Council approves policy for federal immigration law enforcement

The Worthington City Council, acting on a late addendum to the agenda of Monday's meeting, voted unanimously to adopt a policy regarding the rights and duties of city officials and employees related to federal immigration law enforcement.

Worthington City Administrator Steve Robinson explained that the new policy — which does not replace any existing policy — came about following a conversation earlier this month with the city attorney. The priorities, he said, are ensuring public safety and making sure city staff doesn't make mistakes or overstep in the midst of federal immigration law enforcement.

The policy states that:

• Federal authorities may enter publicly accessible areas of city-owned property without a warrant;

  
  

• City employees, including law enforcement officers, are not required to assist federal agents in locating individuals absent a judicial warrant;

  
  

• The city consents to allow federal agents access to non-public spaces. However, this policy does not prevent the city from revoking its consent and therefore require the presentation of a judicial warrant for access to a non-public space. The city administrator or a department head may revoke that consent if deemed necessary for public health, safety or welfare;

  
  

• City employees cannot grant access to non-public data (confidential or private data on individuals) absent a judicial warrant;

  
  

• City employees shall not obstruct or interfere with federal immigration authorities’ actions or agents including: hiding customers or employees; warn anyone of an impending investigation; assist anyone in evading a search; provide false information; destroy documents; and hide evidence.

Council members on Monday also approved adoption of the Nobles County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which makes the city eligible to apply for and receive funds from multiple Federal Emergency Management Agency programs.

FEMA Region 5 had approved the Nobles County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The city can obtain funding through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post fire; Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities; Flood Mitigation Assistance; and Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund.

The plan was not included in city council members' agenda, as Robinson noted it was 227 pages long. He said it's available upon request.

Additionally on Monday, council members — following a brief public hearing — ordered improvements and preparation of plans for Tower Street and Tenth Avenue Street Reconstruction. The project represents a total investment of $1.6 million. A portion of street reconstruction costs will be assessed to benefitted properties according to established municipal guidelines and state statute.

The council approved the city’s Ice Arena Selection Committee’s recommendation to move forward with discussions with Knutson Construction, LLC and HTG Architects for initial programming, design and project estimates for anticipated work at the Worthington Ice Arena site. It also accepted a proposal from American Engineering Testing Inc to perform six soil borings in the new building footprint and three borings in the new parking lot areas at the ice arena site at a cost of $12,800.

Council members also approved an agreement with Short Elliot Hendrickson to provide construction supervision service for the Centennial Park Lift Station Rehabilitation in an amount not to exceed $35,357.