Fall 2021 Hometown Messenger

A Publication of the City of Shakopee | Fall 2021 Messenger Hometown

Fire, Fitness and Fraternization

The city’s newest ammenity will be a challenge to riders of all skill levels Xcel Mountain Bike Trail

How a Shakopee fitness trainer is building a new firefighter training program

Meet Chelsea Peterson

New Assistant Administrator

ready to make her mark in Shakopee

Flying through Fall Disc golf leagues and tournaments converge at Lions Park

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATION FALL ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS AUG. 24

News from the City of Shakopee | Fall 2021 Messenger Hometown

CITY NEWSLETTER Meet Chelsea Petersen Mayor's Message City Calendar New Garbage Hauler Xcel Mountain Bike Park Skate Park 20th Anniversary

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Disc Golf League Schroeder House City Sewer System A Look Back Fire and Fitness Chief's Notes

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Night to Unite Photo Gallery Summer 2021 Photo Gallery

Meet Chelsea Petersen Shakopee's new Assistant City Administrator brings with her over a decade of experience in local government.

Cover Photo: Disc golfer Luke Jinkerson sets up for a putt at the Lions Park disc golf course.

When it comes to cities, you could say Chelsea Petersen is a fan. “I really love working for local government,” Petersen said. It’s a passion that began as a college student when she started working for the City of Richfield. “I started as a summer seasonal in the parks department,” she said. “Mowing, cleaning irrigation systems, maintaining parks. I did it all.” Petersen graduated college during a time when the economy was less than vibrant. She took a job at a bank to make ends meet but knew that she wanted to return to local government. “I did a lot of service learning during my time in college, so I applied for every job that was with a non-profit or government,” Petersen said. It was the small suburb of Falcon Heights that took a chance on her first. The city’s administration staff had a total of five people. “Fit was really important there,” she said. The small staff also gave Petersen the opportunity to try several different aspects of city administration, which in turn set her up for success in her next role at the city of Chanhassen.

"To come back and be home was a big draw"

Chelsea Petersen

FIND US ONLINE AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov

Assistant City Administrator

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

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Fall 2021 1

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

CITY CALENDAR

24 Xcel Bike Park Ribbon Cutting, 11 a.m. Quarry Lake Park 27 Pop Up Splash Pad , 5-7 p.m. Community Center 27 Community Center Closure begins. Closed until Sept. 7 7 Labor Day, City offices closed 18 Movie in the Park, 7 p.m. Huber Park 25 Fall Fitness Open House , 8-11 a.m. Community Center 2 Movie in the Park , 7 p.m. Huber Park 16 Movie in the Park , 7 p.m. Huber Park 22 Senior Expo , 8a.m. - 1p.m.

AUG.

Hello, Shakopee! I’ve thought a lot about how our lives have changed through COVID-19, and when I talk about it with people, there’s a phrase I keep hearing: “The pandemic helped me realize what was important to me.” For some people, it’s spending more time with friends and family. For others, it’s getting out and starting that new business, or getting a fresh start in their career. If I had to say what I thought, the pandemic helped the city realize we must continue to remain committed to excellence.

SEPT.

Mayor Bill Mars

And boy, so far this year has shown just how committed we are. As I write this, we are getting ready to celebrate the opening of a state-of-the art bike park near Quarry Lake, and I’m headed to the ribbon cutting at the beautiful Deco Apartments in downtown Shakopee. Then there’s our staff. In the last year alone, our team is constantly being recognized by their peers in government. The city was named the 2020 Business Partner of the Year by the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau. Our Parks and Trails Master Plan was recognized by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Artists. Even this publication you’re reading now, the Hometown Messenger, took home the third-place award for city news magazines from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators! We had an extraordinary summer in our parks, too! SandVenture has had a banner year, breaking attendance records and bringing in more than $206,316 in revenues through July, alone. We’re offering classes and activities in a first-rate facility other communities dream of having. When I think of these things, plus many others which would take pages and pages to mention, it’s more evident than ever how committed to excellence we are here in Shakopee. Because at the end of the day, when this city is excellent, our residents thrive.

OCT.

