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November 2005 Shore ReportNovember 2045 INSIDE teens are especially needed Manor Park ................. 4 each year. For information Art for the Parks........... 2 on volunteering, call the Charitable Giving .......... Help Wanted ............... Dial -A -Ride ................ Meals on Wheels ........... Planning Notes ............ Council Activities .......... Southshore Rental ......... Snowmobile Safety ........ Community Events......... Energy Assistance......... . Recycling Update ......... Senior Corner ............. . Maps and Public Hearings.. Any questions regarding the school board election should be referred to the proper school district. For Minnetonka district election information, call 952/401 -5033. For Westonka district election information, call 952/491 -8007. Truth -In- Taxation Hearings HE SHOREWOOD CITY Council will hold Truth -In- Taxation public hearings this year on Monday, December 5, at 7 Pm, at Shorewood City Hall. If necessary, a continuation hearing will be held on Monday, December 12. Residents are encouraged to attend the December 5 meeting and to continent on the proposed budget and tax levy. The proposed 2006 budget is available for inspection at City Hall during normal business hours, or on our web site, wwwci.shorewood.mn.us. If you have any questions, please contact Finance Director Bonnie Burton at 952/474 -3236. Holiday Food and Toy Collection Minnetonka school district residents vote in the following locations: Ward 1, Precinct 1 Minnewashta Elementary School, 26350 Smithtown Rd. Ward 1, Precinct 2 Minnewashta Elementary School Ward 2, Precinct 1 Minnewashta Elementary School Ward 3, Precinct 1 Excelsior Elementary School, 441 Oak Street Ward 4, Precinct 1 Excelsior Elementary School Westonka school district residents vote in the following location: Ward 1, Precinct 1 Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 5218 Bartlett Blvd. November 8 School Board Elections E LECTION DAY Is TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2005. Residents living in both the Westonka and Minnetonka school districts have open positions to be filled on the school boards. Registered voters should have received a post card with their voting location listed. T HE CITY OF SHOREWOOD is a drop -off site for to to be given to the Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center. The Toy Chest Drive provides toys to low income children up to age 18. Volunteers for sorting, counting and assisting with distribution are also needed. Items for am Resource Center at 952/988 -5350. Toys may be dropped off at City Hall during business hours through Friday, December 9. The City will also serve as a drop -off site for the ICA Food Shelf. Non - perishable food items may be dropped off at City Hall and will be delivered to the Food Shelf at various times during the holidays. Food items should be dropped off at City Hall no later than Friday, December 9. If you would prefer to make a cash donation to the food shelf, please contact ICA directly at 952/938 -0729. ZD THE SHORE REPORT / NOVEMBER ZOOS Help Wanted: Rink Supervisor and Attendants T HE CITY of SHOREWOOD is accepting applications for a part -time Rinks Supervisor and Rink Attendants. The Supervisor 1914 position is open to people 19 years of age and older. The Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the work of Rink Attendants. Attendant positions are open to people 16 years of age and older and offers flexible hours in the afternoons, on weekends, and during winter break. The season generally runs mid - December through mid - February. For an application, call or stop by City Hall. Application deadline is November 30. Dial -A -Ride T RANSPORTATION SERVICES are available to Shorewood Residents via Dial -A- Ride, a service funded under contract with the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, Inc. and the Metropolitan Council. Hours are 7:30 AM -3:30 PM, Monday - Friday; 8 AM -12 PM, Saturday and Sunday. Cost for the service is $1.50 each way for the General Public, and a suggested donation of $1 for seniors. To request a ride, please call 952/474- 7441 Monday- Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. ED Manor Park Pond Update T MS MONTH THE PARK Commission heard an update on the monitoring study of the pond at Manor Park. The monitoring showed that the pond is plagued by filamentous algae, which according to water quality experts is a difficult problem to solve. Over the winter, the commission will explore various remedies and hopes to try one of them in the spring. Next spring, the park commission will plant native flowers and grasses along the shore of the Manor Park pond in an effort to deter canada geese. The geese leave droppings next to the pond as well as in the playground area, causing a public health concern. Geese are attracted to areas where grass is mowed to the water's edge because they like being able to see the water. They avoid shorelines where the vegetation is higher than their eye level because predators may be hiding in those plants. The plants will also beautify the area, provide habitat for birds, butterflies and other critters, and filter stormwater. If you are interested in participating in the planting project, please contact Park Commissioner Julie Westerlund atj.westerlund@mchsi.com or 952/470 - 4598.& Art for the Parks "ART FOR THE PARKS" FINE ARTS /CRAFTS SHOW Aft features more than 140 creative artists from the Midwest. Get the jump on holiday shopping while you F OR enjoy plenty of food, entertainment and fun — including P demonstrations by Bachman'sl FIN, E ARTS/ Call 9521843 -0502 or info @shorewoodparks.org. Presented by The Shorewood parks foundation & The Minnetonka Community Education & Services SAT., Nov. 5- 9AM / MINNETONKA H.S. (LOCATED OFF Hwy. 7, JUST WEST OF 101 IN MINNETONKA) Volunteers are still needed for Art for the Parks. Please call 952/848 -0502 for more information. Charitable Giving 10 Helpful Web Sites to Bookmark www.guidestar.org — Help for determining your giving preferences. www. minnesotagiving. org —Information about giving options. wwwcrcmn.org — Donor tips and a wealth of information about charities from the Charities Review Council of Minnesota. Drivers deeded u'wwag.state.mn.us /charities - A searchable charities database on the State Attorney General's website. M EALS ON WHEELS —South Shore is seeking volunteer drivers to deliver hot meals over the lunch hour, approximately 11:15 AM —noon, to clients in either Excelsior or Minnetonka. The commitment is flexible and drivers generally deliver meals about once a month. If you would like to help out or need more information, call 952/474 - 5227.1 www.ci.shorewood.mmus www.give.org — The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance posts information about nonprofit organizations that solicit nationally. wwwnetworkforgood.org — The Network for Good gives tips about giving safely and wisely when making your donation online. www.w2llunitedway.org — Minnesota United Way information and referral site. www.volunteermatch.org— Offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. wwwvolunteertwincities.org —How and where to volunteer. www.unitedwaytwincities.org — Learn how to get involved in your community. 2 Planning Commission Notes Signage Regulated By City Code F EW PEOPLE think about signs until they come across one that catches their attention, in either a good or bad way. Yet signs are a ubiquitous aspect of our daily life. They direct traffic, tell us the location of businesses, give us information on prices and services, and inform us about candidates for political office, to name just a few functions of signs. Why Regulate? On the surface, it might seem that local government should not be involved in regulating the location, size, and content of signs. After all, the First Amendment to the Constitution affirms the freedom of speech, and signs are certainly a form of speech, either by individuals or businesses. Yet signs generate what is known in economics as an externality, or a third party effect. At the same time that a sign put up by a business may be telling interested customers about the goods that it is selling, that sign is also generating visual clutter for the many people that have no intention of shopping there. Without regulation, one can easily conceive of a situation in which a mass of signs turns into an esthetically ugly vista. Yet businesses need to advertise their locations and services to survive and the absence of business signs would not be beneficial for a community in the long run. Further, regulations that are too restrictive, particularly those that are not impartially applied, can lead to lawsuits that cities can and have lost —expensively at times. Controlling Signs Each community must make it's own determination, subject to broad guidelines established in the courts. Residential communities like Shorewood are more likely to prefer the strictest limits on signs possible, while other more commercially oriented cities may adopt more liberal regulations. Our Ordinance The Planning Commission has been reviewing the City's sign ordinance to ensure that it is up to date in light of recent court decisions regarding sign regulation. The focus of the Commission's discussions has been on business signs. Shorewood's current sign ordinances, with certain specific exceptions, prohibit billboards, portable signs, animated or flashing signs, and roof signs. The maximum total size of a business's signs (with certain exceptions) is expressed as a proportion of the silhouette area of the front of the business's principal building and the maximum number of signs is set at three. Shopping center signs, which serve a group of businesses, are regulated in a similar manner. If a business chooses to use a freestanding sign, its height is limited. Window signs are permitted as long as they take up only a specified portion of the window. Businesses must obtain permits from the City and pay a fee to erect signs. The permitting process is not intended to micromanage the content or design of business signs. Rather, it allows the City to work with businesses to make certain that their sign plans are in conformance with the sign ordinances. 