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January 2004 Shore ReportJANUARY 2004 ; C. ffim INSIDE Park/Trail News ............. 2 Snow Plow Safety ........... 2 Commission Openings ...... 3 Senior Corner ............... 4 Recycling News .............4 Council Activities .......... 5 Planning Notes ............. 5 Community Events .......... .5 Public Hearings /Map....... —6 Shorewood To Maintain Level of Police Service LIE ou MAY HAVE BEEN following articles in the local newspapers about the 2004 operating budget of the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department ( SLMPD). According to the joint powers agreement, the required contribution from each of the four cities (Shorewood, Excelsior, Greenwood, and Tonka Bay) is the smallest percentage increase approved by any one city. The SLMPD Coordinating Committee, the governing board comprised of the mayors of each city, recommended an additional $85,000 in revenue from the cities for 2004 – a 6.3% increase. Three of the city councils agreed with this increase. The Excelsior City Council decided not to increase its contribution at all, and essentially created an $85,000 shortfall. Subsequently, the Coordinating Committee put forth an alternative predicated on three cities going ahead with the 6.3% increases - -- collectively, $60,000 —they had approved. It defined the basic service each city would receive if there were no additional revenues from the cities in 2004. The three cities that provided additional funding would be purchasing a higher level of service, but in reality one that maintained the services they have received for several years. Under "Approach A ", which has now been accepted by the Coordinating Committee, Shorewood, Greenwood, and Tonka Bay will fund the services of the community service /crime prevention officer. Having the CS /CPO will free up time for the police to perform other functions requiring a licensed officer, and these functions will be performed in the three cities. One half -time administrative support position will be left vacant. It is expected that discussions will begin early in 2004 in an effort to avoid such a situation for the SLMPD's 2005 operating budget. As it stands, the base figure for the cities' contributions for 2005 will be the same as it has been for 2003 and 2004.0" New Public Safety Building open Z b L T HE NEW CONI MIVEn police /fire station will be occupied in January. As of press time, the Excelsior Fire District planned to move fire apparatus (e.g., trucks, pumpers, hoses, etc.) from the old station in downtown Excelsior to the new facility on December 29. It needed to vacate the old building by December 31, as the City of Excelsior has leased the space to ICA food shelf /emergency assistance effective January 1. The South Lake Minnetonka Police Department plans to move into its new quarters starting January 9. It needs to be fully moved by the end of the month, as the SLMPD's lease with the City of Excelsior for the current station expires January 31. Although they have new addresses, their phone numbers will remain the same: EFD: 24100 Smithtown Road 952.401.8801 SLMPD: 24150 Smithtown Road 952.474.3261 Plans for a grand opening have not yet been finalized. The date(s) will appear in the Shore Report. Construction on the EFD East Station, at 20225 Cottagewood Road, Deephaven, began in November. Occupancy is anticipated in Spring 200452 U pcon Meetings Haliday,City Hall C #osed Planning Commission Meeting L-eague of <Wortten Voters at `{v H4 i U0 "y x,!13 7:00 r : ss�ni lA0f.-eting� !:00 � I'26 /:00 y C _m 0 Nlee2, -J ,ee pg.2 fOr COLUICH Cable Schedule 1 t.j Minutes of i Ayc daS Lire. nvailable on th:' City VVe'b site after they are approved, n 1mci. shorewood.rnn.us: What's Happening in the City? Public Safety ♦ Building '*City Hall/ _ Southshore Center 3 1 Map Descriptions CB= Crescent Beach 1. A public hearing is scheduled at 7 PM to review a Planned Unit Development proposal for commercial office buildings on two adjacent properties located at 6120 and 6140 Lake Linden Drive. the applicant also proposes amendment to the Zoning Ordinance text regulating permitted uses in the R -C (Residential - Commercial) Zoning District. 2. The Planning Commission will continue review of Development Stage Plans (preliminary plat) for a Planned Unit Development proposal to build 11 twin - homes (22 dwelling units) on property located at 20775 Manor Road and adjacent parcels (Carmichiel Auto Salvage property). This item was on the December 2 agenda. 3. A lot line rearrangement between 28210 and 28220 Woodside Road will be considered. A public hearing is not required. For complete minutes of Planning Commission Meetings, see the City Web site, www.ci.shorewoodmn.us. Minutes are published on the Web site once they have been approver Sand & Salt PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #128 EXCELSIOR, NiN 55331 .SEE PAGE 3 FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEER BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS. 2 ,ruyd Barrels O HELP KEEP YOUR driveway and walkway safe, residents of Shorewood can purchase a gallon barrel filled with a sand and salt mixture. The cost is $40 for the initial barrel and $30 for refills. Send your request, complete with your name, address and telephone number, and a check payable to City of Shorewood, to: City of Shorewood, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331. The Public Works Department will contact you to schedule a delivery time. N 0 T T! REPORT / J ANUARY 2004 CITY OF SHOREWOOD W r 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD c +� SHORE9fa OOD, MN 55331 E .6 C x Ct (952)474,3236 FAX (952'474.0128 0 j M Monday ° Friday 8 Imp to 4.30 Pm ' 0 M ;A �- LS -a I iV M Council f ernbers LJ Woody Love, Mayor John Garfunkel 'u Christine Linde Laura Turgeon ` Scut Zerby o E M W City Admi nistrator. Craig Dawson Or Cuv rent Resident > V1 Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. What's Happening in the City? Public Safety ♦ Building '*City Hall/ _ Southshore Center 3 1 Map Descriptions CB= Crescent Beach 1. A public hearing is scheduled at 7 PM to review a Planned Unit Development proposal for commercial office buildings on two adjacent properties located at 6120 and 6140 Lake Linden Drive. the applicant also proposes amendment to the Zoning Ordinance text regulating permitted uses in the R -C (Residential - Commercial) Zoning District. 2. The Planning Commission will continue review of Development Stage Plans (preliminary plat) for a Planned Unit Development proposal to build 11 twin - homes (22 dwelling units) on property located at 20775 Manor Road and adjacent parcels (Carmichiel Auto Salvage property). This item was on the December 2 agenda. 3. A lot line rearrangement between 28210 and 28220 Woodside Road will be considered. A public hearing is not required. For complete minutes of Planning Commission Meetings, see the City Web site, www.ci.shorewoodmn.us. Minutes are published on the Web site once they have been approver Sand & Salt PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #128 EXCELSIOR, NiN 55331 .SEE PAGE 3 FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEER BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS. 2 ,ruyd Barrels O HELP KEEP YOUR driveway and walkway safe, residents of Shorewood can purchase a gallon barrel filled with a sand and salt mixture. The cost is $40 for the initial barrel and $30 for refills. Send your request, complete with your name, address and telephone number, and a check payable to City of Shorewood, to: City of Shorewood, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331. The Public Works Department will contact you to schedule a delivery time. N 0 T T! REPORT / J ANUARY 2004 THE SNORE REPORT AANUARY 2004 Stay Back, Stay Alive E ACH YEAR MOTORISTS are warned of the danger involved in following snowplows too closely. Unfortunately, while this warning is headed by some, each year in Minnesota there are approximately 110 snowplow /vehicle accidents reported. Drivers new to Minnesota roads may not be aware of the dangers involved, and many drivers, experienced or not, do not understand the limited field of vision experienced in the large plows required to keep our roads clear for safe winter driving. Drivers should remember to use the "eight- second rule" when following a Winter Driving Safety M N /DOT HAS THE following recommendations for safe winter living: Turn on your headlights, day and night. Turn off your cruise control. Slow down. Stay behind the snowplow. The road behind a snowplow will be safer to drive on. Also, snowplows turn and exit frequently. Never drive into a snow cloud. Test road surfaces frequently. Black ice is invisible and may be present in some areas, but not others. M Council on Cable City Council meetings are broadcast on Cable Channel 8 at: December 8 Meeting WIIDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 AT 5:30 PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 AT 1:30 PM January 12 Meeting TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 AT 9:00 AM THU RSDAY, JANUARY 15 AT 9:30 PM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 AT 1:30 PM January 26 Meeting TUi , SDAY, JANUARY 27 AT 9:30 PM TUURSD.AY, JANUARY 29 AT 9:30 AM snowplow. This means that when the plow passes a fixed object on the side of the road, your vehicle should not pass that same object for at least eight - seconds. If you are closer than eight - seconds, slow down! You are driving