Winter 2022-23 Hometown Messenger

Messenger Hometown

A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE | WINTER 2022–23

Shakopee on ice Where to find outdoor rinks

Transforming safety City recognized for community policing

Hear from the experts Vehicle safety tips from city mechanics

Officer of the Year Shakopee officer earns national honor

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATIONWINTER ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS NOV. 29 AT 6 A.M.

SHOW OFF SHAKOPEE PHOTO CONTEST

2022

Congratulations to our 2022 winners!

Grand Prize Justin Braun

Nostalgia Robert Waldridge

The Great Outdoors Christopher Straub

Hometown Pride Katelyn Shurts

GRAND PRIZE: $100 | CATEGORYWINNERS 3 : $50

Messenger Hometown

News from the City of Shakopee | Winter 2022–23

CITY NEWSLETTER Transforming Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 City Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The View fromMars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2023 Budget and Levy. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ask the City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 A Look Back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Kick Off the Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Parks & Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Development News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 PublicWorks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–11 Public Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–13 Chief's Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Cover Photo: For information on outdoor ice rinks this winter, visit page 8

Transforming safety City earns national recognition for community policing People are taking notice of the way the City of Shakopee has transformed its community policing program, so much so that the City was recently awarded a Voice of the People Award for Transfor mation in Safety ICMA Executive Director/CEO Marc Ott presents City Administrator Bill Reynolds with the Voice of the People Award for Transformation in Safety

This award is presented annually by the International City/ County Managers Association and Polco National Research Cen ter to local governments that demonstrate excellence in com munity engagement by turning resident feedback into action Shakopee’s award is, in large part, a result of our police depart ment dedicating itself to community policing

“You don’t find lawenforcement departments like ours just anywhere.”

FIND US ONLINE AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov

Bill Reynolds City Administrator

“You don’t find law enforcement departments like ours just any where,” City Administrator Bill Reynolds said “We are fortunate to have a department that seeks to make connections with our residents, which ultimately prevents crime from occurring in the first place I’m very proud that our efforts as a city have been recognized with this award”

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

Winter 2022–23 3

Continued on page 6

THEVIEWFROMMARS A message from the Mayor of Shakopee

CITY CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 24 Thanksgiving: City offices and Community Center closed Garbage and recycling delayed by one day 25 Day after Thanksgiving: City offices closed, Community Center open 8 a m –8 p m DECEMBER 3 Holiday Fest: 1–5 p m , in Downtown Shakopee, hosted by the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau 6 City Budget Hearing: 7 p m , City Hall 10 Santa’s Pool Party: 10 a m to noon, Community Center, registration required Mid-December Outdoor skating rinks open: Weather permitting 24 Christmas Eve: City offices and Community Center closed 26 Christmas Day Observed: City offices closed, Community Center open 31 NewYear’s Eve: City offices closed Community Center TBD, please check city website JANUARY 1 NewYear’s Day: City offices and Community Center closed Garbage and recycling delayed by one day 1–31 Boards and commissions applications accepted. 7 NewYear, NewYou Fitness

Hello, Shakopee! Winter is upon us, but don’t let that get you down Here in Shakopee we have plenty of opportunities to still get into the community and enjoy ourselves – just make sure to have the hot cocoa ready for when you get home

Mayor Bill Mars

First up, the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau is hosting Holiday Fest on Saturday, Dec 3, in downtown Shakopee The City of Shakopee is a sponsor and supporter of this great event, which will include a holiday market in downtown and, of course, the downtown tree lighting Stick around for fireworks in Huber Park at the end of the day, and bring your mittens! Inside this booklet you’ll find information about our four outdoor ice rinks, as well as tips for where to find good sledding in town And if indoor activities are more your speed, the Parks and Recreation Department has plenty of offerings at the Community Center this winter, including a pool party with Santa Registration for programming begins at 6 a m on Nov 29—please note that this is a change from the usual midnight registration time Make sure to review the tips on the Public Works pages to ensure you are following the city’s snow-related ordinances, especially in the event of a snowfall Plows will be out, so plan now for where you will park your car to ensure it does not get plowed in or towed We tend to receive questions this time of year about Christmas tree disposal Our city’s garbage hauler, Dick’s Sanitation, will pick up Christmas trees during the first two full weeks in January This is considered an “add-on” service that costs an extra fee Email shakopee@dickssanitation.com one day prior to your regular service day to schedule a Christmas tree pickup, and the cost will be invoiced on your next bill Above all else, my hope is that you have a great holiday season and take time to get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful Shakopee community! Bill Mars Mayor of Shakopee wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov

Sampler: 8-11 a m , Community Center 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

City offices closed Community Center remains open

20 Pop-Up Putt & Play:

6–8 p m , Community Center, registration required FEBRUARY 20 President’s Day: City offices closed Community Center remains open Please note, events are subject to cancellation or changes due to the current public health guidelines by the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health Find the latest city calendar at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/calendar

CONTACT US MAYOR 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

Breaking down the 2023 budget and property tax levy

TheCityof Shakopeecontinues to remain inan extremely strong financial position The city’s AA+ long-term credit rating reflects the rap idly growing local economy, strong reserves, manageable debt burden and strong financial management practices and policies An emphasis on long-term financial planning includes a long-term financial plan, a 15-year capital improvement plan and financial pro jections However, there are several factors that will influence current and future budgets, including the impact of inflation on personnel costs, fuel, street materials and energy costs As Shakopee’s population grows and devel opment continues to expand, the demand for city services also grows As an example, in the past five years the city has added 14 1 miles of street, 23 miles of sidewalks/trails and 75 acres of parks/open space These additions increase the demand for snow removal, street maintenance, landscaping and additional funds for future park and infrastructure replacement Statewide—not unique to Shakopee—resi dential properties saw a sharp increase in value for property taxes payable in 2023, far outpacing the more moderate value increases in commercial and industrial prop erty types This creates a shift in the property tax burden from commercial/industrial to residential properties As a result, homeown ers can expect to see an increase in property taxes, regardless of any change in the city budget and levy In September, the City Council approved a maximum preliminary levy of $23,892,000 This is an increase of $1,406,000 (6 25%) over 2022 property taxes Much of the increase will be covered by taxes from new con struction, as the city’s taxable market value increased by $1 2 billion (19 4%) to $7 2 bil lion New construction accounts for 10 8%

Give your two cents on the proposed 2023 levy and budget during a public meeting.

7 p.m. Tue., Dec. 6 Council Chambers at City Hall, 485 Gorman St.

of the increase in market value, allowing the tax levy to be spread across a larger tax base For the median value home whose property value increased by 21 7%, from $284,700 to $346,500, this equates to an increase of $91 or 10 3% annually in property taxes Absent any change in value from the previous year, homeowners can expect a tax decrease of $101 or 11 5% The proposed tax levy will significantly decrease the city’s tax rate from 32 11% to 28 42% ■ Continue investment in parks and trails –$6 8 million identified in CIP for park development and replacement –Full-time park maintenance operator position added 2023 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS ■ 20% growth in city taxable market value –$127 million (10% of growth) from new construction –Home value appreciation (23% increase in existing residential values) ■ Significant (11%) decrease in the city tax rate (32 11% to 28 42%) ■ Anticipated property tax decreases for commercial and industrial properties ■ Investment in public safety –Added three full-time fire supervisor positions –Rental housing program implementation

How Can I Help You? Meet Alexander Enyi, who works as a senior engineer technician in the Public Works Department Q: What do you do for the city? A: I draw and design city projects in the winter and inspect them in the summer when they’re under construction Q: How long have you worked for the city? A: I worked as an intern in the summer of 2014 I then applied and have worked full time as an engineer technician since June 2015 Q: What do you enjoy about working for the city? A: The engineering department has a knowledgeable team I learn a lot from everyone in the department They’re easy to talk to about any issues and everyone gets along well Q: What’s the best part of your job? The best part of my job is seeing a construction project from start to finish and watching it evolve from tragic to magnificent The projects are usually roadways in desperate need of reconstruction

NEWS & NOTES

GET INVOLVED! The city has three active boards and commissions that advise and assist the City Council in setting policy: Park and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission/Board of Adjustments & Appeals and the Police Civil Service Commission The City Council also appoints members to the Shakopee Public Utili ties Commission (SPUC), which oversees the operation of the publicly owned water and electric utilities Interested community members can apply online during the month of January at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/employment

