Winter 2021-22 Hometown Messenger

Messenger Hometown APLACE TOGATHER City begins Huber Park improvement process

A Publication of the City of Shakopee | Winter/Spring 2022

What to expect when the city switches garbage haulers in January Trash talk

Shakopee family gifts Little Free Library to honor late father, husband A donation of love

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATIONWINTER/SPRING ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS NOV. 30

Messenger CITY NEWSLETTER Huber Park replacement The View from Mars City Calendar Hometown

News from the City of Shakopee | Winter/Spring 2022

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What is a strategic plan? 2022 Budget and Levy New permit & license platform A Look Back #AskTheCity: Garbage hauling

Parks and Recreation Development News

Public Works Chief's Notes Public Safety

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A place to gather City looks to enhance Huber Park as beloved riverfront destination

Cover Photo: The Huber Park wood community-build playground sits quiet on a chilly morning. The playground is nearing the end of its lifespan, with replacement scheduled for 2023.

Shakopee families have been enjoying Huber Park and its unique playground structure for 16 years, but with the wood playground approaching the end of its natural lifespan, necessary changes are afoot.

"This is a great opportunity to build on our community’s vision from the early 2000s." Bill Mars Shakopee Mayor

As part of the city’s Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan, the playground at Huber Park is scheduled to be replaced in 2023. Mayor Bill Mars was a member of the Huber Park Community Build Playground Committee that was founded in 2003 to spearhead the creation of the playground known and loved by residents today. Mars said he recognizes the playground replace ment will be bittersweet for some in the community, but he’s optimistic about the future of the beloved park.

FIND US ONLINE AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov

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Hello, Shakopee! Somehow, it's already the holiday season. Where did 2021 go? It seems we've been so busy entertaining, innovating and thriving in Shakopee, the year has gotten away from me. I am so proud to say that despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related challenges in 2021, our city continues to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of our residents in our growing city. We've been hosting well-attended Parks and Recreation events, redeveloping THE VIEW FROM MARS A message from the Mayor of Shakopee

CITY CALENDAR

NOV 25 Thanksgiving, City offices and Community Center closed. Garbage and recycling delayed by one day. 26 Day after Thanksgiving, City offices closed. DEC 2 Holiday Family Trivia, 6:30 p.m. Community Center; registration required. 7 2022 Public Budget and Levy Meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. Mid December Outdoor skating rinks open, weather permitting. 24 Christmas Eve, City offices closed and Community Center closed. 25 Christmas Day, City offices and Community Center closed. 31 NewYear's Eve, City offices closed. Community Center closes at 4:30 p.m. JAN 1 NewYear's Day, City offices and Community Center closed. 1 DSI contract begins, making DSI the new city trash hauler. 1 31 Boards and Commissions applications accepted. 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, City offices closed. Community Center open. FEB 18 '90s Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m. Community Center; registration required. 21 President's Day , City offices closed. Community Center open.

Mayor Bill Mars

aging playgrounds, paving new trails, improving customer service when applying for a permit or license and continuing to be a driving force behind economic development and entrepreneurial support in our region. One particularly exciting project in the works is "The Hub: A Regional Innovation Center," which you can read about on page 9. The innovation center will be a central location for providing ongoing education and professional training opportunities, as well as supporting business startups and retention. Once it's built and operational, the innovation center will combine higher education with high-bay labs, workforce development, entrepreneurial space, small business support and makers' space to be a unique professional growth center. We can't wait to see the positive impact this has on the entire region! As we head into the year 2022, I look forward to building on our city's momentum and continuing to ensure Shakopee is a fantastic place to live, work and play. Happy Holidays from all of us at the City of Shakopee! Bill Mars Mayor of Shakopee wmars@ShakopeeMN.gov

Please note, events are subject to cancellation or changes due to the current public health guidelines by the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health. Find the latest city calendar at www.ShakopeeMN. gov/calendar.

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

CITY HALL 485 Gorman St., Shakopee, MN 55379

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

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A blueprint for the future What is a strategic plan, and what does it mean for the City of Shakopee?

Much like mapping out a road trip or creating a blueprint for a new home, the City of Shakopee utilizes many tools to make sure the city continues to move forward in a thoughtful and consistent manner. While some of these tools are required of us by other governmental entities, others are entirely optional and only completed when a city invests the time and energy to complete them, like a Strategic Plan. Shakopee most recently underwent a strategic planning process in 2019, with final adoption by the City Council in February 2020. The strategic plan consists of a set of four strategic priorities, which are the highest priority issues for the city; a series of key outcome indicators, which reflect desired outcomes; and a set of performance targets, which define the success of certain projects or initiatives. At initial planning meetings, the city reviewed the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, identified the major challenges facing the city and adopted the four strategic priorities of the plan. Shakopee’s adopted priorities are: Financial Stability, Enhanced Community Strengths, Effective Public Services and Communication.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Financial Stability • Develop long-term financial plan • Develop a grant decision-making process • Improve 5-year CIP prioritization process • Explore methodologies for cap turing tourism revenue Enhanced Community Strengths • Evaluate economic development policies regarding higher wage jobs • Refine business promotion and attraction process • Improve culture and tourism marketing • Explore collaborative partner ships • Develop service level standards • Create comprehensive perfor mance management program Communication • Develop strategies to reach underserved populations • Pursue branding and image ef forts consistent with vision Effective Public Services • Develop a 15-year CIP • Conduct a staffing study

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

Meet City Clerk Lori Hensen, who works in the Administration Department for the city.

Q: How long have you worked for the city? A: I have worked for the City of Shakopee for 21 years. Q: What do you like about working for the City of Shakopee? A: It has given me a lot of opportunities to grow as a person and in my abilities while building new relationships with co-workers and citizens living in the community. Q: What's the best part of your job? A: I like being able to help people. Helping someone with whatever they need, whether answering business licensing questions, educating others about the election process or directing them to the proper person to receive the information they request. It's the best part of my job to help others.

Those priorities are proudly displayed in many places, including the top of each City Council agenda, to ensure they are taken into account any time decisions are made. Each year, the City Council revisits the priorities, outcome indicators and performance targets to measure the progress made toward each priority. To view the plan in its entirety and learn more about the various aspects of it, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/strategicplan.

NEWS & NOTES Get involved

New employees join staff Several new employees have recently joined the City of Shakopee organization: • Kristen Friendshuh, Fitness Coordinator • Amanda McKnight, Communications Manager • Mason Moore, Recreation Coordinator • Grant Quasabart, Police Officer • Yesenia Soto, Police Officer • Hannah Ward, Aquatics Specialist

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 Utilities 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.

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“This is a great opportunity to build on our community’s vision from the early 2000s,” Mars said. “The vision of Huber Park being a destination playground and main focal point of our community dates back to the 1990s and beyond.” The Huber Park Community Build Play ground Committee raised more than $200,000 in cash donations and $65,000 of in-kind donations from more than 100 companies, organizations and residents to make the wood playground a reality. More than 4,000 Shakopee elementary students contributed their hopes, dreams and ideas to be incorporated into the final design and layout of the playground. In October 2005, more than 800 volunteers donated their time over the span of 14 days to construct the playground. “When we say it was a community effort, we mean that in every sense of the word,” Mars said. “The community rallied together to design it, fund it and eventually build it. It’s the perfect example of how working together makes us stronger as neighbors and as a city.” THE PLACE TO BE Throughout the years, Huber Park has been home to thousands of Shakopee memories. From the days of pickup baseball games and rodeos more than 30 years ago to Derby Days in the early 2000s and the Big Taste of Fun in recent years, there’s no mistaking this park lives at the core of Shakopee’s identity as a city. That’s why the City Council continues to reimagine ways to make this riverfront desti nation a place where residents and visitors from neighboring communities want to spend time, Mars said. “Our parks and trails master plan isn’t set in stone, but it certainly lays out the vision of how we hope to see our parks evolve in the coming years,” he explained. One of the key points made in the parks master plan is that people crave more access

Huber Park playground's wood design is unique and well-loved by the community, but it will need replacement as some of the wood components are unable to be repaired.

to the Minnesota River. The city’s ultimate vi sion is to restore and stabilize the riverbank, both for the sake of the city's infrastructure and for improved river access, including eventual restoration of the historic marina into a launch site for canoes and kayaks. Mars said he foresees opportunities for improved walkability in the future, as well, including easier pedestrian access from downtown to the historic Holmes walking bridge across Highway 101. For the immediate future, though, the focus is on the playground and ensuring Shako pee residents have ample opportunity to provide their hopes, dreams, thoughts and ideas for what the playground will look like and include. “A lot of folks in this town poured their time and money and passion into the community build playground, and we want the new playground to be a community effort, as well,”Mars said. “Tell us what you want to see there or maybe what you don’t want to see there. We want to know it all.” The city is accepting the community’s feedback through February 2022. After that, concept plans will be drawn and presented to the community for another round of in put and feedback. Construction of the new playground is not scheduled until 2023.

