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Resident urges 'no' on Prop M as city outlines tours and tax impact
Summary
At the March 10 Maplewood City Council meeting, Dr. Meredith Kelling urged voters to oppose Prop M, a proposed expansion of police facilities, citing tax concerns and risks tied to 287(g) agreements; the city announced Prop M outreach, tours and materials and noted the bond requires 57.2% to pass.
Dr. Meredith Kelling, a 15‑year Maplewood resident, urged the City Council and public to oppose Prop M — the proposed April general obligation bond to expand police facilities — citing concern about a potential 2026 property tax increase and the possible local impacts of federal‑local immigration enforcement agreements.
Kelling told the council she had toured the police facility with Chief Nybor and said accrediting standards cited by staff are “written by and for law enforcement professionals and not from the vantage point of any community impacted by policing.” She also warned about 287(g) agreements, saying they “allow local law enforcement to assist ICE in enforcing immigration law,” and argued Maplewood should not expand police facilities while national policing policy and federal enforcement trends remain uncertain.
City Manager Amber told the council the city is conducting outreach ahead of the April election, including site tours of the proposed facilities and informational mailings. Amber said the city scheduled Prop M tours on March 23 at 6 p.m. (City Hall) and March 28 at 10 a.m., will post FAQs and tax‑impact charts on the city website, and will distribute an informational postcard in the coming week. The League of Women Voters has included information about the referendum in its voters’ guide.
Amber also noted that Prop M is a general obligation bond and, per the city’s legal requirement for this referendum, it needs approval from four‑sevenths of voters (57.2%) to pass.
The exchange at the meeting contained no formal council action on Prop M; the council encouraged public attendance at the scheduled tours and additional public comment opportunities.
What happens next: The city will continue outreach and provide tours and materials before the April election; no vote on Prop M took place at the March 10 meeting.
