Fall 2023 Hometown Messenger

Messenger Hometown

A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE | FALL 2023

Patrolling Shakopee Get to know our police officers Report an issue City unveils new service app Explore Shakopee’s newest playgrounds New places to play

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATION FALL ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS AUG. 29

SHOW OFF SHAKOPEE PHOTO CONTEST

2023

Submit your photos to the City of Shakopee’s 2023 Show O Shakopee Photo Contest! This year’s categories are: Faces of Shakopee | Streetscapes | Lakes and Streams Submit your photos at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/showo shakopee from September 1–30, 2023

GRAND PRIZE: $100 | CATEGORY WINNERS 3 : $50

See the full contest rules and info on the city website: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/showo shakopee

YOUR CITY, YOUR VOICE: HELP US RENAME Messenger Hometown

Messenger Hometown

A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE | SUMMER 2023

Safety rst City records lowest crime rate in 30+ years

Big money, no whammies Tax rates continue 10-year plunge

A place to play Two new playgrounds opening soon Messenger Hometown

Submit your unique name ideas online now through Sept. 1 at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/YourCityYourVoice

A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE | SPRING/SUMMER 2023

A national treasure Schroeder House makes National Register

Your input is invaluable as we strive to create a name that embodies the spirit of unity, belonging and positivity that makes Shakopee so exceptional.

‘What’s going there?’ Find out what’s new to town

Got trees? Annual tree sale coming soon

Keep the kids busy Parks & Rec o ers wide variety of summer fun

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATION SPRING/SUMMER ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 28 AT 6 A.M.

Messenger Hometown

News from the City of Shakopee | Fall 2023

CITY NEWSLETTER NewPlacestoPlay.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 CityCalendar................... 4 InLehman’sTerms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 YardWaste Options.. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Accessibility and Translation Widget......................... 5 AsktheCity..................... 6 Parks & Recreation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Development News.. . . . . . . . . . . . 9 PublicWorks................... 10 PublicSafety................... 12 Chief'sNotes................... 13 Cover Photo: Children flock to try out the new equipment at the Huber Park playground grand opening

Huber Park 150 Fillmore St. N. Quarry Lake Park 6201 Innovation Blvd.

An aerial shot shows the new equipment at Huber Park playground

New places to play Explore Shakopee’s newest playgrounds If you haven’t had an opportunity to take the family to visit the new playgrounds at Huber and Quarry Lake Parks, there’s still time before winter forces us off the swings and slides The Huber Park playground opened on July 20 to the joyous laughter of hundreds of children clam oring to experience the new play structures After 16 years of memories, the former wooden playground, which was built by community volun teers in 2007, was deemed unsafe and in need of replacement “We were all sad to see the wooden playground taken down,” said Jay Tobin, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation “But safety is our number one priority, and this new structure provides both safety and new experiences with play elements that didn’t exist in the previous playground” The new equipment includes a zipline, two merry-go-rounds (one that’s climbable), two tod

dler slides, a side-by-side slide for racing, three tunnel slides, nets for climbing, monkey bars and four types of swings The play area itself sits on a poured-in-place sur face, which makes the equipment more accessible “We are particularly proud of this playground because so many residents provided input on what they wanted to see here,” Tobin said “When we sought community feedback on this project, we received thousands of responses from kids and adults alike, and we incorpo rated a lot of those desires into the final design”

“We are particularly proud of this playground [Huber Park] because so many residents provided input on what they wanted to see here.” Jay Tobin Director of Parks and Recreation

FIND US ONLINE AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov

SIGN UP FOR NEWS AND UPDATES AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/subscribe

Continued on page 6

Fall 2023 3

IN LEHMAN’S TERMS A message from the Mayor of Shakopee

CITY CALENDAR

AUGUST 20 SandVenture Closing for Season SEPTEMBER 4 Labor Day: City offices and Community Center closed 16 Movie in the Park: 7 pm (dusk), Huber Park, free OCTOBER 2 Fire Department Open House: 5–7 pm , Station #1 14 Movie in the Park: 7 pm (dusk), Huber Park, free 21 Fall Clean Up Day:

Greetings, Shakopee!