WEWANT YOUR OPINION! Help us make the most of Huber Park's new playground by providing your input and ideas. Visit www.ShakopeeMN. gov/huberparkideas to give us your two cents. You can also scan the QR code below using your smartphone camera, then click on the link that pops up.

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Each year the city must prepare a budget and property tax levy for the coming year. Staff has been analyzing revenues, expenditure information and initiatives to prepare a preliminary budget and levy for consideration. From providing fun recreation programs and beautiful parks to ensuring safe neighborhoods, maintaining high quality services enhances and protects people’s lives. Responsible fiscal management also builds the foundation for the city to run smoothly and provide effective, innovative programs and services while keeping in mind ways to evolve PROPOSED 2022 CITY TAX LEVY AND BUDGET 2022 budget provides quality service at reasonable price

to meet future expectations and demands as the city grows. Decisions are made in a manner that ensures the city’s ongoing ability to provide quality services at a reasonable price. Staff has proposed budgets with minimal or no impact to residents in recent years. However, the city is experiencing budget pressures, most notably from increasing personnel costs, as well as infrastructure construction and maintenance costs, neither of which are unique to Shakopee nor other local governments. In September, the City Council approved a maximum preliminary levy of

GET INVOLVED Residents and the general public are invited to the Tuesday, Dec. 7 City Council meeting at City Hall, 485 Gorman St., to provide feedback and comments on the proposed 2022 budget and tax levy.

$22,486,000. This is an increase of $1,468,000 (6.99 percent) over 2021 property taxes. Much of the increase will be covered by new construction, as the city’s estimated market value increased by $464 million (7.1 percent) to a total of $7 billion. New construction accounts for 34.9 percent of the increase in market value, allowing the tax levy impact to be spread across a larger tax base. For the median value home whose property value increased by 6.7%, from $266,800 to $284,700, this equates to an increase of $65 or 7.9% annually in property taxes. Absent any change in value from the previous year, homeowners can expect a tax increase of $2 or about 0.2%. The proposed tax levy will have a slight impact on the city’s tax rate from 32.106% to 32.174%. Permits and licenses now available via ePortal The City of Shakopee has transitioned to a new online permitting and licensing system to better serve residents, contractors and businesses. All city permits and licenses can now be obtained via our ePortal at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/eportal. There are no longer in-person requirements as in the past.

In the new ePortal, permit or license applicants will be required to register and create a new account, regardless of whether they had an account in the previous ePermit system. There is a computer kiosk at City Hall, 485 Gorman St., for anyone requiring internet or computer access to file an application. The ePortal allows for online building inspection scheduling, operates as a universal platform for plan reviews and allows applicants to submit backup materials online for items like dog licenses. Payment options have also been improved to now allow for debit and credit card payments, along with electronic checks.

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Celebrate Holiday Fest on Dec. 4 Hosted by the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Fest is an open streets celebration to kick off the holiday season. This year's celebration is from 1-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 in downtown Shakopee. Bring the entire family for some holiday shopping at the outdoor vendor market, take pictures with Santa, check out the walk-through parade and make sure to stay for the tree lighting and fireworks. Schedule: • 1-5 p.m.: Winter Market in Lewis Street Parking Lot • 1-5 p.m.: Holiday Activity Stations at downtown businesses • 2-5 p.m.: Walk-Through Parade on First Avenue East • 2-4 p.m.: Photos with Santa (location TBD) • 2-4 p.m.: Christopher Straub "Good Night Shakopee" book signing (location TBD) • 5:10 p.m.: Tree Lighting in front of River City Centre • 5:30 p.m.: Fireworks For more information, visit www.Shakopee.org .

A LOOK BACK

Shakopee skaters won the team trophy at the 1974 Suburban Recreation Association races.