too closely! Keep in mind, the average snowplow weights 17 times more than your car. It is not a contest a car is likely to win. Snowplow Operators Field of rision: Dial up, log on MN Road Information OR INFORMATION ON weather - related road conditions, construction and congestion in Minnesota, travelers can call 511 on telephones (not available on Verizon) or by logging on to www 511 mn. org. 71 www.ci.shorewood.mn.us 2 Park/TrailTalk The Ice Is Coming! HE ARRIVAL OF temperatures consistently below freezing sends some of us inside with a large cup of hot cocoa, but many residents are more eager to throw on their parkas and head to Shorewood ice rinks! Dependent upon weather conditions, the skating season should go through mid - February, 2004. Warming houses are at the parks ready to go, and the City has slated the following hours of operation: Monday - Friday............ 3:30 — 9 PM Saturday .........................11 AM — 9 PM Sunday ............................12 PM — 9 PM Holiday Break (12/23 -1/3) 9 AM - 9 PM CLOSES AT 3:30,12/24; CLOSED DECEMBER 25 AND JANUARY 1. Closing times may vary slightly if the rink is not in use or an attendant is not available. Warming houses will be posted when closed. Hockey rinks are occasionally scheduled for team hockey practices. These schedules are posted at the warming house. Warming house hours are posted. Badger, Manor and Cathcart parks have both free skating facilities and warming houses operated by rink attendants. Badger and Cathcart also have hockey boards and nets. Silverwood Park has a pond, which is groomed for a free skating rink when the ice is determined to be safe. A Note to Parents and Skaters T IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE arrangements in advance to pick up children at the end of their skating time. The telephones in the warming houses are for emergency use only and will be locked when the attendant is outside. The 10 PM curfew for juveniles 14 and younger will be enforced. Rink attendants are required to follow City regulations themselves, and to see to it that others do the same. Comments regarding rink operations should be directed to City Hall, (952) 474-3236.U] Planning Commission Notes ANY RESIDENTS Of Shorewood don't realize that the City has a junkyard within its boundaries. Carmichael's Auto Salvage is located to the north of Highway 7 about a quarter mile east of Christmas Lake Road. The business has been operating at the site for over 47 years. Situated in a ravine that was formerly a gravel quarry, Carmichael's is difficult to see anytime of the year, but in the summer, with the trees in full foliage, the place is largely invisible to traffic on Highway 7. During the winter, observant drivers can see portions of the junked cars from the road. Non - Conforming Use Shorewood, being a residential city, wouldn't normally plan for the operation of such a business. But Carmichael's was formed long before the City's current zoning code and Comprehensive Plan were adopted. Thus, Carmichaels' is referred to as a "non- conforming use" within the residential zoning district in which it lies. The business is allowed to continue, but not to expand. If it should cease operation, it cannot be replaced with another commercial activity, either a salvage yard or other business. Capestone Builders has proposed to redevelop the Carmichael's property for residential use. Specifically, Capestone is proposing to build 11 twinhomes serviced by a private road extending off of Excelsior Boulevard. Included within the property is a large wetland area and many of the twinhomes will be walkouts with the rear facing the wetlands. The site will be served by City water from the southeast water tower, providing an important addition to the eastside water system that will help defray the system's costs. The builder expects that each half of the twinhomes will sell for over $600,000. Planned Unit Development If approved, the property will be developed as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). That is a feature of the zoning code that permits homes to be clustered closer together than would normally be allowed in exchange for leaving portions of a property excluded from further development. The PUD provisions are particularly useful in this sort of project because keeping structures away from the steep bluffs and wetlands surrounding the portions of the property can best protect those areas. While in any multi -unit development there are numerous issues that must be addressed, in the case ofthe Carmichael's property, environmental issues are at the forefront. Carmichael's has always been considered to be a relatively clean facility. No toxic chemicals were stored on site and liquids were drained from the cars before being brought in for salvage. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as an entirely clean salvage yard. Over the years, contaminants have seeped into the soils. The developer has undertaken environmental studies to determine the extent of the contamination. So far, results are encouraging. Some soil will have to be removed and transported to a landfill. But in general it appears that no serious environmental remediation is required. The Commission approved a concept stage plan for the PUD in January 2003. If various questions can be fully answered, a development stage plan could be approved in January 2004. That could lead to soil correction and grading beginning in the Spring of 2004, with construction on all units completed by 2006. Jeff Bailey, Chair Planning Commission THE .SHORE REPORT /January 2004 Council Activities Since the last Shore Report the City Council: • Held the Truth -in- Taxation Public Hearing for residents and heard reports from staff on the 2004 budget and tax levy. • Approved a minor subdivision for Yellowstone Trail, allowing the property owner to subdivide the lot to allow the development of one additional house. • Received updates from staff on the County Road 19 Intersection construction project, the demolition schedule for the former Tonka Bay Liquor Store, and for the Gideon Glen project. Complete minutes for the City Council meetings are available for two years on the City Web site, www.cLshorewood.mn.us. Minutes are placed on the Web site once they have been approved by the City Council: Prior minutes are available for review upon request at City Hall. Community Events Piano Concert with Mary Beth Carlson Friday, January 16, 7 Pm NJOY THE EXPERIENCE Of the breathtaking piano music of Mary Beth Carlson in concert at the ArtsCenter Minnetonka. Profits from this concert will support programming efforts of Southshore Center, Minnetonka Senior Center and Minnetonka Community Education and Services. Tickets are $15 and are available by calling (952) 401 - 5054. www.ci.shorewood.mn.us LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Vol. 12 • No. 4 • Winter 2003 SPRING PARK OFFICE /STUDIO: 952. 471.7125 • FAX 471.9151 2003 W eb www.lmcc -tvorg EMAIL LMCC @LMCC TV.ORG Internet Ruled an "Information Service" COMMISSIONERS Deephaven On March 15, 2002, the FCC issued a they will still act on cable modem com- Kim Crockett declaratory ruling that concluded that plaints the LMCC forwards to them to *Dennis Stanga, Vice Chair cable modem (internet) service is an "inter- better communicate with subscribers. Excelsior *James Olds, Treasurer state information service" and not a cable However, cable modem services are now Gary Ringate service. As such, cable operators who are regulated by the FCC, so cable modem Greenwood providing cable modem services are no complaints should be directed to the FCC David Rubenstein longer subject to regulation of the internet for resolution. LMCC consultants have Delores Tessler as a cable service. advised the LMCC to have residents direct Independence This perception was reinforced recently email complaints about cable modem serv- Lynn Betts , Jim Smith, Secretary the Ninth Circuit Federal Court that b Y (Federal) ice direct to FCC Chairman Michael K. directly Long Lake said that cable service is "the one -way Powell mpowell@fcc.gov and copy the Bob Hardin transmission of programming to sub- other FCC commissioners. The LMCC will Tim Szeliga scribers" while a cable modem service is still take complaints on cable modem serv- Loretto "interactive ", not one way, but 2 -way. ices but we do not have regulatory author - John Reynolds What that means is the LMCC is no it y to resolve the issues. The LMCC does Kent Medina Medina longer able to enforce customer service g still maintain regulatory authority cable g y y Carolyn Smith standards on cable modem services. television. Ann Thies Mediacom has informed the Commission Minnetonka Beach Bobbie Abdo Leonard MacKinnon Producer of the Quarter Minnetrista -David Gillette, At Largge e Television Production Class in March and Jeff Montang has been taking classes and producing Orono her ongoing program, "Our Savior • Bob Albertson, At Large Bob Sansevere Lutheran Church Service" ever since! St. Bonifaclus Her name is Carol Beyer and she is Tim Eiler also the reason that we offered a one Shawn Ruotsinoja Shorewood day certification class on Basic Television Scott Zerby Production in October. Carol has taken Patrick Hodapp her program from a single camera to a 3 Spring Park -Tom Scanlon, At Large camera production and needed some *Bruce Williamson, Chairperson help to get it done. This one day certifi- Tonka Bay cation class added 6 people to Carol's Ken Folley Ed Bauman Carol Beyer and her