With fall just around the corner, that means our community kids will be back traversing to school With this is a reminder to watch for the walkers, bikers and buses

Mayor Matt Lehman

The law requires stopping for school buses when stop arms are extended and lights are flashing, whether you’re oncoming or following, so please be cautious and keep our kids safe out there This time of year is also the time when City Council and staff start working on budgets and the tax levy Please contact a council member with your questions, comments and concerns Contact information is available at www.ShakopeeMN. gov/mayorandcouncil If you don’t use the internet, call City Hall at 952-233-9300; city staff can provide you with phone numbers for council members to answer your questions or hear your feedback If you’re a resident of Shakopee “caught” by a council member doing something great for our community, they will thank you with a Shakopee logo lapel pin of appreciation If you see someone wearing one, they were caught by a councilor making a positive difference in our community In closing, I tend to focus on things that are broken or could be improved, probably as a result of my mechanic/racing/council backgrounds, and sometimes I neglect recognizing the great things that don’t need fixing or improvement Shakopee, we have a lot of great things to be proud of, many good things in the works, and as your Mayor, I (along with your council) will continue to put the interests of the people we serve first You, the people of Shakopee, make the greatness of this community, and for that the council is thankful Matt Lehman Mayor of Shakopee mlehman@ShakopeeMN.gov

7:30–11:30 pm , Shakopee Public Works parking lot

28 Spooky Family Fun:

4–7 pm , Huber Park, free, no registration required

NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day:

City offices closed, Community Center remains open 23 Thanksgiving: City offices and Community Center closed 24 Day After Thanksgiving: City offices closed, Community Center remains open DECEMBER 5 City Budget Hearing: 7 pm , City Hall Please note, events are subject to cancellation or changes due to the current public health guidelines by the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health Find the latest city calendar at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/calendar

CONTACT US MAYOR MattLehman......................... mlehman@ShakopeeMN.gov COUNCIL MEMBERS AngelicaContreras.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . acontreras@ShakopeeMN.gov JimDuLaney.......................... jdulaney@ShakopeeMN.gov JesseLara.................................. jlara@ShakopeeMN.gov JayWhiting..................................... jaywhtng@aol.com CITY ADMINISTRATOR WilliamReynolds..................... breynolds@ShakopeeMN.gov

CITY HALL 485 Gorman St , Shakopee, MN 55379

Phone................................................952-233-9300 TTY...................................................952-233-3837 Email........................... administration@ShakopeeMN.gov Website.................................... www.ShakopeeMN.gov The Hometown Messenger is produced four times a year by the City of Shakopee. Comments or suggestions can be directed to the editor, Amanda McKnight, at amcknight@ShakopeeMN.gov .

4 Hometown Messenger

Yard waste options for Shakopee residents Free drop-off Sundays at SMSC Organics Recycling Facility

Scott County residents can also take advantage of free yard waste drop-off this fall at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Organic Recycling Facility at 1905 Mystic Lake Drive S This service is offered most Sundays in September and October from 8 a m to 2 pm ; visit www.smscorf.com for an up-to-date schedule Residents can recycle leaves, trimmings, food scraps and other organics for free through this drop-off program A valid ID must be presented When in doubt, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/garbageandrecycling for answers to common questions To stay up to date on service updates, holiday schedules, billing and more, download the Dick’s Sanitation app in the Google Play store or App Store

This is your friendly reminder to clean up your yard by November if you don’t want to store yard waste bags until spring Yard waste service offered by the city’s garbage hauler, Dick’s Sanita tion (DSI), will end in mid-November, weather permitting City of Shakopee residents have the option of paying an additional fee for DSI’s seasonal yard waste service from mid-April to mid-Novem ber For those who don’t use the seasonal service, on-call yard waste service is also available until November for $368 per compostable bag up to five bags per week DSI also offers Christmas tree removal during the first two full weeks of January Christmas tree removal is not included in the seasonal yard waste base rate Residents must call DSI at 952-469-2239 or email Shakopee@dickssanitation.com one day prior to their regular service day to schedule a tree pickup

Introducing our new accessibility and translation widget Website widget will improve overall user experience

