Summer 2022 Hometown Messenger

Messenger Hometown

A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE | SUMMER 2022

Savoring summer Dive into all Shakopee has to offer this season Protecting renters City to enact property maintenance code

Tap into a cold one City hosting inaugural beer tasting event

2022

FREE, FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT ALONG THE RIVERFRONT!

June 9

7 p.m. The Capri Big Band Jazz 7 p.m. Blue Groove Bluegrass Contemporary Bluegrass

June 16

Sponsored by Benedictine Living Community

June 18

All Day Big Taste of Fun

Featuring the Minnesota Ironman Bike Ride

June 23

7 p.m. Just Dave and the Rockin’All Stars Classic Rock from the 50s, 60s and 70s

June 30

7 p.m. MN State Band

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Official Band of the State of Minnesota

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July 7

7 p.m. Jazz on the Prairie Jazz Variety 7 p.m. Czech Concertina Concertina Club

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July 21

7 p.m. River Valley Theatre Company Preview Performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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July 28

7 p.m. PK Mayo Folk/Blues

August 4

7 p.m. The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra Art Rock/Jazz Fusion

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August 11 7 p.m. Salsa del Soul Dance Music August 13 Dusk Movie in the Park Movie to be Determined

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Sponsored by McNearney - Schmidt Funeral and Cremation

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August 18 7 p.m. Sawyer’s Dream Americana, Pop, Rock and Soul August 25 7 p.m. Concert Rain Date

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Huber Park, 150 Fillmore St. N. www.ShakopeeMN.gov | 952-233-9500 Schedule subject to change | Weather Hotline 952-233-9502

Messenger Hometown

News from the City of Shakopee | Summer 2022

CITY NEWSLETTER Savoring Summer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 City Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The View from Mars. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Tap into a Cold One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Navigating Solicitor Season. . . . . . . 7 A Look Back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ask the City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Parks & Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Development News. . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Public Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Public Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Chief's Notes .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Cover Photo: An aspiring firefighter checks out a diving demonstration by a Shakopee firefighter

Kids of all ages are invited to walk in the Happy Birthday America Parade, this year on July 1, to celebrate Independence Day

Savoring summer Add these Shakopee experiences to your summer to-do list Summer can be a chaotic time for people trying to make the most of the long, sunny days in a place where it’s quite brisk half the year Luckily, the City of Shakopee has a little something to offer everyone with an array of programs and events all season long “We live in a special city,” Mayor Bill Mars said “Not only do we have major entertainment destinations like Valleyfair, Canterbury Park, Renaissance Festival and nearby Mystic Lake Casino, but we host a number of community events that draw thousands and are often free to attend” Use this as your guide to making Shakopee memories during sum mer 2022!

"We all deserve to kick back and relax after a long and turbulent winter." Bill Mars Mayor

FIND US ONLINE AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov

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

Continued on page 6

Summer 2022 3

THEVIEWFROMMARS A message from the Mayor of Shakopee

CITY CALENDAR

JUNE 2 Wheelies Family Bike Event: 5–7 p m , Huber Park 4 MDHA Archery Event: 10 a m –1 p m

6 Night to Unite registration opens: See city website 10 Sail into Summer: 11 a m –1 p m , SandVenture Aquatic Park 15 Picnic with Police: 5–8 p m , Lions Park 18 Big Taste of Fun: All day, Huber Park 24 Summer Beach Bash: 11 a m –2 pm , SandVenture Aquatic Park 25 Let’s Go Fishing: 10 a m –Noon, Lions Park JULY 1 Happy Birthday America Parade: Staging at 10 a m Parade starts at 10:30 a m , Lions Park 4 Fourth of July: Community Center, city offices closed 8 Pop-Up Splash Pad: 5–7 p m , Community Center 23 Pirate Treasure Hunt: 11am–2pm, SandVenture Aquatic Park 29 Pop-Up Splash Pad: 5–7 p m , Green Meadows Park AUGUST 2 Shakopee Night to Unite: 5:30–9 p m 5 Summer Carnival: 10–11:15 a m , Lions Park 19 Pop-Up Splash Pad: 5–7 p m , 17th Ave Sports Complex 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

Hello, Shakopee! Summer is here in the land of fun, and I am reminded daily of how our city tagline, “Innovating Entertaining Thriving” perfectly captures the spirit of this city

Mayor Bill Mars

It’s impossible not to be entertained in Shakopee during these warm months Our community has so much to offer, including the upcoming Picnic with Police on June 15, Big Taste of Fun on June 18, and, of course, Night to Unite on Aug 2 I can’t wait to visit Night to Unite block parties this year and see what everyone drums up for their music-themed gatherings For more information on how to register for the fun, see page 18 Another Shakopee summer classic is the Fire Department Pop-Up Splash Pads What kid hasn’t wanted to run through a spraying fire hose? We let them do that and more, with hoses hooked up to portable splash pad play features To save the dates for this year’s three splash pad events, see page 16 You’ll also find me downtown enjoying Rhythm on the Rails, a six-week concert series on Wednesdays in downtown Shakopee The annual series is hosted by the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau, and the city is a proud community partner, along with dozens of other local organizations and businesses Visit www.downtownshakopee.org/rhythmontherails for more information Let’s not forget our beautiful and bountiful natural resources in Shakopee, including Lake O’Dowd, Thole Lake, the Minnesota River and its scenic trails and our dozens of parks Be sure to catch a sunset from the boardwalk and observation deck at Ridge Creek Park on the east side of town—you won’t regret it! I’m looking forward to an entertaining, vibrant and safe summer here in Shakopee Join me in making 2022 a year to remember fondly! Bill Mars Mayor of Shakopee wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov

CONTACT US MAYOR Bill Mars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov COUNCIL MEMBERS Jody Brennan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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, Amanda McKnight, at amcknight@ShakopeeMN.gov .

4 Hometown Messenger

Tap into a cold one Inaugural beer tasting event will be downtown Sept 10

Downtown Shakopee will be hoppin’ this September with TAP 2022, an inaugural beer tasting and innovation event planned for Sat urday, Sept 10, in the Lewis Street parking lot Tickets for this public event, hosted by the City of Shakopee in partnership with Sha kopee Public Utilities, will include a special keepsake tasting glass and the opportunity to taste unique beers from more than 25 Minnesota breweries Tickets can be pur chased for $40 each at TAP2022.org Brewers will be offering both their flagship beers along with limited edition innovative beers made just for TAP 2022 Attendees will vote for their favorite beer using an app, and the winning brewery will receive a trophy and a mountain bike from Otso Cycles

How Can I Help You? Meet Communications Manager Amanda McKnight, who serves as the city spokesperson and works in the Communications Division of the Administration Department Q: How long have youworked for the city? A: I’ve been with the city since August 2021, but it feels like longer because I wrote about the city as a reporter in Shakopee for several years before that Q: What do you like about working for the city? A: I have a lifelong passion for the dissemination of factual information, and I’ve grown to adore all things Shakopee since I first started working in town almost 10 years ago My position at the city combines those two attributes into a job where I am fortunate to have daily opportunities to make a positive impact in a community that I love Q: What’s the best part of your job? A: Telling stories! I could fill a book with stories of the amazing things happening in Shakopee, from city government happenings to residents simply showing care and compassion for their neighbors To follow some of our work, like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ShakopeeMN

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 1–4 p.m. Downtown Shakopee tap2022.org

Downtown Farmers Market returns The Downtown Shakopee Farmers Market will return for sixWednesdays starting June 22. This quaint farmers market features some of Minnesota’s best local vendors, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, beverages and homemade gifts. The farmers market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lewis Street parking lot.

For vendors interested in participating and selling goods, contact Main Street and Special Events Director Heather Proskey at hproskey@shakopee.org.

NEWS & NOTES

CITY OFFICIAL SALARIES Minnesota Statute 471 701 requires that “a city or county with a pop ulation 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 2022, titles and salaries are: ■ City Administrator: $181,563 ■ Chief of Police, Director of Planning & Development, City Engineer/Public Works Director, and Finance Director: $153,816

NEW EMPLOYEES JOIN STAFF We'd like to extend a warmwelcome to the new employees that have recently joined the City of Shakopee organization: ■ Jessica Born , Police Officer ■ Joe Cardoza , Communications Specialist ■ Taylor Leonard , Police Officer ■ Seth Perrier , Police Officer

Summer 2022 5

Continued from page 3

FOR THE KIDS Most of the City of Shakopee’s summer events are family-friendly, but there are a couple that stand out as special highlights for children

FOR ADULTS AND FAMILIES Of course, kids aren’t the only ones who want to have fun in the sun The city has plenty of events that cater to all ages, including one of our biggest of the summer on Saturday, June 18: Big Taste of Fun at Huber Park Big Taste of Fun is an all-day event that includes Taste of Shakopee, food vendors, boutique and craft vendors, the culmination of the Min nesota Ironman Bike Ride and activities and games for kids Bring the whole family to join in the fun, or make it a date day with your signifi

Kids will love commemorating open ing day at SandVenture Aquatic Park on Friday, June 10, with our Sail Into Summer event from11 a m to 1 pm Join us for our first dip into the pool since 2021!

cant other or a group of friends Huber Park is truly the place to be, with free performances and events every Thursday evening all summer Catch family-friendly musical enter tainment at the Huber Park amphitheater A movie in the park will be offered in August, as well See the inside cover of this booklet for a schedule One event nobody wants to miss is our annual Night to Unite, which will be August 2 this year Register your neigh

Sail Into Summer will feature a dunk tank, arts and crafts, slushies at concession stands, along with games and contests throughout the event The first 100 families in the gates will receive a tote-ally awesome beach tote

From 10 a m to noon on June 25, kids ages three to 12 can try their hand at fishing at the Lions Park pond There is a $5 fee and participants must register at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/registration The first 100 registrants will receive a free rod/reel combo, and all other equipment will be provided for fishing at the event Children and caregivers are invited to walk in the annual Happy Birthday Amer ica Parade in celebration of Independence Day This year’s parade will be held July 1, with staging at 10 a m and parade start ing at 10:30 a m

borhood for its own block party and request to be joined by police officers, firefighters or our Public Works crews Learn more about this event on page 18 or visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/nighttounite “Don’t hesitate to join your neighbors and friends in exploring all Shakopee has to offer this summer,”Mars said “We all deserve to kick back and relax after a long and turbulent winter”

Bring your strollers, wag ons, trikes, bikes, scoot ers or just your two feet, and make sure to don some red, white and blue! Participation in this kid-friendly event is free On August 5, kids are invited to the Summer Carnival at Lions Park from 10–11:15 a m There is an admission of $5 per person, but no pre-regis tration is required

City of Shakopee earns prestigious government accounting honor For the 36th consecutive year, the City of Shakopee has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U S and Canada (GFOA) The GFOA is a nonprofit association serving more than 21,000 government finance professionals tremendous accomplishment for our City Council and dedicated city staff who work diligently to ensure the City’s strong financial position is represented accurately and completely” Reinhardt serves as the president-elect of the Minnesota GFOA, whose mission is to promote excellence and leadership in govern ment finance by providing quality educational opportunities and upholding professional and ethical standards

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management The city received this honor for its 2020 annual com prehensive financial report, which was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of GFOA’s program “We are proud to have received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement,” said City of Shakopee Finance Director Nathan Reinhardt “This is a

“Participation in the GFOA program enhances our citizens’understand ing of Shakopee finances and demonstrates our commitment to finan cial transparency by sharing information consistent with the highest standards in governmental financial reporting,”Reinhardt said To view the City of Shakopee’s financial report for 2020 and previous years, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/budget

6 Hometown Messenger

A Look Back A popular past summer recreational activity in Shakopee was the annual Turtle Derby Held every June, area children were asked to find a turtle and enter it into the event In the 1960s, the Turtle Derby was held at Stans Park at 10th Ave nue and Fuller Street There were two rules: Turtles could not be more than six inches long, and no snappers were allowed The top three winners went on to compete in the Aquatennial Turtle Derby every July On and off through the years, the Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department has sponsored the Turtle Derby In 2011, the event was moved to Huber Park and became a part of the annual Sha kopee Derby Days festival Children no longer had to find their race turtles, as they were provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources However, children were always welcome to bring their own turtles! Top winners were given prizes and tro phies Due to difficulty finding turtles during that time of year, the event was eventually cancelled

Tips for navigating solicitor season With the change in weather comes an increase in solicitors and ped dlers selling their wares in Shakopee neighborhoods The City of Shakopee requires all peddlers, solicitors and transient mer chants to register at City Hall Peddlers and transient merchants must obtain a city-issued license before selling in the community Solicitors do not require a license but must register and show a government issued ID Information on how to obtain a license or register is available on the city website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/licensesandpermits The city does not require a license for individuals or groups canvassing or soliciting for the purpose of charitable, religious, political or educa tional organizations if such an organization is registered with the Min nesota Secretary of State Report aggressive, suspicious or unlicensed solicitors to law enforce ment immediately at 911 (aggressive or threatening) or 952-445-1411 (suspicious) Provide a description of the solicitor and what direction he or she was headed How to deal with peddlers and solicitors: ■ Ask to see city-issued license or registration ■ Ignore them Look through the peep hole; you’re not obligated to answer the door ■ Do not let an unknown person into your home to use the bathroom or demonstrate a product ■ Do not get into a conversation with solicitors; it only encourages them to stay ■ Watch where the solicitor goes next and notice what he or she does Look for suspicious behavior, such as looking in car windows, testing doors for locks or entering backyards ■ Remember a solicitor may not remain on your property after you have asked him or her to leave NO SOLICITING

The last Shakopee Turtle Derby took place on Saturday, Aug 2, 2014

Residents may visit the city website to download a No Soliciting sign for their front door

#AsktheCity

CITY PROPERTY TAX RECEIPT

WHAT IF I OWN MULTIPLE HOMES? Great news, you can add multiple properties by clicking on the “Add Another” button just below where you fill in the market value of your home WHAT ISN’T INCLUDED ON THE ITEMIZED RECEIPT? The unofficial property tax receipt encompasses the city portion of your property taxes only and does not include county, school district and other property taxes WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS? Contact Nate Reinhardt, Finance Director at 952-233-9326 or send an email to nreinhardt@shakopeemn.gov.

This spring, the city rolled out a new Shakopee Property Tax Receipt tool so residents can review an itemized breakdown of how the city portion of their property taxes are spent This tool aligns with one of the city’s core values: Transparency HOW DO I ACCESS MY CITY TAX RECEIPT? Easy! Simply type www.ShakopeeMN.gov/taxreceipt on your inter net search bar and you will be directed to our unofficial city property tax receipt page HOW DOES IT WORK? You’ll be asked to answer whether or not you own a home, and based on the taxable market value of your home, you’ll get an itemized breakdown on where in the city your taxes are allocated

Summer 2022 7

Finding new places to play Check out these upgraded city parks

In the last two years, the City of Shakopee has updated or installed five playgrounds throughout town All new parks are Americans with Disabili ties Act (ADA) compliant, and renovated parks have been updated to meet ADA requirements These five parks include amenities for all ages If you’re looking for a new place to play this season, put these on your list!