Twin Oaks Middle School, Prior Lake, MN 30 Spooky Family Fun Night , 3-6:15 p.m. Lions Park 30 Boo Bash (21+ Event) , 7-9 p.m. Lions Park NOV 2 Special Election, ISD 191 School Board Precincts P-4 and P-12A , 8 a.m. -7 p.m. Glendale UMC, 13550 Glendale Road, Savage, MN 55378 11 Veterans Day, City offices closed. Community Center open 25 Thanksgiving, City offices closed 26 Day after Thanksgiving , City offices closed, Community Center open. DEC 7 Budget Hearing , 7 p.m., City Hall

Bill Mars Mayor of Shakopee wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov

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.

MAYOR Bill Mars ...................................................... wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov COUNCIL MEMBERS JodyBrennan .......................................... jbrennan@ShakopeeMN.gov Angelica Contreras ........................... acontreras@ShakopeeMN.gov Matt Lehman ......................................... MattLehmanSr@comcast.net Jay Whiting ............................................................... jaywhtng@aol.com CITY ADMINISTRATOR William Reynolds ............................... 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, at communications@ShakopeeMN.gov.

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City selects Dick's Sanitation as new garbage hauler At its June 15, 2021 meeting, the City Council approved a new five-year contract with Dick’s Sanitation Inc. (DSI). The contract will make DSI the city’s contracted garbage hauler for all residential properties beginning January 2022. Earlier this year, City Council directed staff to solicit requests for contracted city-wide refuse and recycling collection and disposal. The council identified several ongoing concerns regarding refuse and recycling service, including cart management, customer service improvements, an every-week recycling option and trial organics collection.

The city received four qualified responses fromWaste Management, West Central Sanitation, Dick’s Sanitation and Republic Services.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Meet Andrew Boucher, a Planner with the City of Shakopee. Q: How long have you worked for the city? A: I have worked for the City of Shakopee since April 2020, so about a year and a half. I got to Shakopee after serving a year in the Minnesota GreenCorps and spending a year and a half as a Planner/Code Enforcement Official in Blaine, Washington. Q: What do you like about working for the City of Shakopee? A: I love working for the City of Shakopee because I feel like I’m surrounded by people who are part of a culture that promotes ambition and innovation and challenges us to go above and beyond to serve the community. It’s one of the most supportive working environments I’ve gotten to be part of. Q: What's the best part of your job? A: My favorite part of my job has been being able to collaborate and foster working partnerships with community partners to make a difference as well as provide the kind of hands-on community service/stewardship that influenced me to get on the career-path I chose.

After an interview process, Dick’s Sanitation was determined to best meet the city’s needs.

DSI will be responsible for providing all residential sanitation services, including collection, disposal and billing. Most of the transition will happen behind the scenes. However, residents will be notified of any necessary steps to verify their account information prior to 2022. As part of the contract, DSI is purchasing the city’s garbage and recycling carts and will continue to use them. Residents who have a City of Shakopee cart will not receive a new one. Only those who have a Republic Services bin will have their carts exchanged. Yard waste carts will also be exchanged at the end of the season.

SERVICE LEVEL

2022

$11.56

35-gallon every-other week garbage collection + every-other week recycling 35-gallon every week garbage collection + every-other week recycling 65-gallon every week garbage collection + every-other week recycling 95-gallon every week garbage collection + every-other week recycling

$14.70

$15.05

$16.20

At this time, an every week recycling option is not available, but residents can contact DSI to discuss getting a second recyling cart.

To get more information about the garbage hauler transition, sign up for updates at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/subscribe.

NEWS & NOTES Communications Division awarded with two Northern Lights Awards The City’s Communications Division was awarded with two Northern Lights Awards. Awarded by the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC), the Northern Lights Award is a statewide competition between city, county and state agencies. Two projects received commendation: the Hometown Messenger received the bronze award for city magazine, and the Lock-It Shakopee campaign received the silver award for video campaign.

