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August 2008 Shore Report ~ ~ ~ ~ = ~ ;... ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ .0 c ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ;... ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ,0 ~ [/) ::: ~ THE ~ IN THIS ISSUE Election 2008 ........ 2-3 Recycling........ o. 0 0 0.4 Questions for City 0 . . 0 0 .4 Council Activities. 0 0 0... S Night to Unite. . .. . .. 0 .. S Lk Mwshta Dog Park 0 0 0 . S Summer Park Programs. S City Hall Construction. . . 6 Planning Dept. . . . 0 . 0 . ..6 August 2008 Shorewood Council Announces Hiring of New Administrator AT THE JUNE 23 CITY COUNCIL meeting, the City of Shorewood approved the hiring of a new City Administrator. Brain Heck will begin his duties on Monday, August 18, 2008. Brian comes to the City of Shorewood with over 20 years of government experience. His experience includes time at the State, County and municipal level. For the past three years, Brian has served as the City Administrator for the City of Lauderdale, MN. Brian lives in the metro area and enjoys coaching and officiating soccer, and coaching basketball, as well as fishing, gardening, golfing, and reading. He also enjoys participating in community theater. The Shorewood City Council and Staff look forward to working with Brian and know he will be a great asset to the community. VVater Restriction Ordinance Passes for Shorewood As PART OF THE DNR WATER EMERGENCY AND CONSERVATION PLAN, the City of Shore wood has passed an ordinance making it illegal for residents on city water to run sprinklers and sprinkler systems between the hours of 11 AM and 4:30 PM daily, May 1 through September 1. Hand watering of flower beds, children's play toys, private wells, and car washing are the only exemptions. This restriction has become necessary due to the high water demand during those hours. An increase in the number of yards with sprinkler systems is one cause ofthe demand increase. This high demand often results in lower water pressure, which causes concern for fire safety. Residents on city water who are found in violation of the ordinance will receive an initial fine of $50. Each additional offense will include a $25 increase for each succeeding violation (e.g. 2nd violation $75, 3rd violation $100, etc.). Over the last few years, the use of water during the summer months has increased approximately 20% over the past 10 years. Some increase in demand has been caused by new homes being hooked up to city water. Additional demand is due to the lack of rain and increased watering. If you have questions about the new Water Restriction Ordinance, please contact City Hall, 952/474-3236. The complete ordinance may be viewed at City Hall, or see the city web site, www. ci.shorewood. mn. us. City Utility Bill AutoPAY is Here! HAsSLE FREE PAYMENT, bills paid on time, no late fees, on vacation, too busy to process your monthly bills--these are only a few ofthe reasons to sign up for AutoPAY, a free auto-payment of your City utility bill. The new AutoPAY program offered by the City of Shorewood will pay your sewer and water bill on the due date with no additional charge to you. Many of you are taking advantage of your bank or third party bill pay system. Are you aware that those parties issue the City of Shorewood a check and those payments are not always received on time? This may result in late fees on your utility bill. Sign up for AutoPAY and never again have a late fee because the bank or third party check was not received by the due date. Sign up by August 31 to implement this option for the billing period that ends September 30. The form to sign up can be found on the City Web site (www. ci.shorewood.mn.us). Download and complete the form and send it to City Hall with a voided check to begin taking advantage of automatic payment of your utility bill. The form for AutoPAY is also available by calling City Hall, 952/474-3236. See page 4 for Frequently Asked Ouestions. City Calendar 8/5 8/8 8/11 8111 8/12 8/12 8115 8/18 8/25 8/25 9/1 9/2 7:00 PM 11 :00 AM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:15 PM 7:00 PM 10:30 AM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM Planning Commo Meeting Freeman Park Program City Council Work Session City Council Meeting Park/Council; Meeting Park Comm. Meeting Freeman Park Program City Council Work Session City Council Work Session City Council Meeting Holiday--Offices Closed Planning Camm. Meeting 7:00 PM www.ci.shorewood.mn.uso CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHOREWOOD, MN 55331 (952)474.3236 FAX (952)474.0128 Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM 11\ :s ... C 11\ ..; E :s >< ,; C Q/ 0 E ..0 0 ,; M :c l'l 0 M Q/ 0 I .. :c oct 0 ..... .c f 'lit II) 0 N '0 .c :i 11\ 111 :c '0 ~ :c !i -; Ii -; .. .c .., .c I 'Wi :>.oct J:l .., l'l Q/ .u - :c Q/ .. '; ,5 :s E Gi 0 .. .., I 0 'Wi w .c :> VI PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #30681 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Council Members Christine Lizee, Mayor; Jeff Bailey; Laura Turgeon; Martin Wellens; Richard Woodruff Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore SAVE PAPER AND MAILING COSTS! SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHORE REPORT BY E-MAIL: CITYHALL@C1.5HOREWOOD.MN.US X Polling Plac.e City of Shorewood Precinct Map Public Safety ... Building City Hall Construction PLANS ARE PROGRESSING on the remodeling of City Hall. Watch the September newsletter for specific information about the project. Coffee VVith Mayor Join Mayor Chris Lizee for coffee and conversation, Saturday, August 9, at the Shorewood Caribou Coffee (Hwy 7 and 41) from 8 to lOAM. Bring all of your City questions, concerns and compliments! Polling Locations: Precinct 1--4445 Enchanted Point Precinct 2-Mlnnewashta Church, 26710 West 62nd Street Precicnt 3--Southshore Center. 5735 Country Club Rd Precinct 4-Excelsior United Methodist Church, 881 Third AVe. Precinct S..Exce/sior Covenant Church, 19955 Excelsior Boulevard Planning Map The following public hearings are scheduled for the August 5 Planning Commission Meeting: A. 7:00 P.M. The property owner of 4845 and 4865 Suburban Drive is requesting approval of a preliminary plat to rearrange the lot line configuration between the two parcels. B. 7: 10 P.M. The owner of 5050 Suburban Drive is requesting approval of a side- yard setback variance to reconstruct the driveway on the property. Residents with private wells are reminded that they must ask for an arsenic test when having the well water testing by a private agency, or the test will not be completed. For more information on arsenic found in well water, please go to the city website. THE SHORE REPORT I AUGUST 2008 Fridays in Freeman Park The following children's programs are free and meet at the Eddy Station picnic shelter. Please pre-register by calling City Hall, 952/474-3236. Friday, August 8, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Garden Art Artist Connie Oliver will work with kids ages 5-10 as they paint a flower pot and plant a plant. Please pre-register by calling City Hall, 952/474-3236. Friday, August 15, 10:30 - Noon - REI Peak Program Learn how to find your way around with a map and compass, build a fire, set up a tent and campsite and protect the outdoors while having fun. Ages 5-15 (divided into two age groups). For more details and to register call 952/474-3236. Concession stand will be open. Freeman Park is located on Eureka Rd, 1.5 miles west of Highway 41 in Shorewood. Lake Minnewashta Dog Park Dedication PARK COMMISSIONERS Sue Davis and Jeremy Norman, Shorewood Parks Foundation Chair Ken Dahlberg and Councilman Marty Wellens joined dozens of happy dogs and their owners at the "Mutt Strut" for the grand opening of the Lake Minnewashta Regional Park Off-Leash Dog Area Saturday May 31. Also on hand were local dog- oriented businesses that provided information and !Iiii' samples of their products and services. The "Mutt Strut" was such a hit that it will become an annual event for the park. The funding for the development of the off-leash dog area was a partnership between the cities of Chanhassen and Shorewood, the Shorewood Parks Foundation and Carver County Parks. The 18-acre wooded site is fenced, with the exception of the wetland on the northwest comer, and includes almost a mile of wooded trails as well as a separate fenced area for dogs under 25 pounds. The water fountain for people and dogs has just been completed in the entry area and includes a "mitt wash station" where dog paws can be rinsed. As with any other park or city location, owners are expected to clean up after their dogs. A mailbox at the entry area has a supply of plastic bags supplied by park users. Entrance to Lake Minnewashta Regional Park is with a $5 daily or $22 annual Carver County Parks permit. Annual permits can be purchased from the gate house at the park or by contacting the Carver County Parks Office. Sue Davis, Park Commision Big Walter Featured at Freeman APPROXIMATELY 100 people were entertained by Big Walter and the Groove Merchants at Freeman Park on July 11. The concert was cut short due to a storm, but there was still plenty of time for music lovers to enjoy some Blues and Famous Dave's BBQ! 5 THE SHORE REPORT / AUGUST 2008 Council Activities Since the last newsletter the City Council: . Held a work session to discuss implementing an administrative enforcement policy and a water disconnection policy; reviewed the City Administrator's performance evaluation form; reviewed the second draft of the Stormwater Management Plan, and reviewed the 2009 budget schedule. Council directed