6.B.

Public Hearings
TO:

Mayor and City Council

FROM:

Samantha DiMaggio, Economic Development Coordinator

DATE:

06/21/2016

SUBJECT:

Revision to the City of Shakopee Business Subsidy Policy (B,D)

Action Sought
The City Council and Economic Development Authority (EDA) for the City of
Shakopee are asked to convene in join session to conduct a public hearing on the proposed
revisions to the City's Business Subsidy Policy.
Background
Prior to 2012, Shakopee's Business Subsidy Policy stated that each job created needed to
pay at least 275% of Federal Minimum Wage. Federal Minimum Wage at that time was
$5.15/hour, therefore each full time equivalent (FTE) job created needed to pay at a
minimum, $14.16/hour exclusive of benefits.
On May 15, 2012, Council authorized authorized modifications to the Business Subsidy
Policy reducing the minimum wage to 175% of Federal Minimum Wage ($12.69/hour)
exclusive of benefits.
The current Federal Minimum Wage is $7.25/hour. However, in Minnesota starting in
August of 2016, large employers are required to pay workers $9.50/hour and small
employers $7.25. Staff is recommending that the wage in City's Business Subsidy Policy
be increased to $19.00 (200% of the State of Minnesota's minimum wage for large
employers).
Recommendation
This policy has been reviewed by they City's legal council and is recommenced by staff.
Budget Impact
No financial impact to the City on the establishment of the policy.

Relationship to Vision
This supports Goal B, "Positively manage the challenges and opportunities presented by
growth, development, and change", and Goal D, " Maintain improve and create strong
partnerships with other public and private sector entities".
Requested Action
After holding a public hearing, if the Council concurs, it should by motion approve
Resolution No. 7733, A Resolution Approving the amended Business Subsidy Policy.

Attachments
2016 Business Subsidy Policy
Res. No. 7733
Redlined Policy

CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA

RESOLUTION NO. 7733
RESOLUTION APPROVING REVISED BUSINESS SUBSIDY POLICY

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Sections 116J.993 through 116J.995 (the "Statutes") require the
adoption of criteria for the granting of business subsidies as defined in the Statutes; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Shakopee (the City) has determined that it is necessary and appropriate to
adopt business subsidy criteria pursuant to the Statutes; and,
WHEREAS, the City has performed all actions required by law to be performed prior to the adoption and
approval of the proposed business subsidies, including the holding of a public hearing upon published
notice as required by law,
WHEREAS, the City previously approved Business subsidy criteria on May 15, 2012, and has now
determined to amend and restate the criteria in accordance with requirements of the Business
Subsidy Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shakopee, that the business
subsidy criteria, contained in Exhibit A of this resolution are hereby approved, ratified, established, and
adopted and shall be placed on file at the City of Shakopee, Minnesota.

Adopted by the City Council of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota this 21st day of June, 2016.

___________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:

___________________________________
City Clerk

City of Shakopee, Min n esota

BUSINESS SUBSIDY POLICY

1) POLICY PURPOSE
For the purposes of this document, the term City includes the Shakopee City Council, staff, the
Economic Development Authority, advisory boards and commissions, financial consultants and legal
counsel.
Economic development incentives are financial tools that enable the City to provide
opportunities and benefits for its businesses and residents. Incentives can take a variety of
forms, including, but not limited to, cash, debt financing, tax and fee waivers, credits and rebates.
The City of Shakopee provides economic development incentives in order to achieve its longrange vision of creating a diverse and sustainable economic base. A sustainable economic base is
achieved in part through the creation and retention of quality, high paying jobs. A diverse and
sustainable economy offers opportunity for improved quality of life for the residents of
Shakopee. Economic development projects may also achieve other worthwhile goals. For
instance, some projects provide value to the community in the forms of infrastructure
improvements, stabilization of business districts or neighborhoods, or concentration of selected
industries.
This document sets forth the specific criteria the City uses to evaluate a request for Business
Subsidy. In adopting these criteria, it is the intent of the City to comply with Minnesota Statutes,
Sections 116J.993-116J.995 as amended (the Act). The City hereby adopts the definitions contained
in the Act for application of the criteria, and they are incorporated herein by reference. The City has
adopted this policy and these criteria after a public hearing in accordance with the Act.
The City reserves the right to approve or reject projects on a case-by-case basis, taking into
consideration established policies, project criteria, and demand on City services in relation to the
potential benefits from the project. Meeting policy criteria does not guarantee the award of
business assistance to the project. Approval or denial of one project is not intended to set
precedent for approval or denial of another project.
The City can deviate from this policy for projects that supersede the objectives identified herein.
Any applicant who is not in good standing with the City, in regards to licenses, fees or other specific
charges, will not be considered for business subsidies.
The City may charge a fee for requests under this policy, and these fees will be adopted annually
during the fee schedule review.