New employees join staff Several new employees have recently joined the City of Shakopee organization: • Chelsea Petersen, Assistant City Administrator

• Amanda Moe, Building Inspector • Touyia Lee, Graduate Engineer • Alyssa Olson, Senior Planner

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Petersen held the role of Assistant City Administrator in Chanhassen for four and a half years. The southwest metro, she said, has called to her for quite some time. “My husband and I moved to Savage about 10 years ago,” Petersen said. “We love this area. We go to Canterbury for buck night. We enjoy dinner at O’Briens.” “I moved around a lot as a kid,” Petersen explained. “I’ve lived here twice as long as I’ve lived anywhere else, so it’s really like home to me.” An opportunity in Oakdale was too good to pass up when she was offered the job of Administrative Services Director two years ago. Petersen began making the 40-minute commute daily to the eastern suburb to manage the city’s finance, communications and IT divisions. “I learned a lot there,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to grow.” Oakdale, a community of around 30,000, had not seen significant growth in the last 20 years. “In the last couple years, they’ve been working through some of the most growth that the city has seen in some time,” Petersen said. Over 200 acres of housing has been developed since Petersen started in Oakdale. “Being able to be there as the city starts to grow and have a hand in that is pretty interesting.” But the call to return home has been great for Petersen.

She was thrilled to apply with Shakopee this spring, after former Assistant City Administrator Nate Burkett was hired as City Manager in West Saint Paul. “It is cool and rewarding to have ownership in a community I have a stake in,” Petersen explained. “To come back and be home was a really big draw.” But the draw to Shakopee isn’t just about coming home. “Shakopee has made significant investments in itself,” she said. “Whether it’s City Hall or the Ice Arena, seeing investment in the community is really great.” Petersen brings experience from her time in a community that was experiencing growth, and although there are challenges to growth, “that’s part of the draw here,” she said. “I really love the southwest metro and how much it’s changing and growing.”

Mountain Bike Park soon ready for riders New bike park will challenge riders of all levels

Nestled in a grove of trees at Quarry Lake Park, residents will soon hear the turning of gears, flickering of spokes and the churning of dirt at the brand-new Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park. This collaborative effort between Xcel Energy, the City of Shakopee, Shakopee School District and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, is sure to be a hit with bikers from across the Twin Cities. “When I think about how this park will be used, I can’t help but feel pride,” said Mayor Bill Mars. “This is the perfect example of what can get done when great partners work together towards a singular goal.” The Xcel Bike Mountain Bike Course features three different courses to give riders of all skill levels a challenging and fun experience. With 4.6 total miles of tracks looping around Quarry Lake, mountain bikers and fat tire bike riders can use the tracks throughout the year. “Believe it or not, Shakopee has quite a few passionate bikers,” said Senior Planner Kyle Sobota. “I think this course is going to get quite a bit of use.” Sobota, also a coach for Shakopee High School’s Mountain Biking Team, expects that his students will get good use out of the course as well. The school district, a key partner in developing the course, will train at the course. “This is just a great, cooperative and collaborative effort,” said Superintendent Mike Redmond at the park’s groundbreaking last summer. “It’s good for the kids and good for lots of other people in the community.”

The design of the park was headed up by the city. Along the course’s three unique runs, users will find a number of challenging obstacles. Perhaps the most unique is a fallen tree that has been converted into a ramp. Other obstacles include boulders, jumps and more. A trailhead will be installed giving riders a place to rest and repair their bikes. Maintenance for the park will be split between the city and several volunteer biking organizations which will monitor the course. The property for the park is located on property partially owned by Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy provided a license agreement that allowed the city to build the course on portions of their property. Xcel has been involved in similar park projects around the country, but this is the first example of a mountain bike course that the company has been a part of. “This new mountain bike park is a great example of public and private partners working together to benefit the community,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota at last summer’s groundbreaking ceremony. “Xcel Energy is proud to support this mountain bike trail.” Funding for the $281,000 course was shared between the Shakopee School District, the city and a generous donation from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). “These mountain bike trails will be a great new recreational offering, helping us get exercise and explore nature,” said SMSC Chairman Keith Anderson. “The park will benefit the region, and our tribe is glad to have a role in making it happen.” The Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park is set to open on Aug. 24. Trails will be accessible at Quarry Lake Park throughout the year. Residents can use the park daily between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and the courses will remain open as long as trail conditions are good.

