June 2006 Shore Report
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INSIDE
Eco- Yard Opening . . . . . . . 2
Music in the Park. . . . . . . . 2
Crescent Beach Opens . . . 2
Council Activities . . . . . . . . 3
Planning Notes. . . . . . . . . . 3
Fire Hydrants . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Gopher State One Cali. . . . 4
Lawn Mower Safety. . . . . . 4
Recycling Holiday Reminder4
City Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Playground Safety . . . . . . . 5
Community Events. . . . . . . 5
Public Hearings/Map . . . . . 6
June 2006
VVater Report Available
THE ANNUAL WATER report is online at www.ci.shorewood.mn.us and will be published in the legal
section of the June 15 issue of the Excelsior-Shorewood Sun Sailor. A copy is also available at
City Hall. If you have any questions regarding information found in the water report, contact the
City's Director of Public Works at 952-401-1637.
2006 Municipal Elections
NEW FOR THIS year's election will be voting equipment for voters with disabilities. With the 2002
Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the federal government has allocated funds to provide voting
equipment for each polling place. This equipment will allow persons with disabilities, including
visual impairment, to privately and independently mark their ballot.
Shorewood Wards
This is the second year that Shorewood residents will elect their Councilmembers by ward. Wards
I and 3 will be on the November 7 General Election ballot for a four-year term. The Mayoral seat
is also on the November 7 ballot. The Mayoral seat is a two-year position and is elected at-large.
Do you know what ward you reside in? The map on the last page of the Shore Report shows the
ward boundaries and polling place locations. This map is available at City Hall and on the City's
web site.
Be an Election Judge
If you are interested in working as an Election Judge at the September 12 Primary Election and/or
the November 7 General Election, call Jean at 952/474-3236 for information on what it takes to
serve in this fun and rewarding position. Students age 16 and older may also serve as an Election
Judge. Call now!
Have you registered to vote?
If you are a new Shorewood resident, or did not vote in the 2004 Election, you can pre-register to
vote now. If you will be 18 years old on Election Day, you may also pre-register to vote now. By
doing so, your name will be on the roster of registered voters when you go to vote on Election Day.
Call 952-474-3236 for information on where and how to pre-register to vote.
Watch for more Election news in the July Shore Report. You can also find Election information
on all of the above and more on the City's web site at www.ci.shorewood.mn.us - click on "Inside
City HaIL"
Love Parks?
Meetings and
Events
THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD needs a Shorewood
Resident with a vision for great Shorewood
Parks to join the Shorewood Park Commission.
The Commission meets on the second Tuesday
of every month, with other meetings as needed.
Programs such as Music in the Park, playground
and skate park equipment purchases, and the
annual Buckthorn Bust are just a few of the many
responsibilities of the Park Commission.
If you have a vision for Shorewood Parks
and would be interested in being a part of this
volunteer commission, please send a letter
of interest to City Hall, 5755 Country Club
Road, 5533 I; or e-mail the City at cityhall@ci.
shorewood. mn. us. For more information, contact
City Hall, 952/474-3236.
6/3 Crescent Beach Opens
6/6 7:00 PM Planning Commission Meeting
6/12 7:00 PM City Council Meeting
6/13 7:00 PM Park Commission Meeting
6/20 7:00 PM Planning Commission Meeting
6/21 11 :30 />No Children's Music in the Park
6/23 6:30 PM Music In the Park
6/26 7:00 PM City Council Meeting
Up-to-date information and meeting
agendas may be found on the City
web site:
www.ci.shorewood.mn.us.
THE SHORE REPORT / JUNE 2006
Eco- Yard
Midtown
Grand
Opening
Celebration
Saturday, June 3, 2006
10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2801 - 21 st Av S., Mpls.
HENNEPIN COUNTY Commissioner
Peter McLaughlin and Minneapolis
City Council Member Gary Schiff will
welcome the community starting at 10:00
am. Following the dedication ceremony
there will be a variety of family-friendly
activities, including:
. Seminars on a variety of sustainable
landscaping topics at 11 a.m., noon, and
1 PM.;
. Guided tours of the Eco- Yard Midtown
and The Green Institute's Green
Rooftop;
. Information and resource fair.
. Children's activities;
. Wildflower giveaway.
The Eco- Yard Midtown is an attractive
urban landscape for residents and
businesses to enjoy while learning about
the principles of sustainable landscaping.
With sustainable landscaping, plants
thrive with minimal amounts of pesticides,
fertilizers, water, and time.
The Eco- Yard Midtown is located at
2801 21stAvenue South in Minneapolis at
the intersection of the Midtown Greenway
and the Hiawatha Light Rail.
The Eco-Yard Midtown was
made possible by Hennepin County
Environmental Services and the Hennepin
County Regional Rail Authority, in
partnership with The Green Institute,
the Midtown Greenway Coalition, the
Hennepin Conservation District, the
University of Minnesota Extension
Service, the Mississippi Watershed
Management Organization, and many
volunteers.
For more information, visit www.
hennepin. us key word search "Eco- Yard
Midtown" or call 612/348-3777.
wwwci.shorewood.mn.us
THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD PRESENTS
MUSIC i PARK
GET FAMILY, FRIENDS and neighbors together and get your dancing shoes on, because
this year's Music in the Park series is the best yet! Three Friday evenings over
the course of the summer, music will fill the air at Eddy Station in Freeman Park.
These free music events will delight music-lovers of all ages, and offers residents the
opportunity to enjoy one of Shorewood's most beautiful parks.
Two children's events are also scheduled. Toddlers and elementary age kids will be
delighted with puppet performances, puppet making and an educational magic show,
followed by easy access to the Freeman Park playground!
Children's Events
Wednesday, June 21; 11 :30 AM
Nancy, Eddie and Friends
Nancy Baldrica, professional ventriloquist, uses her puppet frienas to entertain! A
puppet making workshop following the performance is offered. To register, please
send $2 per child with their name, address or e-mail and phone number to City Hall
by June 5.
Wednesday, July 1 9; 11 :30 AM
Magician Nathan Stockwell
Master Magician Nathan Stockwell gives children an important motivational message
through the use of magic! J
Evening Events
Friday, June 23, 6:30-8:30 pm .
Cyril Paul & the Calypso Monarchs .
Enjoy music from the islands, including Rumba, Bolero, Cha cha and Reggae! Kids
will have the opportunity to participate in the show!
Friday, July 21 , 6:30-8:30 pm
Big Walter Smith & the Groove Merchants
Minnesota's most honored and recognized bluesman!
Friday, August 1 8, 6:30-8:30 pm
The Divers
Full of upbeat tunes and lots of fun!
Crescent
Beach Opens
June 3
Council on Cable
ALIFEGUARD WILL BE on duty at
Crescent Beach June 3 through
August 20 from Noon - 7 pm daily,
weather permitting. A swimming dock
is provided, and the swimming area is
roped off.
THE LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION (LMCC) PROVIDES LOCAL CABLE
ACCESS SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SHORE WOOD.
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST
ON CABLE CHANNEL 8. A COMPLETE LIST OF
TIMES SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
ARE BROADCAST CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.LMCC-
TV.ORG. CLICK ON CHANNEL 8.
You MAY ALSO GET PLAYBACK TIMES BY
CALLING THE LMCC OFFICE AT 952/471-
7125. COUNCIL MEETINGS MAY ALSO BE VIEWED
ANY TIME AT WWW.LMCC-TV.OIiG VIA VIDEO
STREAMING ON THE WEB.
2
Planning Commission Notes
As a home ages, its owners
typically renovate it,
replacing outdated furniture
and accessories, adding
extra living space, and so
on. As a city matures, it
too undergoes a renovation
process. In the case of a
residential community such
as Shorewood, we call that renovation
"redevelopment. "
Shorewood has become a mature city.
Virtually all of the large open spaces
that fuel rapid growth have been built
on. Over 95% of the city's buildable
land has been developed. Unlike our
sister city Chanhassen, that still has
cornfields within its boundaries, there
is essentially no land left for large
subdivisions. Yet reaching the end
of large tracts of open buildable land
doesn't mean the cessation of new
construction in the city. Rather, through
redevelopment, Shorewood is likely to
see continued, albeit modest, growth for
the foreseeable future.
must assemble a group
of contiguous properties,
no small task. Once done,
however, the subdivision
of the large lot is relatively
straightforward. The
resulting properties are
typically smaller than the
original properties that were
combined. Existing homes on the
original properties may be torn
down to make way for new homes
on the subdivided properties. A
good recent example of this process
is the Parkview development, near
Manor Park.
How will this
redevelopment occur?
There are five primary sources:
1) Smaller homes replaced by larger
ones. One can see examples of
this process all over the city, but
especially along Lake Minnetonka.
More modest homes are removed and
replaced by larger, more expensive
ones. At times, there is controversy
associated with such redevelopment.
When large homes are built on
relatively small lots, the result is
derisively termed "McMansions."
Nevertheless, Shorewood's ample
setback provisions and hardcover
restrictions prevent excessive
crowding of structures onto land
parcels.
2) Combine properties into one large
property and subsequently subdivide
the large property into smaller lots.
To accomplish this, a developer
3) Subdivide a large property with one
existing small home into multiple
lots. One can find numerous such
combinations of large properties
and small homes on the west side
of the city. Many could easily be
divided into two properties. In some
cases, the original small home may
stay and a new home built on the
newly created lot. In other cases,
the older home is torn down and
two new homes are built.
4) New commercial uses replacing
old. Shorewood doesn't have a
large commercial base, but one
does observe turnover in some
of the older businesses that make
way for new uses. For example,
the Shorewood Nursery near the
Shorewood Yacht Club has closed
and a new office building is being
constructed on the property.
5) Residential or commercial properties
converted to public facilities.
Shorewood has little in the way of
public facilities. Nevertheless, the
new Public Safety building near city
hall was constructed on a previous
residential site that was purchased
by the consortium of five South
Lake cities for the explicit purpose
of building the facility.
Jeff Bailey. Chair
Planning Commission
3
THE SHORE REPORT / JUNE 2006
Council
Activities
Since the last newsletter
the City Council:
. Approved the purchase of 18 sheets
of skate board ramp surfacing for the
Southshore Skate Park equipment.
. Held several work sessions during April
and early May on a number of topics, to
include discussion on the City's water
extension and connection policy and
practice, with a final determination
that no changes needed to be made to
the existing policy; discussion on the
Glen Road area stormwater drainage
problem; a report on the Emergency
Operations Plan by Police Chief Litsey;
review of the City's Compensation
Study conducted by Labor Relations
Associates, Inc.; a report on the Mound
Fire Department contract and funding
formula; discussion on water connection
to Wedgewood Road, Mallard Lane, and
Teal Circle; and discussion on the role
of the Park Commission.
. Heard reports from Minnetonka
Community Education (MCE) Director
Tim Litfin on MCE activities; Lake
Minnetonka Conservation District
(LMCD) representative Tom Skramstad
on LMCD activities; and Southshore
Community Center Director Linda
Prybylo on the Center's activities for
the past year.
. Denied a lot area variance and minor
subdivision request for 6180 Cathcart
Drive. The applicant may submit
a revised subdivision request for
consideration.
. Approved the 2006 - 2025 Capital
Equipment Plan for the Excelsior Fire
District.
wwwci.shorewood.mn.us
THE SHORE REPORT / JUNE 2CXJ6
Keep
Hydrants
Clear
DURING SUMMER MONTHS, residents
of Minnesota take full advantage of
the nice days to beautify their property.
Landscaping ideas are plentiful, and
unfortunately, the fire hydrant on some
properties does not fit in with the landscape
plan of the homeowner. Although it
might be unfortunate
for some, it is necessary
for all, and homeowners
are reminded that they
cannot landscape around
the fire hydrants. This
includes bushes, plants,
rocks, and other items
which could hinder the
access or site of a fire hydrant in the case
of an emergency.
Firefighters have had to cut through
bushes and move large boulders in front
of fire hydrants during a fire emergency.
These precious seconds could not only
mean. the difference in saving a home
or personal belongings, but it could also
mean the difference between life and
death.
When you look at your fire hydrant
as part of your landscaping, let it show
proudly for what it is-a lifesaver.
Call BEFORE
You Dig
D ESIDENTS ARE REMINDED to call Gopher
Rstate One Call, 651/454-0002, before
any digging in their yard. This includes
landscaping, mailbox,
and driveway
replacements, among
other projects. If you
have a contractor
doing the work for
you, make sure you
see the lines painted
on your yard before
you allow them to dig. The cost, danger,
and interruption of service if damage
occurs make this free call one you can't
forget to make!
wwvv. ci. shore wood. mn. us
Prevent Lawn Mower Accidents
EVERY SUMMER THE Excelsior Fire
District responds to emergency calls
related to injuries or fires caused by lawn
mowers. Here are some safety tips to
help you avoid a lawn mower related
emergency.
Handle Fuel With Care
Always use care when filling the tank
with gasoline. Most mowers are powered
by gasoline-driven combustion engines.
Gasoline is a very explosive and flammable
material that should be treated with
respect. Gasoline is flammable because
it vaporizes with air to form a mixture
that ignites easily. Vaporization can occur
in temperatures as low as zero degrees.
Never fill the tank on a mower that has
been operating and is hot. Vapors from the
gasoline can be ignited by a hot muffler.
Once you are finished fueling your lawn
mower keep the gasoline can a good
distance from the lawn mower and wipe
up any spills.
Do Not Mow Wet Grass
Wet grass is slippery and the operator
can lose footing, slip under the mower, or
allow the mower to roll backwards. Wet
grass also clogs the discharge chute and
can cause the engine to falter. When this
happens, always turn off the engine and
wait a few seconds for the blades to stop
rotating before correcting it.
Use care on inclines
Some slopes are too steep to mow safely,
so use good judgment. Always push
walk-behind mowers across slopes to
avoid coming in contact with the mower.
It is very easy to slip and get your feet
Recycling
Holiday
Reminder
The Memorial Day holiday on Monday,
May 29 will delay recycling collection
by one day during the first week of June.
Pick-up for mainland residents will be
Thursday, June 1; island residents pick-up
will be on Friday, June 2.
4
caught in the moving blades under the
mower. Drive riding mowers up and down
slopes.
Wear Appropriate Clothes
Close-fitting clothes are less likely to
get caught on controls or moving parts.
Long pants and
sturdy leather
shoes protect you
from flying sticks,
stones, or other
items not caught
by the rear guard.
Shoes also should
provide good
traction. Sandals,
canvas or any open
toed shoes cannot
protect your foot if it slips into the blade.
The cutting edge of the mower blade can
travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per
hour.
Disconnect Spark Plug
Disconnect the spark plug when you
work on the mower. This prevents the
engine from accidentally being started.
Many people are hurt every year because
mowers start unexpectedly when the
blade is turned by hand. Keep all parts
in working condition. Fluid leaks (gas
or oil), blade sharpening, and balancing
may require professional service. A
common emergency call is amputation
of toes and fingers because of careless
use, maintenance, and repair of lawn
mowers.
Ke//i Murphy-Ringate
Excelsior Fire District
Adopt-a- Garden
THE CITY IS looking for an individual or
group to plant a garden to complement
and beautify the Plaza at Freeman Park.
For more information
on this rewarding
volunteer opportunity,
call 952/474-3236.
City Receives Financial
Reporting Award
THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association
of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This is the 12th consecutive year that the City
of Shorewood has received this award. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest
form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting,
and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its
management.
There are 32,070 municipalities nationwide with populations under 10,000, and only
285 of these (less than 1 %) qualified to receive the award. The award was presented
to Bonnie Burton, Finance Director/Treasurer of the City of Shore wood.
Keep Children Safe on
Playgrounds
SUMMER HAS ARRIVED, and that means children are outside, enjoying the fresh air
and sunshine. They are also playing on backyard play sets, school playgrounds,
and on park play equipment. While numerous measures are taken to make sure
all playground equipment is safe, children are always at risk of injury, and adult
sJlpervision is a must! A few reminders from the National Program for Playground
Safety to help you as a parent or caregiver before the children head out the door
for the playground, check that:
Supervision is present, but strings and ropes aren't.
Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards, observe, intercede and
facilitate play when necessary. Strings on clothing or ropes used for play can cause
accidental strangulation if caught on equipment.
All children play on age-appropriate equipment.
Preschoolers, ages 2 - 5, and children, ages 5 - 12, are developmentally different
and need different equipment located in separate areas to keep the playground
safe and fun for all.
Falls to surface are cushioned.
Nearly 70 percent of all playground injuries are related to falls to the surface.
Acceptable surfaces include hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand and synthetic
materials such as poured-in-place, rubber mats or tiles. Playground surfaces should
not be concrete, asphalt, grass, blacktop, packed dirt or rocks.
Equipment is safe.
Check to make sure the equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment
pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, bolts are not
protruding, there are no exposed footings, etc.
For more information on playground safety, go to the National Program for
Playground Safety web site, http://www.uni.edulplayground/home.htm. If you notice
unsafe conditions in any Shorewood Parks, please notify City Hall immediately at
952/474-3236.
5
THE SHORE REPORT / JUNE 2006
Community
Events
Art on the Lake
Excelsior Commons
Sat., June 10; 10 AM - 6 PM
Sun., June 11; 10 AM - 4 PM
IN ITS 26TH YEAR, don't miss this fabulous
art event which is beautifully laid out
across the spacious Excelsior Commons
along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It
features 200+ juried artists from all over
the U.S. Every 20 minutes, shuttle buses
will run to the event from Middle School
West and Minnetonka H.S.at Hazeltine
Blvd.
Lake Minnetonka
4th of July Celebration!
RUN, WALK, BIKE, boat to Excelsior
Commons on July 4th for a full
day of excellent activities including
Kids' Patriotic Parade, Kids' Fishing
Contest, Sand Castle building, and more.
Live music all afternoon, including the
Minnesota Orchestra. Fabulous fireworks
shot from Excelsior Bay at dusk.
Excelsior Firefighters
Relief Association Dance
Friday, July 21 ; 5 pm-Midnight
SUMMER IS ON ITS way and the Excelsior
Firefighters Relief Association's
Annual Dance is just around the comer.
The Whitesidewalls Rock-n-Roll review
is back to add their groove to the evening.
Located at Excelsior Fire District West
Station, 24100 Smithtown Road in
Shorewood. Look for more information
to arrive in the mail this month.
Fireworks
Donations
EXCELSIOR AREA FIREWORKS depend
upon the generous donations of local
residents and businesses. Please consider
making a donation towards the 2006
fireworks. Donations may be made to the
South Lake-Excelsior Chamber, P.O. Box
32, Excelsior, MN 55331, mark the memo:
"Fireworks Fund 2006."
ww~ ci.shorewood.mn. us
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS. 1956-2006
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
SHOREWOOD, MN 55331
(952)474.3236 FAX (952)474.0128
Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #30681
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
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Coundl Members
Woody Love, Mayor; Christine Lizee, Ward 1; Laura Turgeon, Ward 2; Paula Callies, Ward 3; Martin Wellens, Ward 4
City Administrator: Craig Dawson'" Newsletter Editor:Julie Moore
To SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHORE REPORT BY E-MAIL: CITYHALL@CI.SHOREWOOD.MN.US
What's Happening in the City?
W1 P1 : Ward 1, Prednct 1
W1 P2: Ward 1, Prednct 2
W2P1 : Ward 2, Prednct 1
W3P1 : Ward 3, Prednct 1
W4P1 : Ward 4, Prednct 1
X PoUlng PIa <E
Public Safety
... Bulldlng
~~:~re Center
Map Descriptions
The following items are on the June 6, 2006 Planning Commission Agenda:
I. The property owner of 5985 Cajed Lane is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow total accessory space over
1200 sq. feet in order to add an attached garage to the house. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 PM.
2. A public hearing will be held to consider rezoning the property located at 19545 Highway 7 (Shurgard Self-Storage) from C-I,
"Neighborhood Convenience Commercial" to R-C, "Residential-Commercial". The hearing is scheduled for 7:15 PM.
3. The Planning Commission will consider text amendments to the Zoning Code relative to uses allowed in the C-3, General
Commercial, and the R-C, Residential Commercial Districts. Elimination of the C-I, Neighborhood Convenience Commercial
District and updates to the C-3 District parking regulations will also be considered. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:20 PM.
4. The owner of properties located at 5705 and 5725 Smithtown Way is applying for a minor subdivision to create one additional
residential lot. A public hearing is not required.
THE SHORE REPORT / JUNE 2006