June 21, 2016

Page 1

2) BUSINESS SUBSIDY OBJECTIVES

As a matter of adopted policy, the City will consider offering a business subsidy to assist private
development projects that achieve one or more of the following objectives:
To increase the Citys tax base.
To retain local jobs and/ or increase the number and diversity of jobs that offer stable
employment and/ or attractive wages and benefits. Preference will be given to higher
paying jobs that also provide benefits such as health care coverage.
To encourage new head of household job creation paying at least $19.00/ hour (200% of the
federal minimum wage), exclusive of benefits. Jobs to be retained are not required to meet
the above wage standard. After a public hearing, the City may establish wage goals for new
jobs to be created that vary from the above standard, and take into account these additional
factors;
o The size of the business and its potential to create higher paying jobs in the future;
o Local economic conditions;
To support projects that provide value in the forms of needed transportation and other
utility infrastructure improvements that would be completed in conjunction with the
project.
To encourage additional unsubsidized private development in the area, either directly or
indirectly through spin off development.
To facilitate the development process and to achieve development on sites which would not
otherwise be developed but for the use of a business subsidy.
To remove blight and/ or encourage redevelopment of commercial and industrial areas that
will result in high-quality redevelopment and private reinvestment.
To offset increased costs of redevelopment (i.e. contaminated site clean-up) over and above
the costs normally incurred in development.
To create opportunities for affordable housing and/ or a diversification of housing stock
available within the community.
To support a project that will improve the quality of life in the City by providing a desirable
good or service and addressing an unmet demand in the community.
To contribute to the implementation of other public policies, as adopted by the City from
time to time, such as the promotion of quality urban or architectural design, energy
conservation, and decreasing capital and/ or operating costs of local government.
To support the retention and/ or adaptive re-use of buildings of historical or architectural
significance.
To promote revitalization and redevelopment in the Main Street Corridor.

June 21, 2016

Page 2

3) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

Criteria for these programs are at the discretion of the governing body and may include additional
policies and procedures.
a. Tax Abatem en t: The City of Shakopee is granted the power to utilize tax abatement by
Minnesota Statutes 469.1812 through 469.1816 as amended and the City of Shakopee Tax
Abatement Policy approved on March 18, 2014, authorized by EDA Resolution No. 2014-3
and City Council Resolution No. 7435. The fundamental purpose of tax abatement in
Shakopee is to encourage desirable development or redevelopment that would not
otherwise occur but for the assistance provided through the tax abatement. The City utilizes
Pay-As-You-Go Tax Abatement, which relies on the developer to pay for the up-front
project costs with reimbursement from tax abatement.
b. Tax In cr em ent Fin an cin g: The City of Shakopee is granted the power to utilize TIF by the
Minnesota Tax Increment Financing Act, Minnesota Statutes 469.174 through 469.1794 as
amended and the City of Shakopee Tax Increment Financing Policy approved on March 18,
2014, authorized by EDA Resolution No. 2014-2 and City Council Resolution No. 7434. The
fundamental purpose of tax increment financing in the City of Shakopee is to encourage
desirable development or redevelopment that would not otherwise occur but for the
assistance provided through TIF. The City utilizes Pay-As-You-Go TIF, which relies on the
developer to pay for the up-front project costs with reimbursement from tax increment.
c. Metr opolitan Coun cil Sewer Availability Char ge (SAC) Cr edit: When new construction
or a change in use of a property requires additional sanitary sewer capacity, a fee is charged
by the Metropolitan Council-Environmental Services. The fee is based on the Metropolitan
Councils determination of the number of sewer availability charge (SAC) units.
d. City of Shakopee San itar y Sewer Availability Char ge (SAC) Cr edit: In 1994, the City
adopted access fees for the sanitary sewer system (SAC). Those fees are used for
construction of other MCES interceptors and long-term maintenance of the City sanitary
sewer system. For any construction project or change in use, the City SAC is the same as the
number of units determined by the Metropolitan Council. However, City fees will be
imposed only for the units resulting from an expansion or a change of use that requires
additional charges.
e. Min n esota In vestm en t Fun d: The City of Shakopee is granted the power to utilize the
Minnesota Investment Fund Program by Minnesota Statute 116J.8731 as amended.
f.

