Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2025

The Shakopee City Council held a regular meeting on March 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, public comment, and discussion of two major items: an update on the US 169 Safe Road Zones study and an amendment to the Bluff View Planned Unit Development (PUD). The council also received reports from liaisons and addressed other business.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda en bloc, including: Wetland Replacement Plan for CSAH 78 and CH 79 Roundabout Improvement Project; Certification of Delinquent Sewer and Storm Drainage Accounts; 3-Year Renewal for Esri Software Licenses; City Council Meeting Minutes; Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources' Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application; Purchase of refrigerated evidence locker; Change Order for CIP Project BA24-004 (PW LED Lighting Conversion); Purchase of 2 Modular Vehicle Barrier Trailers with Modular Vehicle Barriers; Update of a Gambling Premises Permit for the Shakopee Trap Club.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A representative from the Canterbury Crossings HOA board addressed the council about two issues in their neighborhood: (1) vehicles parking inside a city-owned roundabout/cul-de-sac, causing confusion and damage, and (2) a request for crosswalks near a bus stop at the entrance. The representative asked for "No Parking" signage or removal of the interior curb to deter parking. The mayor recommended referring the matter to the Traffic Safety Committee (Traffic Review Board) for further study, noting that the undeveloped parcel nearby will eventually become a four-story cooperative building with on-site parking. The resident agreed to send staff a photo of the interior curb.

Discussion Items

10.a US 169 Safe Road Zones Study Update

• Staff provided an update on a $92,000 education grant and a $52,800 enforcement grant (originally requested $26,000, doubled due to low applicant interest). The grants, awarded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety, must be spent by June 30, 2025.
• The project focuses on US 169 from County Road 69 to the Bloomington Ferry Bridge, which carries ~50,000 vehicles per day. Crash data from 2019-2023 showed 640 total crashes (1 fatal, 9 serious injury, 62 minor injury). Police responded to over 2,400 incidents along US 169 in 2023; fire responded to nearly 80.
• The education component will fund a traffic safety study to analyze crash causes (e.g., pavement condition, winter ice buildup) and a public awareness campaign targeting speed and distraction. Enforcement efforts have already resulted in 310 traffic stops (190 for speed) since August 2024, spending ~$15,000.
• The safety analysis will be completed within 2 months, with final recommendations to inform MnDOT's 2028 pavement rehabilitation project. Council members expressed support and noted interest in specific ramp issues (e.g., Marshall Road off-ramp).

10.b Amendment of PUD #10 (Bluff View) & Amendment of Preliminary Plat of Bluff View Addition

• The applicant, Summergate Development (DR Horton), proposed amending the previously approved 2022 PUD and preliminary plat to include more diverse lot sizes: 247 single-family lots, with 118 at 42 feet wide (for slab-on-grade homes in the low $400,000s) and 52-foot lots for villa products. The original plan had larger lots.
• The project is the final phase of the Windermere neighborhood, adjacent to a city-owned bluff area. The developer will donate 24 acres of bluff open space, plus the city already acquired additional bluff land. A trail system is planned. Staff recommended approval.
• Councillor Whiting expressed concern that the new layout encroached on the bluff and did not align with the original vision of a public boulevard along the bluff. Staff clarified that the homes are on flat land, not in the bluff, and the city retains significant open space and trail access. After discussion, the council voted to approve both the PUD amendment (ordinance O2025-001) and the preliminary plat amendment (resolution R2025-004). Both votes passed unanimously (5-0).

Reports

• Councillor Delaney reported on MLC leadership training, attending a mental health wellness fair, and plans for a 169 river crossing coalition meeting. Also noted SPU's AMI meter installation progress (200 electric meters installed, 760 remaining; ~1,900 water meters remaining).
• Councillor Whiting reported on MVTA's County Road 42 bus rapid transit study, which concluded low potential for Shakopee except a possible extension to Mystic Lake Casino. Also discussed STA efforts to become a direct recipient of federal transit funds.
• Councillor Contreras mentioned an upcoming event on Friday.
• Councillor Lara congratulated Shakopee High School boys hockey team on making state tournament for the first time in 20 years.
• Mayor Lehman reported meeting with local business owners about the Hub, attending a Southern Valley Alliance presentation, and an intergovernmental working group meeting.
• City Bill List (11.a) was approved without comment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• US 169 Safe Road Zones Study: Staff will continue the study and report back with findings and recommendations within 2 months.
• Bluff View PUD amendment (O2025-001) approved unanimously (5-0).
• Bluff View preliminary plat amendment (R2025-004) approved unanimously (5-0).
• Meeting adjourned to March 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM.