Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025

The Shakopee City Council met at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at City Hall, 485 Gorman Street. The council recognized photo contest winners, approved consent items, discussed two removed items (Arbor Bluff Third Addition final plat and Reuter Walton Development revenue bonds), adopted a towing company licensing ordinance, and heard liaison reports. All motions passed by voice vote without audible opposition, except as noted.

Special Presentations

• City Administrator Bill Reynolds, filling in for communications staff, recognized winners of the Show Off Shakopee photo contest. More than 110 votes were cast by city staff. Winners received cash prizes, including a $100 grand prize to Jane Veldy for a fireworks photo. Other category winners included Christopher Straub, Mr. Nye, Mr. Schlepper, Kathleen Borka, and Luciana Gilson.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved as modified after staff removed item 6E (Arbor Bluff Third Addition final plat) for a presentation and noted that items 6A and 6M required only a simple majority.
• Councilor Whiting moved, seconded by Councilor Delaney, to approve the consent agenda as modified; Councilor Delaney removed item 6J for discussion. The remaining consent items were approved, including: surplus property; the 12th Avenue Improvement Project feasibility report and call for a public hearing; the October 2025 monthly financial report; the SEH proposal for design and in-construction services for the 2026 Downtown ADA, Lighting and Tree Rehabilitation Improvements; change orders for the SRF West End AUAR Five Year Update and Miller Dunwoodie Architects; the October 1, 2025 and November 5, 2025 City Council minutes; the resolution for St. Francis Regional Medical Center revenue bonds and ratification of Resolution R2025-125; and additional information on the salvaged squad authorized for disposal from the January 21, 2025 meeting.
• NOTE: The printed agenda included a consent item 6L, a dog park change order totaling $9,860.00. Staff's reading of the consent agenda in the transcript did not mention 6L, but no council member moved to remove it; the motion approved the consent agenda as modified.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A couple who identified themselves as Shakopee Public Utilities customers in good standing since June 2014 spoke about AMI/smart metering infrastructure. They said SPU has charged them noncompliance fees and plans to disconnect electric and water service after three months. They stated they are not refusing access to SPU equipment, but are asking for proof that the new meters do not cause harm, and they want to keep their fully functioning analog meters. They requested a written response by December 4, 2025, explaining who has jurisdiction over SPU and what laws require AMI technology. They provided a copy of their letter.
• Councilor Whiting asked whether SPU had contacted them about an opt-out program. The speakers said they had received an email but not an official letter, and that the proposed meter is still a smart meter without RF communication, which they said raises "dirty electricity" concerns. The Mayor said staff would respond to their request.

Business Removed from Consent Agenda

• Arbor Bluff Third Addition Final Plat (6E): Staff presented the third and final phase of the Arbor Bluff subdivision, south of Valley View Road and west of Independence Drive. The final plat creates 68 single-family lots and one outlot and is consistent with the previously approved PUD and preliminary plat. Staff showed photos of preserved wooded areas and a bridge to be installed over the waterway. Councilor Whiting asked about the Arbor Bluff Creek work; staff explained that the creek runs through the area, improvements were made, and future holding ponds are planned similar to SMSC to prevent flooding. Councilor Lara moved to approve Resolution R2025-126; Councilor Contreras seconded; the motion passed.
• Reuter Walton Development Revenue Bonds / LIHTC Application (6J): Councilor Delaney explained the item is conduit debt with no tax or bond liability to the city and is needed for the developer to apply for a state housing allocation, which is a lottery. The project, described as "as of right," involves about 180 units. The Mayor said he had concerns that it would be the largest project in Shakopee and that questions about renter screening and policing costs were unanswered; he initially said he would not support it until those answers were provided. He asked to add wording that taxpayers would have zero liability. Bond counsel confirmed the city has no responsibility and agreed to the wording. Councilor Whiting moved to adopt Resolutions R2025-129 and R2025-130 to allow Reuter Walton Development LLC to apply for low-income housing tax credits, contingent on receiving an allocation in January 2026; if successful, a public hearing on the conduit revenue bond issuance would be scheduled for 2026. The amended motion passed. Bond counsel also explained the allocation threshold could be as low as 25 percent, down from 50 percent, though Minnesota Management & Budget has not yet decided whether it will use the lower threshold.

General Business: Towing Company Ordinance

• Staff presented Ordinance O2025-023, creating standards, rules, regulations, and licensing for towing companies. It resulted from complaints about predatory towing by companies not under the city contract and is nearly identical to an ordinance passed in Savage. The ordinance would license towing companies, set rules, and allow complaints to be appealed to the Chief of Police and ultimately to the City Council. The Mayor and staff described problems including unjustified hook-ups, drop fees, holding vehicles hostage, and exorbitant prices. Staff noted the issue had grown since they last considered it two to three years ago, and that some towing companies are already avoiding Shakopee because the ordinance is pending. Councilor Lara moved to adopt Ordinance O2025-023; Councilor Delaney seconded; the motion passed.

Liaison Reports and Announcements

• Councilor Delaney reported the 169 coalition is winding down and needs two-thirds member approval to dissolve the joint powers agreement; there was no SPU meeting, and a joint Jackson Township meeting occurred.
• Councilor Whiting reported MVTA Connect free rides to and from food shelves through November 21; a downward adjustment in CEO pay after a salary compensation study discrepancy; approved MVTA budgets with uncertain replacement bus funding; MVTA's ownership of buses, mechanics, and stations as a contrast to Met Council comparisons; a new Shakopee-to-University of Minnesota route; and strong Renaissance Festival ridership, with Taylor Swift as the biggest ridership event.
• Councilor Contreras reported ribbon cuttings for Moon Leaf and Hope Renewed Thrift Store; a SCEL meeting with 2026 legislative priorities and a Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District update; and an RTF meeting that included a request for a written notice of non-participation and a revised fee schedule ($25 per eight hours rather than a full-day fee).
• The Mayor reported an MLC meeting with Governor Walz in which the Governor committed to sign a bill restructuring the Met Council if both sides send him one; Walmart's grand reopening and community grants to Shakopee PD, Fire, and Southern Valley Alliance; both school referendum questions passing on November 4; and the Hope Renewed Thrift Store ribbon cutting. He also discussed local control and the view that the Met Council has exceeded its legislative charge and should return to its original planning role under the Minnesota Land Planning Act.
• Winter parking restrictions are in effect until April 1; no parking is allowed on city streets from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., with certain exceptions in the calendar zone. Holiday Fest 2025 will be Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in downtown Shakopee, with a winter vendor marketplace, Santa, tree lighting, and fireworks.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda as modified.
• Approved the consent agenda as modified, including all remaining listed consent items except those removed.
• Approved Resolution R2025-126 for the final plat of Arbor Bluff Third Addition (68 single-family lots).
• Approved Resolutions R2025-129 and R2025-130 for Reuter Walton Development LLC's LIHTC application and conduit debt preliminary approval, amended to state no taxpayer liability.
• Adopted Ordinance O2025-023 establishing a towing company licensing program and regulating consensual and non-consensual towing.
• Referred the AMI meter public comment to staff for a written response.
• Adjourned to December 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.