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PARKS & RECREATION

Skate park celebrates 20 years in Shakopee Park celebrates two decades of fun

Temporary Community Center closure Aug. 27 - Sept. 6 The Shakopee Community Center will be closed from Aug. 27 – Sept. 7 as the hardwood floors in the gyms are resurfaced. “We are going to varnish both gym floors and the floors in two fitness studios,” said Building Maintenance Manager, Terry Link. “The product we use has quite an odor, so it takes about a week to get rid of it.” The floors are resurfaced every two years. In the past, members and guests have complained about the smell of the sealant. The closure will allow time for the facility to air out. Additionally, teams will make repairs to cracks caused by settling discovered on the fitness floor. “This should be a one-time repair,” explained Link. During the closure, staff will be available to help with membership or other Parks and Recreation business at the Ice Arena. Reoccuring Payments As the Parks and Recreation Department moves to the new CivicRec software, reoccuring payments from checking accounts will no longer be valid beginning Sept. 30. To avoid a lapse in service, members should update their payment information prior to Sept. 30. This can be done online at www. ShakopeeMN.gov/registration, or in person.

Residents enjoying the Shakopee Skate Park after it's rebuild in 2016

This summer, Shakopee Parks and Recreation will celebrate 20 years of the Shakopee Skate Park. In 2001 a group of young skaters formed a committee to petition the city to build a skate park near the Community Center. Shakopee native Butch Lehman was one of the original commissioners. “It’s pretty validating, especially to see the evolution of the park,” Lehman said. On Aug. 28 skaters, BMX riders and in-line skaters like Lehman will descend upon the skate park to commemorate two decades of action sports in Shakopee. The planned celebration will begin at 3 p.m. with two hours of open skating for riders of all abilities. Food trucks will provide some snacks and refreshment to visitors. At 5 p.m. the fun really begins with demonstrations from local professional riders and friendly competitions for riders of all skill levels. “We want to make sure that even the little kids who are just getting into action sports have the opportunity to get out there and skate,” said Lehman, who is assisting the Parks and Recreation Department with planning the event. The park itself has gone through three iterations over the last two decades. Originally built on the site where the Ice Arena currently stands, the park was moved during the construction of the new Community Center in 2016. “City staff have always kept the park in skateable condition,” said Lehman. “It’s not like some other parks, because it undergoes regular replacement and maintenance.”

Action sports have seen a boost over the past 40 years. Today, BMX riders and skateboarders even compete for gold at the Olympics. The

IF YOU GO... WHAT: Skate Park 20th Anniversary WHEN: 3 - 7 p.m. Aug. 28 WHERE: Skate Park, 1255 Fuller St.

skating community is tight knit, and local skaters like Lehman have helped to keep kids involved. “I was sponsored [by a skating company] in high school and college and now I’m helping to build a community that I love,” Lehman explained. Lehman, who is now an English teacher at Prior Lake High School, still embraces his passion of in-line skating. He is the founder of a group called Roll Minnesota. The organization introduces kids to action sports and highlights the accomplishments of local skaters. “We bring skaters on tour to local parks and and make family friendly skating videos,” Lehman said. “As we do this, we hope that we’re encouraging kids to skate and move away from destructive behaviors.” Lehman hopes the 20th anniversary event will highlight aspects of the skating community that sometimes get lost. “The skate park has done a lot of good for the at-risk community,” Lehman said. “Everyone needs an outlet, and it’s truly a blessing to have this space.”

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Lions Park disc golf leagues Lions Park Disc Golf a favorite course for local players

For just over five years, Luke Jinkerson has played disc golf at Lions Park. In fact, it’s the course where he learned to play. “I’ve always been attracted to competition,” Jinkerson said. “Over the years developing my form and being able to throw further and further, with your friends developing their skills as well, is a lot of fun.” Disc golf was formalized as a sport in 1970. As the name implies, it's played with flying discs, otherwise called Frisbees®. Much like golf, players try and to land the discs in each hole in as few strokes, or throws, as possible. Holes in disc golf aren’t really holes at all. Metal baskets are the target for each player. This summer, Shakopee Parks and Recreation introduced a summer duos disc golf league to further activate the already popular course. Naturally, Jinkerson’s attraction to competition drew him into the program. “Once I was told about it, I had to give it try it,” Jinkerson said. “Especially it being my home course.”

Luke Jinkerson poses with a disc in front of Lions Park

The six-week long league included teams from across the southwest metro. The duos league plays “best throw,”meaning that each pair picks up from where the last best throw was made. “At the end of six weeks, we take the best three weeks of each team and the lowest score wins,” said Recreation Coordinator Mason Moore. The Lions Park course is well suited for this style of play. The 18-basket course is designed to be challenging, with several long-distance shots. Yet, it’s also built so that new disc golfers can access the sport too. Tree cover is kept to a minimum, and there are few water traps which golfers can lose their disc. “We have a good range of first timers in the league all the way up to people who have been in tournaments for years playing in the league,” Moore said. “And, the Lions Park course is one of the better maintained free courses in the area.” If you’ve never been to the course, Jinkerson encourages other residents to give it a try. “Go out, pick up some discs and bring along a friend or family member and rip some discs out there,” he said. “You won’t regret it.”

