Call the Shakopee City Council meeting for June 16th, 2026 to order. If the clerk could please take the roll. >> Council member Delaney. >> Here. >> Council member Whitey. >> Here. >> Council member Contreras. >> Here. >> Council member Laura. >> Here. >> Mayor Lehman. >> Here. >> Item three, if you want to join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Item number four, approval of the agendas and any changes from staff. >> No, sir. >> Changes from council? Wishes of council, Council Contreras. >> Thank you, sir. Um, I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by Mr. Delaney. Discussion on the motion. Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. Item number five, consent agenda. Any changes to the consent agenda from staff? >> No, sir. >> Council? Mr. Whitey. >> I make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there a second? Council Contreras. Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. And if we could get staff to read the consent, that would be appreciated. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. These are consent agenda items for Tuesday, June 16th of 2026. 5A is our monthly financial review for May of 2026. 5B is the Minnesota Council on Local Results and Innovations Performance Measurement Program Report. 5C is FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program application. 5D is a sanitary su hole sewer manhole repair. 5E is surplus property. 5F approves an on-sale on Sunday liquor licenses for the Spot Simulation Experience doing business as the Spot. 5G approves a gambling premises permit for Climb Theatre Incorporated. 5H is roadway deicing salt cooperative purchasing adventure. 5I approves the speed limit setting policy and speed limit modifications along Eagle Creek Boulevard. 5J approves a purchase agreement for Marina materials and a contract amendment with Bolton & Menk for Minnesota Riverbank stabilization improvements. 5K approves the use of LAHA funds to assist the Scott County CDA on land acquisition for affordable housing. 5L appoints election judges for the 2026 elections. And 5M approves the June 2nd, 2026 City Council minutes. >> Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. We did have a motion second and it did pass. Item number six, public comment. If you're here for an item not on our agenda, now would be the time to come forward. Anybody here for an item not on our agenda? >> Yes, that would be me. >> If you could uh state your name and address for the record for the clerk. >> Certainly. My name is Greg Vierling. I live on 1006 Shawmut Street here in Shakopee. >> All right. You've got 3 minutes. >> 3 minutes. I will do my best. Thank you, Mayor counselors, for the time you are taking this evening to serve our city and to listen to me tonight. I have spent time on this because uh uh in hopes of bringing some insight on the issue of flying our flag. I don't know if you're aware of it or not, but the reason why I'm motivated to do this is the Vierling family has had an ongoing relationship with the Indians since 1877. We still presently have land that has their burial mounds located on it. We have been in custody of that land since 1877. And we've protected that those mounds and maintained them from development and and and abuse all this while. And and developed a good friendship with them all these years. So that's why I'm personally uh brought here cuz throughout this time that flag has always looked like my grandfather and the Indians uh sharing that land. When they were granted that land in 1877 with the Homestead Act there were still Indians living on that land. And my ancestors left them stay there. And they fed and shared food with one another. And these stories were passed down from generation to generation. And there's never been any any racism between, just friendship and cooperation and empathy for both sides of the coin. So that's what brings me here tonight. >> [clears throat] >> I actually went and spoke to some of the Indian friends that we have about this. And to be honest with you it was I was it was a little nervous, but I went out there and I I I spoke to several of them I know. And quite honestly I would ask them about the new state flag and they hate it. And I think naturally so. I mean Indians had enough with fraud back when the treaties were negotiated. So this is just regurgitating the same thing. I invite you to go out there and talk to them. That's what Mr. Crooks told me. He said rather than assume or offended by offended by the flag, you should talk to us. Like I did. So that's that's why I'm here and that's what I'm saying and I I I I back the mayor's idea of flying both flags. I think that takes the the legs off of the new flag that frankly only stands on on on its claim that it gets rid of the old one. So if you fly both it can't claim that. >> Down on time, so if you got any last closing remarks >> so boy that time went fast. On behalf of myself, my family, my friends, my neighbors and most citizens I spoke with I lend my support to the mayor's choice of flying both flags. This takes away the legs of the new flag that only stands on racism. While the same time sending a message to the tourists that visit and spend their money here that we're not complicit with the fraud across the river but truly represent Minnesota nice. My family believes the Dakota Indians gave birth to Minnesota nice. After all, they hold no grudge while we continue to enjoy their beautiful >> [snorts] >> questions. >> Excuse me, since uh we're we're already over on time, is can can you give that to the clerk for >> Certainly. >> They can share that with all of council. >> Thank you. Uh enjoy their beautiful We embrace unity, not racism and fraud. They set an example for us all. >> We appreciate it. Thank you for your comments. >> Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you. >> It's been a pleasure. >> [clears throat] >> Anybody else that would like to address the city council on a matter that is not on the agenda? Seeing none. Item seven, business removed from the consent agenda. There is none. Item number eight, motion to recess for economic development. Councilor Lara. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn to recess to the economic development meeting. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by Mr. Delaney. Discussion? All in favor, say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. We are in recess for EDA. >> I'd like to call to order the Shakopee Economic Development Authority regular meeting for Tuesday, June 16th. >> [clears throat] >> Please make note of the roll. Item number two, approval of the agenda. Commissioner Traurig. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve the No, sorry, the agenda. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second by Delaney. Uh a discussion discussion. All those in favor, say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? We have an agenda. Next is our consent business. We have the approval Commissioner Layman. >> I'll move the EDA minutes. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second for the EDA minutes. Uh All those in favor, say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? We have our consent business passed. Moving on to general business, item 4A, purchase contract for certain properties for affordable housing to be assigned to the Scott County CDA. Mr. Kurski. >> Chair and commissioners, you as the city council approved using the LAH funds that we received as part of the state sales tax to assist in the purchase of this property. And then this came about. We had met with the potential developer that the CDA had picked and they had originally planned to do a apartment building at the corner of Fourth. We got a lot of feedback from the surrounding residents that it was a pretty large structure. The CDA came back with a concept originally to do townhomes if they were able to acquire this property. We sat down with the owner of the property and he agreed to sell. We're using LAH funds to help underwrite it and they've agreed as a board to purchase the property and do a townhome project. >> Questions of staff. >> Commissioner Lamey. Quick question. Have the surrounding, I guess the neighbors been I guess notified and talked to about the what's the project itself? Just getting any feedback that there was something happening there? >> Uh Chair and members, no, we haven't told them yet because we're waiting for you to make a decision. I'm sure the CDA will do some outreach to the people that have contacted them and us about their concerns. >> Well, thank you. >> Any other questions? Commissioner Lamey. >> Um Mr. President, I have a couple of questions, if I may. Um the first is we're pick we're kicking in 150 of the state LAH sales tax dollars for our housing affordability, right? >> Correct. >> And the rest to purchase the property is coming from, I'm assuming the county's >> The CDA um is going to kick in the rest. >> They're Are they using the same sales tax for that? >> I'm I'm not sure um but they've already approved it as a board at their um meeting. So, they've set aside those funds. >> And and then what Where's the dollars coming to build the structures? >> Uh they have Commission, they have a contract with a private developer that they're working with um that will partner with them to build that housing. >> So, we don't know the answers to my questions? >> You can Julie Siegert is here, the director of the CDA and she can answer those questions. >> Welcome, Julie. Thank you for coming. >> Thank you very much. Um to your questions, so the CDA will be selling the property to Trellis, so they will be paying uh for that property and then they will be applying for funding from the state for the project. >> Okay. One more question. >> And I've raised this concern in the past and it's not the county or the city's doing but the state's. And it seems like we're taking a county CDA tax, a city EDA tax, a utility sales tax, state tax. All of these taxes are coming from existing properties and many that are struggling. So, we're making other households more unaffordable by taking their money. Um and I think we're we're doing this backward. We're trying to catch up on the back end instead of addressing the problem on the front end. Not our issue, it's the state issue, but I just wanted to say that. >> Any further [clears throat] questions? >> Um well, for whoever, but I just more of a comment, but you know, when the CDA moved and got their brand new building that I always wondered what what they were going to do with that old property and I knew the property next to it was for sale and I just said that's a perfect opportunity to gather those properties together and create some affordable housing. So, for me, I thought that was a win-win and using these funds for affordable housing I think is a great way to use your property that you already have and create something new with it. So, >> I appreciate the support. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Uh with that, what's the Mr. Commissioner Contreras? Sorry. >> Thank you. I make a I would like to make a motion to approve resolution R 2026-004 approving the acquisition of property located at 1211 Fourth Avenue East and authorizing the assignment of the purchase agreement to the Scott County Community Development Development Agency. >> Second. >> A motion and second. Uh discussion. Discussion? Discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes unanimously. Great. Welcome. >> Thank you. >> All right. Left on our list of things to do is our EDA bill list. Any questions on the bill list? >> None for me. >> All right. Uh without objection, I'll call this meeting adjourned to our next meeting. When is that? When is that our next EDA meeting? Is it I think we're out of schedule right now, so. >> July 7th. >> Uh sounds like July 7th, yeah. >> July 7th. >> Yep. >> All right. We're adjourned. >> Thank you, President Whiting. We'll reconvene the Shakopee City Council on item 10A, monetary dona- donation for aquatic programming. >> Good evening, Mayor and members of the council. I am Katie Meyer, and I'm here again to ask you to approve the monetary donation from Ms. Sue Westergaard um for our women's water safety program, and she has some things that she would like to share with you. Mayor, members of the City Council, and members of the audience, my name is Sue Westergaard. I didn't realize I was supposed to give you my address, so 606 Milwaukee Road. And I'm again here to ask you to accept my donation for the women's water safety class in memory of my mom, Helen, and my best friend, Kathy. It's hard to believe that it was 5 years ago that I approached Katie with an idea. Did I have any idea it would be such a suc- a such a successful program? No. I certainly hoped it would be and the interest by our women is much more than I expected. We hear so many stories from our participants experiences that they have had which created their fear of water. >> [snorts] >> I can certainly identify with that as I had a similar experience when I was 10 years old. I lived with that fear for 60 years before I was able to learn to swim. To date, we have had 195 participants. Our session which starts in July has 24 participants. Both classes are full and we have a wait list. We've added a water aerobics warm-up to classes. Safety topics were added to each class. Swimming in a lake, rip tides, proper safety gear, ice safety, etc. A lot of laughing happens in our class. A lot of cheering happens when some of our women jump in the deep end and swim to the shallow end of the pool. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Shakopee Community Education staff who arranged a space for us to use and come and open the door for us. Thank you. My thank you to everyone who makes this program a success. Our volunteer teachers, Jacqueline, Penny, Judy, Ann, and Carmen. Our receptionist, Ellen. Our lifeguards and water safety instructors who come to help out. Our custodian, McKenzie. And Katie who teaches as well as organizes the whole program. An obvious reward for us is watching our students become more comfortable in the water and accomplishing things they didn't even think were possible. Some less obvious rewards, being told thank you and getting hugs. Our lifeguards and water safety instructors seeing us work with our women and asking them to help on a particular skill. Today I ran into one of our students bringing her children to the um swim lessons at 9:00 this morning. She said, "Oh, I'm coming. I'm coming." And I said, "Good." We're women lifting up women. And finally, I'd like to take a personal say give a personal thank you for the city's support of the Shakopee Community Center. Thank you to the staff at the center, our teachers, our custodian, and the rest of the staff who make it a welcoming place. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate your generous donation and your passion towards something that's so important for the for safety aspects. We really appreciate Mr. Whitey. >> Thank you, Sue. Appreciate it again. Um this is more of a question for staff. Sounds like there's a waiting list. Is there an opportunity to create another class? >> We've talked about it, but with a lot of our instructors being volunteers and already giving us 12 Sundays every year for this program, a lot of them we don't want to overextend our welcome with our volunteers, but >> seeing how quickly this last session did fill up, Sue and I have talked about adding like maybe a 4:00 class as well if space and time allow for that in the future, but it it's awesome to see the demand come and just to see how much these women appreciate it and they come back and there's new people and yeah. >> Great success. Thank you. Councilor Contreras. >> Thank you. Miss Sue, 10th the 10th session, that's amazing. Thank you so much for what you're doing to our for our community and um your generous you know your generous uh donation that you do and the you know the change that you do in this we these women's lives. So, thank you again and if it's okay, I'd like to make the motion to approve our 2026-0-93 accept