Scenic Heights Park 1195 RUBY LANE ■ 11 2-acre neighborhood park ■ Connects to theVierling Greenway trail ■ Basketball court ■ Large playgrounds for ages 2–5 and 5–12, including a zipline ■ Covered shelter with picnic tables ■ Pickleball courts coming in 2023 ■ Edible landscape garden for community members to harvest (plants will not be mature and fruit-bearing until 2023)

Jennifer Lane Park 2500 JENNIFER LANE ■ Playgrounds for ages 2–5 and 5–12 ■ Bankshot hoops ■ Flexible lawn space that can be used for ball sports or lawn games ■ Covered shelter with picnic tables and grills ■ New native plantings and shade trees Holmes Park 628 FOURTH AVE. W. ■ 2 5-acre park ■ Basketball court ■ Grills ■ Horseshoe court ■ Enclosed picnic shelter with electricity and restrooms (key required) ■ Flexible lawn space that can be used for ball sports or lawn games ■ Playground ■ Trails

8 Hometown Messenger

Timber Trails Park 1397 BLUE HERON TRAIL ■ 3 9-acre neighborhood park ■ Basketball court ■ Flexible lawn space that can be used for ball sports or lawn games ■ Playground

Prairie Bend Park 1983 PARKWAY AVE. ■ 5-acre park ■ Near a popular walking trail ■ Basketball court ■ Sand volleyball court ■ Playground ■ Baseball backstop

The next playgrounds being considered for installation or replacement include: ■ Meadows Park, 1566 Sage Lane ■ Huber Park, 150 Fillmore St N ■ Quarry Lake Park, 6201 Innovation Blvd

Before a playground installation or replacement is approved by the City Council, city staff invites community feedback regarding the concept designs Each playground project has its own community feedback web page, and postcards are mailed to residents living within one-quarter of a mile from the proposed playground so neighbors are aware For more information on the city’s parks and trails projects, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/parks

Summer 2022 9

PARKS & RECREATION

Spring into Summer Sign up for a Community Center membership in June

Be a neighbor and lend a hand PARKS AND REC SEEKING VOLUNTEERS We are seeking volunteers who want to get more involved in the community and enjoy being outdoors and engaging with their neighbors Contact Community Engagement Coordinator Carla Kress at ckress@ShakopeeMN.gov if you are interested in volun teering your time at one of the events listed below BIG TASTE OF FUN Saturday, June 18 | 10 a m –4 p m (shifts) | Huber Park ■ Monitor and assist with bounce houses and game zone RHYTHM ON THE RAILS Wednesday, June 22, 29, July 13–27, August 3 | 5–7 p m | Lewis St ■ Monitor and assist with bounce houses and game zone SANDVENTURE BEACH BASH Friday, June 24 | 11 a m –2 p m | Lions Park ■ Monitor and assist with beach games and activities SANDVENTURE TREASURE HUNT Saturday, July 23 | 11 a m –2 p m | Lions Park ■ Monitor and assist with beach games and activities SUMMER CARNIVAL Friday, August 5 | 10–11:15 a m | Lions Park ■ Monitor and assist with carnival games; pizza provided for all volunteers at 11:30 a m If you’ve ever considered investing in a Community Center member ship, now is the time! During our membership drive all of June, new members who sign up for an annual membership will receive an addi tional month for free For those interested in a monthly membership, the $30 enrollment fee will be waived in June Takeadvantageof these special offers togainaccess toour fitness classes, fitness center, two full-size basketball courts and aquatic center Our fit ness classes are professionally instructed and free to all Community Cen ter members Our fitness center includes treadmills, ellipticals, recum bent bikes, upright bikes, NuStep, free weights andmachine weights The Community Center’s 22,300 square foot Aquatic Center includes a leisure pool that reaches a maximum depth of three feet six inches, and a four-lane lap pool that is available for lap swimming, water aerobics, open swimand swimming lessons Don’t forget about the climbingwall and waterslides for the thrill-seeking swimmers When you sign up for a new membership in June, you’ll also receive a gift The membership drive offers end June 30, so take advantage of these great perks today! Visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/community center for more information about our facility

Fitness Center

Aquatic Center

INTHE PARK FITNESS Free outdoor fitness classes at the Huber Park Amphitheater Classes led by certified fitness instructors No pre-registration required Open to all residents Call the weather hotline for info on class cancellations: 952-233-9502

2022 FITNESS IN THE PARK SCHEDULE: JUNE 6–AUGUST 27

Zumba

Mondays

6–7 p.m.

Yoga Sculpt

Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Ages 12+

Zumba

Saturdays

8–9 a.m.

Boot Camp

Saturdays

9:15–10 a.m.

Visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/communitycenter for more info.

