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Residents urge Cottage Grove to stop renting Hero Center to ICE; council heard objections during open forum
Summary
Multiple Cottage Grove residents used the public-comment period to oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using the city's Hero Center for training, urging the council not to renew rental contracts. The council did not take immediate action at the meeting.
COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. — During open forum on Nov. 5 several residents urged the Cottage Grove City Council not to renew contracts or rent the city's Hero Center to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for training or range use, calling for a more "humane" approach to immigration enforcement.
Bobby Tannehill, who identified himself as a 55-year Cottage Grove resident, said his immigrant family contributed to the community and that he opposes ICE as it currently operates. "Please, please do not renew the ICE contract at the Hero Center," Tannehill said.
Diane Frederickson, a River Acres resident who cited long-standing community volunteer service, said she opposes any city rental to ICE and said residents with Latino names are fearful of being targeted. "We shouldn't have our neighbors living in fear," Frederickson said, and urged the council to keep ICE out of Cottage Grove when the contract next comes up.
Council members did not take a vote or adopt a policy on the issue at the meeting. Council members heard the comments during open forum; the mayor and staff did not announce any immediate changes to rental policy at the conclusion of public comment.
Next steps: Residents and commenters asked the council to consider policy changes when the contract comes up for renewal. The transcript records public concern but no formal direction or motion to review rental agreements for the Hero Center during this meeting.