If you lived in Shakopee anytime in the late 1950s through the late 70s, the brand name Clover Leaf Creamery (also called Clover Leaf Dairy) most likely will ring a bell. Clover Leaf was the brand of milk most Shakopee residents had delivered to their house twice a week by Lester (Les) Menden, the local milkman. From 1957 to 1979, children ages six through 14 competed in the Shakopee Clover Leaf Local Skate Derby, sponsored, of course, by Clover Leaf. The annual event was held at the end of January at the Shakopee Swimming Pool in Lions Park, which was converted into an ice rink during the winter. Children ages nine through 14 who came in first place would qualify to compete in the Suburban Recreation Association races held in Robbinsdale, Minn. “To me, the best thing about the Derby wasn’t necessarily the races but was being able to drink as much Clover Leaf milk (including chocolate) and orange drink as I wanted because it was free,” Joy (Deering) Sutton recalls, “To a young child, it was such a special treat!” For 22 years, milkman and Clover Leaf manager Les Menden handed out the awards to first, second and third place winners in each age category. The last Shakopee Clover Leaf Local Skate Derby took place in 1979, the year Clover Leaf Creamery was sold to Kemps.

#AsktheCity

GARBAGE HAULING

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT PRICING? A general breakdown of monthly costs is available on the city website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/ haulertransition . HOW CAN I ADJUST MY BILLING PREFERENCES? Visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/dsi or use a smart device camera to scan the QR code below, then click on the link to set up and confirm your DSI account.

The city's garbage and recycling contract with Republic Services expires on Dec. 31, 2021, and Dick's Sanitation, Inc. (DSI) will become the city's trash hauler on Jan. 1, 2022. Here's what you need to know: WILL MY PICKUP DAY OR ROUTE CHANGE? The vast majority of garbage and recycling routes and pickup days will remain the same with DSI in 2022. If changes to your route become necessary, residents will be notified of that change in advance. WILL I GET NEW COLLECTION CARTS? No. Residents who have a Republic cart may notice a DSI representative placing a DSI sticker on their cart before Jan.1, but the cart itself will not be exchanged.

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PARKS & RECREATION

Shakopee family honors loved one with Little Free Library T here’s a new Little Free Library in town and for one Shakopee family, it holds extra special meaning. The library was donated to the City of Shakopee’s Glacier Park, 8550 Portage Lane, by Shakopee resident Karoline Warner in memory of her husband Dave Warner, who died suddenly in May 2021.

Dave Warner was a school counselor in Prior Lake and had a lifelong love of books. His daughters —Maiya, 14, and Esme, 8 — came up with the idea to donate a Little Free Library in his honor. “Books and sharing those with kids was always important to him,” said Karoline Warner. “With my own kids, he loved to read to them. He was the guy with the puppet theater.” Maiya designed the look of the library and collected the first set of books to put in it. Her grandparents, Dave Warner's parents, helped find a builder for the little library and facilitated communication between Maiya and the city to arrange the donation. The library's inside is lined with aged book pages and Star Wars stickers to reflect a few of Dave Warner’s favorite things. During open hours, warming houses are open, rinks are lit and an attendant is on duty. Bring your skates, as rentals are not available at the outdoor rinks. Park Maintenance maintains the rinks, flooding and sweeping as needed throughout the skating season. More info: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/outdoorskating. SKATING RINK LOCATIONS Green Meadows Park 3100 Thrush St. Southbridge Community Park 7101 Southbridge Parkway Westminster Park 801 Valley View Dr. E. Lions Park 1103 Adams St. (no warming house) WARMING HOUSE HOURS Monday-Friday 5:30-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 1-8 p.m. *Warming houses may have special holiday hours or be subject to close in the event of a public health emergency. OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS OPEN IN DECEMBER Shakopee Parks and Recreation's outdoor skating rinks are open mid-December through late February, weather permitting.

Dave Warner's wife Karoline Warner, left, and his parents David and Gloria Warner stand next to the library after its installment in September.

COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTING DROP-OFF FOR SANTA LETTERS This just in! We received special notice from the North Pole that a mailbox will be put at the Shakopee Community Center just for your letters to Santa! Be sure to include a short list of presents you’d like, and maybe leave Santa a nice note for all the hard work he, his elves and his reindeer do each year! Please include a self addressed stamped envelope for Santa to send you a special message! Santa’s mailbox will be at the Community Center Dec. 1 – 11. Your child will receive a letter from Santa the week of Dec 19.

Le ers to Santa

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PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

New trails, old parks brought to life

Scenic Heights Playground: After 25 years it was time to replace the aging playground at the much larger location of the former hockey rink site at the park. The playground has play structures for tots and youth (ages 2-12), a zip line, a larger climbing structure, new concrete curbing, new surface material and rubberized poured-in-place material for easy access to the swings and the main play areas. These projects are ADA compliant for user safety. Other amenities are proposed at this park in the near future.

