City Of Shakopee: After Council Report: July 6, 2021

Press release from the City of Shakopee:

07/07/2021 3:30 pm

The Shakopee City Council met Tuesday, July 6. Among the meeting highlights:

Council hires Chelsea Petersen as new Assistant City Administrator

After a lengthy search with more than 75 applicants, the City Council approved the hiring of Chelsea Petersen as new Assistant City Administrator. Petersen comes to Shakopee from Oakdale, where she currently serves as Administrative Services Director. Prior to working for Oakdale, Petersen was assistant City Administrator in Chanhassen. Petersen, a native of Savage, will begin her role as Assistant Administrator on Aug. 9. More information: Bill Reynolds, City Administrator- 952-233-9311

Local state of emergency ended with Council action

The local state of emergency, due to COVID-19, was ended at the July 16 City Council meeting. The emergency declaration was enacted on March 16, 2020 in the early days of the global pandemic. The state’s requirement for a municipal preparedness plan expired on June 30, and the Governor and Legislature agreed to end the Governor Walz’s emergency powers on July 1, 2021. Based on current vaccination rates, infections and death totals in Scott County, staff determined that it was an appropriate time to end the local state of emergency. More information: Bill Reynolds, City Administrator- 952-233-9311

Bidding for the River Bluffs Improvement Project to open

Council approved plans and ordered the advertisement of bidding for the River Bluffs Improvement Project. The project area is located in the Central Business District and includes reconstruction of:

• Scott Street from First Avenue to Levee Drive
• Levee Drive from Scott Street to Atwood Street
• Atwood Street from First Avenue to Levee Drive

The project includes the reconstruction of roadways and storm sewers. The project will add additional on-street parking areas, street lighting and enhanced landscaping to meet the standards of the downtown area. The initial project estimates sit at about $1,060,000. Bidding for the project will open on Aug. 9, and Council will be asked to approve a bidder at the Aug. 17 meeting. More information Ryan Halverson, Assistant City Engineer 952-233-9366

Contact awarded for demolition of two houses on Schroeder Home site

City Council awarded a contract to Lloyd’s Construction Services for an amount not to exceed $75,000, for the abatement and demolition of city owned property on Bluff Avenue East. Working with the 106 Group, the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service, the city determined that the houses did not have historic value. The contract includes abatement and proper disposal of any harmful materials found on the site. The contractor will backfill the basements of the structures and top the site with soil and grass, freeing up space around the remaining historic properties for surveillance and future use. More information: Michael Kerski, Planning and Development Director- 952-233-9346

Jennifer Lane Park project moving forward

City Council awarded a contract to BKJ Land Company for the Jennifer Lane Park project in the amount of $178,174.86. BKJ Land Company will focus on site improvements for the new neighborhood park which will be located at 2500 Jennifer Lane. In total, the project is expected to cost $329,157.22, 19.7 percent over the projected 2018 Capital Improvement Plan budget total. The change is associated with increasing construction cost and additional items that were needed to ensure the playground is ADA accessible. Construction will begin in August. More information: Adam Bentson, Graduate Engineer 952-233-9323

City receives grant to purchase electric powered maintenance equipment

The city received a grant not to exceed $1887.63 from the Metropolitan Pollution Control Agency to purchase new electric powered maintenance equipment. The grant agreement requires the city to match funds towards the purchase of equipment. Council approved the grant agreement at its July 6 meeting. Public Works will use the funds to purchase a new lawnmower, string trimmer, leaf blower, battery packs, battery chargers and more. More information: Bill Egan, Public Works Superintendent 952-233-9555

Construction at Shakopee Flats development can now begin at 6 a.m.

Council approved a resolution to allow Greystone Construction to begin construction at 6 a.m. rather than the required 7 a.m. at the Shakopee Flats Apartment site. Council added a condition that the resolution could be revoked should noise issues present themselves. The builder requested an earlier start time to reduce the risk of heat stroke due to unusually high temperatures. At this stage of construction, there is no protection from the sun for workers. More information: Michael Kerski, Planning and Development Director- 952-233-9346

City will purchase former Scott County Workforce Center

City Council, acting as the Economic Development Authority, agreed to the purchase of the former Scott County Workforce Center. The County Board agreed, in concept, to sell the building. The existing users of the property are in the process of moving out and current users will receive a portion of the sale proceeds to assist in relocation and acquisition costs. When the purchase is completed, the city can demolish the building and sell it to a developer and the development will return it to the tax rolls.  More information: Michael Kerski, Planning and Development Director- 952-233-9346

City grants loan to Pullman Club for façade improvements

Acting as the Economic Development Authority, the City Council approved a Façade Improvement Loan to the Pullman Club. The club requested $30,000 towards improvements to the awnings, windows, sliding door as well as new lighting. The Pullman Club will match the EDA’s Funding amount with their proposed $116,000 of improvements to the site. Façade loans are a reimbursement agreement, meaning the EDA will not distribute funds until they have been expended by the Pullman Club. More information: Jenn Brewington, Economic Development Specialist- 952-233-9317

New staff member to be added to the Communications Division

City Council has authorized structural changes to the Communications Division. The city’s 2020 – 2024 Strategic Plan has placed an emphasis on communications; therefore, Council was asked to approve structural changes to the division, including the hiring of a second Communications Specialist. Additionally, the Communications Manager will see a pay increase based on the city’s pay scale. More information: Alissa Frey, HR Director- 952-233-9312

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.