HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.F.4. Letter of Support-Minnesota Correctional Facility Fence la. � �,
CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
SUBJECT: Letter of Support-MCF Fence
DATE: February 8, 2012
Comment:
Introduction:
The City Council is asked to consider authorizing a letter of support relating to a
proposed perimeter security fence at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee.
Background:
Governor Maxk Dayton's bonding proposal includes $5.4 million,for a fence at the
women's facility.
No formal application has been received from the State of Minnesota, as it is waiting for
funding to be approved. The normal process would be for the City to consider this as an
amendment to the Conditional Use Permit that exists for the prison. That would be heard
by the Board of Adjustment and Appeals (BOAA). 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 until all facts are known. However, there is a
less-than-assured funding probability from the state. Previous consideration by the Gity
in 2006 indicated a significant negative reaction to the plan at the time, and that
perception is still apparent in the minds of some legislators today.
Therefore, in lieu of a formal resolution of support, a letter supporting funding for a fence
is being requested. As shown, it acknowledges that the construction specifics are not
known at this time, and thatthe City needs to reserve its right to regulate aspects of the
fence-height, location, appearance, etc.
Recommendation:
If the Council wishes to go on record supporting funding for the fence, it should authorize
sending the attached letter.
Relationship ta Visioning:
This supports Goal D—Mainta,in, improve, and create strong partnerships with other
public and private sector entities.
Action Required:
If the Council wishes to take a position regarding the fence, it should either authorize the
attached letter to be sent, or give other direction as appropriate.
��'
Mark McNeill
MM:cn City Administrator
February 8, 2012
Committee Chair
House Capital Investment Committee
Dear Representative
Governor Mark Dayton's 2012 bonding bill includes $5.4 million for a perimeter security fence
at the Minnesota Correction Facility in Shakopee.
Previous fence proposals have met with mixed local reaction. Although many Shakopee
residents wish to see a new corrections facility built outside of a residential neighborhood and
therefore regret the need for the construction of a security fence, the City Council and I believe
that the concept of a fence has merit.
The City Council is not able to take a position 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 known. However, the Shakopee City Council and I support the overall
funding needed to construct a perimeter security fence at MCF-Shakopee, as provided in the
Governor's proposal.
We look forward to working with the Department of Corrections on this project.
Brad Tabke
Mayor, City of Shakopee