10 Hometown Messenger

PARKS & RECREATION

Take the plunge at SandVenture Aquatic Park opens June 10

CHANGES COMING TO SANDVENTURE IN 2023 Plans are underway for a number of upgrades to SandVenture after the conclusion of the 2022 season The Shakopee City Council approved contracts for construction management, as well as design services for the overhaul The proposed plans include replacing the pool liner, filling the pool with fresh sand, adding new play features within the pool, and a new building with restrooms, changing rooms and a concessionaire Construction is scheduled to begin after SandVenture closes in 2022, with the goal to open again in June 2023

SandVenture Aquatic Park will open for the 2022 season at 11 a m Friday, June 10 The city’s unique sand-bottom, chlorinated pool is the perfect place to spend time with friends and family in the warm weather Amenities at SandVenture include a 300-foot waterslide, two 12-foot drop slides, a diving board, sandy beaches with shade canopies, con cession stands and locker rooms Daily admission is free for children under two, $5 for under 48" tall and $7 for 48" and up For more information on pricing, hours and rules, visit www.Shako peeMN.gov/sandventure

Proposed plan for SandVenture upgrade

Shakopee Parks and Rec hosting adult disc golf leagues this summer Enjoy the outdoors, socialize and get some light exercise by joining one of our summer disc golf leagues

The leagues will each run six weeks, and registration will close a week before the program start date All league games will be located at the Lions Park disc golf course Register on our online registration page at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/ registration under the Recreation tab: Adult Sports > Disc Golf > select your league and register June League (6/29–8/03) ■ $30 Fee ■ 6 p m –8 p m every Wednesday

■ League Session 2 (Solos) August League (8/24–9/28) ■ $60 Fee

■ 5:30 p m –7:30 p m every Wednesday ■ League Session 3 (Duos Alternate Shot)

Summer 2022 11

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

City adopts propertymaintenance code, rental inspections

In an effort to protect renters in Shakopee from property mainte nance issues, the Shakopee City Council adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and created a Rental Housing Inspection Program to ensure rental units in the city limits are up to code, habitable and safe “As our community grows, more investments are made in apartment complexes and single-family homes, meaning there may be regula tions to rental business like any other small business,”Mayor Bill Mars said “It’s our responsibility to look out for our residents and renters if we are thinking long-term city policies” Since April 2021, City Council and city staff have provided input and received direction regarding the IPMC and Rental Housing Inspection Pro gram These regulations establishminimummaintenance requirements for basicequipment suchas lights, HVAC, sanitationandfire safety The respon sibility is on the property owner and operator tomaintain compliance The IPMC code applies to all properties in the city including industrial and commercial

"It’s our responsibility to look out for our residents and renters if we are thinking long term city policies." Bill Mars Mayor The new rental ordinance establishes a complaint process for rental tenants, a process for revocation of rental licenses and a landlord relocation cost provision to incentivize landlords tomake repairs Every rental property in the city, includ ing rental single family homes, will be inspected at least every three years, and properties identified as having ongoing issues will be inspected on a more regular basis A fee schedule is still being finalized and awaits City Coun cil approval Fees will vary by building size, condition andwhen a certificate of occupancy was granted The IPMC and Rental Housing Inspection Program ordinances will be effective Aug 1, 2022

Flavored vaping restrictions effective in 2023 Effective Jan 1, 2023, a newly adopted city ordinance will restrict the sale of flavored vaping products within the Shakopee city limits The restrictions pertain to all licensed vaping products that contain a taste or smell other than the taste or smell of tobacco or menthol The ordinance is the City Council’s response to an increase in reports of vaping among minors According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institute on Drug Abuse, a study showed that students who used e-cigarettes by the time they started ninth grade were more likely than their peers to start smoking combustible cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year

Twenty-two cities in Minnesota have enacted flavored tobacco regu lations, including neighboring Prior Lake Based on feedback from stores that will be impacted by this ordi nance, the council approved an effective date of Jan 1, 2023, so stores can dispose of existing inventory

Another study quoted by the NIH showed that high schoolers who used e-cigarettes in the last month were seven times more likely to report having smoked cigarettes when asked six months later Research suggests some of these users don’t realize that vaping car tridges contain nicotine, which is highly addictive “City Council has refined the tobacco ordinance over the past few decades, and I feel that it’s been generally effective in reducing non compliance, but we’ve seen a spike lately that is not unique to Shako pee,”Mayor Bill Mars said

What’s that traffic demo by Sweeney Elementary? A Safe Routes to School demonstration has been set up at the intersection of 10th AvenueW near Clay and Pierce Streets This active transportation demonstration project will remain in place through fall of 2022 The project provides an opportunity for students, families, and members of the public to try potential changes to the street that are designed to improve safety for children walking and biking to school across 10th Avenue W The demonstration includes temporary curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalk markings, and pedestrian crossing signs This project is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and is being completed in partnership with the City of Shakopee and Sweeney Elementary

Drivers, bikers and pedestrians alike are encouraged to complete a survey after traveling through the demonstration. To complete the survey, visit bit.ly/shakopeesrts.

