Shakopee City Council Meeting Highlights

Press release from the City of Shakopee:

September 2, 2020

The Shakopee City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 1. Among the meeting highlights:

Council directs staff to begin annexation process on 250 Jackson Township acres

The City Council directed staff to proceed with formally notifying property owners of its intention to annex 250 acres near Highway 169 and Old Brick Yard Road. The Orderly Annexation Agreement with Jackson Township allows the city to annex 250 acres a year without petition from the property owners. The land has received numerous development inquiries due to its proximity to the highway and adjacency to Windermere. The city is working on a plan to extend sanitary sewer to the area. Shakopee Public Utilities is also in process of installing a water tank and acquiring land for an electric substation. Future steps include a public hearing and City Council approval. More information: Michael Kerski, Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

Council reviews 2021 preliminary budget and levy

The City Council provided feedback on the 2021 preliminary budget and levy. Staff presented a preliminary city levy of $21,042,800, an increase of $662,300 or 3.25 percent from last year. Much of the increase will be covered by new construction, as the city’s estimated market value increased by $521 million, or 8.6 percent, to $6.6 billion. New construction accounts for 22 percent of the increase.

Among the 2021 budget highlights:

• The city will see a tax rate decrease for the fourth consecutive year.
• Union and non-union wages are not anticipated to receive a cost-of-living adjustment for 2021.
• The council directed staff to continue with the enhanced Fire Department’s 24-7 staffing model, which was implemented due to COVID-19. The model has reduced the average response time by five minutes. To offset the financial impact, the park development levy of $200,000 will be eliminated for 2021.
• A $259,000 (14 percent) decline in budgeted building permit revenue for 2021, as a result of a decrease in available developable property within the city limits and a more uncertain economy.

For the median value Shakopee home increasing by 6.3 percent from $251,000 to $266,800, a property owner would see an increase of $6 annually in property taxes. Absent any change in value, homeowners can expect a tax decrease of $49, or about 6.1 percent. The council will be asked to set the preliminary levy maximum at its Sept. 15 meeting. More information: Nate Reinhardt, Finance Director, 952-233-9326.

Council OKs distributing request for qualifications for electrical management

The City Council approved the city to distribute a request for qualifications for electrical services management. The RFQ is to ensure the city is prepared to accept responsibility if voters approve a ballot question abolishing the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission. Any contractual relationship is dependent upon results of the November ballot question. The respondents would provide day to day oversight, evaluation of current system, engineering for projects and response in case of a catastrophe More information: Michael Kerski, Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

Council awards contracts for Riverfront Bluffs demolition, remediation

The City Council authorized contracts for the demolition and remediation of six properties in the Riverfront Bluff Redevelopment Area. The council awarded contracts in the amount of $131,200 to Frattalone Cos. for demolition of the properties and $4,500 to MAVO Systems for environmental remediation. The city will be reimbursed by the developer and will also be using funds from grants from the Met Council and Department of Employment Economic Development for remediation. More information: Michael Kerski, Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

Council confirms Small Business Relief Fund recipients

The City Council approved a resolution confirming the recipients of grants from the Small Business Relief Fund. The fund was made available using funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Total funds expended is $139,056.42 out of the $200,000 allocated. More information: Michael Kerski, Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

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.