daughter, Shannon work group for "Our Savior" and added Victoria The LMCC would like to announce a total of 18 new producers to this facili- Eric Jacoby Jerome Keehr the winner of our Producer of the ty! Thanks again to Carol Beyer, the Woodland Quarter Award. This quarter, the award LMCC's Producer of the Quarter for the Tom Newberry goes to someone who took our Basic 4th Quarter of 2003. -Executive Committee DEEPHAVEN EXCELSIOR GREENWOOD INDEPENDENCE LONG LAKE LORETTO MEDINA MINNETONKA BEACH MINNETRISTA ORONO ST BONIFACIUS SHOREWOOD SPRING PARK TONKA BAY VICTORIA WOODLAND Mound residents may also use the studio. LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 4071 SUNSET DRIVE • PO. BOX 385 • SPRING PARK, MN 55384 Production Workshops a �� ��" Holiday Open House -,.,a ,* , The LMCC now offers 4 television produc- tion classes at no cost to anyone who lives in The LMCC will be holding an television studio. The television stu- one of our member cities. Here is our class Open House On December 10 from dio is available for use by the public, schedule for the next quarter: gam until 8pm. We have invited the free of charge, to produce television Digital Production: Begins on Monday, December 1st and runs for volunteer producers who produce programs. Also, for the holidays, the 4 weeks programs for the public, the 16 LMCC has asked producers and Basic Production: cities who are members of the others of the community to extend Begins on Wednesday, January 7th and runs for 4 weeks LMCC and the general community. g Y a holiday greeting Y 9 9 roduced at the P Van Production: This year, we are not televising the studio. Be watching for your neigh - Begins on Wednesday, February 4th and runs open house but are offering brief bors' and friends' greetings on for 4 weeks tours of the facility for anyone inter- Channel 21 throughout the holiday Intermediate Production: Begins on March 10th and runs for 4 weeks ested In learning more about our seasons. All classes start at 6:30pm and run until approximately 8:30pm. Classes normally run for 4 consecutive weeks. For details, call us at (952)471 -7125 or e -mail me atjim@lmcc-tv.org for details. Recent Class Graduates: The following is a list of individuals who have completed one or more of our production classes recently: Basic Production: Josh Rosamond, Victoria Jerry Rosamond, Victoria Travis Schmitz, Orono Scott Phyle, Mound Sheldon Tang, Excelsior Leif Tang, Excelsior Nils Tang, Excelsior Jody Peterson Lodge, Shorewood Chelsea Okey, Mound Courtney Okey, Mound Nolan Okey, Mound Dee Scott, Mound Ken Scott, Mound Tammy Schroeder, Minnetrista Minji Sweeter, Mound Chelsie Olson, Mound Ben Lass, Minnetrista Jordan lass, Minnetrista Sarah Martinson, Mound Andrew Reinitz, Mound John Flynn, Deephaven Erik Gersovitz, Orono Alex Gersovitz, Orono Asta Gersovitz, Orono Van Production: Daphne Okey, Mound Sue Grady, Mound Digital Production: Gary Spurlock, Medina Erik Jacoby, Victoria Blaine Marcy, Excelsior Nick Anderson, Orono Congratulations to all of the graduates of our television production classes! Gillespie Center Telethon a Huge The Gillespie Center and the LMCC collaborated on the production of a telethon, live on Channel 21, to raise funds for the Center. The Gillespie Center is a local non - profit organiza- tion that serves a number of the same cities as the LMCC. The telethon, held October 4th and 5th included the Westonka Whirlers (a local square dance club), Madjazz and the Popsingers from Mound Westonka High School as well as Elvis himself (or possibly an impersonator? We're not surel) Other activities took place at the Center. The goal was to raise funds to help expand parking at the Gillespie Center. We're pleased to announce Success that although the Center didn't reach the total funding required we did raise S 100,000. This included the matching funding from the Gillespie Family Fund. Our thanks to Eli Ehlebracht who spearheaded the idea and to all the volunteers who came in on their own time to help make this very important event a success. As a spinoff to the telethon three senior centers, the Gillespie Center, the Southshore Center of Shorewood and the Tamarack Center of Long Lake are planning to produce a monthly television program with information for area seniors and resi- dents in general. On The Road: Our production van continues to be a very visible entity in the lake area! Over the past 3 months, we've covered at least a dozen football games for both the Mound Westonka White Hawks and the Minnetonka Skippers. We would like to I— LMcc — STAFF Sally Koenecke Sue Paurus Administrator Administrative Assistant Jim Lundberg John Peterson Station Manager Assistant Station Manager/ Community Media Specialist Tim Crowe Cylinda Bongard Production