NEW EMPLOYEES JOIN CITY STAFF Join us in welcoming these new employees to the City of Shakopee: ■ Larry Runge , Parks and Recreation Facilities Maintenance Worker ■ Courtney LaBruyere , Police Evidence Technician ■ Tait Carlson , Ice Arena Specialist ■ John Sullivan , Economic Development Coordinator ■ Joe Pluta , Public Works Foreman

Winter 2022–23 5

Continued from page 3

With community policing, officers are expected to treat everyone they encounter with respect and kindness—no matter the circumstances

process, which can be overwhelming for anyone—particularly someone who is or has recently experienced trauma This position also works to connect victims to local non-profits in order to find resources and support for victims as they continue on the road to recovery ■ The Recovery Assistance Program (RAP) provides resources for those that need assistance but are unable to obtain the funding or connections needed to help themselves Officers will assist in fundraising efforts to aid in recovery or treatment programs, and local businesses participate by allowing officers to offer vouchers to local mechanic shops for broken vehicles or equipment rather than issuing citation Other businesses provide funding or vouchers so that officers can reward children wearing bike helmets while riding around town with an ice cream cone or other treat In addition to the efforts of the police department, the City was also commended for its work in accessibility From offering pop-up public feedback meetings in the areas that are directly impacted by poten tial development to increasing translation services and bringing rec reation events and programming into traditionally under-served areas of the community, all staff are working to increase the City’s vis ibility and overall accessibility

Police Chief Jeff Tate makes sure his officers know that treating people with respect is the Shakopee Police Department’s own Golden Rule “We host a swearing in ceremony when a new officer starts working with us,” Tate said “I say the same thing at every ceremony: We show respect to all Whether you're meeting commu nity members at a fun event or arrest ing an uncooperative suspect, it's vital to our work that we treat each other with human decency” There are many examples of how Sha kopee officers demonstrate this philos

“We show respect to all. Whether you’re meeting community members at a fun event or arresting an uncooperative suspect, it’s vital to our work that we treat each other with human decency.” Jeff Tate Shakopee Police Chief

ophy on the job: big events such as Night toUnite and Picnicwith Police, smaller events such as Shopwith a Cop and Special Olympics Torch Run, or even simple, daily interactions that may seem insignificant to most people but can leave a profound impact on community members Several areas of the department were highlighted to illustrate Shako pee’s unique community policing model: ■ The Proactive Policing Unit (PPU) is a small group of officers dedicated to working closely with community members and businesses Its goal is to not only prevent crimes, but to address quality of life concerns such as theft and robbery, narcotic issues, gun violence, fraud concerns, and much more These officers are not subject to patrol-style call loads, so they are able to focus their attention on building relationships within the community, which in turn helps them directly combat these issues ■ Shakopee’s Victim Services Coordinator works extensively with victims of crimes throughout the entire legal and recovery WHAT ARE SOME FACTS SHAKOPEE RESIDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF AS WE HEAD INTO THE COLDER MONTHS? ■ Most home fires occur in the winter and peak in January ■ Last year in Minnesota, 39% of fire deaths occurred in October, November and December ■ Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles ■ The three leading causes of Minnesota fires are all holiday staples: cooking, heating and open flames ■ Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source WHAT CAN RESIDENTS DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES? ■ Use flameless candles when decorating for the holidays ■ Make sure exit paths and exits are clear of holiday decorations and clutter ■ Keep all doors and windows that could be used for an escape route clear of snow and ice ■ Keep all vents—fireplace, dryer, furnace and oven—clear of snow, ice and debris ■ Never use a blow torch to thaw frozen pipes ■ Keep anything flammable at least three feet from heat sources ■ Do not use your oven to heat your home #AsktheCity

All of these efforts combined help city staff to connect with and understand our community so that we can bet ter serve residents It’s important for us to provide opportunities for community members to meet staff in what are typically low-stress, friendly situations That connection can go a long way to foster trust and respect from both sides in a high-stress situation

