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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting – September 15, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, September 15, 2026

BodyShakopee, Minnesota

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateTuesday, September 15, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:12:50

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:19

Video.

0:22

Good.

0:23

Usually it pops up.

0:25

Call a Shackby City Council meeting for September 15th, 2026 to order.

0:30

If you could please take the roll.

0:32

Councilmember Delaney?

0:34

Here.

0:34

Councilmember Whiting?

0:36

Here.

0:36

Councilmember Contreras?

0:37

Here.

0:38

Councilmember Laura?

0:39

Here.

0:39

Mayor Lehman?

0:40

Here.

0:41

Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:53

One nation undervisible.

1:07

Item number four is a special presentation by the Shockfield School District Superintendent, Mr.

1:13

Redman, on a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment.

1:19

Welcome, Mr.

1:20

Redmond.

1:24

Thanks for coming.

1:25

And meeting?

1:30

Awesome.

1:30

Thank you, Mayor Lehman and City Council members for having me here this evening.

1:39

As you mentioned, I'm I'm here to just share information on a proposed constitutional amendment that impacts all public school districts, charter schools, and tribal schools in the state of Minnesota.

1:53

So it's not just a Shockby public schools specific thing, it's a statewide thing.

2:26

And this is something, this idea has been studied for a long time, and there was a bipartisan legislative effort to bring it forward as a constitutional amendment.

2:47

But why is this constitutional amendment being proposed?

2:53

And it's because this Minnesota Permanent School Fund, and this is the kind of social studies history school teacher and me.

3:01

Actually, the work was begun before we even became a state.

3:05

And then it was put into the state constitution in 1858 when we became a state.

3:26

But it now the balance has increased over time, and it now has a sitting balance of 2.3 billion dollars.

3:35

And I think the the danger is the idea is you're supposed to be using the money to support schools across the state.

3:42

And it's kind of in this place where you could end up with a lot of money sitting idle for a long period of time.

3:50

And so they've they've grappled with how do we maybe how do we change or or propose changing that distribution, but also knowing that this is in the Minnesota Constitution as a permanent school fund.

4:03

And so the intent is to maintain that into perpetuity.

4:12

And I'm not going to read these to you, but uh the up on the slides, it gets into the current you know, method for uh which is you know distributing those funds each year to the school districts and charter schools and tribal schools across the state.

4:30

Um they want to update or modernize or or have a you know a better thought out for the current situation plan for um those payouts annually from this permanent school fund.

4:47

Um well, if the amendment is approved, it will change currently it what they distribute is sixty-eight dollars per pupil in revenue.

5:01

They would like to increase that to $95 an estimate per pupil.

5:07

Um and it would permit, and they've got a three-year average, so they're they're trying to do this, you know, and and a lot of folks a lot smarter than me with finance have have worked on this of you know, how do you do this in a way where you can increase the distributions but not jeopardize the core principle of the fund and not in any way even come close to jeopardizing uh the permanent status of this fund.

5:31

And so for Shocopee, this increase, you know, is approximately $210,000 per year, um, which is you know a significant chunk of money that can help us to you know hire staff support programs and do those things without in any way uh changing the permanent nature uh of this fund.

5:54

Uh this I didn't do a good job of clicking there.

5:58

Uh this is a really important slide.

6:00

Uh and it it's I don't know, I don't think I've ever been in this position in my life where I come to people and go.

6:08

Um this does not increase anyone's taxes anywhere in the state of Minnesota to do this.

6:15

This is money that has been generated uh based on a land grant system that was put in place in 1858.

6:23

And so the ask is to change the distribution method while retaining the Minnesota permanent school fund into perpetuity.

6:33

Um then the last well, two things on this this final slide.

6:37

I won't read the the actual ballot language, but it's there.

6:40

I know some people like to see that ahead of time.

6:43

Um there are a number of items uh on this November's ballot.

6:49

And this one, like any constitutional amendment, if somebody, you know, let's say they whatever, they vote for a few offices and then stop.

6:57

A note, a yeah, and don't fill out the ballot on this Minnesota constitutional amendment, that counts as a no vote.

7:06

So, you know, in order there obviously there's yes votes.

7:10

Uh the yes votes have to be greater than all the actual cast no votes, and then folks who didn't vote on this particular initiative in total.

7:20

So that is, you know, I also sent a kind of a one-page document that I I think you've got.

7:28

Uh I'm not going to read that to you, but uh greatly appreciate the time to just come in and share the information.

