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February 2008 Shore Report ~ ~ o ~ rfl THE IN THIS ISSUE "t::: ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .0 c ~ ~ s: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .0 ~ ::: ~ ~ Buckthorn Workshops .. 2 Garden Volunteers. . . . . . 2 Community Events. . . . . 2 Road Restrictions. .... ..3 Right-ot-Way Ordinance 3 Council Activities. . . . . ..3 Don't Flush It........... 3 Coffee With Mayor. . . . . . 3 Electronics Recycling. . .4 February 2008 Storm VVater Pollution Program ^ PUBLIC MEETING WILL be held on Monday, February 25, 2008, at 7 PM at Shorewood City Hall, J-\.s755 Country Club Road, in the Council Chamber. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the City of Shorewood Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) is a document required by the State and Federal governments that outlines how the City will work towards reducing pollution in rainwater runoff. This plan will be reviewed at the meeting and public comment received. Attendance from City residents is strongly encouraged, as the City seeks your input into the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. For more information, please feel free to visit the City of Shorewood's web page at www.ci.shorewood.mn.us. or e-mail James Landini, City Engineer, atjlandini@ci.shorewood.mn.us. You can also leave a message on the Shoreline, 952/474-3236, extension 1. Attend Your Caucus THE DFL, INDEPENDENCE, AND REPUBLICAN PARTY caucuses will be at 7 PM on Tuesday, February 5. Green Party caucus will be Tuesday, March 4, at 7 PM. The location depends upon which political candidate you plan to support. You attend the party caucus you intend to support in the November election. What Happens at a Caucus? You sign in, agreeing to support the political party that is sponsoring the caucus you are attending. Prior to the 7 PM start time, many attendees will bring platfonn resolutions and will encourage your support. This is also a time where you may bring copies of your own resolutions. Forms for your resolutions are usually available on the party web sites, or by calling the party you intend to support. Once the caucus begins, the following generally occurs: . Election of Delegates and Alternates . Discussion of Issues . Presidential Preference Balloting . Other Business . Election of Local Party Leadership The caucus is where candidates and issues affecting party platforms are discussed. This is one of the greatest opportunities you as a citizen have for a voice in your government. If turnout is low, there will be a minority group making major decisions for the majority of the people. The process is not complicated, so no one should be intimidated about attending. Who Can Attend a Precinct Caucus? Anyone can attend the precinct caucus to observe. You can participate and vote in a party's caucus if you will be eligible to vote on November 4, 2008, and if you support or are likely to support that party's candidates. For more information on caucuses, including the location of your caucus, contact the Secretary of State's Office, or you individual political party. A list of caucus locations can also be found at Shorewood City Hall. Contact information : Minnesota Secretary of State 651-215-1440; www.sos.state.mn.us Democratic- Farmer- La bor 651-293-1200; www.dfl.org Green Party 651-288-2820; www.mngreens.org Independence 651-487-9700; www.mnip.org Republican 651-222-0022; www.mngop.com Meetings and Events 2/5 7:00 PM Caucuses 2111 7:00 PM City Council Meeting 2/12 7:00 PM Park Comm. Meeting 2/18 HOLIDAY-City Offices Closed 2/19 7:00 pm Planning Comm. Meeting 2/25 7:00 PM City Council Meeting 3/4 7:00 pm Planning Comm. Meeting For meeting agendas and approved meeting minutes, go to the City web site: www.ci.shorewood.mn.us. THE SHORE REPORT / FEBRUARY 2008 Get Rid of the Buckthorn THE FRIENDS OF BIRCH ISLAND WOODS is offering Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard removal workshops. Birch Island Woods Conservation I Area consists of 36 acres of this sanctuary of trees and , wetlands have been protected by the City of Eden Prairie. ~ If you are considering Buckthorn removal from your ~. property, these workshops might prove helpful. The Friends web site, www.jbiw.org, also has information about invasive species common to our area. How to Rescue Wooded Areas from Buckthorn Thursday February 21, 7 pm - 9 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) Eden Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Road (1/2 mile south of Hwy 5) Forestry expert Janet Larson (City of Minnetonka Natural Resources Restoration Specialist and noted invasive species authority) will present her new program on buckthorn removal and planning for effective woodland restoration. And there's more: Eden Prairie Forestry Technician Jeff Cordes and other buck veterans will be on hand to answer your questions before and after the presentation. This event is free and includes buckthorn and garlic mustard handouts. Pre-register by contacting Jeff Strate at 952/949-8980 or bukumi@infionline.net. Looking ahead: Buckthorn & Garlic Mustard Boot Camp Wednesday May 7th, 6 pm - 8 pm Eden Wood Center, 6350 Indian ChiefRd, Eden Prairie (just south of Glen Lake Golf