March 2006 Shore ReportARCH 2006
2006 City Elections
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F OR THE 2006 Election, City offices on the
November 7 General Election ballot will
include Councilmember for Wards 1 and 3, both
for four -year terms; and Mayor, at- large, for a
two -year term. Qualified residents interested in
filing for one of these offices may do so between
August 29 and September 12. Filing information
is available at City Hall, and on the City's web
site.
Ward elections in the City of Shorewood began
with the 2004 Election, with Wards 1 and 3 being
elected to two -year terms, and Wards 2 and 4
being elected to four -year terms. The Mayor seat
remains at -large for a two -year term.
For your convenience, a map of the ward
districts is on the last page of this newsletter,
as well as on the City's web site (click on
Elections), or stop by City Hall to view a printed
copy of the map.
If you are not registered to vote in Shorewood,
you may register by filling out a voter registration
application, available at City Hall and on the
City's web site.
For more information on City of Shorewood
elections, visit www.ci.shorewvod.mn.its, or
contact the City at 952/474 -3236.
Attend Your Caucus March 7!
EGARDLL•SS OF YOUR political party, your
caucus will be at 7 pm on Tuesday, March
7. 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?
Fire Safety ...............
'£
Room Rental ..............2
Meals on Wheels ..........2'
Council Activities .....
.3
Planning Notes ............3
Recycling ............
....4
Road Restrictions.........
A
Chamber Party ............4
Library Board .............4
Storm Water Pollution ......5;,,
Board of Revew ..........:5
Public Hearings /Map ..
6'
You sign in, agreeing to support the political
party that is sponsoring the caucus you are
attending. Prior to the 7 mt start time, many
attendees will bring platform resolutions andwill
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 call the party you intend
to support.
Once the caucus begins the following generally
occurs:
• Election of Delegates and Alternates
• Governor Preference Balloting
• Discussion of Issues
• Election of Local Party Leadership
• Other Business
The caucus is where candidates and issues
affecting party platforms are discussed. This is
one of the greatest opportunities you as a citizen
have to have a voice in your government. If turn
out 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 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 7,
2006, 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 your 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
Democ rati e- Farmer -Labor
651/251 -6300; www.dll.org
Green
612/871 -4585; www.mngreens.org
Independence
651/487-9700; www.mnip.org
Republican
651/222-0022; www.mngop.com
Mee s
E lven t s
3/7 Precinct Caucus
3111 11;30 nrz Town Hall Meeting:
Barb Sykora and Gen Olson,
City Council Chambers
3/13 7:00 Pm City Council Meeting
3/1 7 :00 PM Park Commission Meeting
3/21 7 :00 Prn Planning Commissior. Me€:ting
:3,/2; 7,00 s <. City Council Mectilig
Up - -cute information and meetin
agendas may be found on the City
web site: wwwci.shorewood.rr n.us;
THE SHORE REPORT/ MARCH 2006
Council
Meetings on
the Web
N ow YOU CAN enjoy Shorewood City
Council meetings from the comfort of
your own office chair! The Lake Minnetonka
Communications
Commission has
made Shorewood
Council
meetings, j 5
currently
shown on €,(°
Cable Channel
8, available
online. Simply go to the LMCC web
site, www 1n7ce -morg, and click on
STREAMING VIDEO: Click hereto learn
more. You will then be given the option
of which meeting you would like to view.
You may also watch Channel 8 live by
clicking the on the Channel 8 logo on the
LMCC home page.
If you have questions about this service,
please contact LMCC at 952/471 -7125.
Meals On Wheels
I F YOU OR SOMEONE you know cannot
make nutritious meals on a regular
basis, Meals On Wheels - South Shore has
volunteer drivers who deliver hot meals
five days a week (M -F) over the lunch
hour in the Excelsior, Shorewood and
Tonka Bay area. Please call 952 /474 -5227
for more information.