12 Hometown Messenger

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

A pollinator-friendly place to ‘bee’ Shakopeewill soon be home to a pollinator prairie spanning nine acres The city owns a 24-acre parcel of land along Highway 169 just west of Marystown Road, which will be used for the prairie and as part of the network of parks being developed in theWindermere neighborhood The land contains wooded bluff land that will be used for the park’s trail network, with the acreage closest to the highway being turned into a pollinator prairie

District (SWCD) to establish a pollinator prairie underneath Xcel power lines Keeping with this theme, Xcel approached the City to inquire about potential sites under power lines that could be good candidates for a pollinator prairie Due to its location along the highway and below power lines, the Windermere park site was an ideal candidate for the program Xcel Energy purchased the seed through its Pollinator Program and the Scott SWCD partnered by providing expertise, equipment and plant ing through their Technical Assistance Program While the pollinator prairie was planted in May, it can take up to five years to become fully established

According to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, pol linators play an essential role within food systems by sustaining eco logical systems and helping with soil and water conservation Xcel Energy recently completed a successful pilot project in partner shipwith the City of Savage and the Scott Soil andWater Conservation

What to know about parking downtown Residential permits for overnight parking will be available this summer

“One of the issues downtown is the parking lots are occupied by vehicles that don’t belong there,” Kerski said The updated ordinance should help curb those concerns To apply for a downtown residential parking permit, visit www.Shako peeMN.gov/eportal

Effective July 1, an updated downtown parking ordinance will go into effect that allows 24-hour parking in city-owned lots with an annual residential permit The Shakopee City Council approved the ordinance in March after city staff had discussions with downtown building owners who were seeking more options for their tenants to park overnight in city owned lots The new guidelines will also help curtail unauthorized parking and storage of larger vehicles in these parking lots “Municipal parking lots are being used to store boats, trailers and motorhomes,” said Planning and Development Director Michael Ker ski “This change to the ordinance will address those issues and estab lish a parking permit system to better track how these lots are used” The downtown parking permits will be available through the city’s online ePortal system for $20 annually The permit, which must be displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror, allows 24-hour park ing while also allowing the city to potentially locate an owner during snow emergencies or community events that are planned in a city owned lot The updated ordinance does not allow parking of commercial vehi cles, semis or tractor trailers, boats or recreational vehicles in a city owned parking lot

This map shows city-owned parking lots in downtown Residential tenants seeking an overnight downtown parking permit should visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/eportal

Summer 2022 13

PUBLIC WORKS

Save the date for Fall Clean Up Day The annual event is Saturday, Oct 22

“As more cities move away from curbside events, we’re glad we can offer residents an affordable option for getting rid of unneces sary items,” Egan said “We know lines can get long, but we appre ciate our residents’ patience and strive to make the event run as smoothly as possible"

Shakopee residents are invited to recycle old appliances, electron ics, yard waste, tires, car batteries, scrap metal and more during the annual Fall Clean Up Day event Oct 22 This twice-a-year event is a chance for residents to discard unwanted items in a convenient, drop-off event that promotes proper dis posal This event is funded in part through grants received from Scott County and Shakopee's Recycling Rebate Program “The continued interest and support for Clean Up Day really shows residents’ interest in recycling and disposing items safely,” said Public Works Superintendent Bill Egan The event is a partnership among the Public Works Department, Dick’s Sanitation and the city’s recycling vendors—all of whom staff the event and haul away the collected items

"The continued interest and support for Clean UpDay really shows residents’ interest in recycling and disposing items safely." Bill Egan Public Works Superintendent

Residents can drop off items between 7:30 a m and 11:30 a m behind the Public Works build ing, 400 Gorman St A list of accepted items is avail able at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/cleanupday Residents will be charged a flat fee (check or credit card preferred) based on type of vehicle hauling the load ■ Car/SUV/Minivan: $40 ■ Pick-up Truck: $45 ■ Vehicle with Trailer: $50 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 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 conforming installation If no signs of impact are evident, the resident is provided information about possible reasons for the problem Thesemay include inadequate construction or materials, in need of general mainte nance, or other sources of damage Residents should clear snow from the mailbox area after each plow ing Snow that remains in front of mailboxes will get compacted by post office vehicles and make subsequent plowing less effective Tips for a sturdy mailbox: ■ Stabilize the post with compacted gravel, not concrete Concrete draws moisture, which can cause a wooden post to rot more quickly ■ Use a hard wood for the post While many people like the look of cedar, it is a weak wood and more prone to breaking down Better to use clear treated lumber without many knots ■ Avoid cheap plastic mailboxes Plastic mailboxes can become brittle in cold temperatures, causing them to easily shatter when hit by snow ■ Always call 811 before you dig to have utility lines marked

