Shakopee Snapshot: Fall 2024

SHAKOPEE SNAPSHOT A LENS ON SHAKOPEE LIVING

FALL 2024

Shakopee’s growing distinction Multi-award winning city crowned as “City of Excellence”

Fitness for all at Scenic Heights Free outdoor Fitness Court now open

Keeping Shakopee roads safe Police Dept. expands sober ride home program

INSIDE: PARKS & RECREATION FALL ACTIVITIES BROCHURE PROGRAM REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 27

SHOW OFF SHAKOPEE PHOTO CONTEST

2024

Submit your photos to the City of Shakopee’s 2024 Show O Shakopee Photo Contest! This year’s categories are:

Uniquely Shakopee | Community Connections | Wildlife and Nature | Budding Photographer Submit your photos at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/showo shakopee from September 1–30, 2024

GRAND PRIZE: $100 | CATEGORY WINNERS 3 : $50

See the full contest rules and info on the city website: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/showo shakopee

SHAK THE HALLS! Holiday Lights Contest Entries are open Mon., Nov. 25 through 11:59 p.m. Fri., Dec. 13 Free to enter/nominate a residence $100 for 1st; $50 each for 2nd/3rd place Voting will take place on Facebook Contest guidelines at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/shakthehalls

SHAKOPEE SNAPSHOT A LENS ON SHAKOPEE LIVING

FALL 2024

CITY NEWSLETTER 2024 City of Excellence Award. . 3 City Calendar. . . . . . . . . . 4 In Lehman’s Terms . . . . . . . 4 Shak the Halls! Holiday Lights Contest. . . . . . 5 News&Notes. . . . . . . . . . 5 Seasonal Yard Waste Service. . . 6 AsktheCity.. . . . . . . . . . 6 Parks & Recreation. . . . . . . 7 Development News. . . . . . . 8 Public Works. . . . . . . . . 9–11 Public Safety. . . . . . . . 12–13 Chief's Notes. . . . . . . . . . 13

Cover Photo: Autumn falls on Huber Park in Shakopee.

Pictured together after City leadership accepted the City of Excellence Award from the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), from back left: LMC Executive Director Luke Fischer, City Administrator Bill Reynolds, Finance Director Nate Reinhardt, Grants and Special Projects Coordinator Andrea Harrell, Communications Specialist Andrew Coons, LMC Board President Justin Miller, Communications Manager Amanda McKnight, front left, and Assistant City Administrator Chelsea Petersen. City of Shakopee honored with 2024 City of Excellence Award The City was recognized for its financial transparency initiatives The City of Shakopee received a prestigious honor from the League of Minnesota Cities this summer that the whole community can be proud of: the 2024 City of Excellence Award. The City earned the award in the 30,000+ population category for the online property tax receipt tool and related promotional video. The receipt tool breaks down residents’ property tax amounts into an easily readable receipt, showing approximately how much they spend each year for various City services.

"This award validates what we already know— that Shakopee is truly a City of Excellence where exciting, innovative things are happening."

“I couldn’t be more proud of our staff for making City finances and budget information accessible and transpar ent to our community members,” said City Administrator Bill Reynolds. “This award validates what we already know— that Shakopee is truly a City of Excellence where exciting, innovative things are happening.” Shakopee is, indeed, having a moment in recent years, as evidenced by the City’s growing list of awards, honors, and distinctions. This is the second time in just four years the City has earned the distinction as a City of Excellence; Shakopee

FIND US ONLINE AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov

Bill Reynolds City Administrator

SIGN UP FOR NEWS AND UPDATES AT: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/subscribe

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Fall 2024 3

IN LEHMAN’S TERMS A message from the Mayor of Shakopee Hello Shakopee! Another summer has passed, and this year we had the highest flood of my lifetime cresting at 719.5 feet—not quite reaching 1965 flood levels, but above the 1993 levels.

CITY CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 2 Labor Day: City offices and Community Center closed 14 Movie in the Park: 7 p.m. (dusk), Huber Park, free OCTOBER 7 Fire Department Open House: 5–7 p.m., Station #1 12 Movie in the Park: 7 p.m. (dusk), Huber Park, free 19 Fall Clean Up Day:

I’m proud to report that thanks to the proactive actions of City staff, past and current City Councils, and others in our community, we experienced minor impacts to people, property, or infrastructure, besides the traffic inconvenience from surrounding road closures. As we enter the fall and winter seasons we start to think about raking leaves, shoveling snow, and all the other fun chores that come with colder weather. Once again, I will ask those capable and willing to clear your nearest fire hydrant and street drain. This is certainly not required of residents, but it does benefit the community at large. As for garden and other yard waste recycling, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community over the past years has graciously allowed Shakopee residents free drop-off on certain dates and times at the Organic Recycling Center. Their new recycling center on County Road 41 will be opening soon, so keep an eye out for information about that. This time of year, your City Council and City staff become focused on the budget, property tax, and spending process. We will continue to place the people we serve first, focusing on low taxation through efficiencies, cost effective priority services, local partnerships, and innovation. Speaking of taxes, Shakopee received the prestigious 2024 City of Excellence Award from the Minnesota League of Cities for offering transparency through our online property tax receipt tool. Basically, you can go online to www.ShakopeeMN.gov/taxreceipt and enter your home’s market value to get a breakdown of how your tax dollars are spent in detail. It’s a very cool tool and we are very proud of it. Please keep in mind this tool only reflects the City portion of your tax bill, as the school district and Scott County tax levies are controlled by their respective elected bodies. Special kudos to our finance director and team for the extra effort to provide this tool to our community and to our communications department that plays a special role in getting the information out. As we head into the school year, please watch for the kids walking and biking and be extra cautious around school buses picking up and dropping off kids. We want everyone to get home safe! In closing, feel free to reach out to myself and or your other council members if you ever have a concern. We serve you! I wish the best to our community this fall, and I hope you see you at one of our community events in the coming months. View a list of events at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/calendar . Matt Lehman Mayor of Shakopee mlehman@ShakopeeMN.gov Mayor Matt Lehman

7:30–11:30 a.m., Shakopee Public Works parking lot

26 Spooky Family Fun:

4–7 p.m., Huber Park, free, no registration required 31 Trick-or-Treat at City Hall:

3–4:30 p.m., City Hall, free, no registration required NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day: City offices closed, Community Center remains open 28 Thanksgiving: City offices and Community Center closed 29 Day After Thanksgiving: City offices closed, Community Center remains open DECEMBER 3 City Budget Hearing: 7 p.m., City Hall

Find the latest city calendar at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/calendar .

CONTACT US MAYOR MattLehman............. mlehman@ShakopeeMN.gov COUNCIL MEMBERS Angelica Contreras. . . . . . . . . . acontreras@ShakopeeMN.gov JimDuLaney.............. jdulaney@ShakopeeMN.gov JesseLara................. jlara@ShakopeeMN.gov JayWhiting................... jaywhtng@aol.com CITY ADMINISTRATOR William Reynolds. . . . . . . . . . . breynolds@ShakopeeMN.gov

CITY HALL 485 Gorman St., Shakopee, MN 55379

Phone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952-233-9300 TTY..........................952-233-3837 Email. . . . . . . . . . . . . . administration@ShakopeeMN.gov Website................... www.ShakopeeMN.gov The Shakopee Snapshot is produced four times a year by the City of Shakopee. Comments or suggestions can be directed to the editor, Amanda McKnight, at amcknight@ShakopeeMN.gov .

4 Shakopee Snapshot

How Can I Help You? Meet Mark Schneider, a Recreation Supervisor with the Parks & Recreation Department. Q: What do you do for the City? A: I am a Recreation Supervisor who coordinates the planning and implementation of our preschool, youth, and senior programming, as well as special events for the Parks & Recreation Department. Q: What do you enjoy about working for the City? A: The best part is the amount of support that we get from other departments. We are constantly collaborating with several other City staff to create and offer the fun, innovative, and new opportunities that we do each season. We could not make it happen without that support. Q: What’s the best part of your job? A: The amazing staff that I get to work with every day, including our seasonal recreation assistants and our dedicated and creative specialists and coordinators. They are the ones that really make everything come to life and create enjoyable experiences for our residents. I also love getting to see participants enjoying the spaces and recreational opportunities that we work so hard to create. It really makes all the work we put in worth it!

Enter your holiday display in the City’s lights contest Submissions open Nov. 25 for Shak the Halls! Holiday Lights Contest Roger Schmidt and Lis Griffith’s popular Shakopee Winter Wonderland display won the inaugural Shak the Halls! contest in 2023.

