City Of Shakopee Releases After Council Report For July 14

Press release from the City of Shakopee:

July 15, 2020

The Shakopee City Council met in workshop Tuesday, July 14. Among the meeting highlights:

Council directs staff to move forward with SandVenture maintenance

The City Council directed staff to move forward with necessary maintenance at SandVenture Aquatic Park, as well as upgrade the park’s chlorination system. The aging outdoor water park, which closed this summer due to COVID-19, requires basic maintenance to keep the facility operational. The estimated cost of this maintenance work is $780,000. The council also directed staff to explore the possibility of replacing the sand-bottom pool with a concrete surface to reduce future maintenance costs. More information: Jay Tobin, Parks and Recreation Director, 952-233-9514.

City approves concept plan for Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park

The City Council approved a concept plan for a mountain bike trail on land leased from Xcel Energy adjacent to Quarry Lake Park. The concept plan includes a 4-mile loop trail, as well as additional amenities, such as grills, picnic tables and changing area, on parkland. The city hopes to start trail construction yet this fall. A groundbreaking for the mountain bike park is planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22. More information: PeggySue Imihy, Senior Planner, 952-233-9325.

Council allocates money for small business relief program

The City Council allocated $200,00 from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to establish a small business relief program for Shakopee businesses adversely affected by COVID-19. Small businesses would be eligible for a one-time forgivable loan up to $15,000. Funds can be used for operating expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, payments to suppliers or other critical non-payroll business expenses (including expenses related to reopening). Loan applications will be accepted July 20-24 with awards given July 31. More information about the relief fund will be available on the city website later this week. More information: Jenn Brewington, Economic Development Specialist, 952-233-9318.

Council reviews preliminary 2021-25 Capital Improvement Plan

As a first step of the 2021 budget process, the City Council reviewed the city’s preliminary five-year capital improvement plan. The plan includes projects that require use of public funds for the acquisition, construction or replacement of infrastructure and capital assets. The capital improvement plan is not an approved budget document but rather a plan for current and long-term needs. Thus, not all projects included in the plan have dedicated funding sources at this stage. The plan will continue to be refined as part of the 2021 budget process. Once adopted, 2021 projects will be added to the city’s 2021 budget. More information: Nate Reinhardt, Finance Director, 952-233-9326.

These summaries are a sampling of the meeting. See the entire agenda packet with supporting documents at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/agendasandminutes. The meeting is also available for viewing on demand at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/livestream.

This press release was produced by the City of Shakopee. The views expressed here are the author’s own.