WINTER FIRE SAFETY TIPS

6 Hometown Messenger

A Look Back

In 1982, Minnesota voters paved the way for the development of one of Shakopee’s premiere destinations and helped establish a defining characteristic of the City of Shakopee by voting for a constitutional amendment allowing parimutuel betting in the state Just two years later, ground would break for Minnesota’s first horse racing track, Canterbury Downs, and in the 40 years since that vote, Canterbury Park continues heating up despite a slower initial start as the horseracing industry grew throughout the state In the decades that followed, Canterbury Park has grown to include more than horseracing and gambling, and the most recent redevelopment of the horse barns in anticipation of the new 19,000-person amphithe ater just one indicator of the growth the area has seen This region was not always as lively and successful as it has been in recent years Canterbury Park struggled initially and would end up closing from 1992–1995 after facing legislative uncertainty before renewed enthusiasm and new ownership propelled an initial public offering forward The decision to embrace off-season functions proved to be a wel come addition to the winter months, with Canterbury Park hosting the Holiday in Lights family events, which included light displays, a sledding hill, ice skating and dog sledding events Canterbury would continue to build on their momentum by introducing the Claiming Crown, a national championship event for claiming horses, and the Canterbury Card Club, which innovated gambling in Minnesota by being the only location in Minnesota allowed to have a card club In the last few years, Canterbury Commons has focused on cultivat ing an area where residents can work, live and play from the comfort of their own backyards In addition to the projects above, the Canterbury Southwest Planned Unit Development has intro duced new local amenities such as Next Step Learning Cen ter, a new childcare center; Greystone Construction’s corpo rate office, the Omry Apartments—a 55+ luxury apartment complex, and new locations for both Badger Hill Brewing and Bravis Restaurant Join the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau on Saturday, Dec 3 in downtown Shakopee for Holiday Fest, an open streets celebration to kick-off the holiday season This fun-for-the-whole-family event will feature a Winter Vendor Marketplace, pictures with Santa, a walk through parade, tree lighting and fireworks! Visit shakopee.org/events/2022-holiday-fest for additional informa tion, and be sure to follow Downtown Shakopee on Facebook for the most up-to-the-minute event and business information 2–5 p.m. Winter Market (Lewis Street Parking Lot) Holiday Activity Stations (Downtown Businesses) Walk-Through Parade (First Avenue East) Photos With Santa (Location TBD) 5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting (First Avenue East, in front of River City Centre) 5:45 p.m. Fireworks in Huber Park Kick off the holidays in downtown Shakopee

Canterbury Park was known as Canterbury Downs when it first opened in the 1980s Photo credit: Canterbury Park

Introducing John Sullivan The City of Shakopee is thrilled to introduce its new Economic Development Coordinator, John Sullivan

Sullivan comes to Shakopee with more than 20 years of community development experience in both the public and private sectors Previously, he has worked for the Minnesota cities of Virginia, Prior Lake and Cambridge, and for Carver County

“Working for the City of Shakopee is a fantastic opportunity and also a privilege,” Sullivan said “Shakopee is experiencing rapid growth and has an extremely strong job base with numerous diverse companies This city is exciting and is rapidly becoming the entertainment hub of the Twin Cities!” Sullivan can be reached at jsullivan@ShakopeeMN.gov

Winter 2022–23 7

PARKS & RECREATION Shakopee on ice

Get ready for outdoor ice skating season In recent years, unpredictable and fluctuating temperatures have made Shakopee’s outdoor rinks more difficult to maintain, but the city’s goal is always to keep them open with good ice conditions for as much of the winter as the weather will allow “Our outdoor rinks provide a great opportunity for folks to get outside and move their bodies even during the colder months,”Parks and Recreation Director Jay Tobin said As an added bonus, the outdoor rinks are free to use Whether you want to practice your figure skating or get some friends together for a casual game of hockey, the outdoor rinks are open to anyone and everyone The city has staffed warming houses at three of the four outdoor rinks Warming house hours can be found on the city website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/outdoorskating Please keep in mind that these hours are based on staffing availability The outdoor rinks are also able to be lit after dark To turn on rink lights, push the light button between 4 and 10 p m The lights at Westminster Park are automatic and should turn on daily after dark Skate rentals are not available at outdoor rinks, so plan ahead and bring your own skates The rinks will close if the temperature is below -10 degrees, or if the windchill is below -15 degrees When in doubt, call the Weather Hotline at 952-233-9502