Join in the festive feel of the holiday sea son this year and enter your home’s outdoor holiday display for the City’s second annual Shak the Halls! Holiday Lights Contest. As part of this year’s contest, a self-guided tour map will be available on the City website at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/shakthehalls . The map will be updated on a rolling basis with all nominated homes so community members can enjoy the light displays. Submissions will be accepted at www.Shako peeMN.gov/shakthehalls from Monday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Dec. 13 and must include a photo of the display illuminated at night. CONTEST GUIDELINES ■ Participation is open to all residents of Shakopee. You may nominate your own home or that of a friend or neighbor, but you must have permission from the person who lives there. ■ To ensure a fair opportunity for all participants, individuals who have won

first place in the previous contest are not eligible to win first place in the subsequent contest but are welcome to enter and compete for other awards. ■ There is no fee to enter. ■ Entrants must submit a photo of the display they are nominating. Please submit photos taken at night, ensuring the display is illuminated. ■ Entries will be accepted from Monday, Shakopee Facebook page will begin by the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 14. Winners will be announced by Wednesday, Dec. 18. ■ Winners will receive cash prizes: $100 for first place and $50 each for second and third place. The person who did the decorating (typically the resident/ decorator) is the person eligible for the prize. Nov. 25 through Friday, Dec. 13. ■ A voting period on the City of

NEWS & NOTES

NEW EMPLOYEES JOIN CITY STAFF Join us in welcoming these new employees to the City of Shakopee:

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS! Submit your photos to the 2024 Show Off Shakopee photo contest from Sept. 1–30 to win cash prizes. The grand prize winner will receive $100, and each category winner will receive $50. This year’s categories are: Uniquely Shakopee Community Connections Wildlife & Nature Budding Photographer (open subject, age 17 and under) Visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/showoffshakopee to read the submis sion guidelines and enter your photos. We can’t wait to see your vision!

■ Parker Long , Ice Arena Specialist ■ Carly Gernbacher , HR Specialist ■ Mason Runyan , Firefighter ■ Samuel Schwaesdall , Firefighter ■ Dominick Schleper , Firefighter

In addition, the City thanks the seasonal employees who joined us for the summer, including 22 seasonal staff in Public Works, 43 seasonal staff in Parks & Rec, two Engineering interns, one Police Department intern, and two Administration interns!

Fall 2024 5

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first earned the honor in 2020 for the Police Department’s implemen tation of an ordinance preventing gift card fraud. Since that time, the Police Department also earned international recog nitions with a prestigious Leadership Award from the International Asso ciation of Chiefs of Police and a Voice of the People Award for community policing from the International City/County Management Association. “Our staff is dedicated to serving the Shakopee community and pro viding high-quality City services with exemplary customer service, and we have the track record to show it,” Reynolds said. “We are for tunate to have a supportive City Council that encourages innovation and creative problem-solving.” City of Shakopee Recognitions in 2024: ■ The Finance Department received Honorable Mention from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the U.S. and Canada in its Fiscal Fluency Challenge for the City’s online property tax receipt and promotional video ■ The City of Shakope e is a 38-year recipient of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA ■ Victim and Community Services Coordinator Barb Hedstrom received the Congressional Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy ■ Officer Adam Predovich received a silver pin from the Minnesota Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for the number of impaired driver arrests he made last year

View the Property Tax Receipt tool: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/taxreceipt And the award-winning promo video: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/taxreceiptvideo

■ Officers Jonathan Wiseman and Seth Perrier received bronze pins from the Minnesota Chapter of MADD for the number of impaired driver arrests they made last year ■ Communications Specialist Andrew Coons received two Northern Lights Awards from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) for production of “The Dig” video series and the property tax receipt promotional video, and a silver award from MAGC for the “Court ‘n’ Mason” video series ■ Communications Specialist Deb Noble received a Northern Lights Award from MAGC for the redesign of the Fire Department Year in Review for 2023 ■ Communications Manager Amanda McKnight received a silver award from MAGC for the implementation of the inaugural “Shak the Halls! Holiday Lights Contest” ■ Shakopee Public Works received the Top Dog Award from the Shakopee Lions Club and Can Do Canines for the care and maintenance of the City’s ball fields ■ Shakopee Public Works received the Community Award from the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce for playing an integral role in the success of Shakopee’s community events and festivities each year

Seasonal yard waste service ending in November

Yard waste service offered by the city’s garbage hauler, Dick’s Sanitation (DSI), will end in mid November, weather permitting. City of Shakopee residents have the option of paying an additional fee for DSI’s seasonal yard waste service from mid-April to mid-November. For those who don’t use the seasonal service, on-call yard waste service is also available until November for a small fee per com postable bag up to five bags per week. DSI also offers Christmas tree removal during the first two full weeks of January. Christmas tree removal is not included in the seasonal yard waste base rate. Residents must call DSI at 952 469-2239 or email Shakopee@dickssanitation.com one day prior to their regular service day to schedule a tree pickup. To stay up to date on service updates, holiday schedules, billing and more, download the Dick’s Sanitation app in the Google Play store or App Store.

#AsktheCity

HEADLINE

Elections season is here, and Shakopee has several options for safe and secure voting.

Q: WHERE CAN I VOTE? A: Visit the Secretary of State online poll finder at pollfinder.sos.state. mn.us, which will show you maps of the Scott County precincts and where your polling place is located. You can also view a sample ballot for the upcoming election. Q: HOW DOES THE POLLING PLACE WORK? A: On Election Day, polling places open at 7 a.m. Upon arrival, approach the first person with a green poll pad and provide your name for veri fication. Once confirmed, sign your name on the screen and receive a ballot receipt. Proceed to the ballot judge who will provide you with a ballot and instructions. Take your ballot to a voting booth, make your selections, and then bring your completed ballot to the election judge at the tabulator machine. Insert your ballot and wait for confirmation. After your ballot is accepted, grab an “I Voted” sticker and exit the poll ing location following the election judge’s instructions.

Q: WHEN IS EARLY/ABSENTEE VOTING? A: General Election Absentee Voting In Person is Sept. 20–Nov. 4. Polls are open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Special hours are as follows:

Oct. 26: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Oct. 29: 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Nov. 2: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 3: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Nov. 4: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are still in need of election judges! This is a paid volunteer posi tion. If you are interested in serving, please visit our website at www. ShakopeeMN.gov/elections and click on the red “Become an Election Judge” button.

6 Shakopee Snapshot

PARKS & RECREATION

Lend a helpful hand Let us find the perfect volunteer role for you The City of Shakopee is always looking for people who wish to enthusiastically give back to their community by volunteering at our many fun events and great parks. The Shakopee Parks and Recreation Department has these opportunities year-round for your group, family, or even you yourself to give back to the city in a variety of ways. Not only is volunteering a great way to get out into the community and give back, it can also be a refreshing way to meet fellow community members and make new connections. Some volunteering opportunities may include assisting at Parks and Recreation events such as our Spooky Family Fun, Pop-Up Putt and Play, and Bark in the Park, among others. If keep ing your community looking tidy is important to you, then volunteering for park clean-up and other park maintenance needs during the spring and summer months are also another way to give back and keep Shakopee looking beautiful. There are many different options to suit your interests, enjoyments, and comfort levels. If one volunteer role doesn’t appeal to you, we can work with you to find something you’ll find fulfilling. We are always looking for those who wish to help with these opportunities and more. For more information on current volunteer opportunities, please reach out to our Community Engage ment Coordinator Alexandria Anderson at aanderson@shakopeemn.gov .

Even the kids can help out when you volunteer to clean up a Shakopee park!

New Fitness Court opens at Scenic Heights Park This innovative space provides accessible and inclusive fitness for all

The Fitness Court also incorporates technology in the form of its own app. The app can be downloaded by scanning the QR code on the side of the Fitness Court wall (also below). This app provides instruc tions for using the Fitness Court equipment and a library of free work outs for all skill levels. Download the app today to get the most out of your Fitness Court Experience! The Fitness Court is made possible thanks to generous sponsorships from the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross Blue Shield, a strong partnership with Scott County Public Health, and generous donations from our community partners. To learn more about the Fitness Court at Scenic Heights Park, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/scenicheights . Visit www.NationalFitness Campaign.com for more information about The National Fitness Campaign.

The City of Shakopee has partnered with The National Fitness Cam paign to install a new Fitness Court at Scenic Heights Park. The Fitness Court provides an accessible and inclusive area for community mem bers of all skill levels to be active for free. The National Fitness Campaign is a non-profit organization with the goal of funding 5,000 outdoor Fitness Courts across America by 2030 to increase pedestrian movement and make world-class fitness free. Shakopee joins a growing list of over 500 cities, municipalities, and counties nationwide that have joined the campaign. The Fitness Court has two sides: one for circuit and strength training and one for workout activities like Zumba, Pilates, or yoga. The circuit training side is designed to provide a full-body workout in just seven minutes by rotating through seven zones: core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility, and bend. The art on the Fitness Court was created by local artist Jimmy Longo ria. The National Fitness Campaign provides grants to local artists to support this public art initiative.

The Fitness Court is designed with two sides: one for circuit and strength training and one for group activities like Zumba, Pilates, or yoga.

Fall 2024 7

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

‘What’s going there?’ Dining and fitness options opening in Canterbury Commons We all want an answer to the burning question, “What’s going there?” when we learn about construction projects happening around the city. Here’s a rundown of some of the projects underway around town:

KILLARNEY HILLS PLAYGROUND Plans are underway to develop the Killarney Hills Park by adding a playground, picnic area, expanded trails, and creating a meadow and pollinator habitat below the powerlines that cross the park land. The City Council approved the concept plan this summer, and construction is estimated to begin sometime in 2024, with the improved park ready to unveil in 2025. To stay up-to-date on the City’s park development projects, visit www.Engage.ShakopeeMN.gov .