a monetary donation of 1,500 from Sue Westergard. >> Second. >> Is there a second to the motion? >> Yep. >> Mr. Delaney. >> Second. >> Discussion on the motion? Discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you again. We appreciate all you do. >> Thank you. >> Item 11A, city bill list. Questions on the city bill list? >> None for me. >> Questions on the bill list? Okay. News and announcements. >> Actually, did we Oh, sorry. News and announcements. Oh, but I missed liaisons, didn't I? Liaison reports. Nothing from me. >> Councilor Contreras? >> Yes. Um so, I attended the SCAL on Friday, the 12th. And um it was all about pretty much the 2026 leg- legislative session and um updates. And Mr. Reynolds sent out the list. So, if you guys got a chance to see that, otherwise go look at it. Otherwise, I don't have to repeat my whole entire >> [laughter] >> Huh? I know. All righty. And that's it, pretty much. >> Thank you. Mr. Whiting? >> Nothing to report. >> Mr. Delaney? >> Make sure I have my calendar off here. Picnic in the Park, do we Did that? >> Yes. I'm >> Oh, that's sure. >> It was It was a picnic with the Yes. Got the other council members were there. Just wanted to make sure to point that out. It's always a great event. Our officers are out there. Community appreciates it. And I know I talked to several several new Shakopee residents. And they love the city. That was one of the big feedbacks. We had great conversation. I did not zoom it though. Just wanted >> [laughter] >> to put that out there. >> So, I did do the Taste too. I forgot that you were there too. >> Yes, that was I forgot about that. uh Taste of Shakopee. Thank you for bringing it up. Uh did do Taste of Shakopee that again also a great opportunity to talk to residents um and try some really great food. I'm my waistline is expanding. I'll start working out a little bit more here. Um also there was a um State Fire Marshal Division. The State Fire Marshal Division is conducting a comprehensive statewide assessment of fire service delivery to pres- present to the state legislature. Um there was a town hall over at Fire Station 1. I was in there also the mayor and uh staff members were there. Um some of the feedback I heard from staffing was um work-life balance, demand versus risk, also how to educate the public on things such as replacing batteries in a CO2 detector to avoid unnecessary calls. And uh we had the SPU workshop. I'll bring some of that under other business that we talked about and there were one is the Minnesota Plumbing Board's proposal to ban stormwater, but I'll bring it up under other business. Um that's it. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Mine was uh June 8th, Fire Department State uh Fire Marshal gathering and the picnic in Huber Park. That was a great success by the way. Little on the warm side, but it was overall it was pretty decent. Played a little bit of bags with uh Councilor Contreras and her son and an elderly couple which was kind of nice. Had some fun in the sun. Um I was going to go to the Mitchell Hall at free in Huber Park, but that got uh rescheduled. So he is coming back, so you got a chance to still not mess it. That's pretty cool. And I think that's all that I have also. Yes. Mr. Reynolds? >> Nothing for me, sir, other than I expect to see you as well as Mitchell Hall because I really like that. He's He's really good. >> Yeah. And >> The Tennessee Trio. >> Yeah. So we did build this news and announcements. I got to change that up a little bit, too. Which side do we start at? >> Start over here. >> Mr. Delaney? >> I'm going to find it. Uh caught me off guard there. Nope, here we go. Rhythm on the Rails. Uh Rhythm on the Rails >> Yeah, that that >> got canceled. >> Okay, yep. >> Okay, well, I guess I'll >> It's it's re- That one's rescheduled, I believe. >> All right, let me skip the next one. Huber Park Performance and Event Series. The Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department offers free family entertainment Thursday June through August at Huber Park. Entertainment starts at 7:00 p.m. View the on the city website. Come join us for fun summer evening of music and community. >> June 18th is the Tuxedo Band followed by my favorite band on the 25th, Minnesota Valley Community Band. >> Nice. >> Great percussion section. >> and I would just point out that the list that we have is fairly small, but if you go on the city's Park and Rec website or you're going to find all kinds of opportunity for fun in the sun, for sure. >> Mhm. >> All over the place. >> Yeah. >> You'll have to make decisions, which one do I go to, right? Which is a good problem to have. Any other business? Item number 12. >> I do have other business. That's okay? I mean, I do have other business to bring up. >> Go ahead. >> Okay, in the SP workshop, we talked about the Minnesota Plumbing Board's proposal to ban stormwater as an alternate source. And I'm going to read some uh details directly before we get into a discussion here as to >> Stormwater as an alternate source? >> Uh I'm sorry. As an alternate source for things like irrigation, they want to ban that. And let me just read >> Rainwater? >> Yes, rainwater. >> So, you can't collect rainwater? >> Yes, you >> How do I keep it from landing in my garden? >> Well, let me >> [laughter] >> Let me get to that. >> Plastic sheets. >> Yeah. >> How crazy is that? >> Yep. So, let