Timber Trails Playground: After 25 years of use, this playground was replaced with a playground structure for tots and youth from ages 2-12. Also added was a small climbing structure, concrete curbing, new surface material and rubberized poured-in-place material for easy access to the swings and the main play areas. These projects are ADA compliant for user safety. The city will also be replacing the trail from the road to each rubberized access point and to the basketball court.

Xcel Mountain Bike Trail Park: The new mountain bike trails at Quarry Lake Park include four miles of trails, some challenging, for all levels of riders. Each trail has obstacles, such as fallen trees, logs, rocks, concrete pads, jumps, bumps and hills to ride on, along with a great view around the lake. The city had several sponsors that made this mountain bike course possible, including Xcel Energy, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Shakopee Public Schools/Mountain Bike Team and the City of Shakopee.

Trails and Boardwalk: The city has a new trail that runs from the Southbridge Community Park entrance to the Red Oak School trail. Another new trail runs through the Ridge Creek wetland and is located west of the shelter. The trail consists of a bituminous path and a boardwalk throughout the wetland, along with a corn-crib style overlook for a great viewing experience. The Windermere development on the west end of Shakopee has a new trail that runs from Zumbro Avenue to Windermere Way. Along this trail there will be play amenities, such as a music area, playground and climbing structure.

For more Shakopee Development News, subscribe to email updates at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/subscribe .

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SENIOR HOUSING Independent living facility approved for Canterbury

The Shakopee City Council recently approved plans for a 147-unit market rate independent living facility for those over age 55. The project, located at Canterbury Commons, is being developed by an affiliate of T.E. Miller Development of Eden Prairie, which was founded 18 years ago to develop and manage exceptional properties. The development will include pickleball courts, shuffleboard, outdoor and indoor fitness, a community garden and an outdoor grilling and dining area, along with underground parking. The development will be home to one bedroom units, one bedroom with den units and two

This rendering prepared by Tushie Montgomery Architects shows what the northeast corner of the building would look like.

bedroom units with a guest unit for visitors. The materials used in the building are similar to those used in Greystone’s headquarters and include stone, brick, burnished block, fiber cement panels and siding and metal panels. Construction will likely start in the spring. City staff and Canterbury are also working on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a possible entertainment district at Canterbury.

Creating a regional innovation 'Hub' in Shakopee

The City of Shakopee has been working for two years on developing plans and securing funding sources for a regional center for business support services serving residents and companies in the region. "The Hub: A Regional Innovation Center”will centralize resources and opportunities to provide a bridge for residents of Shakopee, Scott County and six neighboring counties by focusing on building diverse workforce pathways and opportunities for business startups and business retention. This facility is unique for the entire state because it combines higher education, high-bay labs, workforce development, entrepreneurial space, small business support and makers' space, which will include a commercial kitchen.

While the project will be located in Shakopee and Scott County, the intended user population extends to cities in neighboring Carver, Hennepin, Dakota, Rice, Le Sueur and Blue Earth counties. The city is already working with a group of 10 entrepreneurs who are providing input on the final building design, along with programming that will support small businesses. City staff has also been working with Minnesota State University for the past two years on potential programs that could be offered there, in person and remotely. The region does not currently have access to any post secondary education. Programs offered at The Hub will focus on regional needs for certificates and degree programs that

meet the requirements of employers while also providing support services for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The facility is also unique, since it will allow companies looking to make a foreign direct investment in Minnesota to open an office and test the market and explore manufacturing opportunities and partnerships. Shakopee is already home to a number of foreign-owned manufacturers, including Entrust and KEB America. The city is currently seeking funding from the Economic Development Administration and the State of Minnesota. For more Shakopee Development News, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/business development

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PUBLIC WORKS

What you need to know for winter in the City of Shakopee No street parking after two inches of snowfall. Move vehicles from the street when a snowstorm is occurring. More information can be found online at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/snowremoval.

Clear sidewalks adjacent to your home. Property owners are responsible for clearing snow/ice on sidewalks adjacent to resi dential properties within 36 hours and commercial properties within 24 hours. The city plows some sidewalks along collector streets, as well as all trails within city limits. Do not push snow into the street or alley . Plowing, shoveling, blowing or placing snow onto public roadways causes traf fic hazards and is prohibited by Minnesota statute and City of Shakopee ordinance.

WINTER PREP TIPS FROM THE PUBLICWORKS DEPARTMENT

• Start up your snow blower and dust off your shovel • Contact a snow removal service • Inspect your mailbox • Install reflective yard markers • Remember to give plows space on the road • Be prepared to move any street-parked vehicles if there are more than 2 inches of snowfall

Shovel around mailboxes and fire hydrants . Shovel a 3-foot path from the road to the hydrant and a minimum of three feet on all sides of the hydrants. Consider shoveling a path for meter readers or mail carriers in your yard or between yards. Do not put your garbage carts in the street. Place garbage and recycling containers at least two feet back from the curb to avoid contact with snowplows. Mailboxes directly hit by the plow will be repaired or replaced . Report damage to publicworks@ShakopeeMN.gov. If you have a question or request for street, park or utility maintenance, call Public Works at 952-233-9550 or email publicworks@ShakopeeMN.gov. Remind children it is dangerous to play in snowbanks at the end of a road or driveway . Plow drivers add snow to snowbanks during plowing. Children tunneling into snowbanks risk being trapped or gravely injured by a snowplow.

The City of Shakopee is partnering with Scott County to offer free disposal of holiday lights at these locations: City Hall: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Community Center: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends Place in the bins marked “Holiday Lights.” The bins will be available until Jan. 15, 2022 . Additionally, holiday lights can be dropped off any time throughout the year at Scott County Household Hazardous Waste. FREE HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPOSAL

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CHIEF’S NOTES

PUBLIC SAFETY

The most important thing we can do to ensure future success here at the Shakopee Police Department is to continue to hire the best and brightest people possible. We have hired a number of new officers over the last year, and that’s a trend that will continue as our city grows and other officers reach retirement age.

When we swear in a new officer, we have several traditions. One of those is more than two decades old and started with former chief, Dan Hughes. New officers are given five core expectations that we expect of them every day they show up for the rest of their careers. Those core expectations are: safety, honor, pride, integrity and be nice (the golden rule).

Hold onto your diapers: Annual diaper drive starts Jan. 31 The Shakopee Police Department's sixth annual diaper drive will run from Jan. 31 to Feb. 13, 2022. Saturday, Feb. 5 marks five years since former Crime Prevention Specialist Janna Wood passed away, along with her unborn baby, due to deep vein thrombosis. The police department hosts the diaper drive every year in her memory. The drive will benefit the Shakopee Community Assistance Diaper Bank, which provides diapers to families in need in our community. Drop off any amount, size or brand of diapers, wipes and creams to the Shakopee Police Department, 475 Gorman St., any time between Jan. 31 and Feb. 13. Items can be left in the building entryway if it is after business hours. Future firefighter in training

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

At times policing can be a dangerous profession. We expect our officers to take care of themselves physically and mentally and to operate their equipment safely so they and their partners can go home to their families. Policing is an honorable profession. We remind officers of the awesome responsibility that comes with wearing a badge. We expect them to be a source of credit and distinction in the community, protect their reputation and the reputation of this department and to never do anything that will tarnish the badge. We expect officers to take pride in everything they do. There are no insignificant calls for service, and there are no insignificant people we serve. Whether it’s a barking dog or a felony-in-progress, we expect them to master the “little things,” be uncommonly reliable and take pride in everything they sign their name to. Integrity is the easy one; you either have it or you don’t. Integrity must be in the DNA makeup of an officer. We expect officers to do the right thing all the time, on and off duty. Be nice (the Golden Rule)! Customer service is a shared responsibility of everyone under our roof. We tell officers to walk in their customer’s shoes, treat them like they would want their family treated – including the people we arrest and have to get physical with. At the end of an arrest or altercation, we pick them up and treat them with respect. Every new officer hears the same speech with the same core expectations. It’s imperative we continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards of service possible and strive to not just meet but exceed your expectations.

A member of the Shakopee Fire Department diving team pops up to say hello to a firefighter-in-training at the Fire Department Open House in October.

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Santa Letters This just in! We received special notice from the North Pole that a special mailbox will be available at the Community Center for your letters to Santa!

Be sure to include a short list of presents you’d like and maybe leave Santa a nice note for all the hard work he, his elves and his reindeer do each year! Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for Santa to send you a special message! Santa’s mailbox will be at the Community Center Dec. 1 – 11. Your child will receive a letter from Santa the week of Dec 19.

Le ers to Santa