Assistant Production Assistant offer special thanks to both Eli Ehlebracht and Sandra Roach for putting together the groups that used our production van to cover these exciting high school foot- ball games! Studio Hours 9am until l Opm Monday through Thursday 9am until 7pm on Friday Siam until 2pm on Saturday LMCC Channel Line -Up Channel 8 —City Council Meetings Channel 19— Educational Access Channel 20— School and County Board Meetings Channel 21— Public Access Planning /Park Commission Openings P OSITIONS ON THE Planning and Park Commissions are open for application to interested Shorewood residents through Monday, January S. Both Commissions act as advisory boards to the City Council. The Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month; the Park Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Additional meetings are sometimes needed. Questions about the role of a Commissioner may be answered by calling City Hall, (952) 474 -3236. The Council will appoint residents to the positions in January. If you are interested in serving a three - year term on either Commission, please submit a letter of interest and /or a brief resume to: Craig Dawson, City Administrator City of Shorewood 5755 Country Club Road Shorewood, MN 55331 FAX: (952) 474 -0128 E -mail: cityhall @ci.shorewood.mn.us Volunteer Board Opportunities A S A RESIDENT OF SHOREWOOD, you have the opportunity to serve on a variety of volunteer board and commissions where you can have a true impact on the future of your community. These positions are appointed by the City Council. The following positions are available for the 2004 term. To apply, please send a letter of interest by Monday, January 12 to: City of Shorewood, Attn: Craig Dawson, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331; FAX: (952) 474 -0128; E -mail: cityhall @ci. shorewood mn. us. MCESAdvisory Council The purpose of this council is to bring together representatives of Minnetonka School District #276 to advise, promote and support MCES programs, services and budgets. These representatives include members from the community at- large, the cities within the district, the school board, and high- school students. The council meetings are open to district residents. Meetings are held at 7 PM ON the second Thursday of the month at the Minnetonka Schools District Service Center. LMCC Board The Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission (LMCC) strives to ensure appropriate cable communications standards to its cities' residents. The LMCC also provides a television studio for public use and is dedicated to providing our communities with television production training and cablecast access at no charge. Board positions are for a one year term. All meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month, with the full committee meeting 4 times per year and the Executive Committee meeting 8 times per year. LMCD Board The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) Board of Directors is composed of one member appointed by the City Councils of the 14 cities surrounding Lake Minnetonka. These cities include Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Victoria, Wayzata, and Woodland. In general, the Board reviews various license application requests, considers studies of lake issues, takes measures to control Eurasian Watermilfoil and other exotic species, and considers other related lake - management issues. License applications reviewed by the Board include special event permits; multiple docks; district mooring areas; deicing; charter boats; and beer, wine, and liquor approvals for related charter boats. t THE SHORE REPORT / JAN UARY 2004 Watershed District Board Position T HE MnvNEHARA CREEK Watershed District is the regional governmental unit chiefly responsible for protecting the water resources of the Minnehaha Creek watershed. The District covers approximately 181 square miles that ultimately drain into the Minnehaha Creek (which then enters the Mississippi River). The watershed includes natural treasures such as Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. There are eight major creeks, 129 lakes and thousands of wetlands within the MCWD. The MCWD also includes all or part of 27 cities and three townships in Hennepin and Carver Counties. The MCWD is governed by a seven - member Board of Managers, who are appointed by the Hennepin and Carver county boards. The public is encouraged to attend MCWD meetings, held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the City of Minnetonka Council Chambers. For information on applying for one of the two Hennepin County positions open as of March 2004, please contact MCWD at (952) 471 -0590; email: admin @minnehahacreek.org 1 Rent the Southshore Center T HE SOUTHSHORE