me just I'm going to read this directly so everybody gets the the full uh correct everything here. The Minnesota Plumbing Board has proposed language that appears to ban stormwater from irrigation and other non-potable uses through the plumbing code. This would kill a proven cost-effective practice that protects our lakes, conserves drinking water, improves water quality, reduces flooding, improves climate resiliency, and supports local jobs, all while conflicting with state law and putting millions in taxpayer investments at risk. Actions required so that the code is is not adopted as currently written. And it's not just residents collecting storm water in barrels. I mean, this goes a little bit deeper than that. Some examples I can give you is Woodbury has a storm water pond it it constructed back in 2016 that would now be a concern. Um Cottage Grove City Hall actually collects storm roof water uh tanks in the ground and use that for irrigation. Uh some other examples of the Eagle Valley Golf Course in Woodbury uses it for again irrigation. Uh HealthEast Sports Complex in Woodbury also uses it. So, these things are at risk. It's a a common practice in Minnesota. It's already operating safely. Um it's used across many sectors. It's supported by the Met Council and the DNR. And it's just one of it helps keep for reducing ground water pumping. I mean, we're we're pulling water from our aquifer and and using storm water helps reduce that for irrigation. So, what I'm looking for is council support. Um the the basically provide a letter against um a resolution opposing the changes and supporting continued state storm water reuse. That's what I'm looking for to get council support on that. >> So, the first step you should probably give that information to staff so they can share it with all of us and with their uh department heads, engineering, and storm water people. And then uh does council want to bring this back after we have the full depth of information? >> I I think we have a time crunch. Uh I I just found out about this last night. Um and I had staff look at it this morning. Um and Alex, you you your people are generally the ones that are most although it's kind of bifurcated because the plumbing code is under Michael. And uh uh Alex has uh storm water and things like that on his plate. So, um essentially, we were waiting for a letter from Shakopee Public Utilities. Have we received that yet? >> Uh Mayor and Council, no, we have not yet, but they're currently drafting it. >> So, my my thought process is is that I will as soon as we get that, get it out to you. Also, get the information that we have on background. Um it appears that the overall intent is so it's not sprayed on parks and little kids can run through the grass and get sick. >> From what? >> I That's really going deep down. That's like trying to prevent the asteroid from hitting the school bus, which will then fall in the river and kill all the kids. I you know, I it's >> do you prevent rainwater from landing on the park grass? >> Well, you know, what the the problem is is that it's collected and it's uh they're worried about runoff and things that are part of that runoff and then it's reused and thrown on on the grass. So, um I'll give you both sides. You can take a look at it and then let us know uh and we can we can go forward from there, but um we'll get that out to you relatively quickly. >> Who's pushing this? >> Plumbers. >> Plumbers? Plumbers? >> Minnesota Plumbing Board. >> The plumbers. Well, they wouldn't have a vested interest, would they? >> [laughter] >> I'm thinking not. >> And Mayor and Council, it's also the Minnesota Department of Health. Um and part of the reason is when rainwater is collected in storm water management bases, you get runoff from fertilizers and dog feces and other things like that. And if they have high concentrations and those are irrigated back into green spaces, that's our concern from a health standpoint. Um City of Shakopee has doesn't have a lot of instances that are very similar to that. We use even like at our Lions Park Splash Pad, we use chlorinated water that's then collected in the pond on the south side of the park and then irrigated in our park. So, more safe water from that perspective that could be used that's combined with storm water runoff. But, that's really the crux of the issue. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I guess I'd like to see more information. >> The The rain water works great for the garden compared to the tap water. It really does. So, yeah. >> More to come on that and I'll get it out to >> What's the timeline? >> I think it needed to be back by the June 23rd. I think that's the date June 23rd. >> So, I I'm I'm on on board. I don't I don't like this restriction, especially if it's a one-off. If the restriction is bulk municipal, then maybe I'm more amenable to looking at it, but if it's individual residents using it for their gardens and stuff, I'm absolutely opposed to the government intervening. >> We'll get information out tomorrow. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Any other business? Mr. Lara. >> Make a motion to adjourn to July 7th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. >> Second. >> Second that. >> Seconded by Mr. Whiting. Discussion on the motion. Seeing none, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. We're adjourned.