Shakopee EDA Meeting Summary – November 6, 2025
Shakopee Economic Development Authority Regular Meeting – November 6, 2025
The Shakopee Economic Development Authority (EDA) met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting focused on the purchase of a deteriorated property at 124 Somerville Street and related demolition and remediation contracts. All votes were 2-1, with one member consistently opposing the use of public funds for the project.
Consent Calendar
- The EDA unanimously approved the meeting minutes from the previous EDA meeting.
Discussion Items
- Purchase Agreement for 124 Somerville Property (Item 4a): Staff reported that the property, which cannot be reused (engineers deemed it unsafe), had its price reduced to $75,000 after negotiation. Environmental testing found minimal asbestos and contamination limited to one foot of soil, which the demolition contractor will remove and send to an appropriate landfill. The property has a history as a livery stable and later an auto repair shop. A motion to approve the purchase agreement with seller Kim Robson for $75,000 (PID 27011810) passed 2-1. One board member opposed, stating public funds should not be used and that the property should be sold privately. The chair noted the EDA’s charter includes acquiring deteriorated, contaminated properties for public use and economic development.
- Demolition and Remediation Contracts for 124 Somerville (Item 4b): Staff presented the low bid of $55,736 from Sherburn Companies for building demolition and site remediation, and $1,514 from Virgo Environmental for asbestos removal. The same contractor had previously removed a house at Jennifer Lanes and performed well. A motion to approve both contracts passed 2-1, with the same opposing member citing no demonstrated return on investment.
Reports
- EDA Bill List (Item 5a): No questions were raised, and the bill list was acknowledged as passed without a formal motion.
Key Outcomes
- Approved purchase agreement for 124 Somerville Street ($75,000) by a 2-1 vote.
- Approved demolition and remediation contracts (combined $57,250) for the same property by a 2-1 vote.
- The meeting was adjourned to December 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Recess for ED economic development authority meeting. And I'll second that. Good evening. We'll call to order the Shacopee Economic Development Authority meeting for Tuesday, it says October, see, November 5th. That's the wrong one. Please make note of the roll. Item two, we're going to look at our agenda. Members? I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. I second. Motion and second. Discussion, discussion, discussion. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed. Our agenda is adopted. Item number three is our consent business, and that's the approval of the EDA minutes. I'll make a motion on that, please. We have a motion on the approval of the EDA minutes. Second. And a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. On to item 4A, the purchase agreement for 124 Somerville property. Somerville Street, the property. Mr. Kerskey. Chair and board members. So we we had this before you a few months ago. We did work with the property owner who cut the price in half in anticipation. The building cannot be reused. Our engineers looked at it and actually we're not very happy to be standing in it. So the price is now 75,000. If approved tonight, the closing would actually be Friday, and we would begin the demolition as soon as we can. The interesting fact is I I know you were concerned about the environmental issues in the building. There's very little asbestos they found in it, and most of the contamination is only in one foot. It was interesting to see that this has been everything from a horse stable to a hardware store, and then it was a garage and then small engine repair. Thankfully, most of the contamination came from spark plugs and brake pads, and it's in the one foot of soil. So as part of this, the demolition contractor will remove that one foot of soil and it will be sent to appropriate landfill. Thank you, Mr. Kirsty. I am fairly certain it was a uh livery stable longer than it was an automotive repair. And I know when it rained real hard, you could smell the former horses living in there. But uh we have this. We've seen this before. Ms. Contreras.
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