staffto aim for a 0% levy increase in the 2009 budget. . Met as the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to consider a bond sale for the City Hall building remodeling project in an amount not to exceed $1,400,000. . Approved the City Hall Building renovation project, and a change order for the City Hall building survey work. . Approved the Excelsior Fire District 2009 Budget and CIP. . Approved the city's revised Investment Policy. . Accepted a proposal for Badger Park rink lighting. . Reviewed and approved the interim Minnewashta School Parking Management Plan. Night To Unite Tuesday, August 5 ALTHOUGH MOST AREA residents feel fairly safe from criminal activity, crime does occur in this area. One way to keep it from affecting you is to get to know your neighbors. Minnesota's Night To Unite (MNTU) provides an excellent opportunity for neighbors to become better acquainted. There are many ways to celebrate MNTU. For ideas or more information, see the SLMPD web site, www.southlakepd.com. Contact Community Service Supervisor David Hohertz at 952/474-3261 to have SLMPD officers attend your event. www.ci.shorewood.m n . us THE SHORE REPORT / AUGUST 2008 Rethink Recycling Paper Recycling--Did You Know It Could Do So Much? I. Recycling impacts many important environmental issues of our day, including global warming. In 2006, metro-area residents recycled 1.3 million tons of waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road. 2. In 2003,5,750,000 trees did not get cut down because of paper recycling in Minnesota. 3. About two million tons of magazines and catalogs are produced each year in the U.S., but only about 32% of that is recycled. Magazines, catalogs, and other glossy papers are recyclable - add them to your bins! 4. The average American household receives about 50 pounds of unsolicited mail each year. Be sure to recycle your unwanted mail, including glossy and colored papers. You can also recycle envelopes with windows. 5. In Minnesota, the recycling industry creates more than 19,000 jobs and creates $3.48 billion in gross economic activity every year. Recycling helps your community in many ways. 6. Twenty years ago, only one curbside recycling program existed in the United States. As of2005, over 9,000 curbside recycling programs existed in the U.S. In 2006, Minnesota topped the nation with the highest number of curbside programs. 7. A piece of paper can be recycled seven to fifteen times before the fibers get too short for making paper. Those fibers are collected and sold to farmers as an additive for enriching the soil. 8. Every year, $85 million worth ofrecyclables are thrown away in Minnesota. It costs the State $45 million to dispose of those discarded recyclables. 9. Every Puffs tissue box is made at the Rock-Tenn Co. facility in St. Paul, often out of your reclaimed telephone books. 10. When deciding which food boxes are recyclable, a good guide to remember is: If a box can be stored in the cupboard, it is recyclable. If it goes in the refrigerator, freezer, or microwave, it is not. The wax that makes refrigerator, freezer, and microwavable boxes water-resistant poses a problem for recycling. Shorewood Recycles REsIDENTs OF SHOREWOOD use a two-sort system for recycled materials. This means you can set out your recycling container filled with mixed glass, metal food or beverage containers, and all plastic containers with a neck. Paper fibers, including newsprint, office paper, junk mail, magazines and boxboard, should be placed in a separate paper grocery bag. . - tS.': ~l,...._..._. '.'. ......,~,........-- t'l. . .' J \ ~i YOUR RECYCLING MUST BE CURBSIDE BY 7 AM! If your recycling is not set out by 7 AM and the driver comes by it will not be picked up. They do make note of the address and turn it in to the dispatch office. If you have questions about your recycling, or would like to report a missed pick-up, please call Veolia at 651/459-3029. To download a City of Shorewood recycling brochure, go to www.ci.shorewood. mn.us and click on Environment on the left hand side, then go to Recycling. Question of the Month Q: The streetlight in my neighborhood is burned out. Who should I call? A: When residents notice a streetlight is not working or is malfunctioning, they should call Excel Energy at 1-800-895-1999. www.ci.shorewood.mn.us 4 Utility Bill FAQ's Q. What about my billing statement? A. You will continue to receive a billing statement as usual. Each statement will indicate the amount and will show the message "Paid by Bank Draft" on your utility statement payment stub. Funds will be transferred on the day prior to the due date on the billing. Until you see the wording "Paid by Bank Draft" on your city utility statement payment stub, please continue to pay your bill as usual. Q. How can I be sure my bill has been paid? A. Each direct