4. KEYBOARD NAVIGATION: Navigating websites using a keyboard is crucial for individuals with motor impairments The widget ensures that all website ele ments can be accessed and interacted with using keyboard-only controls 5. TRANSLATION: The widget is capable of translating the majority of the city website into more than 30 languages HOW TO USE THE WIDGET: Locate the dark blue widget in the upper right-hand corner of the website and click on the icon to open the accessibility menu Once the menu is open, explore the various options available, such as translation, text size, font style, color adjustments, and screen reader functionality Customize these settings according to your preferences and needs We encourage all residents to take advan tage of this valuable tool and provide us with feedback on how we can further improve our

We are excited to announce the launch of our new accessibility and translation widget on the city’s website, designed to make the site more inclusive and user-friendly for all residents KEY FEATURES OF THE WIDGET: 1. SCREEN READER FUNCTIONALITY: For individuals with visual impairments or those who prefer an audio experience, this feature allows the website’s con tent to be read aloud 2. TEXT SIZE AND FONT: With the ability to adjust text size and font style, the widget empowers users to personalize their browsing experience 3. COLOR AND CONTRAST: Visual impair ments can often be exacerbated by poor color contrast The widget addresses this concern by enabling users to modify the color scheme and contrast of the website, promoting better readability and reduc ing eye strain

website’s accessibility Email Communications Manager Amanda McKnight at amcknight@ ShakopeeMN.gov with questions or if you encounter issues with the widget

Click here to choose an accessibility pro le

Click on or tap the widget to open the menu and explore the options

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NEWS & NOTES NEW EMPLOYEES JOIN CITY STAFF Join us in welcoming these new employees to the City of Shakopee:

■ Alex Jordan , City Engineer ■ Jake Schmidt , Maintenance Operator ■ Madison Bisek , Police Records Tech ■ Jacob Milinkovich , Police Officer ■ Yvonne Havemeier , Police Officer ■ Amanda Schwabe , Planner ■ Stephanie Janke , Crime Prevention Specialist

■ Jay Buckentine , Building Inspector ■ Henry Pagel , Graduate Engineer ■ Josiah Ferguson , Graduate Engineer ■ Tony Housley , Mechanic ■ Chad Schmidt , Maintenance Operator

In addition, the City thanks the seasonal employees that joined us for the summer, including 28 seasonal staff in Public Works, 32 seasonal staff in Aquatics and 15 seasonal staff at the Community Center

■ Bill Delaney , Senior Planner ■ Derek Carlsrud , Police Officer ■ Karen Johnson , Police Officer

Fall 2023 5

Top left and center: Children play on the new playground equipment at Huber Park Top right and bottom: Quarry Lake’s new, unique playground also opened this summer Continued from page 3

Designed with creativity and safety in mind, the playground offers a diverse range of play elements that cater to children of all ages, encouraging them to unleash their imaginations and embrace the spirit of adventure But Huber isn’t the only new playground in town! Quarry Lake Park is now home to its first ever playground Quarry Lake has become a more prominent Shakopee destination in recent years since the opening of the Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park The addition of the Highway 169 pedestrian bridge will soon connect this park to com munities on the south side of the highway, increasing the need for recreation opportunities

The new Quarry Lake play area is certainly unique, containing struc tures not found in existing Shakopee parks It includes two net swings, a large snake-like climbing structure and a hybrid seesaw-swing mix Similar to the Huber Park process, the city sought feedback from residents about what they wanted to see at the new Quarry Lake playground The responses indicated playground users were thirsty for something uncon ventional, which drove the decisions made during the design process “The community told us they wanted something unique,” Planning Director Michael Kerski said “The playground design chosen by the City Council reflects that, and we hope it becomes a favorite place to play for years to come”

#AsktheCity

NEW ‘REPORT AN ISSUE’ APP

The city has rolled out a new app, MyCivic, so residents can swiftly and easily report issues they may encounter around town To download the app, search for “My Civic 311” in your Android or Apple app stores You will need to search for and choose “City of Shakopee” once on the main page of the app Q: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CITY’S SERVICE REQUEST PORTAL?

Q: WHAT CAN I USE THIS APP FOR? A: Residents can report everything from potholes and road debris to abandoned vehicles and rental property maintenance concerns Once inside the app, you’ll see a list of categories to choose from when submitting your issue Q: DO I HAVE TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT TO USE IT? A: Yes, you do The city does not accept anonymous complaints, and we need to know who we should follow-up with in case city staff has questions or needs clarification Residents who create an account will not be contacted in any way unless it is directly related to their com plaint report

A: Previously, the city used a service request portal on the city web site to track resident’s submitted issues Similar to the app, residents could create an account and submit their concern online This service request portal has been discontinued, with the MyCivic app taking its place Q: WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? A: The MyCivic app has GPS built into it, so you will be able to place a pin on the map showing where the issue is located This will make issues easier for city staff to locate and resolve

6 Hometown Messenger

Extra! Extra! Read all about city news in the Shakopee Digest SHAKOPEE DIGEST We get it—with social media, TV news, news papers, the city website, and so many other avenues to obtain information, it can be dif ficult to know where to get reliable updates about what’s going on in your city That’s why we have the Shakopee Digest, the city’s monthly email newsletter sent to subscribers to provide you with a look at the month ahead We cover everything from special, city-hosted community events and upcoming road

SHAKOPEE DIGEST

closures to updates on seasonal parking and soliciting resident feedback via sur veys (and then some!) To sign up for this monthly email, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/shakopeedigest , enter your email address, and click“submit” Having trouble? Contact Communica tions Manager Amanda McKnight at amcknight@ShakopeeMN.gov

How Can I Help You? Meet Jay Buckentine, who works in the City’s Planning Department Q: What do you do for the city? A: I’m a rental inspector and building inspector Q: How long have you worked for the city? A: I started my job on May 1 this year Q: What do you enjoy about working for the city? A: I enjoy knowing that every day will be different from the day before I also enjoy the different variety of inspections on a daily basis Q: What’s the best part of your job? A: The biggest thing I didn’t realize about the job is how much computer work there is It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but I try to learn something new every day!

Your City, Your Voice Help us rename Hometown Messenger The City is embarking on a journey to revitalize this publication, and we want your creative genius to help make it happen! Your input is invaluable as we strive to create a newsletter name that embodies the spirit of unity, belonging and positivity that makes Shakopee so exceptional We encourage you to draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of history and shared experiences that make our riverside community truly vibrant Submit your unique name ideas online now through Sept 15 at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/ YourCityYourVoice Only one idea is allowed per entry, but you may submit multiple entries Finalists will be announced in September, and city staff will vote to select the winning submission Together let’s find a name that is unique and reflective of the city we love! Having audio issues with City of Shakopee TV on Channel 16? It has come to the city’s attention that some residents have been unable to hear any audio on city meetings that run on cable Channel 16 After assessing the issue, we learned this is happening to residents who have a Comcast Cisco cable box If you have a Comcast Cisco cable box and want to watch Channel 16 with audio, please reach out to Comcast and request a new box The public can also watch live meetings and access video recordings of City Council and other city government meetings at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/govtv

Messenger Hometown

A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE | SPRING/SUMMER 2023

A national treasure Schroeder House makes National Register

‘What’s going there?’ Find out what’s new to town

Got trees? Annual tree sale coming soon

Keep the kids busy Parks & Rec offers wide variety of summer fun

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATION SPRING/SUMMER ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 28 AT 6 A.M.

Fall 2023 7

PARKS & RECREATION Playground at Memorial Park set for removal Nature-based play area to be created in 2024

“Restoring this area of public land back to native prairie is impor tant for several reasons,” said Director of Planning and Development Michael Kerski “Once established, the prairie grass will help control problematic soil erosion along the river This will also help protect Dakota burial mounds and sacred land that was originally inhabited by the ancestors of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community” More than 10 years ago, the city identified several areas of the park that contain sacred burial grounds and archaeological artifacts, some of which are located beneath the playground area “After we remove the playground and volleyball court, the city will do an updated archaeological study in the remainder of the park so we can identify these historically significant areas and be aware of them going forward,” Kerski said “We’re grateful for our partnership with SMSC We want to ensure the city is respecting the final resting place of the Dakota people who first thrived here” The city will work with the Minnesota Office of the State Archaeol ogist, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, State Historic Preservation Office and SMSC to confirm proper surveying is done by a qualified contractor The project is being funded in part by a grants from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota His torical Society

Long-discussed changes are coming to Memorial Park this season as the city embarks on a habitat rehabilitation project In summer 2019, the city developed a Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan with feedback from more than 3,000 Shakopee residents This master plan includes plans to restore 17 acres of Memorial Park to its native state, replicating what the land would have looked like when the Dakota people first inhabited it The first phase of the restoration, which should begin sometime in late summer, will involve killing off the existing turf The city plans to remove the playground equipment and volleyball court in early fall The playground will be replaced, though not in its current location Future plans include constructing a nature-based play area sometime in 2024, though it would be nearer to the west shelter so as not to dis turb Dakota burial mounds and the soon-to-be restored prairieland Once the playground is removed this fall, the city will work with the Scott Soil & Water Conservation District to plant native seed in its place The native prairie grasses and pollinators will take a minimum of three years to become fully established The building that formerly housed the Chamber of Commerce in the park will be demolished this fall, as the Chamber has made its new home in the River City Centre building in downtown Shakopee The existing restroom facility will also be removed and replaced with a portable toilet

Women’s swim program recognized with award

been successful thanks to generous dona tions from a single community supporter and a grant from Minnesota Valley Electric Trust MRPA recognizes agencies or organizations in Minnesota for outstanding achievements in the following categories: ■ administrative or management strategies ■ marketing and communications

The City Council recognized the Parks and Recreation Department on their receipt of the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Asso ciation Award of Excellence in Programming for the Women’s Water Safety Program The program was developed for women who are unable to participate in swimming les sons offered at the Community Center due to the presence of men in the facility, and it has

■ park and facility ■ programming and events ■ sponsorship and partnerships ■ volunteer initiatives

A major goal of the Awards of Excellence program is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the excellent parks, trails, and recreation services available in Minnesota

8 Hometown Messenger

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

‘What’s going there?’ City Council paves way for new construction, playground improvements We all want an answer to the burning question, “What’s going there?” when we see or hear about construction projects around the city Here’s a rundown of some of the latest projects to receive City Council approval:

City launches rental licensing code program New program will increase landlord accountability As a result of the Shakopee City Council adopting a rental licensing code and the 2022 Property Maintenance Code in 2022, the city is now rolling out the rental licens ing code program for the 4,000+ rental units in the community WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? If you are a property owner who is leasing a house, townhouse or an apartment build ing that you own, you will need to register your property with the city on an annual basis and also have your units inspected The city recently hired a rental inspector, Jay Buckentine, who is coordinating registra tions and inspections If you are a renter, you now have a process to ensure that minimum standards like heat, running water, and lockable doors are main tained in your rental The city will be launch ing a web page and phone app that will allow tenants to report issues in the prop erty that they are renting When an issue is reported, the city’s rental inspector will verify the property’s rental license and coordinate an inspection with the property owner The annual fees are listed in the city’s fee schedule available on the city website, but an overview of the fees are as follows: ■ Single family or townhome: $250/year ■ Apartment with two to 10 units: $500/year plus $40 per unit per year ■ Apartment with 11–100 units: $1,000/ year plus $40 per unit per year ■ Apartment with 101+ units: $2,500/ year plus $40 per unit per year Shakopee joins the majority of cities in the state that have a rental licensing and inspec tion program This ensures that properties are maintained and offers some protections to renters