Course). Eden Prairie Forestry Technician Jeff Cordes and other experts will take you into Birch Island Woods Conservation Area to learn how to identify woodland plants and trees from buckthorn and garlic mustard. You'll get the basics on mechanical and chemical buckthorn and garlic mustard removal techniques. Dress for garden work and bring gloves. There is a $5 fee. Pre-register by contacting JefT Strate at 952/949-8980 or bukumi@infionline.net. \Need \Nrench Available THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD owns two weed wrenches, medium and large sizes, which are extremely effective in pulling Buckthorn up by the roots. Weed wrenches are available at no charge to residents, although a $20 refundable deposit is required. Please reserve the weed wrench by calling City Hall, 952/474-3236. Volunteer Gardener Needed TilE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS planted by the signs at City Hall and Shorewood parks are the responsibility of a few talented volunteer gardeners. The City is in need of a volunteer to plant and maintain a garden at the Southshore Center. For more information, contact Twila at 952/474-3236. The City would like to thank the volunteers below who will once again plant and maintain a garden in 2008: City Hall Manor Park South Shore Gardeners South Shore Gardeners Freeman Park Entrance off Eureka Cathcart Park Diane Agnew Lucinda Kircher & Lance Detmde Freeman Park - Picnic Plaza Silverwood Park Girl Scouts Sandy Ahlstrom www.ci.shorewood.mn.us 2 Community Events Excelsior Library 343 Third St. SchiffeIly Puppets Monday, Feb. 18, 10:30 am Join Harry (yes Harry!) as he tries to discover what's at the top of that crazy magical beanstalk in "Harry and the Beanstalk." Audience participation, loads of laughs and an important lesson on sharing. Sponsored by the Friends of the Excelsior Library. Influential Women... Then and Now Essay Contest Entries accepted through Feb. 15 at all suburban Hennepin County libraries For teens in grades 6-12. Submit an essay about an influential woman in celebration of Women's History Month. The Influential Women Essay Contest has two categories (grades 6-8 and grades 9-12). Prizes in each category are: first place: $100; second place: $50; third place: $25; honorable mention. Essay entries accepted at any suburban Hennepin County Library Jan. I-Feb. 15. For complete details and contest guidelines, pick up an entry form at the library or log onto TeenLinks. A public reception to recognize the winners will be held at Ridgedale Library on Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. First and second place winners in each category will be invited to read their essays. Sponsored by the Hennepin County Library in collaboration with AA UW (American Association of University Women). Minnetonka High School Black Box Theatre presents Neil Simon's Fools Feb. 1,2,7 & 8....................... 7:30 pm Feb 9 ............................................ 1 pm NEIL SIMON'S FooLs--Taking foolishness to new heights. Don't miss this performance from our local, award-winning theater! For tickets, contact the box office at 952/401-5898. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for studen ts/ children. Road Restrictions March 1 To May 1 . Y ,. WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS are placed on local streets from March I to May 1. This measure is taken each year in order to preserve the condition of City streets from serious damage and destruction. Exceptions are made for necessary vehicles, such as school buses and garbage trucks. Exceptions are not made for vehicles such as moving trucks, delivery trucks and construction equipment. Please remind any delivery personnel or workers on your property of the restriction so smaller trucks can be used as necessary. All streets are posted with the allowable weight limits. Please call City Hall if you have any questions, 952/474-3236. Right-of-Way Ordinance in Effect THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD has adopted a new right-of-way ordinance to better manage what is placed in of the right-of-way. Right-of-way consists of the strip of land over which things such as highways, railroads, or power lines are built. Right-of-way is land usually 50 feet in width with the road center being the beginning point of the measure. Usually the right-of-way extends 10 feet behind the edge of the road. Small utilities, such as electric, gas lines, and cable television, are usually located within the non-paved 10-foot-wide strip. Many items get installed by homeowners that fall within the right-of-way and obstruct efficient use of the land. Retaining walls and fences inpair the ability to clear snow from the road; irrigation lines impair the installation of telephone, and cable. If you are going to install an obstruction involving fences, retaining walls, and pet containment fences you must first file for a permit at City Hall. Irrigation systems always need a permit. Excavations within the right-of-way require annual registration and pennits from the City. Although the City of Shorewood owns the right-of-way in trust for the public, the residents customarily maintain the vegetation to the edge of road. If you have any questions regarding landscaping