Licensed mental health co-responder Roy Neumann was present at Monday’s Clear Lake City Council meeting to introduce himself and share some data as he approaches one year on the job.

Neumann is just the second co-responder from the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center that has been embedded with local law enforcement agencies across MN in an effort to provide assistance to persons in crisis. The first co-responder works in St. Cloud, while Neumann’s service area is all of Sherburne County – including the Sheriff’s Office, as well as all three local Police Departments, Big Lake, Becker and Elk River.

“I feel that I am there to supplement what the officers are already doing,” Neumann says. “I’ve seen great de-escalation techniques already being used by the officers.”

Neumann explained that his efforts are an extension of the work done by the Four County Crisis Response Team, and he gives another perspective to crisis calls that come in through the 9-1-1 system.  While he started out riding directly with the officers in each jurisdiction, he now has his own car and can respond directly to the scene as appropriate.

After nearly a year on the job, Neumann says he has received a lot of support from the officers and citizens as well.

“I had three years of experience working crisis response in the Brainerd lakes area,” Neumann says. “I think it also helps that I had many years of experience as a reserve deputy in Benton county.”

That past experience allows him to understand what is happening on the calls and he is able to quickly assess where his skills might be needed.

According to data that Neumann shared with the council, in just 138 days of service on the job, he has made contact with 155 individuals who were in need of mental health services.  From there, he has done follow up engagements with 114 of those clients, helping to make referrals to community services as necessary. Eighteen of the incidents were considered violent situations, while he also de-escalated suicidal individuals on 26 occurrences. Other services that can be referred include substance abuse treatment programs, crisis bed placements and the scheduling of mental health therapist appointments. 

Neumann stated that his services are based on a program that originated at the Denver, CO Police Department, and he says on a per capita basis he is already surpassing that jurisdiction’s service call load.

In total, nearly 50% of his referrals started with an individual calling 9-1-1.

“I think it’s a great program,” Mayor Tim Goenner said.

Drainage 

Next, resident Chris Goenner appeared before council to discuss drainage issues near his home at the intersection of 1st Ave. E. and Brooks St. He stated that he has lived at his address for 40 years and there have always been issues with water pooling in the area.

While he has tried several mitigation strategies, he voiced that things are barely workable at the current time and he was worried about a land abatement that could be part of a future development in the area.

Mayor Goenner noted that the church had done some work in the area in the past, but that sand continues to fill the drain and it can cause issues.

Goenner stated that he wanted the council to be aware of the issue and if there was an abatement in the area, he would rather see the land go back to himself to the church, rather than for a new driveway in the area.

Council thanked Goenner for the heads up and will make note the issue before any further development decisions are made in the adjacent vicinity.

In Other Business, the Council:

• Heard from Clear Lake Lakers Amateur Baseball Team Manager Mike Golombiecki, who thanked the council for installing the new scoreboard and also spoke of the team’s efforts in hosting more home games in the future. The Manager also received permission to solicit business signage for the outfield fence, with proceeds going to the team;

• Passed a resolution to put in a larger size sewer collector pipe in the area of the Parkside Development, as this would be a cheaper long-term investment if the surrounding land developed in the next 20 years;

• Approved a quote presented by Clerk Kari Koren for updating of the City’s website;

• Approved $3,880 for the purchase of a speed sign to be placed on Highway 24, near where the old one was located. MNDOT permits and approvals will be needed before installation;

• Heard from Public Works Director Dustin Luhning that the road to the Sewer Authority was washed out with recent water issues. It will be re-built soon;

• Set a council special meeting for May 2 at 6 p.m. to review building plans for a new Fire Hall.

The regularly scheduled May meeting will follow at 7 p.m.