Com m er cial Exter ior Im pr ovem en t Pr ogr am : The City of Shakopee is granted the power
to utilize the Commercial Exterior Improvement Program by the Municipal Commercial
Rehabilitation Loan Program, Minnesota Statute 469.184 as amended.

June 21, 2016

Page 3

g. Pr oper ty Sales: The City of Shakopee may negotiate the sale price of property owned by
the City or EDA for new or expanding businesses and/ or multi-family housing
developments.
h. Bon ds: The City of Shakopee, Minnesota (the City) has the authority to issue revenue
bonds pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 to 469.1651 (the Industrial
Development Act), Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C (the Housing Act) and the City of
Shakopee Private Activity Revenue Bond Policy approved on June 18, 2013, authorized by
City Council Resolution No. 7318. The City Council of the City will consider the issuance of
private activity bonds (both taxable and tax-exempt) to finance the following types of
projects; manufacturing/ industrial facilities, multifamily housing, health care facilities,
other projects on behalf of 501(c)(3) organizations and other projects authorized by state
statutes and federal law. In extraordinary circumstances, the City Council of the City may
consider and approve the issuance of Private Activity Bonds by the Economic Development
Authority for the City of Shakopee (the EDA).
4) APPLICATION PROCESS
a. The applicant will complete and submit the City's Application for Business Subsidy along
with the required application fee (refer to the current years adopted fee schedule). The
application fee covers the City's outside legal counsel review and financial analysis costs.
The applicant will also provide any additional information requested by the City. The
applicant will be liable for any additional costs beyond the initial deposit. All materials
submitted to the City in connection with a business subsidy application shall become the
property of the City and is subject to data privacy law.
b. City staff or the City's agent shall review the application materials and make a preliminary
recommendation to the City regarding the completeness of the application, whether the
application meets the goals of this policy, and whether the application complies with the
criteria established in the incentive programs policy.
c. When necessary, Public Hearing Notices are published and sent to the county and/ or school
board.
d. In the event that the City concurs with the recommendation above, the City will consider the
application during a public meeting. The City will grant final approval or denial of the
proposal.
e. Additional agreements and program requirements (including annual reporting) may be
necessary depending on the form of business subsidy and/ or the value of the award, as
defined in Minnesota Business Subsidy Statute, Sections 116J.993-116J.995 as amended
(the Act).

June 21, 2016

Page 4

City of Shakopee, Min n esota

BUSINESS SUBSIDY POLICY

1) POLICY PURPOSE
For the purposes of this document the term City includes the Shakopee City Council, Staff, the
Economic Development Authority, Advisory Boards and Commissions, Financial consultants, and legal
counsel.
Economic development incentives are financial tools that enable the City to provide
opportunities and benefits for its businesses and residents. Incentives can take a variety of
forms, including, but not limited to, cash, debt financing, tax and fee waivers, credits and rebates.
The City of Shakopee provides economic development incentives in order to achieve its longrange vision of creating a diverse and sustainable economic base. A sustainable economic base is
achieved in part through the creation and retention of quality, high paying jobs. A diverse and
sustainable economy offers opportunity for improved quality of life for the residents of
Shakopee. Economic development projects may also achieve other worthwhile goals. For
instance, some projects provide value to the community in the forms of infrastructure
improvements, stabilization of business districts or neighborhoods, or concentration of selected
industries.
This document sets forth the business subsidy policy and the specific criteria to be considered by
the City of Shakopee (City) and the Shakopee Economic Development Authority (EDA) in evaluating
requests for business subsidies. In adopting these criteria, it is the intent of the City and EDA to
comply with Minnesota Statutes, Sections 116J.993-116J.995 as amended (the Act). The City and
EDA hereby adopt the definitions contained in the Act for application of the criteria, and they are
incorporated herein by reference. The City has and the EDA have each adopted this policy and these
criteria after a public hearing in accordance with the Act.
The City reserves the right to approve or reject projects on a case-by-case basis, taking into
consideration established policies, project criteria, and demand on City services in relation to the
potential benefits from the project. Meeting policy criteria does not guarantee the award of
business assistance to the project. Approval or denial of one project is not intended to set
precedent for approval or denial of another project.
The City Council (and EDA) can deviate from this policy for projects that supersede the objectives
identified herein. Any applicant who is not in good standing with the City, in regards to licenses,
fees or other specific charges, will not be considered for business subsidies.
The City may charge a fee for requests under this policy, and these fees will be adopted annually
during the fee schedule review.