NEWS & NOTES

Fall gets spooky at Spooky Family Fun Night The annual Halloween tradition returns to Lions Park! Spooky Family Fun Night offers an afternoon of

Boo Bash Hey, parents love Halloween too, you know! Join us for Boo Bash, an 21+ Halloween party on Oct. 30 from 7 -9 p.m. at Lions Park. There will be games, music, carriage rides, pumpkin carving contests, drinks and more for adults to enjoy. This fee for this event is $10, and registration is required. Register at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/registration . Paint and Pumpkins On Oct. 23, get into the Halloween Spirit with the grandkids. Each child goes home with a pumpkin they have painted. Halloween treats will be served. Every child must register, grandparents are free. $5 fee. Register at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/registration

spooky activities for kids of all ages. There will be two sessions; one from 3 - 4:30, and a second from 4:45 - 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. Join us for trick-or-treating, games, carriage rides, pumpkin decorating and so much more. Registration is required. Fee is $5

per child. Parents are free. Register by Oct. 23 at www. ShakopeeMN.gov/registration .

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PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

Schroeder House project gets green light from Council "House that built Shakopee" to receive facelift In 2019, the city purchased several properties along the Minnesota River, including the historic Schroeder house, to restore and

DEVELOPMENT NEWS 57 new homes coming to Windermere At its July 20 meeting, the City Council approved the final plat of the Windermere South Fifth Addition. D.R. Horton Inc. submitted a plat for a property that covers roughly 39 acres north of CSAH 78 and west of Zumbro Avenue. The applicant proposed a final plat that would consist of 57 single family homes. Construction on the homes is set to begin in December. Council approves 71 new homes At its July 20 meeting, City Council approved the final plat of the Valley Crest First Addition. The 56.2-acre property is located on the west side of Mystic Lake Drive between Valley View Road and 17th Avenue East. M/I Homes will begin construction of 71 lots on the property. Council previously approved a preliminary plat and Planned Unit Development of the site on April 20. The first phase of construction will consist of 14 villa style homes, 23 carriage lots, 34 single-family lots and outlot areas for open space. Grading on the site is ongoing. City to purchase former Scott CountyWorkforce Center In July, 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.

preserve the important Shakopee landmark. Located on Bluff Avenue, the brick house was once home to Herman Schroeder, the founder of Schroeder Brick and Lime Manufacturing. The company, which operated from the 1870s until 1941, is locally famous for its production of the distinctive red “Shakopee” labeled bricks. Built around 1880, the Schroeder House holds significant cultural and historic value in Shakopee.

An early photo of the Schroder House in the 1890s. Photo credit Michael C. Huber

“This is the site that actually built Shakopee,” said Planning and Development Director Michael Kerski. “Shakopee brick was used throughout the community. This house served as the showcase for all the different types of bricks and details that could be purchased.” The site also includes the livery building and workshop, completed around the same time as the main house. The remains of a limestone kiln sit on the northwest edge of the property, which workers used to craft the bricks for over 65 years. Council approved the removal of two homes on the site, which will be completed by August. Once removed, work will begin on converting the space to an event and education center. “The plans are to create a two-room space at the Schroeder House that will also have access to a kitchen area and restrooms,” said Kerski. “The Livery Building would also have two restrooms and another rentable space that could be used at the same time as the main house or as a separate space.” The site would be suitable for gatherings, including weddings, reunions or corporate events. Educational plaques and classroom sized meeting rooms will also make the site perfect for field trips for local students. While the city would maintain ownership of the property, a private operator would be hired to maintain the facilities. Funding for the project is ongoing, and the city has applied for a $140,000 Capital State Grant. “It’s a sizeable project,” said Joy Sutton, the city’s Grants and Special Projects Coordinator. “We’re also undergoing the National Register of Historic Places process. The site is eligible, which could open it up for future funding.” The project is in its infancy and will take several years to complete. Upon its completion, the city will be able to protect and share an important historical landmark with residents. “The city believes restoring the house and workshop will draw the public to the facilities,” said Joy Sutton. “We’re certain the Schroeder House will be used and benefit the public while preserving a part of Shakopee’s history.”