SKATING RINK LOCATIONS ■ Green Meadows Park 3100 Thrush St ■ Westminster Park 801 Valley View Drive E ■ Southbridge Community Park 7101 Southbridge Parkway ■ Lions Park 1103 Adams St (No warming house)

Shakopee’s outdoor rinks are open to all—whether you want to practice your figure skating, get friends together for a game of pick-up hockey, or just try your hand at something new

LET’S GO SLEDDING! Get outdoors and discover your inner child this winter with a fun afternoon of sledding Here are our recommendations for dependable sledding hills in Shakopee: Lions Park: Behind SandVenture Aquatic Center at Lions Park, you can find a large hill that will entertain sledding enthusi asts of all ages Tahpah Park: As you make the turn off Marystown Road into Tahpah Park, there’s a large hill that slopes down and runs behind the ball field fences This particular hill can get a bit icy, so make sure to hang on tight Scenic Heights Park: The rolling hills at Scenic Heights Park make for a great sledding option for younger kids or sled ders who prefer a slower ride

8 Hometown Messenger

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

‘What’s going there?’ City Council paves way for improvements, new construction The past several months have been bustling with construction projects popping up all around Shakopee Naturally, we all want an answer to the burning question, “What’s going there?” Here’s a rundown of some of the latest projects to receive City Council approval:

LIONS PARK PICKLEBALL COURT On Aug 3, City Council approved plans for the Lions Park Pickleball Court renovation at Lions Park, 1103 Adams St As part of a larger, future redesign of SandVenture Aquatic Park, a reconfiguration of Lions Park was approved based on public comments received through surveys and meetings with user groups The existing tennis court will be converted to pickleball courts, expanded and improved to provide a year-round experience for amultitude of users After receiving five competitive bids in August, City Council awarded a contract in the amount of $307,605 to BKJ Excavating with con struction anticipated to begin in spring 2023 and be completed by early summer 2023

RIVER VALLEY BUSINESS PARK On Aug 3, City Council approved the preliminary and final plat of River Valley Business Park, which includes a rezoning request for 56 acres of recently annexed property from Jackson Township as part of the Orderly Annexation Agreement Since the annexation, the property owner has worked with a devel oper to split the residential homestead zone off and rezone the five acre parcel as Rural Residential while the remainder of the property will be zoned as Business Park The remaining property will be com prised of two lots, several outlots, and a public right-of-way; the two lots will be created for the construction of a 150,000 and 300,000 square foot office/industrial building Scott County is requiring construction of a roundabout at the new road on County Highway 69, along with construction of a new access for Colburn Drive to the frontage road

AMPHITHEATER AT CANTERBURY AND CANTERBURY HORSE BARN REPLACEMENT On Aug 16, City Council approved a preliminary and final plat, along with a Planned Unit Development, for the much-anticipated Canter bury Amphitheater

The amphitheater project by Swervo Development includes a 19,000 seat amphitheater that is anticipated to host as many as 40 to 60 events a year, with 10 to 12 of these reaching full capacity Amenities include a roof over the seating area, outdoor lawn area, and support facilities, such as restrooms and food and beverage services The facil ity will have a large enclosed plaza for smaller public events like radio station pre-event parties and other potential opportunities for holi day events with displays and markets The construction of the Canter bury Amphitheater and the Canterbury Barn Redevelopment project will occur simultaneously On Oct 4, City Council approved an application submitted by Can terbury Park for a Planned Unit Development to redevelop its house barn area Nine of the barns will be demolished this winter to allow for the construction of infrastructure for the Amphitheater, and more NEXT STEPS LEARNING CENTER On Aug 16, City Council approved an amendment to the Canterbury Southwest Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the development of the Next Steps Learning Center, a childcare facility at 2750 Winner’s Circle Drive Greystone Construction intends to construct a 16,000 square foot building to house Next Steps Learning Center, which operates existing centers in Chaska and Chanhassen Next Steps is the most recent addition to the Canterbury Southwest PUD, which also includes Greystone Construction’s corporate office, the Omry 55+ Luxury Apartments and the relocation of Badger Hill Brewing and Bravis Modern Street Food As part of the draft shared parking agreement, Badger Hill and Bravis will have access to the parking spaces at the daycare after 6 p m on weekdays and all day on weekends

barns will be demolished at a later date to build additional public streets, infrastructure, parking and further development The project includes four new fabric barns, supporting facility build ings, new dorms, remodel of existing barns and dorms, renovations to the Stable Gate and Quarantine Barns, and a reconfiguration of the practice track

