St. Cloud City Council to Debate Competing ICE Resolutions, YMCA Waterpark Sales Tax Monday

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council will consider two competing resolutions Monday evening as federal immigration enforcement operations continue across the city and state.

Council Members Hudda Ibrahim and Scott Brodeen have proposed resolutions that take distinctly different approaches to addressing community concerns amid ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the region.

Council Member Ibrahim’s resolution, reaffirming support for a just and welcoming community, seeks to reinforce the city’s 2017 commitment to welcoming all residents regardless of immigration status, ethnicity, or country of origin. The resolution references the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and St. Cloud’s Community Policing Agreement, which promotes fair and impartial policing, diversity, and officer accountability.

Council Member Brodeen’s competing resolution affirms support for law enforcement and the rule of law. It emphasizes support for law enforcement operations within legal boundaries, affirming support for city, county, state, and federal entities operating lawfully within their established jurisdictions while stipulating that support applies only to lawful actions.

The competing resolutions echo heated City Council debates from October and November 2017, when then-Council Member Jeff Johnson proposed a moratorium on refugee resettlement in St. Cloud. The council ultimately rejected Johnson’s moratorium proposal on a 1-6 vote and instead passed a resolution supporting a just and welcoming community by a 5-1 margin.

Johnson had cited concerns about the impact of refugee resettlement on city resources and taxpayers, though city officials repeatedly stated that no city funds go toward refugee programs, which are handled by counties using federal dollars.

The new resolutions come as ICE operations have intensified in St. Cloud and across Minnesota in recent weeks, raising concerns among immigrant communities and advocacy groups.

Also at tonight’s meeting, the St. Cloud City Council will discuss asking the state for permission to enact a sales tax to help fund an outdoor waterpark at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA.

According to Monday’s city council agenda, the board will debate asking the Minnesota Legislature for a quarter of a cent sales tax for three years to generate roughly $7 million for the project, the amount needed to start construction.

The city says YMCA representatives have reached out to them for the last couple of years, asking for assistance with the construction of the waterpark. The YMCA has received around $11.8 million in pledges for the project, but it is estimated that an additional $7 million is needed based on the latest construction estimates.

Developers say they envision a facility with multiple water slides, a lazy river and a zero-depth-entry pool designed for all ages and abilities. The facility will also include an entertainment area, shaded lounge spaces, concessions and supporting amenities to enhance comfort, extend length of stay and make the park a destination for St. Cloud and the surrounding region.

This proposal would be a St. Cloud-only sales tax and would not include the other five area cities that are included in the already established St. Cloud Area sales and use tax. If the city adopts the resolution, it does not obligate the city to impose a sales tax or proceed with the project.

The council’s conversation is only step one in a six-step process for the idea to become a reality. If they pass the resolution, the next step would be to submit it to the Minnesota House and Senate Tax Committees. The city would then need to get legislative approval, adopt a resolution accepting the new law, conduct a voter referendum, and get the residents’ approval. If that happens, the council could pass an ordinance imposing the tax.

If the stars align, the question could be on the November ballot in St. Cloud.

A public forum begins at 5:00 p.m., with the meeting getting underway at 6:00 p.m. inside City Hall.

___