Council on Cable
THL LAKE MINNEI'ONKA COMMUNICAHONS
COMMISSION (LMCC) PROVIDES LOCAL CABLE
ACCESS SERVICE TO - 11IL• CrrY 0I SI IORLWOOD.
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE BROADCAST ON
CABLE CHANNEL 8.
A COMPLETE LIST Of TIMES SHORLWOOD
CITY COUNCIL MLL1'INGS ARE BROADC AST CAN
BE FOUND AT (f'If7h:LMCC- TV.0RG. CLICK ON
CIIANNLL 8.
YOU MAY ALSO GL'r PLAYBACK TIMES BY
CALLING THE LMCC orPICG AT 952/471-
7125.
Can Your Family Survive a Fire?
W HEN THE NATIONAL Fire Protection
Agency (NF PA) asked Americans
how long they would have to escape
from a fire in their home, more than
half thought they had 2 minutes or more
and approximately one -third thought
they had 10 minutes or more. These are
dangerous and deadly assumptions.
Your normal path of escape can be
blocked in seconds, your upstairs
hallways can fill with smoke in
minutes, and every bedroom
in your home can have life
threatening conditions in
less then 10 minutes. Toxic
smoke travels much faster
and farther than fire. Most
people who die in fires
never see the flames.
Your family can increase their chances
of surviving a fire by making and practicing
Escape Drills In The Home (E.D.I.T.H.).
Here are steps you can take to make a fire
escape plan for your family:
• Draw a floor plan of every level of your
home. Show two ways out from each
room.
• Agree on a meeting place outside and
away from your home.
• Make sure everyone in the house knows
how to operate windows and locked
doors.
• Make sure everyone can clearly hear
and recognize the smoke detectors.
• Teach your children to keep their
bedroom door closed at night. A closed
door can keep smoke and fire out of a
room for up to 20 minutes.
• Install a safe escape ladder. You must
make it part of your plan and practice
using it each time.
You must practice your plan with
your family at least twice a year. Drills
are a good opportunity to see if your
children can self rescue and work out any
unforeseen problems with your plan.
If there is someone in your home who
..... has a disability, physical
limitations, or is in
a wheelchair, you
must incorporate
< assisting them
' into your plan and
practice it. If you
have an infant or small
child, assign a family
member to be their primary
,suer and make it part of the
plan. When your smoke detector goes
off a 3 AM it is not a good time to decide
who is going to get the baby.
Installing smoke detectors in every
room of your home, in lallways, and on
every level of your home including the
basement and attic increases the time
your family will have to escape from
a fire. Change the batteries in all your
smoke detectors when you set your clocks
for daylight savings time. Purchase new
detectors if yours are more then 10 years
old. Test the batteries when you make
your house payment or pay rent. Take
the time to do these things and you could
save your families lives.
E.D.I.T.H. and safe escape brochures
are available at Excelsior Fire District
Station #1, 24100 Smithtown Road, or
contact Kellie at 952/960 -1692 for more
information.
Kellie Murphy- Ringate
Excelsior Fire District
Time To Plan the Party
S OUTHSHORE CENTER, located at 5735 Country Club
Road, next to Badger Park, is the perfect spot for your
end -of -the- season team party, graduation and anniversary party,
or any other celebration or meeting that you might need more
room than your home permits! There are several rooms available
for rent. For information on costs, room sizes, and facilities,
contact JoAnn at 952/541 -1019.
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www.ci. shore woo d.mn. us 2
THE SHORE REPORT / MARCH 2006
Council
H E P L A N N I N G
Commission recently
completed its work plan
for 2006. In addition to
its normal responsibilities
involving requests for
subdivisions, variances, and
conditional use permits, the
Commission's 2006 work
plan contains several notable topics:
Study and update the C -3
zoning district uses
The C -3 district covers general
commercial activity and is the broadest
and most common business district inthe
City. Last year, the Commission began
a review of the City's business zoning
districts. The intent is to ensure that the
permitted and conditional uses allowed
in the various districts appropriately
reflect the City's current and future
needs. The Commission is revising the
list of allowed uses to include business
types that are consistent with the
character of Shorewood but may not
have'been included before (examples
include coffee houses and personal
fitness studios). This subject ofupdating
the C -3 zoning district uses will be
discussed at greater length in this space
in the near future.
