Sponsor: Community Corrections
Title
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Project Budget and Financing Plan for the Ramsey County Correctional Facility Enclosure Pod Project
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Recommendation
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1. Accept and approve the project budget and financing plan for the Ramsey County Correctional Facility enclosure pod project in an amount up to $1,200,000.
2. Authorize the County Manager to allocate up to $1,200,000 from year-end funds from the Health and Wellness Service Team 2024 operating budget and prior year capital funds to the project budget and financing plan for the Ramsey County Correctional Facility enclosure pod project.
3. Authorize the County Manager to account for the project budget and financing plan for the Ramsey County Correctional Facility enclosure pod project as a budgeted project in the department of Community Corrections.
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Background and Rationale
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The request for pod enclosures for the Ramsey County Correctional Facility (RCCF) will increase both staff and client safety. In March of 2024, Community Corrections worked with Property Management to finalize the design and installation of mezzanine barriers at RCCF. Community Corrections is seeking to increase safety by replacing the existing guardrails and ultimately install taller barriers in all the five dorms which have a mezzanine level of cells arranged around an open walkway with 42” high guardrails overlooking a common area below.
In the first phase of work, RCCF is focusing on the largest dorm with a 120-person capacity. RCCF would like to install a barrier that is a 7-foot-high rail with vertical pickets (see attached images). Community Corrections is also seeking to install a second officer’s desk on the mezzanine level in this dorm. RCCF believes that the railing, along with an increased officer presence on the mezzanine level, will enhance safety.
Community Corrections and Property Management issued an informal Request for Proposals for architectural services in May 2024, and selected BWBR Architects in June 2024 based on their corrections expertise and experience with similar projects. BWBR, Community Corrections, and Property Management have been working since July to develop the design details of the mezzanine barriers and the second officer’s desk. BWBR will issue a package of biddable drawings by February 2025, which will then be publicly bid to General Contractors. The goal is to award the project by late February/early March 2025.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
In 2023, disparities persisted among residents at RCCF. Although persons of color represented only 29% of the county’s adult population, they accounted for 72% of male admissions and 56% of female admissions at the RCCF. Creating safer spaces within RCCF is a key step toward improving the well-being of residents, particularly people of color. When individuals feel safe and supported, they are better equipped to address underlying issues such as mental health and chemical dependency needs that may contribute to their criminal behavior. Modern, safe, and welcoming facilities are an essential component of Ramsey County’s commitment to excellence and equity, ensuring that its services effectively meet the needs of the racially diverse communities it serves.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There is no community engagement with this project. However, RCCF staff have been engaged throughout the design process. A lieutenant sits on the planning team and brings all ideas back to the lieutenant team as well as correctional officers. The design renderings were shared at a recent RCCF staff meeting. Staff were asked for feedback at that time, which did inform the decision-making process. RCCF will also be joining the Racial Equity Community Engagement Action Team meeting to discuss the project design and various phases.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The total project cost is estimated to be $4 million. In 2024, the Health and Wellness Service Team (HWST) prioritized this as a life safety issue and plan to spend up to $1.2 million from the 2024 operating budget and the 2023 capital funds dedicated for this work to get the immediate needs addressed. Due to timing of the design work and the solicitation, the work was not started in 2024. To ensure the funds dedicated for this need can be used, the HWST is requesting to create a project and move up to $1.2 million from 2024 year-end and 2023 year-end HWST funds to the project. This will allow the RCCF team, in partnership with Property Management, to complete the installation of the new railings and enclosures in the most high-risk areas. In 2025, the HWST will also look at the next stage of the project and consider how to build this into the 2026-2027 operating and capital budgets.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
None.