Communication Over Land Trust Issue Could Lead to Joint Commission for Local Cities, Tribe and County

Some goodwill may be coming out of the ’s federal application to put two parcels of Shakopee land into trust.

While the Shakopee City Council unanimously voted to voice opposition to the application at Tuesday’s meeting, strides were made last week toward forming a joint commission between the cities of Shakopee and Prior Lake, the SMSC and Scott County to work together when possible on issues affecting all of them.

“The desire to have a steering committee to talk about those nuts and bolts things … is a very positive development,” Shakopee City Administrator Mark McNeill told councilors.

Councilor Steve Clay, who suggested the joint commission, said the formation of such a committee could affect whether he opposed the land trust application. He wondered if the city’s land trust comment deadline of Jan. 31 could be extended.

However, city staff said based on their meeting with U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and SMSC officials, they did not think another extension was possible.

Staff also said at that meeting they were able to see a copy of the tribe’s most recent comprehensive plan, as requested by Councilor Matt Lehman, and said it doesn’t seem to be in conflict with the city’s plan. They also said the tribe isn’t currently contemplating any other significant land acquisitions.

While councilors expressed their endorsement of the possible joint commission, their vote seemed to reflect a wish to separate the two issues.

“I don’t think any memorandum (about a joint commission) ties our hands to objecting to putting land in trust,” Councilor Pamela Punt said. “All parties should try to work together regardless.”

I’m not going to back away from my true beliefs,” added Lehman. “The more (land) that comes off our tax rolls, the harder it is for us.”

The Scott County Board of Commissioners has objected to the application along with another for a 20-acre parcel in Prior Lake. Prior Lake's city council narrowly approved that application.

The Shakopee land in question—purchased by the tribe—covers 130 acres in eastern Shakopee along County Road 16 and another 2.5 acres along Dakotah Parkway. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will ultimately decide whether the land will be put into trust.