7:34

And I think this is one where just trying to inform folks in our community is really important, kind of what it is and what it isn't.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Taxation█████████████████████21%

Procedural██████████████14%

Education and Youth Programs███████████11%

Zoning And Land Use███████████11%

Public Safety████████8%

Noise Pollution████████8%

Transportation Safety█████5%

Budget Equity Analysis█████5%

Economic Development█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Shakopee City Council Regular Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Shakopee City Council met on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a special presentation on a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment, adoption of the 2027 preliminary property tax levy, approval of a planned unit development amendment, and final plat approval for a new subdivision. Two members of the public addressed the council, one requesting changes to vehicle regulations and the other raising concerns about noise from a nearby amphitheater.

Special Presentation

Superintendent Mike Redmond (Shakopee School District) presented information on a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment to change distributions from the Permanent School Fund. The fund currently has a balance of $2.3 billion and distributes $68 per pupil annually. The amendment would increase that to an estimated $95 per pupil, providing approximately $210,000 per year to Shakopee schools. The change would use investment earnings without touching the principal. No tax increase is required. The amendment requires a majority of all votes cast (including non-votes count as no). Councilmember Whiting asked about the principal's permanence and the use of investment income; Redmond confirmed the principal remains untouched and the fund is managed prudently.

Consent Calendar

Approved 10 routine items unanimously (motion by Mr. Lara, second by Mr. Delaney):
- Speed limit modifications along Marystown Road (6A)
- Surplus property declaration (6B)
- Ice Arena use agreement with Independent School District No. 720 (6C)
- Delinquent refuse bills – order preparation of assessments and set public hearing date (6D)
- On-sale and Sunday liquor licenses for Hy-Vee Market Grille (6E)
- Temporary liquor license for Fall Food Truck Festival (6F)
- On-sale and Sunday liquor licenses for Babe's Place (6G)
- Resolution R2026-130 accepting $10,000 donation from Rahr Corporation (6H)
- Additional funding for Fire Station 2 Station Alerting System (6I)
- Approval of September 1, 2026, City Council minutes (6J)

Public Comments & Testimony

Corey Meyer (17-year resident) requested the council consider amending the city ordinance to allow properly outfitted side-by-side vehicles on city streets. Police Chief (staff) expressed safety concerns, noting that vehicles not designed for roadways pose accident risks. He also noted that current golf cart regulations limit routes and require permits, and that side-by-sides already operate in the community informally. The council took no action but asked staff to follow up.
Matt Frost (resident 1.2 miles west of Mystic Lake Amphitheater) reported severe noise disruption from concerts. He provided decibel readings: typical ambient noise 51.9 dB; during concerts 70–73 dB (exceeding a gas-powered lawnmower at 68 dB). He requested that the city engage independent acoustic experts, publish results, work with the amphitheater on mitigation, and consider moving the curfew from 11 PM to 10 PM. Council responded that they have been working with Live Nation on sound mitigation (speaker adjustments, sound blanketing, monitoring) and urged residents to call the complaint line. A second resident also spoke in support of the noise complaints, noting he had to raise his TV volume to 46 to hear over music. Council acknowledged the issue and promised continued efforts.

Discussion Items

2027 Proposed Property Tax Levies and Debt Levy Cancellations (9A): Finance Director Reinhart presented the preliminary levy. Changes from the August work session included: additional AC Arena revenue, increased fiscal disparities distribution (+$178,500), lower health insurance renewal (12.8% vs. budgeted 16.3%), and use of fund balance for debt service on 2022A bonds (eliminating $344,360 levy). The total levy increase is 6.85% (down from 8.65%), representing a $1.93 million increase. Key driver: transition of fire department to 24/7 full-time staffing at both stations, supported by a $2.63 million federal SAFER grant with local match requirements (25% year 1, 25% year 2, 65% year 3). The city's taxable market value is $8.98 billion (+3.9%), with residential up 5.7%. The tax rate is estimated at 29.16 (from 28.94). The median home value increased $14,000 to $375,300, resulting in a $52 annual property tax increase. Council members expressed frustration with the fiscal disparities program (Shakopee is the 4th highest net contributor, contributing ~$10.9 million in tax capacity over 10 years); Mayor Lehman noted that the program often penalizes cities that follow state growth policies. Three resolutions were adopted:
- R2026-126 Setting the maximum 2027 property tax levy (passed unanimously)
- R2026-127 Canceling debt service levies for 2027 and authorizing a transfer from the general fund (passed unanimously)
- R2026-128 Approving the EDA levy of $550,000 (no change from prior year; passed unanimously)
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment to Southbridge Crossings East (9B): Applicant SambaText proposes a 7,300 sq ft car wash, three 5,000 sq ft retail buildings (two with drive-through), a 23,000 sq ft garden center with 8,000 sq ft greenhouse and 48,000 sq ft landscape yard, and reconfiguration of stormwater ponds on 14.26 acres at 1300 Crossings Boulevard. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval on July 9. Councilmember Lara questioned traffic signal needs at Hanson and Crossings; staff replied that current trip generation does not warrant a signal. The council adopted Ordinance O2026-015 (passed unanimously).
Final Plat of GREENVIEW (9C): Applicant Lennar (U.S. Home LLC) seeks approval for the first of two phases creating 85 single-family residential lots on 13,950 Marystown Road. The full subdivision will have 193 homes with lot widths of 50, 55, and 65 feet. Over 11 acres of open space are included, with a future playground. Trails connect to Jackson Commons. Staff worked with the developer to preserve old-growth trees and a wetland area. The council approved Resolution R2026-109 (passed unanimously).