2) BUSINESS SUBSIDY OBJECTIVES

2014

Page 1

As a matter of adopted policy, the City will consider offering a business subsidy to assist private
development projects that achieve one or more of the following objectives:

To increase the Citys tax base.

To retain local jobs and/ or increase the number and diversity of jobs that offer stable
employment and/ or attractive wages and benefits. Preference will be given to higher
paying jobs that also provide benefits such as health care coverage.
To encourage new head of household job creation paying at least 200 percent of the federal
minimum wage, exclusive of benefits. Jobs to be retained are not required to meet the above
wage standard. After a public hearing, the City may establish wage goals for new jobs to be
created that vary from the above standard, and take into account these additional factors;
o The size of the business and its potential to create higher paying jobs in the future;
o Local economic conditions;
To support projects that provide value in the forms of needed transportation and other
utility infrastructure improvements that would be completed in conjunction with the
project.
To encourage additional unsubsidized private development in the area, either directly or
indirectly through spin off development.
To facilitate the development process and to achieve development on sites which would not
otherwise be developed but for the use of a business subsidy.
To remove blight and/ or encourage redevelopment of commercial and industrial areas that
will result in high-quality redevelopment and private reinvestment.
To offset increased costs of redevelopment (i.e. contaminated site clean-up) over and above
the costs normally incurred in development.
To create opportunities for affordable housing and/ or a diversification of housing stock
available within the community.
To support a project that will improve the quality of life in the City by providing a desirable
good or service and addressing an unmet demand in the community.
To contribute to the implementation of other public policies, as adopted by the City from
time to time, such as the promotion of quality urban or architectural design, energy
conservation, and decreasing capital and/ or operating costs of local government.
To support the retention and/ or adaptive re-use of buildings of historical or architectural
significance.
To promote revitalization and redevelopment in the Main Street Corridor.
3) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Criteria for these programs are at the discretion of the governing body and may include
additional policies and procedures.
a. Tax Abatem en t: The City of Shakopee is granted the power to utilize tax abatement by
Minnesota Statutes 469.1812 through 469.1816 as amended and the City of Shakopee Tax
Abatement Policy approved on March 18, 2014, authorized by EDA Resolution No. 2014-3

2014

Page 2

and City Council Resolution No. 7435. The fundamental purpose of tax abatement in
Shakopee is to encourage desirable development or redevelopment that would not
otherwise occur but for the assistance provided through the tax abatement. The City utilizes
Pay-As-You-Go Tax Abatement, which relies on the developer to pay for the up-front
project costs with the promise of being reimbursed.

b. Tax In cr em ent Fin an cin g: The City of Shakopee is granted the power to utilize TIF by the
Minnesota Tax Increment Financing Act, Minnesota Statutes 469.174 through 469.1794 as
amended and the City of Shakopee Tax Increment Financing Policy approved on March 18,
2014, authorized by EDA Resolution No. 2014-2 and City Council Resolution No. 7434. The
fundamental purpose of tax increment financing in the City of Shakopee is to encourage
desirable development or redevelopment that would not otherwise occur but for the
assistance provided through TIF. The City utilizes Pay-As-You-Go TIF, which relies on the
developer to pay for the up-front project costs with the promise of being reimbursed.
c. Metr opolitan Coun cil Sewer Availability Char ge (SAC) Cr edit: When new construction
or a change in use of a property requires additional sanitary sewer capacity, a fee is charged
by the Metropolitan Council-Environmental Services. The fee is based on the Metropolitan
Councils determination of the number of sewer availability charge (SAC) units.
d. City of Shakopee San itar y Sewer Availability Char ge (SAC) Cr edit: In 1994, the City
adopted access fees for the sanitary sewer system (SAC). Those fees are used for
construction of other MCES interceptors and long-term maintenance of the City sanitary
sewer system. For any construction project or change in use, the City SAC is the same as the
number of units determined by the Metropolitan Council. However, City fees will be
imposed only for the units resulting from an expansion or a change of use that requires
additional charges.
e. Min n esota In vestm en t Fun d: The City of Shakopee is granted the power to utilize the
Minnesota Investment Fund Program by Minnesota Statute 116J.8731 as amended.
f. Com m er cial Exter ior Im pr ovem en t Pr ogr am : The City of Shakopee is granted the power
to utilize the Commercial Exterior Improvement Program by the Municipal Commercial
Rehabilitation Loan Program, Minnesota Statute 469.184 as amended.
g. Pr oper ty Sales: The City of Shakopee may negotiate the sale price of property owned by
the City or EDA for new and expanding businesses, as well as for businesses relocating to
the City. or expanding businesses and/ or multi-family housing developments.
h. Bon ds: The City of Shakopee, Minnesota (the City) has the authority to issue revenue
bonds pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 to 469.1651 (the Industrial
Development Act), Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C (the Housing Act) and the City of
Shakopee Private Activity Revenue Bond Policy approved on June 18, 2013, authorized by
City Council Resolution No. 7318. The City Council of the City will consider the issuance of
private activity bonds (both taxable and tax-exempt) to finance the following types of
projects; manufacturing/ industrial facilities, multifamily housing, health care facilities,
other projects on behalf of 501(c)(3) organizations and other projects authorized by state