Comprehensive Plan review
for Planning District 6
The Comprehensive Plan is the blueprint
that guides the City's development.
Annually, the Commission examines
that document to ensure that it is up-
to- date and consistent with the City's
current policies and objectives. To
facilitate Comprehensive Plan review,
the City is divided into planning
districts. Planning District 6, the area
north of County Road 19 between
the Tonka Bay and Excelsior borders,
has been the subject of considerable
redevelopment speculation, particularly
on its east end, where a yacht club and
dredging company currently exist.
On the south side of County Road
19, a new office building has been
review
approved for the site where
the Shorewood Nursery has
been located. In light of this
activity, the Commission
believes that it is wise to
review how the City would
like to seethe district mature
over time.
Planning inventory
The Commission will be preparing
a planning inventory that contains
information related to the current
land use within the City as well as a
demographic profile of the City. This
planning inventory will be useful in
the next set of major revisions to the
Comprehensive Plan that will take place
later in the decade.
County Road 19 /Smithtown
Road (Smithtown Crossing)
The reconstruction of the intersection
began in 2004 and will be finished this
summer. The Commission will review
landscaping and entry-point designs.
Farther, the Commission will discuss
longer -term goals for development
along the intersection.
Historic preservation
This topic has been on the Commission's
list for some time now. The Commission
will review how certain locations in the
City that possess historical significance
(whether or not a historical structure
currently exists on the site) might
be identified for interested persons.
Possibilities include small markers
placed near the sites and associated
stories presented on the City's web
site.
Your comments regarding the
Commission's 2006 work plan
are welcomed. You can e -mail
the Commission at planning@,ei.
Shorewood. inn. us.
JeffBaile), Chair
Planning Commission
Activities
Since the last newsletter,
the City Council:
• Appointed the following residents as
Shorewood's representative to these
local community organizations: Tad
Shaw to the Minnetonka Community
Education board; Patrick Hodapp to
the Lake Minnetonka Communications
Commission; and Toni Skramstad to
the Lake Minnetonka Conservation
District. Congratulations and thanks
to these volunteers willing to serve the
City in this capacity.
• Approved the Analysis of Drainage
Problem Areas report prepared by WSB
& Associates, Inc. This Stormwater
Report is available at City Hall and on
the home page of the City's web site.
• Designated Apple Road an MSA
roadway. This designation will add
funds to the City's State Aid account
for MSA roadway improvements.
Approved a Zoning Text Amendment
and Conditional Use Permit for Frostad
Development Company, LLC, for a
proposed redevelopment of the property
at 23505 Smithtown Road as an office
building site. The developer plans to
construct a two - story, 24,000 square -
foot office /commercial building.
Acted to obtain tax- forfeited lands for
public purposes for two wetland parcels
located on the south side of Smithtown
Road near Boulder Bridge Drive for
drainage and conservation purposes.
There is no cost for the land.
• Approved a zoning text amendment
to sign regulations. Highlights of
the proposed changes to the signage
regulations relate to changes for menu
board signage, signs with any moving
parts or gives the illusion ofmovement,
non - conforming signage, and permit
issuance and application issues. A
complete copy of the Ordinance No.
419 is available at City Hall and on
the City's web site (click on municipal
code).
www. ci. shorewood. mn. us
THE SHORE REPORT /MARCH 2006
Thrifty
Recycling
ATIONAL CHARITIES such as Goodwill
and Salvation Army run thrift shops
across the state and country. The national
Savers chain buys used clothing and
household goods from charities like the
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and
Arc Hennepin - Carver and then sells
them at their stores. Other thrift shops
are homegrown, such as Saint Paul's
Animal Ark Thrift & Pet Store, www.
anirnalarkshelter:or , which sells bargains
K ;:
and saves homeless pets at the same
time.