THE STARTING GATE A new building housing restaurant and retail options is nearing completion near the intersection of Winners Circle Drive and Schenian Street. The Starting Gate is 9,600 square feet and is

home to strength training studio Discover Strength, pizza place OG ZaZa, and barbeque restaurant Mr. Pig’s Smokery, which also features an outdoor patio area. The retail development has more than 90 parking spaces, with additional shared parking that will be available in the future after an office building is constructed east of The Starting Gate.

HIGHVIEW PARK THIRD ADDITION The third addition to the Highview Park housing development south of County Road 78 and east and west of Zumbro Avenue has been approved by City Council. Phase three of the development will include the construction of 42 single-family homes, most of which will be split-entry homes. The developer expects to have the sites graded in 2024 with home construction to follow. As a requirement of the project, the developer is paying park dedication fees that will be used by the City toward the improvements at Jackson Commons Park at the corner of County Road 78 and Marystown Road.

8 Shakopee Snapshot

PUBLIC WORKS Purge your unwanted junk at Fall Clean Up Day It’s time to start cleaning out your basement, closets, and garage for the City’s annual Fall Clean Up Day on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Clean Up Day is for residents of Shakopee, Jackson Township and Lou isville Township (IDs required). Questions can be directed to the Public Works Department at 952-233-9550 or publicworks@ShakopeeMN. gov . You can also find information about alternative disposal options at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/garbageandrecycling .

Whether you need to get rid of old appliances, tires, scrap metal, or a bin of middle school memories you’d rather forget, you can bring it to Clean Up Day and be rid of it forever. This event is a chance for residents to properly dispose of unwanted items in a convenient, drop-off location that promotes safe disposal. Clean Up Day is funded in part through grants received from Scott County and Shakopee’s Recycling Rebate Program. On Oct. 19, residents can drop off items between 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. behind the Public Works building, 400 Gorman St. The line of vehicles can get long, so plan accordingly. A list of accepted items and pricing is available at www.ShakopeeMN. gov/cleanupday . Residents will be charged a flat fee (check or credit card preferred) based on the type of vehicle hauling the load. This is a first-come, first-served event. The line to enter may be cut off prior to 11:30 to ensure vehicles already in line are processed.

STOP 1

STOP 3

STOP 5

STOP 7

Furniture donations are no longer accepted. All furniture will be recycled.

STOP 2

STOP 4

STOP 6

STOP 8

Help us unload more quickly by packing your vehicle in order of stops: ■ Items placed closest to the back of the vehicle will be unloaded rst (stop 1) ■ Items placed closest to the front of the vehicle will be unloaded last (stop 8)

STOP 1 ELECTRONICS RECYCLING

STOP 2 FURNITURE RECYCLING

STOP 3 GARBAGE TRUCKS

STOP 4 METAL RECYCLING Propane tanks, general scrap metal, BBQ grills (remove briquettes), lawn mowers (drain fuel/oil), patio furniture, motors, pots and pans, copper piping/tubing, brass faucets, stainless sinks, tness equipment, bed frames, etc.

Car batteries, tires, stereo, TV, VCR/DVD, desktop copier/printer/scanner, cellphones, answering machines, laptops, vacuums, small household electronics, console or projection TV, computers (clean personal info o hard drives before recycling), lead-acid automotive batteries, (maximum 8).

Light bulbs ( rst 10 free; $2 per bulb over 10), couches, chairs, miscellaneous furniture.

Household garbage: Plastic, mirrors/glass, broken/old household items, trash, etc. Please put your loose garbage in a box or tote bin for easy unloading.

STOP 5 YARD WASTE RECYCLING Grass, leaves, garden material, brush, etc., in compostable bags only. Brush bundles cut in 6-foot lengths bound with biodegradable twine.

STOP 6 CONSTRUCTION RECYCLING Concrete/asphalt, landscape blocks, untreated lumber. Residential only.

STOP 7 MATTRESS RECYCLING Mattresses/box spring ($30 each).

STOP 8 APPLIANCE RECYCLING

Appliances ($15 each): Stove, refrigerator, freezer, water heater, humidi ers, window

air conditioner, water so ener, dishwasher, microwave, washer, dryer, etc.

100% COMPOSTABLE

The Clean Up Day event is organized by several stops for different categories of waste. Check the City website for tips to load your vehicle for the quickest unloading experience possible.

DROP OFF EXCESS CARDBOARD 24/7 Is your recycling bin bursting at the seams? If you have excess cardboard that needs recycling, drop it off at the cardboard recycling dumpsters on the Shakopee city campus, 500 Gorman St., across the street from City Hall. Cardboard only. Please break down your boxes to ensure enough room for all users.