2014

Page 3

statutes and federal law. In extraordinary circumstances, the City Council of the City may
consider and approve the issuance of Private Activity Bonds by the Economic Development
Authority for the City of Shakopee (the EDA).
4) APPLICATION PROCESS
a) The applicant will complete and submit the City's Application for Business Subsidy along
with the required application fee (refer to the current years adopted fee schedule). The
application fee covers the City's outside legal counsel review and financial analysis costs.
The applicant will also provide any additional information requested by the City. The
applicant will be liable for any additional costs beyond the initial deposit. All materials
submitted to the City in connection with a business subsidy application shall become the
property of the City and is subject to data privacy law.
a. City staff or the City's agent shall review the application materials and make a preliminary
recommendation to the City Council and EDA regarding 1) the completeness of the
application, 2) whether the application meets the goals of this policy, and 3) whether the
application complies with the criteria established in this the policy incentive programs
policy.
b) Public Hearing Notices are published and sent to the county and/ or school board.
c) In the event that the City Council and/ or EDA concur with the recommendation above, the
City and/ or EDA will consider the application during a public meeting. The City Council
grants final approval or denial of the proposal.
d) Additional agreements and program requirements may be necessary depending on the form
of business subsidy and/ or the value of the award, as defined in Minnesota Business
Subsidy Statute, Sections 116J.993-116J.995 as amended (the Act).
5) SUBSIDY AGREEMENT & REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
All assistance that meets the definition shall be subject to the requirement of a public
hearing. Any assistance that does not meet the definition of a "business subsidy" will be
excluded from the requirement of holding a public hearing prior to granting a business
subsidy.
Every recipient of a business subsidy must enter into a Business Subsidy Agreement with
the City, which agreement must fulfill the requirements of the Act.
Both the recipient and the City must comply with the reporting and monitoring
requirements of the Act.
In the event that a recipient fails within two (2) years of the benefit date as defined in the
Act to meet the job and wage goals set forth in the Business Subsidy Agreement, the
recipient and its successors shall be liable to repay to the City the assistance plus interest.
The City may prorate repayment to reflect partial fulfillment of the goals set forth in the
business subsidy agreement. The rate of interest charged must be set at no less than the
implicit price deflator for government consumption expenditures and gross investment for
state and local governments prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Unites
States Department of Commerce.

2014

Page 4

The City may, after holding a public hearing, extend the time for compliance with business
subsidy agreement job and wage goals by up to one (1) year.
The developer/ business shall file a report annually for two years after the date the benefit
is received or until all goals set forth in the application and performance agreement have
been met, whichever is later. Reports shall be completed using the format drafted by the
State of Minnesota and shall be filed with the City of Shakopee no later than March 1 of each
year for the previous calendar year. Businesses fulfilling job creation requirements must
file a report to that effect with the City within 30 days of meeting the requirements.
The developer/ business owner shall maintain and operate its business at the site for which
the assistance was awarded for a minimum period of five years after the benefit is received.
The developer/ business will be required to attain or exceed the jobs and wages goals set
forth in the Business Subsidy Agreement.
Developer/ Businesses failing to comply with the above provisions will be subject to fines,
repayment requirements, and be deemed ineligible by the State of Minnesota to receive any
loans or grants from public entities for a period of five years.

*This policy shall be reviewed on a biennial basis with the next review being set for August,
September 2016.

2014

Page 5