The Alexandria City Council approved a joint powers agreement with the state that will allow the police department and city attorney to access the Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Communication Network and other systems and tools that are under the control of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

It’s a five-year joint powers agreement.

The resolution also authorizes the police chief and city administrator to execute other amendments and agreements that may be required by the state.

The city pays a $390 fee per quarter for access to the system.

Following are other items from the council's June 28 meeting that were not covered in other council stories.

Local emergency extended

For the 15th time since the pandemic began, the council extended its declaration of a local emergency because of COVID-19.

The city first ratified the mayor’s declaration on March 18, 2020, and has been extending it monthly. This latest action extends it through July 31 – unless Gov. Tim Walz lets his executive order declaring the emergency expire before that date.

The declaration allows the city to qualify for federal funding and approve emergency ordinances that take effect immediately. It also provides greater flexibility, such as holding meetings through Zoom video conferencing.

City employees with offices in City Hall are feeling too much heat these days.

One of the condensing units for City Hall couldn't keep up with the recent heat waves and broke down, resulting in muggy, hot temperatures in parts of the building, according to City Administrator Marty Schultz. He said temperatures in some offices were in the low 80s.

The council voted to proceed with repairing the unit at a cost of $8,274. The work is expected to start this week or next, a much quicker fix than ordering a new unit that could take two months to arrive., Schultz said.

The air conditioning for the council chambers meeting room is provided through a second condensing unit, which is still working correctly.

The council also authorized staff to get quotes for replacing both units.

The council approved two licenses:

• A temporary on-sale beer license to the Alexandria Elks Lodge to sell beer at the Douglas County Fair on Aug. 18-21.

• A wine license to Lakes Area Theatre for the rest of the year.