Shakopee Shared After Council Report For February 2, 2021

Press release from the City of Shakopee:

February 4, 2021

The Shakopee City Council met Tuesday, Feb. 2. Among the meeting highlights:

Council approves Scenic Heights Park concept

The City Council approved the proposed concept design plan No. 2 for Scenic Heights Park. City staff reached out to neighborhood residents to solicit feedback on two proposed park designs. Most residents preferred a more multi-generational park with amenities such as pickleball courts, an expanded playground and large bankshot course. The city plans to phase park improvements over the coming years as the park development budget allows. The first phase of the project will be playground replacement in 2021. More information: PeggySue Imihy, Senior Planner, 952-233-9325.

Council issues RFP for refuse and recycling services

The City Council approved issuing a request for proposals (RFPs) for contracted city-wide refuse and recycling collection and disposal. The RFP addresses several of the council’s ongoing concerns, including cart management, customer service improvements, every-week recycling option and trial organics collection. The RFP is anticipated to be issued this week and due March 23. The council is anticipated to consider a contract in May. More information: Nate Burkett, Assistant City Administrator, 952-233-9310.

Council approves design agreement for Lift Station No. 16 rehabilitation

The City Council accepted a feasibility report and authorized a professional services agreement with AE2S in the amount of $290,000 to perform design and construction services for the Lift Station No. 16 Rehabilitation Project. The project includes rehabilitating the city's primary sanitary sewer lift station and removing the old lift station building. The first phase of the project was completed in 2020. City staff will work with AE2S to develop Phases 2 and 3. The council agreed to advance the 2025 portion of the project (Phase 3) to save the city as much as $250,000 by completing it at the same time. More information: Darin Manning, Project Coordinator, 952-233-9364.

Council approves text amendments to 2040 Comprehensive Plan

The City Council approved text and density amendments to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The amendments to the plan's chapter 5A Built Environment reflect changing development patterns. The amendments include density changes to the Entertainment District and Downtown Transition District, as well other text corrections. More information: PeggySue Imihy, Senior Planner, 952-233-9325.

Council approves contract for Canterbury EAW

The City Council approved a contract with SRF for an amount not to exceed $150,000 to complete an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the Canterbury Event District. Canterbury is exploring redevelopment of approximately 50 acres in the northeast corner of its property to potentially include entertainment, restaurants, public plazas, mixed use, hotel and/or retail. The EAW will explore environmental impacts with the redevelopment of this area including traffic, sewer, water, etc. It is also the first step toward the demolition and relocation of the barn area. Canterbury Park will fund all expenses related to the EAW. More information: Michael Kerski, Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

Council sets public hearing for EDA land sale

Acting as the Economic Development Authority, the City Council directed staff to proceed with sale of 3.6 acres near Vierling Drive and Lincoln Street. The city received two offers for the property with the higher offer from Trident Development for $626,000. Trident plans to construct approximately 32 rental townhomes on the property. The site was previously under contract to MWF Properties to develop workforce housing. However, MWF did not receive its tax credit allocation and canceled its purchase contract at the end of 2020. A public hearing on the property sale will be held during a special Feb. 16 EDA meeting. More information: Director of Planning and Development, 952-233-9346.

Council directs staff to continue development of rental housing program

In a workshop, the City Council provided feedback and direction on a proposed Rental Housing Inspection program. An inspections program could address unsafe and unsanitary rental housing conditions in the city through mandatory inspections. In a workshop, the City Council provided feedback and direction on a proposed Rental Housing Inspection program. An inspections program could address unsafe and unsanitary rental housing conditions in the city through mandatory inspections. The council directed staff to focus on tenant protections along with a possible property maintenance ordinance to discuss again at a future meeting. More information: PeggySue Imihy, Senior Planner, 952-233-9325.

Council declares Environmental Impact Statement not necessary for Hentges Industrial Park development

The City Council issued a negative declaration of the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Hentges Industrial Park Development. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the Hentges Industrial Park Development found that the project does not have the potential for significant environmental impacts; therefore, no need for an EIS exists. More information: Mark Noble, Senior Planner, 952-233-9348.

Council sets public hearing for 2021 Street and Utility Reconstruction project

The City Council accepted a feasibility report and set a public hearing for the 2021 Street and Utility Reconstruction Project. The project includes the reconstruction of storm sewer, watermain and roads for portions of Scott Street, Levee Drive, Atwood Street and Fuller Street in downtown Shakopee. The project was originally planned for 2020 but pushed to 2021 to align with the development of the adjacent Riverfront Bluffs project. More information: Ryan Halverson, Assistant City Engineer, 952-233-9366.

City accepts monetary, bleacher donations

The City Council gratefully accepted a donation of $1,000 from Sue Westegaard in memory of her mother, Helen Halvorson. The funds will be used to support older active adult programs. The council also gratefully accepted a donation from Shakopee Youth Baseball Association of two bleacher sections for Green Meadows Park and Tahpah West Baseball Field.

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