Winter 2022–23 9

PUBLIC WORKS

How is street plowing prioritized? When it snows, we all want our streets and driveways cleared as quickly as possible, so we can get on with daily life But sometimes—especially after a large snow event—that may mean waiting for the plow

The Shakopee City Council has adopted a snow plowing and ice control policy that outlines the city's process for efficient and timely snow removal The policy emphasizes safety by priori tizing emergency response and focusing on the most critical time periods (weekday morning and evening commutes) Here's how the city prioritizes its streets, parking lots and trails: 1. Emergency routes: Ensuring emergency fire, police and medical services can travel freely through the city during a storm event is the city's main priority This means plowing main arterial roads and collector streets, as they have the highest traffic volumes and connect major sections of the city Examples: 10th Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Vierling Drive, South bridge Parkway, Eagle Creek Boulevard 2. Access to schools and commercial property: The second priority is streets that provide access to the city's commercial centers and schools This is critical for helping people get to school and work as quickly as possible following a snow event Examples: Shenandoah Drive, downtown Shakopee, Old Carriage Court, Valley Industrial Boulevard N , Valley Industrial Boulevard S 3. Lower volume residential streets: Once plows have cleared the busiest city streets, they focus on ensuring the less-traveled residential streets are cleared This would include most of the residential areas throughout the city 4. Cul-de-sacs, alleys, sidewalks and trails: Due to their size, Public Works typically uses smaller equipment to clear cul-de-sacs, alleys, sidewalks and trails Each fall, the City Council adopts a sidewalk and trails map outlining which sidewalks and trails it will plow during the upcoming season Priority is given to walking paths along main arterial streets and school walking zones 5. Snow hauling: Some areas of the city do not have enough right-of-way to store snow that accumulates from the plowing process This can create sight line and safety issues Thus, Public Works crews typically spend the nights and days following a large storm hauling snow to open city land for storage Example: Downtown Shakopee

WHOPLOWS MY STREET? Not all streets in Shakopee are plowed by the City of Shakopee Public Works Department ■ The City of Shakopee maintains public residential streets and public parking lots ■ Scott County maintains county state aid highways, including Marschall Road, 17th Avenue, Canterbury Road, County Highway 21 and more ■ The Minnesota Department of Transportation maintains Highway 169 and its on and off ramps ■ Neighborhood associations clear private streets, alleys and sidewalks ■ Private businesses maintain their own private parking lots

10 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC WORKS

Winter vehicle tips from the mechanics at Shakopee Public Works TIRE SAFETY

FLUID LEVELS ■ Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent moisture in the fuel system ■ Use washer fluid that is for rated -25 degrees Summer blends can freeze on a cold windshield, causing reduced visibility (and frustration) ■ Confirm you have the proper strength and level of antifreeze If the strength is not correct, it can freeze, causing expensive repairs If the level is too low, the vehicle may not supply heat SMART SUPPLIES ■ If you park outside, a windshield cover can save you a lot of time having to scrape and defrost your windshield ■ When you live in Minnesota, a sturdy ice scraper is a no brainer! Buy a scraper strong enough to handle the heaviest of freezes A scraper with a brush on one end is helpful for brushing off fresh snowfall, too PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY ■ Keep a blanket, flashlight (with good batteries!), boots, gloves, jacket, cell phone and roadside assistance phone number in your vehicle Your car manufacturer, credit card or vehicle insurance policy may offer roadside assistance Check your benefits! ■ If stuck or stranded, clear any snow from the exhaust pipe, as fumes can come into the vehicle, endangering passengers

■ Every 10-degree drop in temperature can drop your tire pressure by one pound Make sure to check your tire pressure throughout the season and inflate as necessary ■ Your tires need good tread to get friction on the road, especially when there’s snow and ice Try the quarter test: If the tread touches Washington’s head, you have a safe amount of tread If it doesn’t, it’s time to get new tires ■ Consider snow tires The rubber is designed to remain flexible, allowing the tire to grip the road better All-season or summer tire rubber can stiffen in extreme temperatures and become less able to provide sufficient traction

