City approves LEC agreement

The City Council on Monday approved a 10-year Law Enforcement Center lease agreement with Goodhue County that will start in 2014.

“These agreements allow the Red Wing Police Department to continue our close working relationships with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office,” Police Chief Roger Pohlman said. “That just benefits the county residents and the city of Red Wing residents.”

The Red Wing Police Department and Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office share the space for offices, storage, training, dispatch, records and meetings.

The city now will pay rent upfront instead making quarterly payments, but will not have to separately cover bills for phone service, Internet, utilities or other services.

Red Wing’s rent starts at $95,000 in 2014 and goes up to $134,600 by 2020. After that a formula will automatically adjust the rate.

The agreement allows the sheriff and police chief to work together to resolve any issues and sends the matter to a management committee if it can’t be resolved.

“This is the correct use for this facility. It was built to house both of us,” Sheriff Scott McNurlin said.

While the space is shared now, the size of the building will soon be a problem, McNurlin said.

“One of the great challenges we face is we’re out of space,” he said.

Tags: red wing, city council, goodhue county, news