Key Outcomes

2027 Preliminary Levy Set: Maximum levy set at a 6.85% increase; final levy may be reduced before adoption.
Debt Service Levy Canceled: Use of fund balance eliminates $344,360 levy for 2022A bonds.
EDA Levy Maintained: $550,000, no change.
PUD Amendment Approved: Allows commercial development (car wash, retail, garden center) with stormwater ponds.
Greenview Final Plat Approved: 85 lots in Phase 1, with conditions on tree preservation.
No action on side-by-side vehicles: Council asked staff to follow up but expressed safety concerns.
Amphitheater noise: Council to continue working with Live Nation; residents encouraged to use complaint line and non-emergency police number.

Meeting Transcript

Video. Good. Usually it pops up. Call a Shackby City Council meeting for September 15th, 2026 to order. If you could please take the roll. Councilmember Delaney? Here. Councilmember Whiting? Here. Councilmember Contreras? Here. Councilmember Laura? Here. Mayor Lehman? Here. Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation undervisible. Item number four is a special presentation by the Shockfield School District Superintendent, Mr. Redman, on a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment. Welcome, Mr. Redmond. Thanks for coming. And meeting? Awesome. Thank you, Mayor Lehman and City Council members for having me here this evening. As you mentioned, I'm I'm here to just share information on a proposed constitutional amendment that impacts all public school districts, charter schools, and tribal schools in the state of Minnesota. So it's not just a Shockby public schools specific thing, it's a statewide thing. And this is something, this idea has been studied for a long time, and there was a bipartisan legislative effort to bring it forward as a constitutional amendment. But why is this constitutional amendment being proposed? And it's because this Minnesota Permanent School Fund, and this is the kind of social studies history school teacher and me. Actually, the work was begun before we even became a state. And then it was put into the state constitution in 1858 when we became a state. But it now the balance has increased over time, and it now has a sitting balance of 2.3 billion dollars. And I think the the danger is the idea is you're supposed to be using the money to support schools across the state. And it's kind of in this place where you could end up with a lot of money sitting idle for a long period of time. And so they've they've grappled with how do we maybe how do we change or or propose changing that distribution, but also knowing that this is in the Minnesota Constitution as a permanent school fund. And so the intent is to maintain that into perpetuity. And I'm not going to read these to you, but uh the up on the slides, it gets into the current you know, method for uh which is you know distributing those funds each year to the school districts and charter schools and tribal schools across the state. Um they want to update or modernize or or have a you know a better thought out for the current situation plan for um those payouts annually from this permanent school fund. Um well, if the amendment is approved, it will change currently it what they distribute is sixty-eight dollars per pupil in revenue. They would like to increase that to $95 an estimate per pupil. Um and it would permit, and they've got a three-year average, so they're they're trying to do this, you know, and and a lot of folks a lot smarter than me with finance have have worked on this of you know, how do you do this in a way where you can increase the distributions but not jeopardize the core principle of the fund and not in any way even come close to jeopardizing uh the permanent status of this fund. And so for Shocopee, this increase, you know, is approximately $210,000 per year, um, which is you know a significant chunk of money that can help us to you know hire staff support programs and do those things without in any way uh changing the permanent nature uh of this fund. Uh this I didn't do a good job of clicking there. Uh this is a really important slide. Uh and it it's I don't know, I don't think I've ever been in this position in my life where I come to people and go. Um this does not increase anyone's taxes anywhere in the state of Minnesota to do this. This is money that has been generated uh based on a land grant system that was put in place in 1858. And so the ask is to change the distribution method while retaining the Minnesota permanent school fund into perpetuity. Um then the last well, two things on this this final slide.

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