AFFINITY PLUS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION The City Council adopted a resolution approving a Planned Unit Development that will allow Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union to construct a building at 1714 Crossings Boulevard The credit union will be about 3,040 square feet, located on property adjacent to McCoy’s Copper Pint The credit union will have a two-lane drive-up on the south side of the building The construction timeline of this project is yet to be determined CT REALTY FLEET SERVICE CENTER The City Council approved a final plat for Hentges Industrial Park 5th Addition, which is north of Hentges Way and west of Stagecoach Road The site is approximately 449 acres and is owned by Cretex Industrial Park, LLC The approved plat creates a site for CT Realty, a renewable natural gas fuel producer and distributor, to build a fleet service center, which will expand its fleet fueling use and provide vehicle maintenance for its fleet Construction on this project is almost complete HOLIDAY STATION STORE IN WINDERMERE The City Council adopted a resolution approving a Planned Unit Development that will allow Holiday Station Stores/ Circle K to construct a 6,658 square-foot gas station and car wash at 1605 Windermere Way The gas station will have eight pump islands and is pro posed to operate 24 hours a day Car wash hours will be limited to 7 a m to 9 pm The construction timeline of this project is yet to be determined HIGHVIEW PARK DEVELOPMENT The City Council approved a final plat for Highview Park, a development located south of County Road 78 and east and west of Zumbro Avenue The first phase of development will include about 122 sin gle-family homes and 50 units of twin homes The appli cant plans to build out the development further over the next several years, for an eventual total of 496 single-family homes and 92 units of twin homes Site grading has already begun this summer, with construc tion to follow

Fall 2023 9

PUBLIC WORKS

What on Earth is a lift station, anyway?

So, how do lift stations work? Sewage is stored and fed into a pit Once this sewage reaches a certain level, electrical instruments rec ognize the pit is full and activate the pump, which will then pump the sewage out to its next destination Most lift stations are housed underground to prevent health risks in a confined area, since the sewage can release poisonous gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide Shakopee currently has two sanitary lift stations and two more being constructed Each city has a different number of lift stations It’s not unheard of for a town to have 40 or more! DO NOT FLUSH: ■ Disinfecting wipes, Swiffers, disposable diapers, paper towels, feminine products and other bulky products even if they claim to be disposable or flushable ■ Fats, oils or greases ■ Flammable or explosive liquids, solids or gases ■ Garbage, sand, metals, wood, straw or grass, wastepaper, plastics, glass and cat litter ■ Corrosive substances that are either acidic or caustic ■ Any substance that is toxic to the treatment facilities or workers in the facilities ■ Dye wastes or tanning solutions ■ Anything radioactive

A wastewater lift station is a critical piece of infrastructure included as part of your sanitary collection system While most wastewater gen erated by households, businesses and industries is collected and con veyed via gravity through large interceptor pipes, lift stations collect the wastewater at a low point in the collection network and pump it to a higher elevation to the next gravity line or to a treatment facility There are two main elements to a lift station: the wet well and the con trols The wet well is a basin into which the inflow is discharged and where the pump sits The control panel is the brain of the lift station

A new lift station is being constructed to service the west end of Shakopee A trunk watermain system was also constructed to provide domestic water service to this area Lift station construction is expected to be complete by the end of summer

KEEP THE STREETS CLEAN OR IT WILL MAKE THE PONDS GREEN City of Shakopee Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program In an effort to protect our water resources, the city has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit, administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency The Permit requires the city, as the owner of a comprehensive storm sewer system, to develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan that strives to reduce the discharge of pollutants from our storm sewer system For more information, please visit the city’s website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/swppp For questions, comments or to report a violation, call Kirby Templin at 952-233-9372 CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET ›› DID YOU KNOW?

›› HOW YOU CAN HELP:

■ Storm sewers are not connected to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems like the drains in your home When pet waste is tossed into a storm drain or left on a sidewalk, street or yard, it is carried through the storm system directly into your local water bodies, without any treatment! ■ Pet waste is a threat to human and environmental health because it contains harmful bacterial and pathogens, some of which can cause serious diseases in humans ■ Pet waste also contains many other nutrient pollutants, which contribute to excessive algae growth in a water body, upsetting the delicate balance of the natural habitat

Being a responsible pet owner means picking up after your pet Bag it and put it in the trash Landfills are designed to safely handle substances such as dog waste and cat litter

PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET

10 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC WORKS

From treasure to trash Fall Clean Up Day is Oct 21 If you’ve been looking at your garage all summer wishing the piles of old junk would disappear, your wish can come true at the city’s Fall Clean Up Day on Saturday, Oct 21 Whether you need to get rid of old appliances, tires, scrap metal, or that bin of doilies your grandmother gave you (shhh—we won’t tell her!), you can bring it to Clean Up Day and be rid of it forever This event is a chance for residents to properly dispose of unwanted items in a convenient, drop-off location that promotes safe disposal Clean Up Day is funded in part through grants received from Scott County and Shakopee’s Recycling Rebate Program On Oct 21, residents can drop off items between 7:30 and 11:30 a m behind the Public Works building, 400 Gorman St The line of vehicles can get long, so plan accordingly “We appreciate our residents’ patience when the wait is long,” said Public Works Director Bill Egan “We take pride in providing this opportunity for proper waste disposal and are always thrilled when folks take advantage of it” A list of accepted items and pricing is available at www.ShakopeeMN. gov/cleanupday Residents will be charged a flat fee (check or credit card preferred) based on the type of vehicle hauling the load This is a first-come, first-served event The line to enter may be cut off prior to 11:30 to ensure vehicles already in line are processed Please note, Shakopee Rotary will not be collecting donations for Bridging, Inc during the fall event STOP 1

STOP 3

STOP 5

STOP 7

STOP 2

STOP 4

STOP 6

STOP 8

Help us unload more quickly by packing your vehicle in order of stops: ■ Items placed closest to the back of the vehicle will be unloaded first ( STOP 1 ) ■ Items placed closest to the front of the vehicle will be unloaded last ( STOP 8 )

STOP 5: Yard Waste Recycling STOP 6: Construction Recycling STOP 7: Mattress Recycling STOP 8: Appliance Recycling

STOP 1: Electronics Recycling STOP 2: Furniture Recycling

STOP 3: Garbage Trucks STOP 4: Metal Recycling

Clean Up Day is for residents of Shakopee, Jackson Township and Louisville Township (IDs required) Questions can be directed to the Public Works Department at 952-233-9550 or publicworks@Shako peeMN.gov You can also find information about alternative disposal options at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/garbageandrecycling

Pedestrian bridge opening this fall The moment has finally come—the pedes trian bridge over Highway 169 is scheduled to open in October

The bridge will eliminate a significant gap in the local and regional trail system, which is currently separated by the highway The bridge will connect the southern part of Sha kopee, between the Southbridge and Dean Lakes neighborhoods, with the paved trail near Quarry Lake On the north side of the highway, the existing paved trail extends from the Quarry Lake area to the Minnesota Valley State Trail at Valleyfair For project updates while construction is wrapping up, visit the city website at www. ShakopeeMN.gov and go to our Parks and Trails Projects web page

This aerial shot shows the progress on the pedestrian bridge as of the end of July

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PUBLIC SAFETY Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with us! Annual Fire Dept Open House is Oct 2

Patrolling Shakopee Get to know Officer Wiseman Of course, we hope you’ll join us for our Annual Fire Department Open House on Monday, Oct 2 at Fire Station 1, in preparation for Fire Prevention Week from Oct 8–14 Bring the whole family to see fire demonstrations in action and give the kids a chance to spray a fire hose and meet Sparky the Fire Dog We’ll even have free food! Shakopee Police Officer Jon Wiseman may only be a second-year offi cer, but he’s had a hunch since he was a kid that he would end up in this line of work “Growing up, I had really good interactions with law enforcement I liked the way they carried themselves, and I felt like it’s a way to serve the community,”Wiseman said “It’s been my dream since I was a kid There are good things that happen in policing I wanted to be a part of that” In June 2022, Wiseman made that dream a reality when he was sworn in as an officer for the Shakopee Police Department With experience in the Marine Corps and as a corrections officer, he knew being a sworn officer was the next step toward the career he always wanted “The more I drove around Shakopee and looked and saw the people and the way the department got along, the more I could see myself working for this department,” he said No two days—or nights, in Wiseman’s case—are the same in polic ing, and that’s part of what he loves about the job On any given shift, Wiseman does everything from responding to medical calls and domestic altercations to taking fraud reports and pulling over poten tially intoxicated drivers No matter who he is dealing with, Wiseman said he makes it a point to remember their humanity We care about fire prevention all year-round, but Fire Prevention Week each October provides an opportunity to renew our commit ment to prevention and safety The purpose of Fire Prevention Week is to educate children about how to prepare and stay safe in case of a fire This is an important life skill that will be beneficial at home, in school and beyond Each October, we ask residents to test their smoke alarms to ensure they work, agree on a meeting place away from the home in the event of a fire, and make a home escape plan that caters to all members of your home According to the National Fire Protection Association, 74% of all fire deaths in the United States take place in the home It’s likely there will be more fatalities in a home fire in 2023 than in 1980 because of the use of plastic and lightweight materials in our modern homes

