OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Thursday, August 20, 2026
BodyShakopee, Minnesota
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateThursday, August 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:27

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Mayor Lehman.

0:01

Here.

0:03

Item number three.

0:04

If you want to join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:09

Pledge of allegiance.

0:31

Item number four is approval of the agenda.

0:34

And I wanted to add two items for council consideration.

0:40

One would be a discussion on data centers and the other on flock cameras.

0:45

And the goal here is we could possibly put it on consent to direct staff to bring these back at a future meeting to have discussions about both of one at a time, but them two items.

1:00

So no action tonight.

1:03

The council wants, we can put it on the regular agenda and then say what I just said, or we could put it on the consent agenda, which is directing staff to bring these two items back at future meetings to have a discussion.

1:18

Thank you.

1:19

Yeah, I wouldn't be accepting that if you're looking for a motion.

1:22

Do you want to wait for other business?

1:24

Well, do you do you Mr.

1:26

Ryan's do we need to put it on the agenda?

1:28

And can we put it under you know essentially council gives direction?

1:32

However, you want to do it is fine.

1:34

We'll bring it back.

1:36

We'll uh have an opportunity to research both issues, prepare uh for testimony for council, and then can move it forward.

1:45

It doesn't even really need to be on the agenda itself if it's just you can just say hey, do this.

1:52

All right.

1:53

Do you is that okay with council?

1:55

That's fine.

1:56

Sure.

1:57

All right.

1:57

Got it.

1:58

So item number four, approval of the agenda.

2:01

Any changes to the agenda from staff?

2:04

Nothing from staff, sir.

2:05

Council.

2:06

Council Contreras.

2:08

I'll make a motion to approve the agenda.

2:10

So second.

2:12

Mr.

2:12

Second second.

2:14

Discussion on the motion.

2:16

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

2:18

Aye.

2:19

Opposed.

2:20

Motion passes.

2:22

Consent business.

2:24

Any changes to the consent agenda from staff?

2:27

No, sir.

2:27

From council.

2:29

No.

2:30

Wishes of council.

2:30

Mr.

2:31

Lara.

2:31

I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

2:34

Is there a second to that motion?

2:35

I'll second it.

2:36

Councilor Contreras.

2:37

Discussion on the motion.

2:40

Discussions.

2:41

Seeing none.

2:41

All of Mr.

2:42

Reynolds, would you please read the consent agenda?

2:44

Thank you.

2:45

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability███████████████████████████████████35%
Public Safety██████████████14%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Pending Litigation████████8%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Economic Development█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

The Shakopee City Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included approval of a consent agenda, public comments regarding police conduct, a workshop on the 2027 preliminary budget and levy, and several council reports. No votes were taken on the budget, but council directed staff to bring future discussions on data centers and flock cameras.

Consent Calendar

  • 5.a Authorize final acceptance and payment for CSAH 101 and Shenandoah Drive intersection improvements.
  • 5.b Renew lease for archery range.
  • 5.c and 5.i Surplus property items.
  • 5.d Monthly financial review for July 2026.
  • 5.e Donation of code enforcement equipment.
  • 5.f Lateral police officer hire.
  • 5.g Minnesota Department of Human Services Opioid Epidemic Response Services grant application.
  • 5.h Department of Justice Community Policing Development Microgrants application.
  • 5.j Approve parking restrictions on Disc Drive and Secretariat Drive.
  • 5.k Approve plans and authorize bidding for Minnesota Riverbank stabilization improvements.
  • 5.l Wage adjustments for LELS sergeants.
  • 5.m Approval of August 4, 2026, city council minutes.
  • 5.n Amend city code sections 151.002 and 151.007(K) regarding cannabis cultivator definitions and indoor cannabis uses in B-1 zoning.
  • 5.o Updates to the Forestry Manual.
  • 5.p Approve temporary liquor license for BHB2 LLC dba Badger Hill Brewing.
  • All items were approved by unanimous voice vote on a motion by Councilor Contreras, seconded by Councilor Lara.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jessica Kyle (address not stated) requested an independent investigation into the Shakopee Police Department’s handling of her cases, alleging selective and retaliatory enforcement and misconduct in reporting. She stated she was repeatedly cited for criminal contempt while others in a restraining order situation were not. She cited a July 9 incident where she was charged after calling police about a leaf blower being used against her. She also referenced online comments by Councilor Lara.
  • Juan Salas (also known as Juan Carlos) claimed a false identity was used to charge him with harassment, stated he was deprived of food, water, medical attention, and sleep during jail, and asked the city to clear his name and remove a video of Jessica Kyle that he said put his family in danger.
  • Brian Tantzager (born and raised in Shakopee) supported Kyle, alleging that Salas threatened him with an axe and that police have not taken action. He criticized the police department for not addressing the ongoing dispute and suggested the city benefits financially from the calls.
  • In response, City Administrator Mr. Reynolds provided statistics: Jessica Kyle has 14 active cases and 11 under review (25 total); Juan Salas has 16 active and 9 under review (25 total); Ms. Fox has 0 active and 9 under review. He stated “clearly the PD is not choosing sides.”

