Council defers lease and $70,000 fence decision for Bishop Dudley lot after extensive public comment

The Sioux Falls City Council on Feb. 18 deferred a proposed ordinance that would authorize a five-year lease between the city and St. Joseph Catholic Housing for a vacant lot adjacent to Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and discussed a proposed $70,000 fence to deter congregating and improve security.

The second-reading ordinance would have authorized the mayor to enter a lease with St. Joseph Catholic Housing and allow the city to construct a six-foot fence around the lot; the diocese also provided the city a first option to buy the property if the Diocese later chose to relocate the hospitality house. After more than an hour of public testimony and extended council discussion, Councilor Thomason moved to defer the second reading to the March 4 City Council meeting; the motion passed 8–0.

Police Chief Toome told the council the vacant lot "has been a challenge and source of frustration" and said it generates high service volume: "Last year, over 1,800 police calls for service in that immediate vicinity. 2,700 plus calls when you include fire and EMS in that vicinity." He described the fence as one part of a "holistic approach" and said, "We do not expect this to solve the issues that are happening in the area." Chief Toome and others emphasized the city is pursuing street teams, shelter services and other collaborative measures alongside any physical changes.

Thad Pels, chancellor for the Catholic Diocese and secretary for St. Joseph Catholic Housing, said the diocese purchased the lot in 2018 and kept it for future options, including potential expansion of Bishop Dudley House. He said the diocese's discussions of the lot included green-space ideas and other uses, but "the best solution that we could come up with at this point was to put a fence."

Members of the public gave varied testimony. Supporters of the fence argued it would improve safety for Bishop Dudley staff and guests and reduce calls for service; Janine Michelove, CEO of a nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness, said the fence "is not about criminalizing homelessness or ignoring those in need. It's about creating a safer, more secure environment for everyone." Several health-care volunteers and shelter volunteers urged investment in Housing First solutions and more long-term shelter beds; physician Bob Santel encouraged the council to study Denver's Housing First program and said more long-term housing supports could be more cost-effective than a fence.

Other speakers opposed the fence as displacement rather than a solution. Lex Linton, a volunteer who works with people sleeping outside, said, "fences and walls do not build relationships or assist the unhoused individuals who are in need." Neighborhood residents raised concerns that a fence would push problems deeper into residential areas and asked for more neighborhood engagement before a final decision.

The meeting record shows robust council discussion after public input. Several council members said a short deferral would allow staff, police and service providers to meet with neighborhood residents and elaborate a plan. Council members specifically asked for a neighborhood meeting, briefings from the police department on enforcement strategy, and participation from the city's homeless services coordinator ahead of the March 4 vote.

The council did not approve the lease ordinance on Feb. 18. Separately, the council approved a supplemental appropriation that included $70,000 for the fence; Director of Finance Sean Pritchett told the council it would be possible to remove that appropriation if the council preferred, but the item remained in the supplemental appropriation passed earlier in the meeting. The supplemental appropriation passed 8–0.

Motion and votes: Motion to defer second reading of the lease ordinance to March 4 — Mover: Councilor Thomason; Second: Councilor Pacey; Vote: 8 yes, 0 no. Supplemental appropriation including $70,000 for fence — motion passed 8–0.

Council members directed staff to hold a neighborhood meeting and provide additional briefings and written information ahead of the rescheduled vote on March 4.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance (second reading) to lease lot adjacent to Bishop Dudley Hospitality House — deferred to March 4 (motion passed 8–0). Supplemental appropriation that included $70,000 for fence — approved 8–0.