St. Paul's ArtScraps, www.artstart.
org, collects scraps, overstock and
factory rejects destined for the landfill
and sells them to artsy types by the
bagful. Milaca Unclaimed Freight, www
milacaunclaimegfreight.com, focuses
on a real Minnesota specialty: used fish
houses.
Other stores specialize in used musical
instruments, sporting goods, children's
clothes, exercise equipment, books,
antiques, computers and appliances.
Used furniture in good condition may be
donated to Bridging, Inc., www. bridging.
org, an organization helping people in
transition get back on their feet.
Government agencies work to keep
reusable furniture and office supplies out of
landfills. Minnesota Surplus Distribution
Center in Arden Hills holds public
auctions and sales of state and federal
surplus property, including computers.
Information is available at www nrnid.
admin .state.nrn.us /n:n03000.htnu. The
University of Minnesota also runs its own
program, www]. unin. edu/reus% open to
the public on Thursdays.
You can call 211 or 1- 800 -543 -7709
for information about community
groups that accept donations.
Donating items not only benefits the
environment and helps needy people,
but it can also lower your taxes. Check
out the IRS charitable contribution
guide at www irs.gov /]rub /irs l)df/p526.
pkf'for details.
Road Restrictions
March 1 Through April 30
W EIGHT RESTRICTIONS (in excess of 8,000 pounds on any single axle) are placed
on local streets from March 1 through April 30. 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
c n a used as necessary. All ree
so smaller trucks a b streets
are posted with the allowable weight limits.
Please call Cii Hall if you have an
s
y Y any questions,
952/474 -3236.
Chamber Party of the Year
T H E SOUTH LAKE - EXCELSIOR Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Party of the
Year on Friday, April 7, at BayView Event Center. The theme this year is "wild and
western, with an emphasis on casual dress and mischievous entertainment," according to
Maryellen Morley, president of the chamber's board of directors.
Featured in the evening's line -tip will be cameo appearances
by western legends and a cast of characters familiar to most fans
of TV's sagebrush sagas. Guitar- pickin' music, boot- scootin' .
line- dancing (with instructor), heavy grazing and to- die -for ..:
auction items will be part of the evening's action. One of the :.
main events will be the presentation ofthe Chamber's annual �:
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE and Community Hero awards.
Tickets are currently on sale for $50 per person. The party
is open to the South Lake Minnetonka community. For more
information about the Party ofthe Year, contact the South Lake - Excelsior Chamber
of Commerce, 952/474 -6461.
Library Board Vacancy
T HE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD of Commissioners is seeking applicants from the
community to fill one vacancy on the Hennepin County Library Board.
The seven - member board meets monthly to review budgets and establish
management and service policies governing the county's suburban library system.
Applicants must reside in the county outside the Minneapolis city limits. Members
serve three -year terms and meet the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30 PM at
various library locations.
The deadline for applications is March 15. Interviews for the vacancy will be
held at the board General Government Committee meeting March 28.
For more information about this vacancy or other Hennepin County open
appointments or to receive an application, contact LaToya Wilson by phone at
612/348 -3257; by mail at A2400 Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S.
Sixth St., Minneapolis MN 55487; or get an application via the Internet at tivww.
hennepin.us, under "Your county government /Citizen advisory boards."
www. 6. shorewood. mn. us 4
Storm Water Pollution Program
e PUBLIC IYIEETING WILL be held on Monday, March 1 2007 at 7 Pm at Shorewood
LZCity Hall, 5755 Country Club Road, in the Council Chambers. 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 government 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 �vw.ci.shor-ewoodinn.us. or e-
mail Larry Brown, Director of Public Works at LbrownC&,ci.shorem You
can also leave a message on the Shoreline, 952 /474 -3236, extension 1.