within the right-of-way, please contact the City of Shorewood Engineering Department, 952/474-3236, before you landscape. Simple Home Maintenance Periodic Cleaning of Home Vents Necessary HOME OWNERS SHOULD CHECK the dryer hood on the outside of their house to see if the flapper is working properly. Many times the hood is damaged or lint build-up has impaired the flapper from closing properly. Just a few minutes with a pliers to bend the hood or a piece of wire to fish out built-up lint will put the dryer exhaust hood back into operation. Combustion air and ventilation inlet ducts allow air to enter your house in a place that will provide ventilation, reduce draft problems and provide oxygen for water heaters, furnaces or other fuel burning equipment. These ducts also provide an inlet for air exhaust fans such as stove hoods and bathroom fans. Air inlet ducts can help reduce interior-exterior air pressure differences caused by wind and attic bypasses. Ventilation inlet hoods that are blocked will cause reduced ventilation rates, stress on the ventilation equipment and higher electrical costs. Screens under the combustion air and ventilation inlet hoods should be checked monthly to make sure they do not become blocked with a build-up of fibers or paint. A fine fibrous mat can be easily removed with an old toothbrush. Provide area around the ducts on the outside and inside of your home to allow the air to enter your home. 3 THE SHORE REPORT /FEBRUARY 2008 & Council Activities Since the last newsletter the City Council: . Held a work session to discuss the City Hall building renovation. . Set the City Council regular meetings dates for the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, except for May, when the 4th Monday falls on Memorial Day, so that meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27. . Approved the Elected Officials Travel Policy. . Set February 25, 2008, as the Public Information Hearing date for the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. . Made appointments for various positions for 2008. . Approved an Amendment to the Excelsior Fire District (EFD) Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). The Amendment provides updates on matters that are included by reference in the JPA and improve the financial management of the District. ... Don't Flush It! THE JANUARY ISSUE of the Shore Report included an article on the local sanitary sewer system and problems that have occurred due to the flushing of rags and Swiffer@ cleaning products. To clarify, residents should not flush the products down the toilet. If you have any questions, please contact the City public works department at 952/401-1637. Talk VVith Mayor JOIN MAYOR CHRIS LIZEE for coffee and conversation, Saturday, February 9, at the Shorewood Caribou Coffee (Hwy 7 and 41) from 8 to 10 AM. Bring all of your City questions, concerns and compliments! www.ci.shorewood.mn.us . 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 III ~ C III .; ~ ~ )( C QI "tl ~ I/J 0 0 "tl l'I'l ~ N 0 l'I'l QI 0 I ... 0 ~ or " .c: QI or II! ... 'y 0 N .c ~ II! In ~ 'y ~ ~ ~ III Qi ... fa .c .'!:: .c I III >- or .l:l .. !::!. QI 'y ~ QI C ... fa ~ E Qi 0 ... .. I 0 'Vi w .c :> In PRESORTED STANDARD U.s.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #30681 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Council Members Christine Lizee, Mayor; Richard Woodruff, Ward 1; Laura Turgeon, Ward 2; Paula Callies, Ward 3; Martin Wellens, Ward 4 City Administrator: Craig Dawson... Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore SAVE PAPER AND MAILING COSTS! SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHORE REPORT BY E-MAIL: C1TYHALL@C1.SHOREWOOD.MN.US City of Shorewood Ward Map Planning Map Due to the February 5 Caucuses, the February Planning Commission meeting for that date has been cancelled. The following item is on the Planning Commission Agenda 02-1 9-08: I. The owner of 5925 Christmas Lake Road is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow total accessory space over 1200 square feet in order to add onto the existing attached garage. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 P.M. Wl Pl : Ward 1, Precinct 1 Wl P2: Ward 1, Precinct 2 W2Pl: Ward 2, Precinct 1 W3Pl: Ward 3, Precinct 1 W4Pl: Ward 4, Precinct 1 X Polling Place Public Safety .... Building * ~~:~e Center Electronics Recycling Facts I. Electronic equipment contains heavy metals and other materials that can become hazardous to human health and the environment if they are not properly managed. These include cadmium, lead, and mercury. 2. Worldwide PC sales are projected to total 255.7 million units in 2007, a 10.5 percent increase from 2006. 3. Americans bought 2.5 million TVs for the 2007 Super Bowl. That's up from 1.7 million bought for the 2006 Super Bowl. 4. The average lifespan of personal computers has fallen from 4.5 years in 1992 to an estimated 2 years in 2005. 5. In 2005, US households generated 2.6 million tons of electronics waste. Only 12.6% of this amount was recycled, according to the EPA. Do not throw your electronics in the trash! For disposal options, go to www.hennepin.us and type in keywords IIA-Z Guide", or contact Hennepin County at 612/348-3777. THE SHORE REPORT / FEBRUARY 2008