Summer 2021 Hometown Messenger

City, Chamber & Visitors Bureau support downtown Shakopee

After a hard year, communities understand that a vibrant business district is more important than ever. That's one reason the Shakopee Chamber & Visitors Bureau and City of Shakopee partner to support the Downtown Shakopee/Main Street program. As an accredited Minnesota Main Street organization, Downtown Shakopee focuses on creating economic stability through a collaborative, community-wide effort to revitalize our downtown district.

Downtown Farmers Market, Rhythm on the Rails return in summer 2021 Check out page 16 for more information about the return of two popular downtown events.

"It's a joint partnership between organizations that have one common goal: to help Shakopee thrive," said Main Street and Communications Director Ashley Grotewold. "One cannot exist fully without the other, and our strong alliance helps make this community such a great place to live, work and play." While the program is operated by the chamber, the city provides financial, economic development and infrastructure assistance. "Investing in Shakopee’s downtown is critical to the local community, its residents, its visitors and its economic development," Grotewold said. "A city’s downtown celebrates the fundamental character of a culture and the qualities that define that community." Shakopee City Administrator Bill Reynolds says the collaboration between the organizations has led to exciting downtown growth in recent years. Whether its new businesses, housing options or events, the Main Street program has revitalized an important part of Shakopee's identity and lives out the city's vision to make Shakopee a place to be. "This community prides itself on its partnerships for good reason," Reynolds said. "We are all working together to bring fresh ideas to help this community grow and thrive."

HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Meet Officer Molly Moonen, one of our longest- tenured officers with the Shakopee Police Department. A patrol officer, Moonen has served 25 years with the department Q: How long have you worked for the city? A: I began my career with the City of Shakopee in 1996. After graduating high school, I went to Rochester Community College for nursing for one year and then transferred to Austin Community College to pursue a degree in law enforcement, which ultimately took me to Mankato State University. Q: What do you like about working for the City of Shakopee? A: Working for the City of Shakopee has provided opportunities that I could not have had elsewhere. Once I was able to see Air Force One up close and work with the Secret Service! I even was able to use a grant and go to Quantico for a homicide symposium. Q: What's the best part of your job? A: The best part of my job is the support I receive from the residents of Shakopee. I love it when they thank me for my service. Some days are hard, but this community always seems to lift me up.

City, SPU partner on downtown flower baskets The City of Shakopee and Shakopee Public Utilities Commission teamed up this year to bring the hanging flower baskets back to downtown Shakopee. Our thanks to the Shakopee Chamber & Visitors Bureau and Downtown Shakopee for supporting the flower baskets the past few years. It’s wonderful to have such great community partners.

NEWS & NOTES City official salaries

New employees join staff Several new employees have recently joined the City of Shakopee organization: • Roger Egan, I.T. Applications Administrator • Taylor Stockmann, Police Officer • Joseph Gaines, Facilities Maintenance Worker • Derek Menke, Ice Arena Specialist • Madison Valiant, Ice Arena Coordinator

Minnesota Statute 471.701 requires that “a city or county with a population of more than 15,000 must annually notify its residents of the positions and base salaries of the three highest-paid employees.” In the City of Shakopee, as of January 2021, titles and salaries are: • City Administrator, $173,663 • Shakopee Public Utilities Director of Planning and Engineer, $170,203 • Shakopee Public Utilities Interim Utilities Manager, $161,039

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