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PUBLIC WORKS

(This story is from the 2015 Summer Hometown Messenger) Streets Maintenance Operator Brian Theis has found some interesting things floating through the city’s sewer system – rings, cell phones, underwear, Matchbox cars, coins, jeans. Surprisingly (or maybe not), no one ever seems to claim these long-lost treasures. That’s probably because few residents give thought to the city’s sewer system, an orchestrated grid of 131 miles of pipes carrying waste and excess water to the Metropolitan Council’s Blue Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant on the east edge of the city. When you flush, think of us Yearly maintenance prevents sewer back ups.

“The sewer system is quiet, works well, out of sight, out of mind,” said Public Works’ Streets Maintenance Supervisor Dave Rutt. “But when there’s a problem, that’s when people get really worked up.” Rightly so. While uncommon, sewer backups can be costly and messy, tearing up yards and streets. Each year the city cleans approximately one-third of its sewer lines, an average of 5,000 feet a day. Maintenance includes jetting the lines (using high-pressure water to flush out debris), searching for buried manholes and cutting out tree roots. The city also annually hires an outside contractor to televise a portion of the system, which involves running a video camera through the pipes. “Basically, they’re looking for problem areas, such as broken pipes,”Theis said. Most of the city’s sewer system is gravity flow, meaning it relies on elevation changes to push sewage toward the Blue Lake Wastewater Treatment facility. Older parts of Shakopee tend to see the most sewer backups, Theis said. This is because sewer pipe used to be constructed of clay, which can break down and is susceptible to cracking. Over time, the city has replaced many pipes with PVC or reinforced them using a process called slip lining. Property owners are responsible for maintenance of the lateral service line running from their building or house to the main line under the street. According to Rutt, most sewer backups happen in privately owned pipes which are narrower (4 inches) than the main lines (8 to 10 inches). Residents must be aware of what they are flushing down their toilets and drains. For example, baby wipes are a common culprit of clogs. These non-flushable wipes get stuck in the system and can cause major damage. Residents should never flush grease, diapers, rags, kleenex, food, or other non-compostable items. “The biggest misconception people have about the sewer system is that they can flush anything they want,” Rutt said.

For example, City Code prohibits the dumping of storm water, including sump pump discharge, down sewer drains. Storm water does not need to be treated, and since Met Council rates are based on water use, this only increases user fees. Homeowners can also do their part by ensuring crews have access to the underground system by abiding by easements; keeping trees, landscapes and buildings off of pipes; and not burying manhole covers. “If your sewer backs up, your contractor needs to get to the pipes fast,”Theis said. “Fences, trees, sheds – they make it that much harder.” “Maintaining the system is about making sure everything keeps flowing, and we rely on homeowners and businesses doing their part to keep what doesn’t belong out of the pipes,” Rutt said.

A LOOK BACK In 1967 a new Shakopee elementary school was built on the corner of 10th Avenue and Adams Street South. The name of the

new school was the Edward and Grace Sweeney Elementary School which was dedicated on October 1, 1967 to the two well-known Shakopee educators. Edward J. Sweeney was born in Middleport, New York in 1857. In 1909 Edward moved to Minnesota and was the superintendent for 14 years at Melrose Public and Parochial Schools. Prior to moving to Shakopee in 1924, he spent a year at Cretin High School in St. Paul. Edward accepted the position of Superintendent of Shakopee High School and spent twelve years in that role up until his death in 1936. During those twelve years, he accomplished much for the Shakopee School System including the building of Shakopee High School located on 5th Avenue and Holmes Street. Grace E. Sweeney, Edward’s wife, was equally passionate about education. Born in 1894 in West St. Paul and coming from a long lineage of teachers, Grace knew at a very early age she wanted to teach. She spent 33 years in the Shakopee School System, first teaching biology and Latin from 1927 to 1931. Following the death of her husband in 1936, Grace taught at the high school and eventually became the Shakopee High School Principal in 1950. She remained the principal for eleven years. Grace died in 1987 at age 92.

