Vikings Proposal Discussion at Shakopee Council Meeting Could Prompt Large Turnout

At its meeting Tuesday, the Shakopee City Council will discuss a resolution from Mayor Brad Tabke to support the proposal to build a Vikings football stadium in Shakopee.

This will be the first time councilors will have the opportunity to discuss it since it was announced last Wednesday in a press conference at the State Capitol, a fact that has at least one councilor concerned.

“This is not the normal process,” Councilor Matt Lehman told Patch last week, referring to how Shakopee’s government operates.

Lehman said he would have liked Tabke to call an emergency meeting to see if a proposal had the backing of the entire council before sending it to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.

“Otherwise it looks like a dictatorship,” Lehman said. “I realize he’s new, but someone’s got to let the mayor know there are proper procedures.”

Tabke created the proposal with State Rep. Michael Beard (R-Shakopee), Sen. Claire Robling (R-Jordan), Shakopee Chamber of Commerce President Angie Whitcomb and SavetheVikes.org Founder Cory Merrifield in less than a week’s time after Tabke heard about the idea from an area developer.

Tabke is asking people to attend the council meeting Tuesday and for supporters to wear purple. A tweet from a newly-created Twitter account called NoShakopee Stadium (@NoShakoStadium) is calling specifically for those against the idea to attend as well.

“It will be a lively discussion and I need you to come to the meeting in support – or opposition – to the concept,” Tabke wrote in an email to residents Monday.

Lehman said he has plenty of questions about it from traffic to security and has not decided whether to support the stadium proposal.

“I love his (Tabke’s) enthusiasm and energy,” Lehman said. “But if the council says no, I don’t know what happens. This is really an awkward position to be in.”

The Shakopee City Council will meet at 7 p.m. at .