7.] .ieff Bailey, Chair Planning Commission The City Code is available for viewing at www.ci.shorewood.mn.us, or you may also view a copy of the City Code at City Hall during business hours. The Sign Ordinance will be reviewed at the Planning Commission Meeting on November I at 8 Pm in the City Council Chambers.. TNF SHORE REPORT/ NOVEMBER 2005 Council Activitiec" Since the most recent newsletter, the City Council: • Appointed Robert Hensley to the Park Commission. • Approved two ordinances that amended the City's Zoning Code and the City's Zoning Map for two properties. One property, located at 23975 Yellowstone Trail, was rezoned from R- IA, Single Family Residential to R -1C, Single Family Residential. The second property, located at 5745 Country Club Road, home of the Badger Well house in Badger Park, was rezoned from C -3, General Commercial to R -1C, Single Family Residential. • Approved the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission 2006 Budget. • Heard a proposal regarding the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department Operating Budget issues. • Approved the extension of additional watermain along Suburban Drive as part of the interconnection for the Southeast Area and Amesbury watermain project. This project will include the extension of municipal water from the proposed watermain at the intersection of Manor Road and St. Albans Road, along Suburban Drive to the Parkview Crossing subdivision. Southshore Center Available T HE SOUTHSHORE CENTER offers the perfect setting for your holiday gathering, meeting, family reunion, or other event. There are several sizes of rooms available to fit your occasion. For a tour of the facilities, please contact the Southshore Center at 952/541-1019.7,) 3 www,ci.shorewood.mn.us THE SHORE REPORT I NOVEMBER 2005 Snowmobile Safety Certification A LTHOUGH THE T w1N CITIES area has been known to have some great snowstorms in November, residents are reminded that snowmobile season in Shorewood does not begin until December 1. Any person found riding prior to December 1 can be ticketed and their snowmobile can be impounded. Youth Laws In the State of Minnesota, it is against the law for any person under fourteen years of age to operate a snowmobile on streets, highways, public lands, or frozen water, or to make a direct crossing of a street, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Youth fourteen years of age through nineteen years of age may operate a snowmobile on streets, highways, certain public land and frozen waters, only if they have in their immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. Safety Certification Minnesota offers two courses to promote snowmobile safety and to train snowmobile operators. The youth and young adult course is an introductory course and is available to students ages 12 -17. The adult course is available to snowmobile operators age 16 and over and is offered both as a classroom course and as an Independent Study course. These courses all lead to a Snowmobile Safety Certificate upon successful completion of the course. A complete class schedule and description may be viewed on the DNR web site, www.dnr:state.rnmus /safety/ vehicle % snowmobile /index.html, or contact the DNR at 651/296 -4819. For more on snowmobile safety, go to the Minnesota Safety Council web site, www.mnsafetycouncil.org. www.ci.shorewood.mn.us Commun Eve S 0wo. Wine Tasting T HE FRIENDS OF THE Southshore Center are sponsoring a Wine and Hors d'oeuvres event for the evening of Friday, November 11 from 5 :30 to 8 PM. This event is a fundraiser for support of the center. Non - alcoholic beverages will also be available. Cost is $20. Holiday Homes Tour Sunday, Nov 13; 1 -4 pm T oLiR E XCELSIOR HOMES that are decorated for the holidays. Tickets available at several Excelsior merchants, or contact the Excelsior Area Chamber of Commerce, 952 /474 -6461. Excelsior Library The Reading Magic Show Friday, Nov. 25, 10:30 AM N ORM BARNHART PRESENTS a dazzling, sleight -of -hand comedy and magic show that encourages children to read. Magical fun and comedy for everyone. Westonka Library Minnesota Crime Wave Monday, Nov 14 7 PM Registration required, begins Nov 1. A LIVELY AND FUN panel discussion about the art of writing mystery stories. Register at 952/847 -6175. There will be time to enjoy refreshments and ask questions. Help With Energy Costs T HE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM can help you pay energy costs —such as a heating bill— between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. If you qualify, you could receive a grant to cover some of your energy expenses. Additionally, if you receive Energy Assistance, you may qualify for weatherization services. These services can improve your home's energy efficiency and lower your energy bill. Furnace repair or replacement assistance is also available. Who can apply for energy assistance? Both homeowners and renters may be eligible for assistance. Renters who don't pay their heat may also be eligible for energy assistance. Do you have to pay the money back? No. Energy Assistance is given as a grant, not a loan. You do not need to repay it. What are the income guidelines? Eligibility for Energy Assistance is calculated by looking at gross income (your income before taxes and other deductions) for a three -month period. Your income must be at or below the following guidelines. 