Shakopee City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Local Government Compensation & Policy
Snowplowing & Ice Control Policy Review
Delinquent Bill Assessments
Major Redevelopment Project (Gravel Pit TIFF)
Economic Development & Visioning (Canterbury Park)
Parks & Recreation Department Performance & Planning
Votes (9)
Item 5D: Council Member Salary Adjustment
Dissent: Mayor Layman, Council member Lara, and Council member Contreres (expressed initial support but withdrew second for a previous motion) expressed reservations about the increase amount and PDM elimination. Staff were directed to bring back a proposal for a $10,500 annual salary, a yearly COLA, and retained per diems.
Moved by Mr. Whiting [00:13:46] · Seconded by Council member Contreres [00:13:50]
The discussion centered on increasing annual salaries for council members from $9,000 to a proposed $12,500 or $10,500, with arguments for benchmarking against comparable cities and ensuring appropriate compensation to attract candidates. The elimination of existing per diems (PDM) for liaison meetings was a point of contention, with some advocating for their retention for fairness, while others supported their removal to streamline compensation. A significant portion of the debate focused on the desire to implement an automatic annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) tied to city staff increases, to avoid recurring 'political' discussions about raises.
Item 5N: Snowplowing Ice Control Policy
Dissent: None. The motion was to approve the policy with the modification to section 14 being removed, essentially reverting the text to its prior wording regarding permitted items and responsibility.
Moved by Mr. Whiting [00:19:54] · Seconded by Council member Delaney [00:20:25]
Council member Whiting raised concerns about a proposed policy change in Section 14 (Landscaping) of the Snowplowing Ice Control Policy. The change would prohibit landscaping and inanimate materials in the city right-of-way ('not permitted'), which he argued would unduly restrict residents who currently maintain gardens or place items in boulevards, despite the policy already stating owners assume all risk for damage. The discussion sought a balance between city liability and residents' right-of-way use, concluding that the change was unnecessary and the original wording would suffice with owner responsibility clause.
Item 8B: Certifying Assessments for Delinquent Police False Alarm and Mowing Bills
Dissent: None.
Moved by Mr. Delaney [00:27:01] · Seconded by Mr. Lara [00:27:07]
City Financial Director Reinhardt presented a public hearing regarding unpaid city service bills, specifically two false alarms and five lawn mowing charges, totaling $1,400. The process involves certifying these unpaid charges to property owners' taxes under Minnesota Statute 429, with a $25 administrative fee and 6% interest after June 6th. Mayor Layman inquired about the basis for the charges and the recurrence of delinquent properties, suggesting a pattern of unmaintained or vacant properties.
Item 8A: Gravel Pit TIFF 22 (City Council)
Dissent: Mayor Layman and Council member Lara voted against the resolution, citing concerns about financial risk and long-term taxpayer implications.
Moved by Mr. Whiting [00:39:51] · Seconded by Council member Contreres [00:40:24]
Community Development Director Kursky presented a revised Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan for the Shakopee Gravel Pit redevelopment, a proposed $600 million mixed-use project including residential, commercial, and a 24-acre park. The project faces challenges due to unstable soils and previous developer withdrawals, but a new developer is willing to proceed. The plan leverages special state legislation, which expires at year-end. Mayor Layman voiced strong opposition, citing the city's past legal battles, the original mining company's failure to reclaim the pit, and the significant long-term financial burden on taxpayers and other taxing authorities (school district, county) who will provide services without receiving increased property tax revenue for 20+ years. Council member Whiting emphasized public safety concerns related to the 80-foot deep pit, while Council member Contrarus viewed the project as an opportunity to address a historical problem with private investment.
EDA Item 4A: Change Order from Gendler for additional views and expansions of the Canterbury Study Area
Dissent: None.