Shakopee firefighters wait to intervene on a fire demonstration at the 2022 Open House

Meet Officer Jon Wiseman, who has been with the department since June 2022

“The policy here is regardless of who they are as an individual, we still treat them with respect,” he said “I don’t go into an encounter thinking, ‘I got you!’I go in thinking,‘We need to stop what’s happening right now’” After more than a year on the job, Wiseman said it has exceeded all his expectations There are so many niche areas of policing to learn about and explore, it’s difficult for him to choose just one “Ultimately, I want to become a well-rounded officer and get into investigations down the line,” he said “I’m a year in, and there’s a lot to learn on this job that I’m just starting to dip my feet into I can always be better, and I always strive to be that”

12 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

Safety tips for devices with lithium-ion batteries What are lithium-ion batteries, and why should you care about them? Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, unlike alkaline batteries, and also have a higher energy density They are commonly used in portable electronic devices or products like electric cars and e-bikes Chances are you are using lithium-ion batteries in some of your existing items at home Like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective and can overheat, catch fire or explode BE SMART IF USING ANY DEVICES POWERED BY LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: ■ When purchasing devices, be sure that the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories Mark or equivalent testing facility mark These marks show that the product has been safety tested ■ Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage ■ Only charge batteries long enough to give them a full charge Never leave them charging for extended periods of time ■ Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch ■ Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device After-market cords and power adapters can damage batteries, causing them to fail ■ Keep batteries/devices at room temperature Do not place in direct sunlight ■ Store batteries away from anything flammable ■ If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, leaking, or odd noises from a device, discontinue use immediately If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 9-1-1 BATTERY DISPOSAL: ■ Putting lithium-ion batteries in the trash or recycling at home is illegal

Hopefully you’ve seen or heard the incredible safety numbers from 2022, which showed Shakopee at an

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

all-time low crime rate If you watch the news or read headlines, you know that violent crime grabs the headlines and can impact one’s perception overall That said, it’s important to focus locally and remember how safe Shakopee is and has been over the years We just reviewed our crime numbers for the first six months of 2023 We always compare them with where we were the previous six months, and I am pleased to report that we are still trending in a downward direction when it comes to reported crimes— specifically, our most serious crimes I firmly believe this city’s commitment to community policing is at the core of these numbers Please keep this information in mind when hearing about serious crime issues Yes, there are very serious issues out there, particularly involving crimes of violence, but Shakopee is fortunate to be a city where big news crime is rare I frequently get asked questions about why there is so much crime, and I welcome this opportunity to correct the record People are often surprised to learn our crime rate and how it compares historically Another question I frequently get is whether we are short staffed The shortage of officers is another topic that’s certainly been in the news recently If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably noticed a lot of retirements and announcements of new hires We have been busy the last 18 months knowing we were going to face a retirement bubble on top of normal attrition We’ve been able to keep up with departures with excellent candidates for all our positions Officers and officer candidates have a lot of options right now Some of the factors that have attracted people to Shakopee are the tremendous community and political support we enjoy here There are so many things to talk about with Shakopee being a vibrant, growing community but please know how important your support is for our department It is essential to a successful future and something we hold sacred

■ Recycle batteries by taking them to a battery recycling location ■ Individually bag batteries or tape ends before disposing of them

Some local businesses will accept used batteries You can also check out the Scott County Waste Navigator: https://gis.co.scott.mn.us/wastenav/ This resource can help you recycle or dispose of many different items For additional information, contact the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570

Night to Unite brings community together Shakopee’s Annual Night to Unite celebration was a success yet again this year Shakopee police officers and firefighters visited more

than 75 parties Thanks to our residents, we collected 834 pounds of food to be donated to the CAP Agency!

Thank you to all who participated. We can’t wait for next year!

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