Spring 2022 Clean Up Day

Preventing damaged mailboxes through the seasons

Is your mailbox built to withstand the rigors of the winter plowing season? What happens if plowing activities damage your mailbox? The answer is determined by how the damage occurred Mailboxes should be installed and maintained to withstand snow coming off the end of the plow If damage occurs due to snow dis charge or snow storage, the city will not be responsible for repairs Mailboxes should be checked annually for structural strength to

ensure they can withstand the force of snow coming off the plow It is important to check for rot and replace a failing mailbox before the ground freezes City staff investigates eachmailbox complaint If an inspection shows that the mailbox was hit by a plow or other pieceof equipment, a tem porary mailbox is installed Then in the spring, repairs are made to

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PUBLIC WORKS

Protecting our riverbank Project would protect infrastructure, historic sites

Along with the critical stabilization piece, the project will preserve and protect historic sites alongthe river, includingDakotaburialmounds

The project timeline is yet to be deter mined and depends on various govern ment approvals and funding sources

CongresswomanAngie Craig recently stopped in Shakopee’s Huber Park to discuss the city’s riverbank stabilization and cultural corridor project after she was able to secure $3 5 mil lion for the project through congressional directed spending In the last century, the riverbank inHuber Park has receded approximately 50 feet The stabi lization project would reduce flooding and future erosion risk to protect underground infrastructure In fact, the banks have eroded to the point that a sanitary sewer manhole is exposed at the edge of the riverbank with other sewer, trail and park infrastructure in line to be swallowed up The total cost of the project is expected to be more than $12 5 million, with potential future support from partners including the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Scott County Historical Society, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District, the Min nesota Department of Natural Resources, Army Corp of Engineers, Scott County and Hennepin County (Three Rivers Park District)

From left: SMSC Chair Keith Anderson, Three Rivers Park District Superintendent Beau Carlson, Shakopee Mayor Bill Mars, Scott County Board Chair Michael Beard, SMSC Secretary-Treasurer Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, Congresswoman Angie Craig, SMSC Vice Chair Cole Miller, Shakopee City Councilmember Angelica Contreras, Shakopee City Councilmember Jay Whiting, Scott County Commissioner BarbWeckman Brekke, and SCHS Executive Director Heather Hoagland

City starting yield sign installation Beginning this year, City of Shakopee crews will begin installing yield signs at uncontrolled intersections in the city limits In 2016, a yield sign installation project was completed on 11th Avenue in the Presidential neighborhood The city compared acci dent data before and after the yield signs were installed and found that these signs consistently prevent accidents There are 65 intersections in Shakopee that do not have traffic control of any kind to assign right-of-way for drivers In 2022, nine yield signs will be installed in the Countryside and Countryside 2nd Addition neighborhoods The remaining intersections will be approved one batch at a time by City Council over the course of the next four years Intersections getting yield signs in 2022 include:

City installs seasonal parklets downtown If you’ve had the pleasure of being downtown Shakopee lately, you may have noticed some changes to the streetscape Inspired by the success of street tents during the height of the pandemic, the Shakopee City Council approved the seasonal installation of five parklets in downtown Shakopee These modu lar parklets allow local establishments to offer safe outdoor seat ing in the street area The parklets are steel-framed and contain features for stormwa ter drainage and to match curb heights The city added portable curbs between the street itself and the parklets for a safety barrier The parklets will be removed in the fall to allow for snow removal

■ Appaloosa Avenue at Caspian Lane ■ Jutland Avenue at Caspian Lane

■ Ardennes Avenue West at Breton Street ■ Arabian Avenue West at Breton Street ■ Ardennes Avenue East at Tarpan Street ■ Arabian Avenue East at Tarpan Street ■ Pina Street at Cubasue Court/Cubasue Avenue ■ Danube Avenue at Lusitano Street ■ Tori Court at Caspian Lane

Summer 2022 15

PUBLIC SAFETY

Why is my address important?

Emergency services personnel need to quickly locate, and easily read, your address from the street so we can provide effective services to your home Help us help you to protect your home and family by making sure your address is correctly displayed and easily readable All buildings are required to have address numbers posted on the front of the building facing the road Address numbers on residen tial buildings must be at least four feet high as required by both the Minnesota State Building Code and the Minnesota State Fire Code Address numbers should be a block style number, not a script or more graphic type style Address numbers on commercial buildings are usually larger The color to the numbers must contrast with the immediate background they are mounted to Providing visible address numbers helps firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services find you in your time of need Extra min utes spent trying to locate a building can mean the difference between life and death Take a fewminutes tomake sure we can see your address from the street in front of your home or commercial building

For more information about building addresses contact the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570

Cool down at a pop-up splash pad The Shakopee Fire Department’s famous Summer Pop-Up Splash Pads are a great way to get out and about with the family and enjoy some water activities for free

Each summer the department hosts a handful of these events The crews bring a fire truck and hook up hoses to various splash pad components, allowing kids and adults alike to run through the sprinklers and get up close and personal with a fire truck This year’s pop-up splash pads are planned for the following dates, weather permitting: ■ July 8 , 5–7 p m , in the Shakopee Community Center south parking lot ■ July 29 , 5–7 p m , at Green Meadows Park ■ Aug. 19 , 5–7 p m , at the 17th Ave Sports Complex Don’t forget to bring your towel!

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives

CHIEF’S NOTES

and needs to be replaced When replacing smoke alarms, you must replace hardwired smoke alarms with a new hardwired alarm Do not replace existing hardwired alarms with new wireless or internet connected devices Those types of alarms should be installed sep arately from the ones already in your home The Shakopee Fire Department offer the fol lowing tips to help prevent fires: ■ Install and maintain smoke alarms ■ Maintain gas and electrical appliances ■ Keep matches and lighters away from children ■ Develop and practice a home fire escape plan For more information about smoke detec tors, CO alarms and home fire escape plans contact the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570

Are the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home in working order? If you’renot sure, this is your sign todouble check! Smoke alarms should be tested monthly to make sure they are operating and should have their batteries changed annually According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 90% of U S households have smoke alarms installed However, a CPSC survey estimated that 20%of thosehouseholds, about 16million, did not have any working alarms Fire is the second leading cause of uninten tional death in the home Each year there are more than 340,000 residential fires reported in the U S Those fires result in the deaths of over 2,600 people Those individuals are mothers, fathers, children, and other family members and loved ones Smoke alarms that meet the requirements of a professional testing laboratory, such as Under writers Laboratories' (UL), should be placed on each level of multi-story homes outside sleep ing areas, and alarms need to be located inside each bedroom A carbon monoxide alarm that meets UL requirements also needs to be installed within 10-feet of sleeping rooms The City of Shakopee requires by ordinance that all structures containing sleeping areas be pro vided with working smoke alarms Smokealarmsmustbereplacedevery10years Check the back of your smoke alarm to deter mine how old it is If you do not find a man ufacturer date, the alarm is over 10-years-old

Warm weather breeds opportunity The weather is finally nicer and the number of walks I’ve been going on with

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

my wife are becoming more in number As we walked around our neighborhood today, I was struck by how many people put their outgoing mail in the mailbox and raise the mailbox flag Mail theft is a frequent problem, and when criminals see the flag up, it’s easy for them to drive up and take what’s in your box They are hoping to find a check or other financial information It’s not hard to wash a check so please, don’t put your outgoing mail in your mailbox Take the time to drop it off at a post office mailbox and make sure not to leave mail sitting in your mailbox longer than necessary The other thing that surprised me were the number of garages left open with nobody around It’s not hard to see what’s in your garage when you drive by Most of our thefts from vehicles and garages are from ones that are unlocked We could drastically cut our thefts in this city if we took the time to secure our valuables It’s important to stay vigilant and to watch out for your neighbors If you did not participate in Night to Unite last year, please consider starting a neighborhood block party for 2022 Registration will open soon, and hopefully we’ll see you in August Please also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShakopeePD and check out our website for crime prevention activities this summer Our 2021 annual report is now up on our

Long-time Shakopee firefighters retire

Three firefighters who each served the city of Shakopee for more than 20 years have traded their time fighting flames for more time enjoying the summer sun Dave Judd, Eric Bender and Bob Gieseke retired with a cumula tive 81 years of service to the Shakopee Fire Department “These 3 have over 80 years of wisdom and experience that will truly be missed,” said Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Yttreness “I have had the pleasure to work with all three of them and they were

website Please take some time and check it out Shakopee remains a very safe community and if we all do our part, we can make it even safer

Dave Judd

Shakopee Police Department 2021 Annual Report

always willing to go the extra mile If you asked anyone of them for help, they would never hesitate to offer a hand” Judd, Bender and Gieseke will be greatly missed at the fire station Thank you for your service to the community!

INTEGRITY. PROFESSIONALISM. COMMUNITY POLICING. The Shakopee Police Department strives to serve and protect our citizens by partnering with residents, businesses and local organizations to build a stronger, safer community for all.

Eric Bender

Bob Gieseke

Summer 2021 17 2

PUBLIC SAFETY Rock on at 2022 Night to Unite

The Shakopee Police Department encourages participation in this great celebration of community, crime prevention and strong police/ community partnerships From approximately 5:30 to 9 pm , residents are encouraged to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening with their neighbors Many neighborhoods host special events such as block parties, cookouts, visits from the police, fire and public works depart ments, youth contests and raffles Your event does not have to be large or elaborate It can be as simple as having a conversation in your neighbor’s yard The important thing is to talk to your neighbors and plan to get together Night to Unite is an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program that promotes neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships in the fight for a safer nation The benefits your neighborhood will derive from Night to Unite will most certainly extend well beyond the night Questions? Contact Shakopee Crime Prevention Unit at 952-233-9441 or police@ShakopeeMN.gov

One of our favorite events of the year will be here before we know what hit us – register today to host a block party or casual gathering for Night to Unite on Aug 2! This annual event is designed to: ■ Heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention efforts ■ Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts ■ Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships ■ Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back Early bird registration is now open through June 17, with general reg istration open through July 22 To register, visit www.ShakopeeMN. gov/nighttounite This year's theme is music Get your guests to dress up as their favorite musician/group, grab a karaoke machine and let your neighbors jam out to their favorite tunes or bake up some musical themed treats However you choose to plan your music themed party, just remem ber to rock on!

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