Prevent Stormwater Pollution
During Spring Thaw
W ITH THE SPRING THAW each year we get the hope of summer right around the
corner. We will soon be out enjoying the lakes in our community. What you
do now has more impact than you think on the -
condition of the lakes you enjoy! As the melting
water runs down the sidewalk, driveway and
street, it carries with it the pollution from oil,
pet waste, fertilizer, and any other chemicals
or debris that might be on the surfaces of your
property. This water then goes down the storm
drain and directly into our lakes and wetlands.
Stormwater pollution not only impacts our drinking water, but also an important
source of recreation in Shorewood —our lakes. Stormwater runoff can pollute our lakes
with trash and chemicals which kill fish and other wildlife, contaminate the water for
swimmers, and make shorelines unsightly.
Although some pollution in runoff is caused by nature, there are many things you
can do to protect the waterways and prevent further pollution. This time of year, it
is especially important to pick up any pet waste in your yard. The runoff from this
waste is especially harmful to the waterways, not to mention the undesirable thought
of swimming in the lake following the spring thaw or a big rain storm!
Residents are also reminded that it is illegal to dump anything into the street or storm
drain. If you have lawn chemicals, oil, gasoline, soaps /detergents, or other cleaners that
you want to dispose of and do not know the proper method, please contact the City of
Shorewood for disposal sites /methods.
Other things you can do to prevent storm drain pollution include:
• Place litter and pet waste in trash cans.
• Maintain your car and look for possible leaks.
• Clean up spills with an absorbent material (such as kitty litter) and dispose of
it properly.
• Keep driveways and sidewalks clear of debris.
• Direct rain gutters and sump pump drains into the yard and not onto sidewalks
and driveways.
As a community, we can make a big difference in the quality of our water. Once
water quality degrades, it takes a lot of time and money to repair the damage. Educate
yourself and your family on how you can make a difference. For additional information
on stomrwater poll ution, go to wwry .epa.gov/npdes/stoi- mivater.
5
THE SHORE REPORT /MARCH 2006
Property Tax
Statements To
Arrive
P ROPERTY VALUATION notices will be
mailed to residents of Hennepin
County over the next few weeks. The
taxes to be collected in 2007 are based on
the estimated market value of the property
in 2006. Questions about your property
valuation notice should be directed to
the Hennepin County Assessor's Office,
612/348 -3046.
Board of Review:
April 17
Y SIDENTS wxo have questions
egarding their property valuation
notice, or wish to discuss the estimated
market value for their property, should call
the Hennepin County Assessor's Office,
612/348 -3046. If you are not satisfied
after discussing the information with an
assessor, you may appeal your valuation
notice at the Local Board of Review. The
Board of Review meeting for Shorewood
is scheduled for Monday, April 17, at 7 Pni
in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
The Board of Review is conducted under
the authority of the Hennepin County
assessor, which will conduct an "open -
book" process for valuation appeals. At
the "open - book" meeting, county assessor
staff will review the valuation with the
property owner. The valuation reflects
a property's value on January 2, 2006,
and is used for property taxes payable in
2007. Anyone who is unable to attend the
meeting on April 17 may retain their right
to proceed to the County Board meeting
to be held in June. Questions regarding
this process may be directed to City Hall,
952/474 -3236.
Approved Meeting Minutes
and meeting agendas are
available on the City web
site, wwwxLshorewood.
mn. us.
www. ci. shore wood. mn. us
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
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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
Council Members
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #30681
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
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 EMAIL: CITYHALL@CI.SHOREWOOD.MN.US
Happening in
W1 P1: Ward 1, Precinct 1
W1 P2: Ward 1, Precinct 2
The following items are on the Planning Commission Agenda for March 21, 2006:
1. The property owner of 25885 Birch Bluff Road is applying for a setback variance to build an addition onto the existing house.
A public hearing will be held at 7 :00 Pm.
2.The owner of 28160 Boulder Bridge Drive 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 7:15 PM.
3. A lot line rearrangement between properties located at 22690 and 22740 Murray Street and 6035 Galpin Lake Road will be
considered. A public hearing is not required.
THE SHORE REPORT l MARCH 2006
Map Descriptions