2006 Energy Assistance Guidelines Family Size Maximum three Month Income 1 $4 2 $6,522 3 $8,056 4 $9,951 5 $11,126 6 $12,660 7 $12,948 8 $13,236 ** $288 for each additional family member over eight ** How can I apply? An application must be completed in order to receive Energy Assistance. The application can be downloaded from www .capsh.org /energyassistance.htm or by contacting CAPSH between 9 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday at 952/930 -3541 or by email at eap &ashenn. org. j � 4 THE SHORE REPORT / NOVEMBER 2005 Flu Shot Clinic for Seniors Wednesday, Nov 2; 10 am -2 pm HE MINNESOTA VISITING Nurses Association will be at the center for a flu shot clinic. The charge for the flu shot will be $19 (unless you have Medicare Part B). Individuals must bring Medicare card, any other insurance card, and any postcards you may have received from your HMO. Please make appointments through the Southshore Center. Holiday Craft Boutique and Chicken Dinner November 4 -6 HE EVENT WILL FEATURE a holiday craft boutique and bake sale on Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm). A sloppy j oe lunch will be served on Friday from 11 am to 1 pm. Cost: $3.50. A chicken dinner will be served on Sunday, November 5, from 11 am to 1 pm. Tickets for the dinner are $8 for adults and $3.50 for children 10 and under. Take out dinners are available. Tickets are on sale at the center and at the door on the day of the event. MN. History Center in St. Paul Tuesday, November 8 OB J ANSEN, assistant director of news research at the Star Tribune, will illustrate the evolution of news photography in Minneapolis daily newspapers and include memorable images from the Star Tribune archives. Cost: $15; includes transportation and museum admission. Veterans' Day Lunch November 11 L UNCH FOLLOWED BY a visit with Rick Jost, Executive Director of the MN Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. The Southshore Center is located at 5735 Country Club Road, Shorewood. The office is open dailyfrom 8:30,4m to 4 Pm. For more information or to register for classes call (952) 474 -7635. Quick Sort Recycling Guide R ECYCLING IS EASY, and with energy costs on the way up, natural resources becoming more expensive, and with the demand for recycling materials on the rise, it makes economic as well as environmental sense. Simply separate your recyclables into TWO categories ... Newspaper, 0 Miscellaneous Paper \� and Cardboard (Clean and Dry) Recyclable paper products include: • Newspapers, Magazines & Catalogs • Direct mail advertisements • Books, file folders and notebooks • Envelops of all types (windows OK) • Paper of all colors, fax and telex sheets, onion skin paper, clean paper bags • 4 C's boxboard: Cereal, Cake, chip and Cracker boxes • Corrugated cardboard (flatten and cut into 3' X 3'; tie or tape) • Phone books Not Recyclable Curbside: • TV Guide, Reader's Digest • String, twine, cotton balls • Paper towels, napkins • Cups, coffee filters, tea bags • Waxed paper or waxed anything (milk cartons, drink boxes, frozen food boxes) • Candy and gum wrappers • Waxy boxes like pop cases • Cellophane, foil, plastic wrap • Carbon paper, wallpaper • Bathroom waste paper • Photos, slides, transparencies Metal cans, glass © bottles and jars, plastic bottles Recyclable items include: • Metal food cans and aluminum beverage cans (rinsed) • Glass bottles and jars —three colors: brown, green and clear (remove lids and caps; rinse) • Plastic bottles (throw away all caps, lids, pumps and metal handles; rinse). Commonly accepted plastic bottles are: soda bottles, milk and water jugs and laundry product containers. Not Recyclable Curbside: • Aerosol cans, paint • Motor oil, gasoline • Light bulbs • Window panes • Pottery • Disposable razors • Toys, dishes • Medicine • Plastic cups, silverware • Plastic wrap • Foam cups, foam packaging • Plastic tubs for yogurt, cottage cheese, margarine, etc. • Cardboard milk containers • Plastic bags If you have any questions about the Shorewood recycling program, please contact Waste Management of Minnesota, 1- 800 -450 -9378. 5 www.ci.shorewood.mn.us The heart of active livin CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHOREWOOD, MN 55331 (952)474.3236 FAX (952)474.0128 Monday - Friday 8 Ann to 4:30 Pea Council Members Woody Love, Mayor Christine Lizde, Ward 1 Laura Turgeon, Ward 2 Paula Callies, Ward 3 Martin Wellens, Ward 4 City Administrator. Craig Dawson Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #30681 MINNEAPOLIS, MN JOIN THE BUCKTHORN BUST AT FREEMAN PARK SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5; 9 AM - NOON. Happening W1P1:Ward 1, Precinct 1 W 1 P2: Ward 1, Precinct 2 Map Descriptions The following items are on the November 1, 2005 Planning Commission Agenda: 1. The Conditional Use Permit application for 4550 Enchanted Point is continued from the October 4 meeting. 2. The minor subdivision application for 5840 Christmas Lake Road is continued from October 4. 3. The owner of 19735 Muirfield Circle in requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow fill in excess of 100 cu. yds. to build an in- ground swimming pool. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:15 P.M. 4. Lecy Construction, Inc. is applying for a preliminary plat to redivide Outlots A and B of Apple Ridge 2nd Addition for the purpose of combining the parcels with existing adjacent properties. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. 5. The property owner of 6180 Cathcart Drive is applying for a minor subdivision to create one additional residential lot. A public hearing is not required. 6. The owner of 20520 and 20540 Excelsior Boulevard is requesting approval of minor subdivision to create base lots for two 2- family dwellings. A public hearing is not required. 7. The Zoning Ordinance will be reviewed to consider various amendments to the sign regulations of the Code. A public hearing is scheduled for 8 P.M. THE SHORE REPORT / NOVEMBER 2005