09-47 Resolution 09-47
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MENIFEE,
CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT OF THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL
DETENTION CENTER
WHEREAS, the primary role of local elected officials is to protect the health, safety and
welfare of their residents, and
WHEREAS, the city of Menifee continues to work with local law enforcement agencies to
keep our streets safe and keep criminals behind bars, and
WHEREAS, a federal injunction requires Riverside County to release inmates when the
county's jails are at capacity, and
WHEREAS, in 2007 Riverside County released more than 6,000 criminals before they
had completed their sentences because jails were at capacity, and
WHEREAS, without adequate inmate housing Riverside County will be forced to
continue the early release of criminals who often return to the streets and commit new
crimes against our residents, visitors and property, and
WHEREAS, Riverside County is conducting the environmental review of a site for a
detention center along Interstate 10 near the Community of Whitewater, and
WHEREAS, the detention center will resemble a manufacturing or distribution center
similar to other facilities on that segment of Interstate 10, and
WHEREAS, the Interstate 10 location is best suited for a detention center because of its
close proximity to a transportation corridor and ease of access to county courts, and
WHEREAS, there appear to be few negative environmental impacts associated with the
proposed Interstate 10 site for a detention center, and
WHEREAS, the detention center will house 2,000 inmates in its first phase and the site
has potential to expand to 7,200 inmate beds, and
WHEREAS, the detention center will add amenities and infrastructure to the surrounding
neighborhoods, and
WHEREAS, the detention center will generate about 1,500 public safety jobs at build
out, and
Resolution 08-47
Page 2
WHEREAS, the detention center will allow the county to dramatically curtail the number
of inmate early releases and better ensure criminals stay off the streets and therefore
enhancing the quality of life for all residents and visitors, and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED AND ORDERED by the City
Council of the City of Menifee, County of Riverside, State of California, in regular session
assembled on February 3, 2009 as follows:
1. That the City Council sees no deleterious public safety or economic
impacts to cities and communities near the detention center,
2. That the City Council has determined construction of a new detention is a
regional public safety priority,
3. That the City Council hereby finds the proposed site along Interstate 10
near Whitewater to be an ideal location for a detention center pending the
outcome of the environmental impact study,
4. That the City Council endorses the project and recommends that
Riverside County move forward with construction of the regional detention
center near the Interstate 10 location.
MOVED, PASSED and ADO1PTTE_D_ this 3rd day of March, 2009 by the following vote:
Ayes: f� ��
Noes: Clbw.�
Absent: 11"-1
Abstain:
Attest:
Wallace Edgerton, Mayor
Kathy Bennett, City Clerk