Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Shakopee City Council met on July 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. All council members were present. The agenda was modified to move the elections update to item 4B and add a legislative update from Representative Bakeberg as item 4A; the modification was approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Authorized final acceptance and payment for Phase II of the Downtown ADA, Lighting and Tree Rehab Improvement Project.
• Approved an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the 2026 Community-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) for water quality sampling.
• Accepted the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Turnout Gear Washer, Extractor, Dryer Grant Award.
• Approved a Gambling Premises Permit for Climb Theatre Inc.
• Adopted a resolution moving the August 5 City Council and EDA meetings to August 4, 2026.
• Authorized the purchase of Thermal Imaging Cameras.
• Approved a Tobacco License for Schwaesdall Pub LLC dba Arnie's.
• Approved a Parks and Recreation Premier Sponsorship for the Metropolitan Dance Alliance.
• Accepted an AED Donation from the Hearts on Duty Program.
• Approved the June 16, 2026, City Council minutes.
• Authorized disposal of Police Department surplus property.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward to speak.

Special Presentations

4A – Legislative Update from Representative Bakeberg Representative Bakeberg provided an overview of the 2026 legislative session. He noted the House was tied (first time since the 1970s), requiring bipartisan support for any bill to pass. Key achievements included: governance reforms at HCMC to address financial issues without raising taxes; technology modernization for county systems; funding for an innovation hub; one-time property tax and car tab fee relief; and bipartisan fraud prevention measures (creation of an Office of Inspector General, increased statute of limitations, and a "take it back" tax on fraudulently obtained funds). He discussed workforce and education finance priorities: grant management oversight, school safety through anonymous threat reporting (coordinated with the BCA and local police), and a pass-through entity tax change that allows business reinvestment. Council members asked about the threat reporting system’s community access and the impact of property tax relief on the general fund.

4B – Elections Update from Scott County Julie Hanson, Property and Customer Service Manager for Scott County, presented the 2026 election schedule and changes. Key points: the late filing period runs July 14–28; primary is August 11; early voting begins July 24; general election is November 3. County-initiated improvements post-2024 include a new SharePoint site for daily ballot balancing reports (accessible only to clerks), in-person and virtual balancing training, and default spreadsheets to standardize processes. Legislative changes include: a chain of custody plan due June 1; streamlined candidate filing forms and private address options; a later late-filing period no longer coinciding with primary day; a codified errors and omissions process for ballot errors; early voting using poll pads with barcode scanning; and a 5 P.M. deadline for in-person absentee ballot returns on election day (8 P.M. for mail/courier). She also discussed federal proposals (SAVE Act, executive orders on citizenship and voting), noting that non-citizen voting is extremely rare (0.0001% in one study, 77 cases over 24 years per Heritage Foundation), and that the SAVE Act would eliminate online/mail voter registration and impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements. A council member asked about public access to balancing data; Hanson agreed to explore making daily numbers public.

Economic Development Authority Meeting (Recessed Session)

The City Council recessed to convene as the Economic Development Authority (EDA). The EDA approved Resolution E2026-005, authorizing a Contract for Private Development for the former Shakopee Gravel site. The resolution establishes a TIF district and a note of $44,575,582 to be paid from future tax revenues generated by the project. The vote was 4-1. The EDA meeting then adjourned to August 4, 2026.

Liaison & Administration Reports

Council members reported on recent community events and meetings: Qdoba ribbon cutting (June 19), Superior Shores Water Park ribbon cutting at Valley Fair (June 22), Rolling Suds ribbon cutting (June 23), Main Street downtown meeting (June 25), League of Minnesota Cities annual conference (June 24-26), MVTA Connect pilot project (ride-share integration with Uber/Lyft), MVTA regional solicitation for transit projects, Mystic Lake Amphitheater soft opening (June 20), a legislative update (nuclear moratorium continues), a DEED data center webinar (distinction between hyperscale and enterprise data centers), Shakopee Public Utilities meeting (continued support for the community garden), and the 250th Independence anniversary celebrations.

Announcements

• Rhythm on the Rails free concert series continues Wednesday evenings through July; next concert on July 8 features Def Legend (Def Leppard tribute).
• Huber Park Performance and Event Series runs Thursday evenings through August; July 9 features the Jury Rock Blues All-Star Dance Band.
• July 2026 is National Parks and Recreation Month; residents encouraged to visit local parks and trails.
• Candidate filing for the upcoming Shakopee city election opens July 14–28; affidavits of candidacy to be filed with the City Clerk.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda modified and approved unanimously.
• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• EDA Resolution E2026-005 for private redevelopment approved 4-1.
• Adjourned to July 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM.