Shakopee — The City Council voted to table a capital improvement plan item concerning riverfront monument signage after councilors questioned the $1.5 million expense and the timing in relation to riverbank stabilization work.

Council Member Bill Delaney asked for the item to be pulled from the consent agenda and expressed concern about the cost of the monument signs (identified in staff materials as PR24-002 on the CIP page). City planning staff explained the $1.5 million total includes a $750,000 matching grant from a federal congressional set-aside; the remaining $750,000 would be city-funded if the project proceeds. Staff said the design work was done in partnership with the state and the Scott County Historical Society, that interactive elements previously considered have been removed, and that signage would include both English and Dakota language content.

Delaney and at least one other councilor questioned siting and durability because some signs would be located near areas that could be affected by riverbank stabilization. City staff said riverbank stabilization would be done first where necessary, and some signs closer to Memorial Park could be constructed sooner. Finance staff and administration said individual projects still must come back to council for final approval and that budget inclusion in the CIP does not commit the city to immediate construction.

Because one council member (Contreras) was absent, Mayor Lehman and council members discussed the risk of a tie vote on the item. A motion to table the item to the next meeting was made and passed on a voice vote. The council did not adopt the full CIP at this meeting; the specific signage item was deferred.