.
Chief Beahen has advised me that he has been in contact with some neighboring communities and
these communities have expressed an interest in renting time or leasing space within our gun range
once it's completed. The communities contacted include Big Lake and Ramsey. Also, the Chief has
indicated that while he is not interested in having the gun range opened up to the public for use on a
fee basis, he is willing to look at the training of citizens now that the conceal and carry bill has been
signed into law. (Training is part of the requirements in order to obtain a permit.) Training in this
regard could generate some revenue and the actual shooting in the range would be minimal for this
program as compared to leasing out the facility to other law enforcement agencies.
Chief Beahen and I have both recently, on separate occasions, talked to Sheriff Anderson regarding
his interest in being a partner with the city in our gun range. For a variety of reasons, a partnership
with the Sheriff seems unlikely. However, the Sheriff did indicate that until they have a facility of
their own that the possibility of renting time at the city shooting range is an option that they would
consider. According to the Sheriff, the shooting range and training needs for the Sheriff's
Department exceed our gun range capacity and the Sheriff believes it is in their best interest in the
long-term to have their own facility. Sheriff Anderson has had a conversation with Councilmember
Dietz on this subject and I believe that Councilmember Dietz will be providing an update on this
topic on Monday evening, June 16, 2003.
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06/12/2003
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June 12, 2003
Sherburne County
SHERIFF
BRUCE M. ANDERSON
TO:
FROM:
Cotmc [tman John Deitz
lad ver City Council
Sherit~-~Bruce M. Anderson
ON ~NGE
In this letter I wtald like to detail some history regarding the gun range proposal. I'm
hoping backgrou 'kd il kformation will answer questions you and other city council
members may hz
Some years ago our office and other agencies were involved in discussions concerning a
training facility ptoj¢ ct. When I approached Chief Zerwas specifically on the possibility
of locating such o. facility on the west end of the county, he felt that the needs of the Elk
River Police DeFt. could not be served unless the facility were to be built on the east end
of the county. C. hieiCZerwas then decided to propose to the city council that a small
range be built un~ler'ihe police department bfiilding as an addition to the law enforcement
center. I told CBief 7.er, vas that if in his judgment building this gun. range was warranted,
I would support his decision.
During this past year I discussed with the county board the possibility of utilizing the Elk
River Sportsman's Club range, or, perhaps looking at utilizing the Becker property for a
training facility.
At this present time, a possible expansion of the jail is being reviewed; therefore, a law
enforcement tra)ain~ facility is being considered as part of the proposed expansion. This
training facility Woul.d include a firing range, firing rat~ge classroom, armory, fitness
room, locker rooms, all purpose classroom/conference rooms, and a replica ora cell
block to be utilized far corrections staff/law enforcement use of force training. This
training facility would be utilized 7/24, and the gtm range would be available to local law
enforcement agencies free of charge for firearms training. We are also considering
utilizing this guq tar ge for civilian training purposes pertaining to the new carry/conceal
handgun law.
-IER1FF'$ DEPARTMENT
DUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTt~
1880 Highway 10
k River, MN 55330-4609
ea Toll Free Numbers:
k River- (763) 241-2500
ix - (763) 441-7303
her - 1-800-433-5245
Councilman Joh
page two
With the variety oft~ aining needs and expected heavy use of this type of facility, it would
not be feasible to pm tner with Elk River on buildixag a gma range only. In past
discussions with Chi ~'f Zerwas, he pointed out that Elk River would not be able to
accommodate the~tr, ining needs of our department; therefore, this course of action was
never pursued 9~'tth ~kae Elk River Police Dept.
Revenue from the ja'd is the reason our agency is able to fired this proposed facility. As
you know, this ~ex rue has benefited the citizens of Sherbume County in a variety of
ways, and this lp,bpc sed jail expansion/training facili.ty is just one of those benefits.
John, if you or a~ay other city council members have further questions or concerns
regarding this i~ue, I would be happy to meet with you.
~hefiffB~ce M. Anderson
BMA/do