Fall 2024 9

PUBLIC WORKS

Remembering Mark Pink

work. His enthusiasm was infectious, and it set the tone for the entire team. Just this summer, Mark was asked to pick up park trash bins, a task he seemed to enjoy since it allowed him to spend time with his close buddy Jesse and offered a change of pace from mowing. It was an entertaining sight to see Mark sprint to each bin that needed to be emptied. How many 72-year-olds sprint to anything? Yet, there was Mark, always giving his all, no matter the task. One of the best stories shared by his colleagues was when Mark and his family invited a group from the city to join them on a fishing trip in Wisconsin. They had a great time filled with several laughs, a lot of beer, and plenty of salmon caught. Mark loved fishing, and this trip was a testament to his gener ous and fun-loving nature. Mark’s legacy is one of hard work, kindness, and community spirit. He had a unique ability to bring people together, fos tering a sense of camaraderie among the summer crew that will be sorely missed. His fellow workers recall how Mark made every day enjoyable, often turning mundane tasks into moments of shared laughter and connection. His presence was a reminder of the power of a positive attitude and the importance of finding joy in even the simplest of tasks. As we mourn the loss of Mark Pink, we also celebrate the life he lived and the indelible mark he left on our community. Our city’s green spaces will forever bear the imprint of his dedica tion and love. We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family. Mark’s impact reached far and wide, touching the lives of many who will always remember him with fondness and respect. His spirit will live on in the lush greenery he lovingly tended and in the memories of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Mark. Your legacy of hard work, kindness, and community spirit will never be forgotten.

With heavy hearts, we remember Mark Pink, who passed away on June 26 while doing something that brought him joy—caring for our city’s lawns. As a dedicated seasonal parks maintenance laborer for the past 10 summers, Mark was not just a coworker, but a cherished member of our community. Whether he was mowing in the Toro or John Deere, help ing clean up our parks, or washing and maintaining equip ment, Mark approached every task with the same high level of care and commitment. In addition to his primary duties, Mark helped clean shelters and parks when there was no grass to mow, performed dirt work and seeding, and watered trees and flowers. Mark’s work ethic was unparalleled. Rain or shine, he showed up to work with a smile, ready to tackle the day’s tasks with a vigor that inspired everyone around him. His dedication was evident in the meticulously manicured lawns and parks that became the pride of our city. But Mark’s impact extended far beyond the pristinely kept grass and beautiful flowerbeds. He was a beacon of positivity, always ready with a joke or a kind word. His infectious laughter and upbeat attitude brightened even the hottest, most gruel ing days of summer. Colleagues and community members alike cherished their interactions with Mark, finding in him a friend who was always willing to lend an ear or a helping hand. One of Mark’s most admirable traits was his unwavering sense of responsibility. He treated every job, big or small, with the same level of importance. He took ownership of his work, and his sense of duty was a lesson to all who had the privilege of working alongside him. Everyone in the city witnessed how excited Mark was to get back to mowing after the winter. As soon as the grass began to turn green, Mark would be in the office, ready to get out of the house and back to

Downtown project will improve lighting, water quality Work began in early August on the lighting, accessibility, and water quality improvement project in downtown Shakopee. The Lewis Street Parking Plaza will be closed during construction with the exception of a few stalls that will remain accessible for adjacent properties and businesses.

This is the first phase of a multi-year project that will include replac ing aging street lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting; remov ing deteriorating brick pavers along the roads; replanting diseased or dead trees; and constructing underground stormwater management improvements to provide treatment for rain water flowing into the Minnesota River. This year’s project is taking place along Fuller Street and in the Lewis Street Parking Plaza.

Fuller Street will remain open to traffic during construction, but por tions of the sidewalks and parking stalls may be temporarily closed to accommodate the work. Construction on this phase of the project is expected to be complete by the end of October. The project will continue throughout down town along Holmes, Lewis, Somerville, and Atwood Streets from 2025 through 2027.

10 Shakopee Snapshot

PUBLIC WORKS

Major improvements coming to Marystown Road Construction planned for 2025–26 The City of Shakopee is in the planning stages of making improve ments to Marystown Road and Adams Street between 17th Avenue and 12th Avenue, near Highway 169. To stay up to date on the project plans and timeline, visit www.marys townroad.com .

