HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.F.2. Women's Correctional Facility-Shakopee--Perimeter Security Fence Letter of SupportcA General Business 13. F. 2.
SHAKOPEE
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
DATE: 01/07/2014
SUBJECT: Women's Correctional Facility- Shakopee -- Perimeter Security Fence Letter of Support
Action Sought
The Council should, by motion, direct staff to send a letter of support to the State for the funding
of a perimeter security fence at the MCF- Shakopee facility.
Background
The issue of a perimeter security fence at the Women's Correctional Facility (WCF) in Shakopee
remains an issue for the community. A walk -away by an inmate on December 2nd again brought
to the forefront a need for this to be resolved. A fence would eliminate a repeat of this situation,
and would also assist the prison staff in keeping the facility secure from intrusions onto the
property.
When this was last considered by the State, the proposed plan was to install a fence which would
be architecturally compatible with a residential neighborhood (see attached photo). The
Legislature would need to allocate funding. In 2012, $5.4 million was sought.
If approved, the City's position is that an amendment to the prison's Conditional Use permit
would need to be approved. The normal process would be for the State to apply; the application
would then be heard by the Board of Adjustment and Appeals (BOAA). The BOAA would then
make its decision. Should a party (either the applicant, or a neighbor) feel aggrieved by the
decision of the BOAA, the decision could be appealed. According to City Code, the City Council
would be the hearing body for the appeal.
Therefore, the Council must remain neutral about the specifics (regarding the exact location,
height, and appearance details) until all facts are known.
As such, in lieu of a formal resolution of support, a letter (sample attached) supporting funding
for a fence is being requested. As shown, it acknowledges that the construction specifics are not
known at this time, and that the City will reserve its right to regulate aspects of the specifics of
the fence.
Recommendation
If the Council wishes to go on record supporting funding for the fence, it should authorize sending
the attached letter.
Budget Impact
The is no budgetary impact to the City.
Relationship To Visioning
This supports Goal A, "Keep Shakopee a safe and healthy community where residents can pursue
active and quality lifestyles," and Goal D, "Maintain, improve, and create strong partnerships
with other public and private sector entities."
Requested Action
If the Council wishes to take a position regarding the fence, it should authorize the attached letter
to be sent.
Attachments: MCF Shakopee Fence Ltr
Fence Picture
January 8, 2013
The Honorable Mark Dayton
Governor, State of Minnesota
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Governor Dayton:
The City Council of the City of Shakopee is making a formal request to provide funding for the
construction of a perimeter security fence at the Minnesota Correction Facility in Shakopee.
In 2012, your bonding bill included $5.4 million for the construction of this fence.
A recent walk -away by one of the inmates, and the ability for WCF staff to be able to secure the
facility from outside intrusions, reinforces why this action is necessary.
The Shakopee City Council is not able to take a position at this time on the actual placement of
the fence itself, including commenting on details regarding its exact location, design features,
and the like, as those details are not yet know. However, the Shakopee City Council and I
strongly support the overall funding needed to construct a perimeter security fence at MCF-
Shakopee, as provided in the 2012 funding proposal.
We look forward to working with the Department of Corrections on this project.
Brad Tabke
Mayor, City of Shakopee
CC: Sen. LeRoy A. Stumpf, Chair, Senate Capital Investment Committee
Rep. Alice Hausman, Chair, House Capital investment Committee
Tracy Beltz Warden, WCF- Shakopee
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