Shakopee City Council Met On July 7

Press release from the City of Shakopee:

July 8, 2020

The Shakopee City Council met Tuesday, July 7. Among the meeting highlights:

City moves Precinct 2 polling location

The City Council ratified a change of polling location for Precinct 2 ahead of the Aug. 11 Primary Election. The council approved moving the polling place from Central Family Center to Pearson Early Childhood Center due to the school district’s recent decision to close Central Family Center before the 2020-21 school year. A list of polling locations is available on the city website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/elections. More information: Lori Hensen, City Clerk, 952-233-9318.

Council awards contract for wayfinding signage

The City Council awarded a contract to Confluence in the amount of $59,250 for design services for trail signage and wayfinding. Confluence will develop a citywide signage and amenities standards manual to create a cohesive brand and aesthetic for city trails. It will also include new branding for the Vierling Greenway Trail (formerly known as the Upper Valley Drainage Way Trail). More information: PeggySue Imihy, Senior Planner, 952-233-9325.

Council purchases new portable sewer pump

The City Council approved the purchase of a trailer-mounted portable sewer sump in the amount of $98,790 from Minnesota Pump Works. The pump replaces an aging model and is used for emergency pumping of sanitary sewer and storm sewer. More information: Dave Rutt, Streets Maintenance Supervisor, 952-233-9556.

Council discusses interest in rental housing inspections program

The City Council directed staff to draft language for a rental housing ordinance aimed at preserving and maintaining the city’s rental stock. The council reviewed similar ordinances in other cities to identify ways the city could adopt an inspection program and ensure the city’s 4,000-plus rental properties are in good living condition. The council requested the city’s Equity Team review the draft language with a potential ordinance coming back for council review in early 2021. More information: Michael Kerski, Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

Council authorizes letter in response to SMSC trust application

The City Council authorized Mayor Bill Mars to sign a letter of response regarding Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) application to move 11 parcels into trust status. The parcels, located in southeast Shakopee, are mostly prairie and woodland with some farmland and residences. Moving the parcels into trust status would remove them from the property tax rolls, resulting in a $30,870.20 loss for the city in 2020. More information: Bill Reynolds, City Administrator, 952-233-9311.

Council meets in closed session for administrator’s review

The City Council met in closed session to discuss the annual city administrator’s job performance review. The council took no action on the review.

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.