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PUBLIC SAFETY Fire and Fitness Shakopee Fire teams up with Parks and Recreation to reduce injuries and improve fitness Physical fitness is important for everyone, but it’s especially important if you’re expected to run into a burning building to save lives. Although physical fitness has always been important to Shakopee Fire Department, the transition from on-call to shift work has allowed leadership in the department to require one hour of physical fitness training per shift.

“We always advocated for some form of physical fitness, but many needed extra guidance and a fitness plan,” said Deputy Chief Joe Simon. “The request for a physical fitness instructor to assist was actually brought up by firefighters during our annual review.” Enter TaRon Squires, a personal trainer with Shakopee Parks and Recreation. Squires, who has over a decade of experience with personal fitness, was the obvious choice to help establish a training regimen for the fire department. “Firefighters risk their lives every day to keep the city safe,” said Squires. “I hope they can take the time to make sure their health is a priority.” Squires worked with the fire department to develop a plan that is accessible to all department members, while ensuring each staff member is challenged. During seven sessions, Squires outlined an hour-long exercise program each firefighter can complete during their shift at the fire station.

Top: Firefighter Correy Murray pulls a heavy mannequin with a rope. Bottom: TaRon Squires smiles, while working with fire staff.

“The best thing about my fitness program is that any person can take the workout and adjust accordingly to their fitness levels,” Squires explained. “The exercises are designed to improve mobility, full-body fitness and core stability.” These factors are crucial to the overall health of Shakopee Firefighters, who are constantly putting their bodies on the line in the case of an emergency. “The firefighters provided some great feedback from this program. Some realized that they could be pushing themselves a little harder, and others learned exercises that are specifically designed to the work they perform,” Simon said. “The program increases their physical fitness and readiness and also builds confidence, which reduces injuries.” Additionally, the city didn’t need to make an outside hire to help with the training program; Squires was already available to help. “The Fire Department assists other departments quite regularly through events and services,” Simon explained. “When Parks and Recreation was approached, they were more than willing to lend a hand, and TaRon is extremely knowledgeable and qualified for the assignment.” With Squire’s plan in place, Shakopee firefighters have a new option for training that keeps them strong and ready to tackle any challenge they might encounter in the field.

NEWS & NOTES Police department to exceed sworn staffing levels The City Council has authorized the police department to exceed its sworn staffing levels. Currently, the department is authorized to employ 50 sworn officers, but the department is expecting multiple vacancies beginning in January of 2022 due to retirements. Police Chief Jeff Tate requested the hiring of several new officers to replace any vacancies created by retirement. Those officers will be hired this summer and will complete all Shakopee Police training by early 2022.

10 Hometown Messenger

Photo Gallery: Night To Unite 2021

CHIEF’S NOTES

You wouldn’t remember your 1st birthday party, but you may have been presented with a cake that had a candle burning on top of it. We learn at a very young age that we can control fire just by blowing it out. As we get older, the candles multiply, and the fire gets harder to blow out. Believe me, I’m speaking from experience! I think it’s fine we celebrate with candles. It’s a part of tradition that doesn’t need

to change if we take proper precautions like having working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in our homes. Did you know each alarm makes different noises to alert you of a problem? Here’s the breakdown.

Shakopee Fire Chief Rick Coleman

A chirp on any alarm indicates an outdated alarm or a battery that needs replacing. Start with the battery. As you change it, look at the manufacture date on the back of the alarm. If a smoke alarm is over 10 years old or a CO alarm is over 7 years old, the alarm needs to be replaced. CO alarms are designed to monitor for toxic gas in the air caused by incomplete combustion. That’s a fancy way to say they check for CO in the air and alert you that it’s not safe to be inside. If a CO alarm detects CO, it beeps 4 times and repeats until the CO is gone. You should call 911 when this happens and we will make sure everyone is OK, then use our gas monitors to best determine where the CO is coming from. It could be from a natural gas appliance, a pilot light from a fireplace, a vehicle, or other things. When a smoke alarm detects smoke, it beeps 3 times and repeats until the smoke is gone. If you hear the beep, move your feet and investigate. During a real fire, you only have two minutes to get out of your home before the smoke gets too thick and toxic so don’t assume the alarm is false. Quickly investigate and fix the issue, which may just be candles being blown out on a birthday cake! For more information and additional fire safety tips please visit www.shakopeemn.gov/public-safety/fire department/fire-safety-tips or call us at 952-233-9570.

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Photo Gallery: Night To Unite 2021

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