Discussion Items

  • Agenda Modification (Data Centers & Flock Cameras): Mayor Lehman requested adding discussion items on data centers and flock cameras. Council agreed to direct staff to research both topics and bring them back for future discussion; no action was taken at this meeting.
  • 2027 Preliminary Budget and Levy Overview: Finance Director presented a detailed overview. The proposed levy increase is 8.65% ($2.44 million), broken into: 3.5% for fire services (transition to 24/7 staffing), 1.22% for debt service, and 3.94% for all other changes. Key points:
    • Fire department: Full implementation of two fully staffed stations, supported by a $2.63 million SAFER grant (25% local match in years 1-2, 65% in year 3). Overtime costs remain due to minimum staffing.
    • No new positions proposed except a public works request (one additional employee, 50% levy-funded at ~$52,000), which is not yet included in the recommended budget.
    • Other changes: $224,000 in one-time adjustments, $340,000 in non-property tax revenue increases (offset by $280,000 decrease in building permits), $150,000 decrease in transfers, and $300,000 from self-insurance fund for health insurance.
    • Personnel costs (70% of general fund) assume 3.0% COLA and a preliminary 16.3% health insurance increase (rates expected soon).
    • Median home value rose to $375,300 (3.9% increase), resulting in an estimated $101 (10%) property tax increase on the median home; if value unchanged, $54 (5.4%) increase.
    • Shakopee ranks fourth lowest in property taxes among metro cities with 25,000–100,000 population, and lowest in cost of city services among peer cities.
    • The EDA levy remains at $550,000 (no change), within the statutory cap of 0.0185% of estimated market value ($8.98 billion, up 4.3%).
    • Council members asked about the public works position, overtime, and comparisons to other cities. Staff will explore using fund balance to reduce debt service levy.
  • Reports and Announcements:
    • Councilor Lara reported on Night to Unite attendance and the 10th Avenue safety analysis open house (survey open-ended on city website).
    • Councilor Contreras summarized various community events (root beer floats, summer carnival, NLPOA, bricks presentation, e-bikes in the park).
    • Mayor Lehman noted attending the Xavier Galen memorial, a fire dispatch meeting, Night to Unite, a concert at the amp, and the 10th Avenue discussion. He emphasized the need to balance traffic movement and safety on 10th Avenue.
    • Parks and Recreation: Free movie nights in Huber Park (next: August 22 at dusk, movie “Hoppers”). Community Center closed August 24-30 for annual maintenance.
    • City Administrator Reynolds announced the emergency management plan will be brought to council for approval but not released publicly; it will be discussed in open session with general terms.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
  • Public comments received; no action taken. Council directed staff to not make public statements regarding ongoing matters (Mayor’s caution).
  • Workshop on 2027 Preliminary Budget: No vote taken. Council expressed desire to lower the levy. The finance director will present the administrator’s recommended budget in September; preliminary levy must be approved by September 30, 2026.
  • Future agenda items: Staff directed to research data centers and flock cameras for future council discussions.
  • Adjourned at conclusion of meeting to September 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM (motion by Councilor Lara, seconded by Councilor Contreras, unanimous).

Meeting Transcript

Mayor Lehman. Here. Item number three. If you want to join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance. Item number four is approval of the agenda. And I wanted to add two items for council consideration. One would be a discussion on data centers and the other on flock cameras. And the goal here is we could possibly put it on consent to direct staff to bring these back at a future meeting to have discussions about both of one at a time, but them two items. So no action tonight. The council wants, we can put it on the regular agenda and then say what I just said, or we could put it on the consent agenda, which is directing staff to bring these two items back at future meetings to have a discussion. Thank you. Yeah, I wouldn't be accepting that if you're looking for a motion. Do you want to wait for other business? Well, do you do you Mr. Ryan's do we need to put it on the agenda? And can we put it under you know essentially council gives direction? However, you want to do it is fine. We'll bring it back. We'll uh have an opportunity to research both issues, prepare uh for testimony for council, and then can move it forward. It doesn't even really need to be on the agenda itself if it's just you can just say hey, do this. All right. Do you is that okay with council? That's fine. Sure. All right. Got it. So item number four, approval of the agenda. Any changes to the agenda from staff? Nothing from staff, sir. Council. Council Contreras. I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. So second. Mr. Second second. Discussion on the motion. Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion passes. Consent business. Any changes to the consent agenda from staff? No, sir. From council. No. Wishes of council. Mr. Lara. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

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