Must-know winter rules in Shakopee The official first day of winter is Wednesday, Dec 21, thoughwinter weather often arrives in Minnesotamuch sooner Did you knowShako pee has specific rules and ordinances pertain ing to winter? Plow damage to sod will be seeded in the spring Mailboxes directly hit by a city plow will be repaired or replaced Report dam age to publicworks@shakopeemn.gov Be aware that damage caused from snow hitting mailboxes that have not been properly main tained will not be covered by the city HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOUR YARD FORWINTER? Here are some things the PublicWorks Department recommends residents consider before winter weather arrives

Winter parking rules in Shakopee prohibit parking on residential streets after two inches of snowfall Move vehicles from the street when a snowstorm is occurring More infor mation can be found in the winter parking map at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/parking Residentsmust clear sidewalkswithin 36 hours of a snowfall Commercial locations have 24 hours to clear sidewalks Do not deposit snow in the street, as this is a violation of state law and city ordinance due to the hazardous con ditions it creates Catch basins and storm inletsmust remain free from snow, ice, leaves and other debris Keep an eye on the street drains and small drainage ditches in front of your home or on your street all year long

■ Start up your snow blower to make sure it’s running correctly ■ Find and dust off your shovel ■ Contact a snow removal service ■ Inspect your mailbox for structural strength to ensure it can withstand the force of snow coming off snow plows ■ Store a container of sidewalk salt and sand at the entryways to your home ■ Install reflective yard markers

Stay up to date with your local weather Make sure you know the terminology of weather warnings A “watch” means to be aware because a storm is likely A “warning” means it’s time to take action and find safe shelter, as a storm is imminent and entering the area While it's fun to play in the snow, remind chil dren it is dangerous to play in snowbanks piled at the end of a road or driveway Snow in a six-foot snowbank can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds Additionally, plow drivers add snow to snowbanks during plowing Children tunnelling into snowbanks can be trapped or killed by a snowplow

Winter 2022–23 11

PUBLIC SAFETY

Shakopee officer recognized nationally

Don’t let your home go up in smoke Tips to avoid smoking-related fires Careless smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Minnesota Fires involving cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other smoking-related items—including e-cigarettes—represent a small portion of the annual fires that occur, but they result in the greatest number of deaths that happen in residential homes Most of these deaths occur between the hours of midnight and 6 a m , while many people are sleeping To prevent tragedy from striking, keep these basic guidelines in mind: ■ If you smoke, smoke outside ■ Discard cigarettes in a deep, sturdy metal ashtray filled with water or sand ■ Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation like mulch, potted plants, peat moss or leaves ■ Do not smoke while usingmedical oxygen or near medical oxygen ■ Do not smoke while under the influence of drugs or alcohol Of course, every home must have working smoke alarms An alarm must be located on each level of the home, in hallways providing access to bedrooms, and in each bedroom Homes built after Aug 1, 1989 must have hard-wired smoke alarms Those built prior to Aug 1, 1989 will have battery-operated smoke alarms Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and must be replaced every 10 years It is also important to develop and practice a home fire escape plan The plan should include information on exit paths, staying low and crawling under smoke, and having a family meeting spot outside Formorefire safety information, contact theShakopeeFireDepartment

The Shakopee Police Depart ment is proud to announce that Officer Yesenia Soto was named 2022 Officer of the Year by the National Latino Peace Officer’s Association (NLPOA) Prior to her arrival in Shako pee in 2021, Officer Soto’s law enforcement career began as a Detention Deputy/Cor rections Officer for Henne pin County Sherriff’s Office in 2008 In 2014, she was hired on with Metro Transit PoliceDepartment as a patrol officer andbecame incredibly

Officer Yesenia Soto was named the 2022 Officer of the year by the National Latino Peace Officer’s Association

involved in thedepartment, joining theEverydayEquityTeam, Recruit ment, Honor Guard, FieldTrainingTeam, BackgroundsTeam, Peer Sup port Team, Mobile Field Force Unit and Juvenile Investigations Officer Soto spent her youth living in Mexico and later moved to Minnesota in the early 2000s She was a trailblazer as the first Spanish-speaking Latina officer at both of her former departments

With the U S Census Bureau estimating that 8% of Shako pee residents are Hispanic or Latino, Officer Soto’s Spanish skills have served the depart ment well in building rela tionships with the Spanish speaking community

“It makes me happy to know that my Latino community here in Shakopee has a person

“We absolutely recognize the value and connection she’s able to make with her lan guage skills,” said Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate “She has proven quickly to be a great asset to the depart ment and the community” Officer Soto knows the importance of representation, especially when it comes to public service “It makes me happy to know that my Latino community here in Shakopee has a person who can reflect all of us and help them if they need it,” she said Officer Soto has been a NLPOA member since 2014 and has suc cessfully managed several events, mentored dozens of students and helped numerous community members became partners with law enforcement She was presented the 2022 Officer of the Year award this fall at the NLPOA conference in California “We are honored to have a nationally-recognized officer serving with us,” Tate said “We hope Officer Soto makes Shakopee her home for years to come” who can reflect all of us and help them if they need it.” Officer Yesenia Soto Shakopee Police Department

12 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

Generous donations make ‘Shop with a Cop’ possible

CHIEF’S NOTES

a chance to be one on one with a child,”Police Chief Jeff Tate said “We get to know them and they get to know the officer behind the badge This is a special event that is as reward ing for our officers as it is for the kids” This program is run solely on monetary dona tions, and the community’s generous sup port makes a big impact on the holidays for the participating families This year’s donors include the Shakopee American Legion Post 2, Caspers Chiropractic, Shakopee Crime Preven tion, Inc and multiple anonymous donors To contribute to the program, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Nicole Clifton at nclifton@ShakopeeMN.gov

For more than 10 years, the Shakopee Police Department has participated in the “Shop with a Cop”program The purpose of the Shop with a Cop event is to foster positive relation ships between youth and the police Shakopee area children are selected each year during theholiday season to shopat oneof the local area stores and purchase gifts for them selves andmembers of their immediate family A police officer escorts each child around the store and assists in selecting appropriate gifts While shopping, the children and the officers have anopportunity toget to knoweachother After shopping, everybody travels to the Sha kopee Police Department where they wrap presents and enjoy a pizza party After the presents are wrapped and everyone is full, the families have anopportunity topick out winter coats donated by the community “Oftentimes, these youth come from dis advantaged families and may have already experienced some negative consequences with police Shopwith a Cop gives our officers

Winter is near! We’d like to

remind everyone that with the drop in temperatures it may seem tempting to warm

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

up your car unattended, but thieves are on the lookout for these vehicles warming up in driveways and/or inside parking lots Last year, there were 41 reported stolen vehicles Seventy percent of those stolen vehicles were unlocked with keys inside Even though it is no fun driving in a cold car on a freezing morning—it’ll be even less fun having to deal with a stolen vehicle There are a few easy things you can do that can drastically reduce your chance of becoming a victim of vehicle tampering or vehicle theft: 1. Please don’t leave your keys in your car! The majority of stolen vehicles out of the city this year had the keys either in the car or in the ignition Gas stations in particular are a hot spot for thieves 2. Lock your car at night Most thefts happen when thieves simply open an unlocked car and rummage through it 3. Please don’t leave valuables in your car A purse, backpack or laptop looks very enticing through a car window This creates a crime of opportunity, which is easily preventable We have a very low crime rate in Shakopee, but if people locked up their vehicles, it would make a measurable difference Take these incredibly easy and preventative steps to save yourself a big headache While we wish everyone a wonderful end to the year, let’s make sure you aren’t footing the bill for someone’s “new” Christmas present! While we'd like to believe that we can catch all of the criminals that are out there, the truth is that we need your help to prevent crimes and your vigilance to help us arrest the suspects after crimes have been committed Remember, if you see something, say something Call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious activity

Shakopee Police Chief helps a young boy pick out the perfect toy

Officer Michelle Schmidt browses for Barbies with a young girl participating in last year’s Shop with a Cop event

Officers help participating children wrap their gifts after they’re done shopping

Winter 2022–23 13