Each summer, the City hires seasonal employees and interns to work in the Public Works and Engineering Departments. These jobs not only make for a rewarding and educational experience, but they can also turn summer into an exciting adventure around the community. This dynamic role involves a variety of maintenance, repair, and con struction tasks that ensure the City’s parks and public grounds are vibrant, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. You’ll get your hands dirty inspecting and cleaning stormwater structures to prevent flood ing, keep the city green by maintaining trees and landscapes, and experience the satisfaction of filling potholes and preparing roads for smooth travels. Plus, assisting with street sign maintenance and installing new signs adds a touch of creativity to the mix. For engineering interns, the excitement continues with the use of cutting-edge GIS and survey equipment to collect valuable public infrastructure data. Imagine the fulfillment of inspecting our commu nity’s trees, ensuring they are healthy and vibrant, or playing a cru cial role in implementing the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to keep our water clean. The existing street and intersection designs are in need of safety improvements to help prevent crashes. The project will include reconstruction of Marystown Road into a two-lane divided road way with single lane roundabouts at Vierling Drive, the Highway 169 North ramp and the Highway 169 South ramp intersections. The City also plans to add pedestrian trails along the road, including additions to the existing bridge deck to improve pedestrian mobility. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and will continue into 2026. Through reconstruction, this hub of development and growth in Sha kopee will see improvements in traffic safety, operations, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and provide the blueprint for future growth along the corridor for residential and business areas.

You’ll dive into the details of municipal improvement projects, col lecting and reviewing as-built record plans, and ensuring everything aligns with engineering plans and safety standards. Using traffic data collection equipment to gather traffic volume, speed, and video data will make you feel like a data detective, unraveling the mysteries of urban transportation. Both departments offer hands-on experience, a chance to work out doors, and the opportunity to be part of a collaborative team. You’ll develop a strong work ethic, gain invaluable skills, and enjoy the camaraderie of working with others. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel, knowing your efforts directly contribute to the commu nity’s well-being and safety, is incredibly fulfilling. A summer spent as a seasonal worker or engineering intern is more than just a job—it’s an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your community while having a blast and gaining career experience in public service and maintenance. Visit the City’s website in late January to explore intern and seasonal opportunities for summer 2025: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/employment . Tentative Construction Timeline Fall 2024 to Spring 2024 —Complete the final design plans and staging Early 2025 —Present staging options to stakeholders and public for feedback Late Summer 2025 —Public informational open houses prior to construction Early Fall 2025 —Begin construction Winter 2025/2026 —Construction suspended for season Spring 2026 to Fall 2026 —Construction continues Late 2026 —Project complete and open to traffic

Life as a seasonal worker in the City of Shakopee

Thank you to our 2024 seasonal Public Works staff and Engineering interns for all their dedication and hard work.

Fall 2024 11

PUBLIC SAFETY

Catch our firefighters in action during the open house demo.

Fire trucks, demos, and fun Join us at the Fire Department Open House on Oct. 7

Fire Prevention Week in October is an important time of the year not only for us in the Shakopee Fire Department but for the young resi dents of Shakopee. This week gives us the chance to honor our commitment to protec tion by educating children about fire safety and prevention. The les sons taught during Fire Prevention Week will benefit and keep chil dren safe throughout their lives. In October, we are asking community members to test their smoke alarms and install new batteries if needed, agree on a family meeting place away from the home in the event of a fire, and create an escape plan that works for all members of your home. The life-saving beep Why every home needs a smoke alarm Picture this: it’s 2 a.m., and your home is blanketed in the quiet calm of the night. Suddenly, a fire ignites, its flames spreading rapidly and smoke filling the rooms. Will you wake up in time to escape safely? This is where a smoke alarm becomes your best friend. Their pierc ing tone and annoyingly loud beeping were designed to cut through even the soundest sleep to alert you and your loved ones to danger and give you time to escape. The dedicated team at the Shakopee Fire Department is passionate about the life-saving power of working smoke alarms. Did you know a fire can engulf an entire home in mere minutes? You may have as little as two minutes to get out safely once the alarm sounds. Considering that nearly 80% of all fire deaths happen at home, it’s crystal clear why every household needs a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms have been safeguarding homes since the 1970s, signifi cantly reducing fire-related fatalities by nearly half. Yet, despite their proven effectiveness, not every home has one. Shockingly, about 70%

According to the National Fire Protection Association, family home fires cause almost three-quarters of the civilian fire deaths and inju ries in the United States. Knowing what you’ll do in the event of a fire in your home could save the lives of yourself and those you love. We hope you’ll join us for our Annual Fire Department Open House on Monday, Oct. 7. This event will be held at our newly remodeled Fire Station 1 during Fire Prevention Week. The whole family is invited! We will have fire demonstrations, great food, and kids will get a chance to fight fires with Sparky the Fire Dog.

of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no work ing smoke alarms. Here’s how you can ensure your home is protected: ■ Placement is Key: Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement. Make sure there’s one outside each sleeping area. ■ Monthly Testing: Hit that test button once a month to ensure your alarms are functioning properly. ■ Annual Battery Check: Replace the batteries every year, or immediately if you hear that annoying chirp indicating a low battery. ■ Time for a New Alarm: All smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. This includes hard-wired units and alarms with long-life (10-year) batteries. Remember, once these long-life units start chirping or fail to respond during testing, they need to be replaced since the batteries are non-replaceable. For any fire safety questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570. Stay safe, stay alert, and let the lifesaving beep of a smoke alarm be your guardian in the night.