Moved by Commissioner Contrarus [00:51:39] · Seconded by Commissioner Lara [00:51:50]
Community Development Director Kursky presented an update on the Canterbury Park visioning study, aiming to create a multi-season entertainment hub. Phase one identified the need for a destination hotel, mixed-use development, and multi-family housing to ensure year-round activity and a walkable neighborhood. The change order for $55,000 (split 50/50 with Canterbury Development) extends the study to include the barns area and practice track, exploring how to create a larger anchor. Commissioner Layman expressed concerns about the traffic impact, particularly during peak event times when the track and amphitheater operate concurrently.
EDA Item 4B: Gravel Pit TIFF 22
Dissent: Commissioner Layman and one other Unknown Commissioner voted against the resolution.
Moved by Commissioner Contrarus [00:55:20] · Seconded by Commissioner Delaney [00:54:53]
This item duplicated the City Council's discussion on the Gravel Pit TIFF 22, presented again to the Economic Development Authority. Commissioner Layman reiterated his previously stated concerns regarding the financial risks and long-term implications for taxpayers, maintaining his stance against the resolution.
EDA Item 4C: Amendment to the interfund loan for TIFF District 22
Dissent: Commissioner Layman voted against the resolution.
Moved by Commissioner Lara [00:57:48] · Seconded by Unknown Commissioner [00:57:51]
Community Development Director Kursky presented a resolution to amend the interfund loan for the Gravel Pit TIFF District 22, increasing the authorization from $300,000 to $600,000. This loan is intended to cover initial staff and consultant costs incurred before tax increment funds become available (estimated 2030-2031). Commissioner Layman questioned the specific sources for repayment beyond the EDA general fund and the structure of the interfund loan itself.
Item 11A: Park and Recreation Annual Report Presentation
Dissent: None. This was a presentation.
Moved by None · Seconded by None
Parks and Recreation Director Kelsey presented the 2025 annual report, characterizing it as a year of significant growth and change focused on long-term financial sustainability and service quality. Highlights included the successful reopening of Sand Venture Aquatic Park (achieving 61% cost recovery, double the national average), substantial progress towards CAPRPA accreditation (96% compliance), development of numerous new policies and standard operating procedures, and a departmental restructure. The report also detailed community impact programs and the opening of new parks. Council members praised the department's strong financial performance and expressed interest in learning from national recreational trends.
Item 11B: Final Plat of High View Park, 6th Edition
Dissent: None.
Moved by Mr. Whiting [01:08:44] · Seconded by Council member Contreres [01:08:50]
Community Development Director Kursky presented the final plat for High View Park 6th Edition, consisting of 29 single-family homes. This development is the sixth phase by Fourstar USA Real Estate Group, in partnership with D.R. Horton. The proposal was noted to be consistent with the comprehensive plan and zoning density requirements, with no changes from the preliminary plat.
Notable Quotes (18)
I mean, some I agree with if we want to pull the um filing the PDM and rolling that into the current and then putting a cola on there, I think that would be sufficient, but pushing all the way up $3,000, I think that's a little excessive for the work we do.
the whole point of having comparable cities uh and having a midpoint for salary is that we're benchmarking marking ourselves with these comp comparable cities on a whole range of issues. And frankly the job that you individuals do, you do not get compensated enough period.
Um the other concerns I have uh is that we are reducing the or taking away the pdium uh for other liaison appointments. Um I also think the mayor should have that component.
I'd like to see a a yearly uh colaconsistent with the staff's increase, cost of living increases, just automatic because that would take care of this lag thing that keeps happening every so many years.
this by changing the words from is not permitted from permitted to not permitted tells our citizens that no, you can no longer put flowers in your boulevard. You can no longer put anything in your boulevard.
The rightway is the city right of way. And uh you know, the whole point is to say, okay, you're not allowed to do this, but if you do it and it gets damaged, you're responsible for it.
This is a process we go through once or twice a year uh to certify these unpaid charges to the property owners uh taxes as as allowed by Minnesota statute 429.
I think there's one property that I've I've seen for a couple of years now. It's always consistent and I was wondering maybe I should have the city just mow mine. Is it cost effective for me to do that?
So currently the plan is a minimum of a $600 million investment um in order to generate the tiff. It has special legislation from the state that expires at the end of the year if u tiff district is not created.
But in until that happens, we're going to be supplying plow trucks, fire. They're not going to be paying into the full-time fire department that we're we're now restructured and creating. They're not going to pay into any equipment fund or any capital improvement.
here's my counter to your conversation. Uh 20 years of a big hole in the ground, one kid falls off an 80 foot cliff. We'd be happy to pay that.
I mean there's someone who is willing to invest into it you know and and and take care of it. So I mean it's his money so
without a regular kind of boots on the ground here, these type of spaces can't survive. There's nobody going out on a Tuesday night to dinner or a bar or restaurant or an event unless you have people actually living here.
I'm kind of looking at it from two aspects. one is what's being proposed and how it functions at the same time that the track and amphitheater is going on and then because really in the winter time when the other two things aren't happening I it's not an issue. So I really think it's going to be the peak winter or summertime.
this would allow us to reimburse um any staff time any consultant time between now and when we get um receive our first t tax increment with tax increment funds.
Do you happen to know how much is in the EDA general fund?
2025 was a year of growth and change for the parks and recreation department. It was the year that we made intentional change to ensure long-term financial sustainability, service quality, and system resilience through various different policies that we brought forward to council.
the average for park and wreck departments is a 27% cost recovery. So even though we're not quite to that 75% goal yet, um, we're significantly above average with regards to cost recovery, which just signals, you know, that we're very financially responsible.
Ordinances & Resolutions (32)
Changed number for the joint powers agreement.
Proposed ordinance modifying city code section 31.04 04 pertaining to salaries of mayor and council members.
State statute allowing certification of unpaid charges to property owners' taxes.
Resolution ordering the certification of unpaid false alarms and mowing bills.
Original TIFF plan for the Shakopee Gravel Pit, now rescinded.
Resolution that approved the 2024 TIFF plan, now rescinded.
Resolution rescinding R2024-17 and approving a new TIFF plan for Soil Deficiency District number 22.
New TIFF district for the Shakopee Gravel Pit redevelopment.
Redevelopment project associated with the Gravel Pit TIFF.
Change order for additional views and expansions of the Canterbury Study Area visioning work.
EDA resolution rescinding E2024-006 and approving the new TIFF plan for Soil Deficiency District number 22.
Original EDA resolution that approved the 2024 TIFF plan, now rescinded.
EDA resolution authorizing additional interfund loan and increasing total authorization to $600,000 for the Gravel Pit TIFF.
Final plat for 29 single family homes.
Resolution approving the final plat of High View Park 6th edition.
City policy regarding snow removal and ice control, discussed for revisions to landscaping section.
Presentation summarizing the department's achievements, policies, and financial performance for 2025.
Accreditation efforts for the Parks and Recreation department, aiming for the highest industry standards.
Parks and Recreation policy setting strategic pricing for programs and services.
Parks and Recreation policy governing the use of outdoor facilities.
Parks and Recreation policy for advertising and sponsorships.
Parks and Recreation document operationalizing the master plan and guiding staff initiatives.
Fee structure for the Community Center, aimed at strategic and consistent pricing.
City-wide policy streamlining operations for city facilities.
Standard operating procedure outlining interim roles for staff absences in Parks and Rec.
Parks and Recreation handbook outlining staff operational expectations.
Modified plan for Sand Venture, Community Center, and Ice Arena layouts.
Guiding practices for Parks and Recreation staff to handle outdoor programs in various weather.
Report on equity in transit, discussed at the MVTA meeting.
Report on MVTA's operations and ridership, including partnerships.
State-level legislation concerning Homeowners Associations, discussed in a liaison report.
State-level legislation for electric bikes, mentioned as being sought for improvements.