CENTER has rooms available for rent for weddings, meetings, parties and special events. The facility will handle groups large and small. Reserve now for graduation! For more information and a tour of the facility call JoAnn Kvern at (952) 541 - 1019M The heart 4f active livin www.d.shorewood.14.us THE SHORE REPORTIJanuaf y 2004 Recycling Mews Help Rid Your Home and Community of Mercury Danger: Thermometer Exchange OUNTIES OFFER FREE fever thermometer exchange program to reduce risks of mercury exposure The Twin Cities' Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) kicks off a renewed campaign urging area residents to turn in their mercury fever thermometers in exchange for a free digital thermometer. A new print ad inserted in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press informs residents that when a glass mercury thermometer breaks or cracks, the liquid, silver - colored mercury can leak, risking exposure to their families. Mercury can damage human health because it is toxic to the nervous system, the brain and spinal cord. The greatest risk is to fetuses and young children because their nervous systems are still developing. Exposure to mercury in adults can affect vision, speech, hearing, thinking and motor skills. If a mercury thermometer is thrown in the trash or if a broken mercury thermometer is not cleaned up properly, the mercury will be released to the environment. The mercury will circulate in and out of the atmosphere until it ends up in the bottom of a lake or ocean, where fish may eat it. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that the primary cause of mercury exposure for most people is from eating mercury- contaminated fish," says Susan Haigh, Ramsey County Commissioner and Chair of the SWMCB. "The mercury thermometer exchange program is our attempt to reduce such exposures by intercepting the problematic thermometers before their toxic ingredients enter our water sources and subsequently contaminate our fish." Households Hazardous Waste collection sites in Hennepin County will accept mercury fever thermometers and in return offer residents a free digital thermometer safe for their families and the environment. The two sites are: Brooklyn Park Recycling Center & Transfer Station 8100 Jefferson Highway Bloomington South Hennepin Recycling & Problem Waste Drop -off Center 1400 West 96th St. Hours: Tues /Thurs /Fri 10 AM -6 PM Wed 10 AM -8 PM Sat 8 AM -5 PM Closed Sun/Mon /Holidays For additional information visit www.GreenGuardian.com. or call (612) 348 -3777. M Pit Arm Chair Travel; Travel from Budapest to Amsterdam and enjoy the slides of a river cruise on the Danube and the Main Canal and River. Helen McNulty will present the program on Friday, January 30, at 1 PM. The cost is $2.50. Meet a Local Author; Meet Donald Draayer, retired superintendent of the Minnetonka School District, and author of Retirement Straight Talk: Stories and Wisdom from Educators. He will discuss the many things that come with being happy and successful in retirement on Friday, January 23, from 10 to 11 PM. There is no charge. Art Classes, Watercolor painting classes will be offered at the Center beginning on Thursdays, February 5 through March 25. Cost for the 8 -week series is $50. There will both the beginning and advanced classes offered. Class size is limited to 10 people. SouthShore Center Book Club; The organizational meeting of the Southshore Center Book Club will be on Tuesday, January 27, at 10 AM. All interested participants should attend or call the Center to express an interest. The meeting format and dates will be determined. Jane Stein, from the Excelsior Library, will lead the meeting. There is no charge. Field Trips, Day trips are being offered in January to the following places: Lewis & Clark — Great Journey West, Science Museum of Minnesota Omni Theater, Wednesday, January 14. A Castle of Ice and a House of Brick, James J. Hill House tour and visit to the 2004 Ice Castle, Thursday, January 29. The Southshore Center is located at 5735 Country Club Road, Shorewood. The office is open daily from 8:30 ant to 4 PM. For more or to register for classes call (952) 474 -7635. Christmas Tree Disposal H ENNEPIN COUNTY has arranged for free disposal of Christmas Trees from January 5th through January 24th at the following times and locations: NRG Transfer Station 630 Malcolm Ave SE, Mpls Mon -Fri 8 AM to 4 PM NRG Shakopee Compost Site 14800 Johnson Memorial Hwy (Hwy 169), Louisville Township Mon -Fri 8 AM to 4 PM For specific information and regulations, call NRG at (952) 946 -6999. M Recycling schedule I SLAND RECYCLING PICK -UP will be on January 2 rather than January 1. No other holidays will affect recycling pick- ups this month. www.ci.shorewood.mn. us 4