12 Shakopee Snapshot

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

Shakopee certainly has become an entertainment destination! We have a lot to be proud of, but we also want to make sure everyone enjoys the “Land of Big Fun” safely. The idea to offer free sober rides home to Shakopee residents came from exploring ways to make holidays safer for our residents. Instead of being reactive and arresting people for drunk driving, Shakopee Police Department decided to take a proactive approach by launching our Sober Ride Home Program in 2017. We partnered with local cab companies to provide residents with free taxi rides home from local bars, or $10 off a ride for non-residents, on five big known drinking nights: Halloween, the night before Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day and the 4th of July. Initially this program was funded by our asset forfeiture fund, meaning no tax dollars are used to support the program. The Sober Ride Home Program garnered incredible support, not only from the community but also from the bar owners and managers. Local establishments raised funds to help support the cost of the rides and promoted the program through their own channels. It quickly became a true “community” program! This initiative was unusual and innovative in that no other law enforcement agency had ever sponsored such a program. Since its initiation, the program has been duplicated by other metro police departments. Knowing other departments are replicating and implementing the program is a confirmation of its remarkable success. To date, 402 free taxi rides have been given to 802 people. As the number of events and entertainment venues increases, so does our desire to ensure our community members all return home safely. In June, we were awarded a $37,000 grant from the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety Safe Ride Program. This will allow us to take this program to the next level and expand it beyond the five holidays previously offered. Participants will be able to upload their rideshare app receipt on the City of Shakopee website to be reimbursed for a ride taken on an eligible holiday or event date. For a full list of eligible holidays and event dates, along with program guidelines, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/soberridehome . Shakopee Police Department’s Sober Ride Home program is truly about keeping our community members safe from drunk driving incidents. We are so excited to reach even more people, increase our impact, and make Shakopee even safer! Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

Shakopee Police and Fire competed in a friendly relay race through the new Fitness Court stations.

Police take home inaugural ‘Golden Badge of Glory’ The Shakopee Police and Fire Departments squared off this summer in a relay race through the stations of the new Fitness Court at Scenic Heights Park, with the winning team earning brag ging rights and the fictional-but-legendary “Golden Badge of Glory.” The race consisted of a series of exercises, including a kettlebell run, push-ups, step-ups, pull ups, and sit-ups. In a final push, Team Fire tried to close the gap between them and Team Police, but in the end Team Police finished first and was awarded the inaugural Golden Badge of Glory. Both teams also received tiny plastic trophies for their efforts, which they used to enjoy an ice water toast after the race. The event not only highlighted the uses of the Fitness Court, but also the intensity with which it can be used. When even the first responders are sweating, it was a good workout! Thank you to the relay race teams for participating! What was meant to be a one-time event for the Fitness Court Grand Opening may just become a recurring summer tradition.

Fall 2024 13

2024

55+ Scott County Expo Friday, Oct 18, 9am-1pm Jordan High School

Where Innovation Meets Brewing

Join us for a unique tasting event featuring over 40 breweries!

Third Annual

600 Sunset Dr, Jordan, MN 55352

Continental Breakfast Vendor Exhibits Entertainment Lunch Health Screenings Prize Drawings Antique Car Show

Featuring The Holy Rocka Rollaz

Entry: $15

To Register: Fee: $15 Online: bit.ly/2024-55Expo Mail: Attn: Cullen Bahn, 500 Sunset Dr, Jordan, MN 55352 Contact: cbahn@isd717.org, 952-492-4223 Registration deadline: Oct 6 Take an authentic trip back to the fantastic 50's with the music of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and many more! Don’t Miss The Holy Rocka Rollaz!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tap2024.com

09.07.24 Downtown Shakopee, MN V.I.P. Event: Noon–1 p.m. General Admission: 1–4 p.m.

Scan for tickets!

Sant ’

Spooky Swim

SAT., DEC. 14 | 10 a.m.–Noon COMMUNITY CENTER AQUATIC CENTER

TUESDAY, OCT. 29 5 8 p.m. COMMUNITY CENTER POOL All ages. All applicable pool rules apply.

Activities | Photo Opp with Santa! Kids aged 6 years and under require a parent to be in the water with them at all times.

Registration required at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/registration $10 per child, adults free

Registration required at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/registration $10 per child, adults free

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