payment will be clearly itemized on your bank statement. Q. What if I have a question about my bill? A. Simply call the city using the phone number on the billing. Q. Is there a charge for this service? A. No. The City does not charge for AutoPay and you enjoy the additional savings of no postage to mail bills or checks to write for your bills. Pre-Register to Vote IF YOU ARE NOT registered to vote in Shorewood, eligible voters may pre-register to vote anytime, except during the 20 days immediately preceding any regularly scheduled election. If you are currently registered to vote, you do not need to register again unless you have moved to a different address, changed your name, or not voted at least once within the last four years. A voter registration application is available at City Hall and on the city's website. Go to City Government; then go to Elections. The deadline to pre-register to vote for the September 9 Primary Election is August 19. Voting by Absentee Ballot ELIGIBLE SHOREWOOD VOTERS may vote by absentee ballot if they are unable to vote in person on Election Day for any of the following reasons: . Out of town . Illness or disability . Unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs . An election judge serving in another precinct Absentee voters must first complete and submit an Absentee Ballot Application, available at City Hall and on the city's website. Absentee ballots are available for 30 days prior to each election. Absentee Ballots for the September 9 Primary Election will be available starting August 8. You may absentee vote in person at Shorewood City Hall during regular business hours before Election Day. Additional absentee voting hours at City Hall will be: The Saturday prior to Election Day - lOAM to 3 PM The Monday prior to Election Day - Until 5 PM Absentee Ballots for the September 9 Primary Election will be available starting August 8. Absentee Vote By Mail ALLow AT LEAST TEN MAILING days for the entire process if applying for an absentee ballot by mail. College-bound residents will want to be especially aware of this option. To vote by mail, you may request an absentee ballot by submitting an Absentee Ballot application, available at City Hall or on the City's website in Elections. The Absentee Ballot Application may be mailed or faxed to City Hall at 952/474-0128. Armed Forces residents living outside the United States may vote by absentee ballot using the address where they last lived in Minnesota. A special application form is required, that you may obtain from the Federal Voting website: http://wwwfvap.gov/ pubs/onlinefpca.pdj, or from the voting assistance officer in your military unit. Your parent, spouse, brother, sister or child at least 18 years of age may also request an absentee ballot for you by completing this same form. Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballots DURING THE SEVEN DAYS preceding an election and until 2 PM on election day, an eligible voter who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons, or who is disabled, or who is a patient of a health care facility, a resident of a facility providing assisted living services, a participant in a licensed residential program for adults, or a resident of a shelter for battered women, all as defined by state law, may designate an agent to deliver the ballots to the voter from the county auditor or municipal clerk. An agent must have a pre-existing relationship with the voter. A candidate at the election may not be designated as an agent. The voted ballots must be returned to the county auditor or municipal clerk no later than 3 :00 p.m. on Election Day. 3 THE SHORE REPORT / AUGUST 2008 Election Day Registration Proof of Residence IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE to pre-register to vote, you can register on Election Day. To do so, you must provide election judges at your polling location with certain acceptable forms of identification to prove your eligibility, such as: . A Minnesota Driver's License, Learner's Permit, Identification Card, or a Tribal Identification Card with your current address (or the receipt for renewal or change of the license or LD.) . A "Notice of Late Registration" received from your city clerk if your voter registration application was received after the last day to pre-register. . One of the following documents that contains your name and photo: Minnesota driver's license, MN identification card, or a MN Tribal Identification Card with a previous address, US passport, US military identification card or student identification card from a Minnesota college AND a bill for electric, water, gas, telephone (includes cell and VOIP), cable TV, sewer or solid waste services with a due date within 30 days of the election that contains your name and current address. . Another registered voter living in your precinct who will come to the polling location with you to vouch for your residency. . If you are a college student, you may also use your college student identification card with your name and photo if your college has provided a list of students to the county. www..ci.shorewood.mn.us THE SHORE REPORT / AUGUST 2008 Elections 2008 Primary Election Day - Tuesday, September 9 General Election Day -Tuesday, November 4 A few election items of interest to candidates and voters are highlighted in the ShoreReport. Additional election information may be found on the following websites: City of Shorewood - www.ci.shorewood.mn.us Hennepin County - www.hennepin.us Secretary of State - www.sos.state.mn.us Residents may call City Hall at 952/474-3236 for any election related questions. At-large Elections for 2008 AT IT'S JUNE 9 MEETING, the Shorewood City Council voted to eliminate the Ward system of elections which began with the 2004 Election, and return to at-large elections for Councilmembers. For 2008, all Councilmember seats will be on the election ballot. Two seats will be for a 2-year term, and two seats will be for a 4-year term. The Mayor seat will also be on the ballot for a 2-year term. With at-large elections, all residents will vote for all Councilmembers who run for office, as well as the Mayor. The voting precinct boundaries will remain the same; the Ward boundaries will no longer exist. The precincts are named Precinct 1-5. See the map on page 6 for precinct locations. Filing to Run for City Office City Office Filing period is August 26 - September 9 EVERY PERSON WHO IS ENTITLED to vote in Shorewood at any election, is twenty-one (21) years of age when assuming office, and will have been a resident in their district for at least 30 days before the General Election is eligible to file as a candidate for city office. The following city offices will appear on the 2008 Ballot: . Mayor, 2-year term, at-large (Vote for one) . Councilmember, 4-year term, at-large (Vote for up to two) . Councilmember, 2-year term, at-large (Vote for up to two) Eligible individuals who reside in the City of Shorewood and wish to run for Mayor or Councilmember must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and pay a $2 filing fee at Shorewood City Hall. Candidates for city office may file beginning Tuesday, August 26. The closing date for city office candidate filing is at 5 PM on Tuesday, September 9,2008. Councilmember candidates need to file for either the 2-year term or 4-year term. If you have any questions about filing to run for municipal office, please contact City Hall at 952/474-3236. Filing resources for all governmental offices are available on the Secretary of State's website at WWW.sos.state.mn.us. Other Offices on the Ballot BESIDES THE MUNICIPAL OFFICES of Mayor and City Councilmember, the 2008 Election in Minnesota will include U.S. President and Vice President, one U.S. Senate seat, U.S. House of Representative; MN House of Representative; County Commissioner, Three Rivers Park District representative, Hennepin Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, and Judicial offices. Shorewood is located in the following districts: US House: 03 MN Senate: 33 MN House 33B County Commissioner: 06 www.ci.shorewood.mn.us Judicial District: 04 School District: 276 (Mainland) School District: 277 (Islands) County: Hennepin 2 . New Polling Location Precinct 3 FOR THE 2008 Primary and General Election, the polling location for Precinct 3 will change from Shorewood City Hall to the Southshore Center, located at 5735 Country Club Road. All other polling locations will remain at the same location. Sources for Candidate Information VOTERS CAN FIND information about candidates in local newspapers, on the Secretary of State's web site at www.sos.state.mn.us; and the Minnesota League of Women Voters (LWV) website at www.lwvmn.org. The LWV also sponsors non-partisan candidate forums and debates. For more information, contact the League of Women Voters at 651/224-5445. Candidate information can also be found at Minnesota e- Democracy, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, www.e-democracy.org. Each political party has a website with candidate information. The web sites for the Minnesota major status parties are: Democratic-F armer-Labor www.dfl.org Independence Party www.mnip.org Republican Party www.mngop.com Campaign Sign Rules POLITICAL CAMPAIGN signs shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet from any city street surface, and shall not be placed in front of any property without the consent of the property owner. Campaign signs must contain the name and address of person responsible for the sign, and that person shall be responsible for its removal. Signs are permitted from August 1 until ten days after the state general election.