Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting - April 1, 2025
Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting - April 1, 2025
The Shakopee City Council held a regular meeting on April 1, 2025 at City Hall. The agenda included a consent agenda with routine items, public comments regarding Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, a removed consent item for the Palomino Trail final plat, and a recess for the Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting. Key topics included health concerns about utility meters, approval of a 83-lot subdivision, updates on the Foundry entrepreneur program, and preliminary plans for Canterbury Park area development.
Consent Calendar
- 5.a: 2024 Year-end General Fund Transfers and Assignment of Fund Balance
- 5.b: Joint Powers Agreement for Roadway Pavement Maintenance
- 5.c: Hiring of Park Foreperson - Public Works
- 5.d: Park Restroom Cleaning Contract
- 5.e: State legislation on Revoking City Zoning Authority and Public Participation in Zoning Decisions under the guise of Affordable Housing Legislation (approved a resolution of opposition)
- 5.f: Change Orders for Windermere Park Submitted by Loeffler
- 5.g: Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes
- 5.h: Accept Donation from Shakopee Youth Baseball Association (Resolution R2025-044)
Public Comments & Testimony
- David and Jeannie Gavin, residents of 613 Fourth Avenue East, spoke against the mandatory installation of AMI meters by Shakopee Public Utilities. They cited health concerns from radio frequency radiation, a medical necessity letter from their physician, and questioned the utility's authority. They requested: (1) allow customers to keep analog meters, (2) notify customers of this option, (3) suspend penalties threatened (a $100/month fine for three months then service shutoff), (4) the council to investigate and compel policy changes.
- Council members and staff discussed the utility's three offered options (outside meter installation, trenching to the alley) and the utility board's decision. Attorney Thompson will research the council's legal jurisdiction over the utility's actions. The council will report back.
Discussion Items
- Palomino Trail Final Plat (Item 5.i) – Councilor Whitney requested this item be removed from consent for discussion. Staff presented the plat: 83 single-family lots on 31.77 acres west of Windermere Way and south of Highway 169. Key discussion points included: trail easements along the bluff (two lots affected), stormwater management via a natural ravine, connections to the city trail system, and lot shapes. The council approved Resolution R2025-045 approving the final plat, with conditions that the trail and stormwater concerns be addressed.
Economic Development Authority Meeting
- The City Council recessed to hold the EDA meeting. The EDA approved its consent agenda (minutes and bill list).
- Entrepreneur Program Update – The Foundry program now has 35 members, approximately 50% female and 50% male founders. New companies added: Hardcore Peanut Butter (developing allergen-free peanut butter), Heart Glass (women's swimwear), NOL (patented swaddling product), and Michela Mancini (industrial design with manufacturing help). Success stories: Steelhead Outdoors (product in Scheels, seeking larger space), Mommy Solutions (healthcare startup of the year), Pelva Health (raised $500,000). The program will partner with Beta Minnesota, the state accelerator, to provide pitch workshops and access to startup events.
- Canterbury Southeast Village Development – Staff presented conceptual plans for a 28-acre area south of the amphitheater, owned by the EDA. Proposed uses include a new-to-market hotel, entertainment venue, housing, and retail/restaurants with an urban streetscape. Live Nation and Canterbury are cooperating. A feasibility study will be conducted, funded from Canterbury TIF administrative dollars. Hotel demand survey indicates potential for 4,000 room nights from local employers and amphitheater attendees. The EDA will bring a proposal back for council action.
Key Outcomes
- Council directed legal counsel to investigate the city's jurisdiction over Shakopee Public Utilities' AMI meter decisions and report back at a future meeting.
- Approved the final plat of Palomino Trail (Resolution R2025-045).
- EDA will proceed with soliciting proposals for a feasibility study on the Canterbury Southeast Village development.
- Council adjourned to April 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
We'll call the Shakapee City Council meeting to order for April 1st, 2025, and no, it's not April Fools that we're having this meeting. Item number two, we will welcome our new City Clerk, Mr. Parsons. Welcome to Shockby, glad to have you. If you could take the roll call, please. Thank you. Councilmember Delaney? Here. Councilmember Whitney. Here, and welcome. Thank you. Councilmember Kinchayas? Here. And uh Mayor Lehman. Here. Thank you. Item number three, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation. Undergone indivisible with liberty and justice route. For is approval of the agenda. Is there any changes to the agenda? Staff just is gonna is going to pull item 5J uh from the consent agenda, Mr. Mayor. That's the only other change. 5J is being removed? Correct. Changes from council. Seeing none. Wishes of council, Councilor Contreras. I would like to make a motion to approve the agenda as modified. Second? Second. Seconded by Mr. Delaney. Discussion on the motion. Discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion passes. Item number five, our consent agenda. Is any changes to the consent agenda? Nothing other than the polling of 5J, sir. Changes from Council? Mr. Whiting. Five. I five I. Yeah, please pull that. Any other changes from council?
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