Whether to Support a Prison Fence and What to do with the Fire Station on Tap for Council Meeting

A in Shakopee has made it into Gov. Mark Dayton’s bonding proposal but prison officials say support from city officials is key to keeping it on track.

Councilors will consider whether to support funding for the fence at their regular meeting tonight at . Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke has said he supports the idea of an attractive fence around the prison perimeter while Councilor Matt Lehman about the issue.

The letter they and other councilors will consider acknowledges that the construction specifics are not known at this time and that the city would reserve its right to regulate aspects of construction from fence height to location to appearance.

Calvin Miller, the prison’s associate warden of administration, said he and several other prison officials plan to attend the meeting.

“I think it will be very important to have support from the council,” Miller said.

Also to be discussed per the agenda tonight is options for selling the downtown fire station. Local artist Mike Haeg has said he plans to ask the council for more time before that happens so he can explore funding options for his in that space.