November 2001 Shore ReportHOVE' BE 2001
Precautions after September 11
INSIDE
Garden News .............'
Communications Corner ..!.
Council on Cable..........
Early Shorewood..........
Budget Update ...........
Home Maintenance .......
Positions Available ........
Snowmobile Rules/Reps..
Garbage Survey Results ...
Shorewood Map ..........
Y OU DIDN SEE ANYTHING about the
events of September 11 in the October
issue of the Shore Report. It happened just
before the newsletter deadline, and we were
as shocked as everyone else was by these
terrible incidents. It was too soon to share
much information.
We are saddened for everyone lost in
these atrocities, and for their friends and
families. It hit us especially hard as there
were so many public servants who gave
their lives doing their jobs, serving others.
It has given us firmer resolve to make sure
local democracy works, and gratitude that
we are able to serve you.
The City of Shorewood has taken precau-
tions in response to risks that we have a
greater awareness of. Fortunately, there
are few matters in terms of direct service
delivery that involve the City. The most
important is the City's water system, and
we have increased security measures for
our water facilities.
Local emergency management is primar-
ily the responsibility of the South Lake
Minnetonka Police Department (of which
Shorewood is a member). SLMPD is in
frequent contact with State and Federal
authorities about potential risks, and in turn
is in frequent contact with Shorewood
staff as appropriate. The Excelsior Fire
District has always worked closely with
SLMPD, and there is an even greater sense
of teamwork among our fine public safety
agencies.
The events of September 11 have caused
all of us who serve you to be in more
frequent communication. We are cooperat-
ing, coordinating, and working with a
greater sense of purpose in emergency
management and in safeguarding public
health and safety.
Craig Dawson
City Administrator
Community Visioning Project Underway
0 OCTOBER s, 2001, THE City Council
authorized Hoisington Koegler Group,
Inc. (HKGi), to proceed on Phase II of the
community visioning project. This phase
is the real meat of the project. Residents,
Toys
Tots
T HE CITY OF
pate in the
this year. A, efl
Hall. Help us rc
City truck with .
holiday deadliiz
loD will partici-
Tots" campaign
box is at City
oafi of filling a
children by the
11/05 7:00 City Council Meeting
11/06
ELECTION DAY
11/12 VETERANS DAY - -CITY OFFICES CLOSED
11/13 7:30
Park Commission Meeting
11/20 7:00
Planning Commission Meeting
11/22 -23 THANKSGIVING- -CITY OFFICES CLOSED
11/26 7:00
City Council Meeting
11/27 5:45
LCEC Meeting
11/27 7:30
Park Commission Meeting
businesses, and other stakeholders will be
interviewed and /or invited to participate
in community forums, and their inputs
will be key in distilling common values
and visions.
What's exciting is the participation of
other South Lake Minnetonka cities. As
of this writing, the City of Excelsior will
be joining in" the. project, and the City of
Greenwood is considering it. The result
will be a common vision among the South
Lake cities, and that will help the cities
work together to serve our interdependent
Visioning...
Continued on page 3
S M T
as.
Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings —see schedule on page 2.
Map Descriptions
Due to election day, the November 6 Planning Commission meeting was
moved to Tuesday, October 30. Although items were in the Sun Sailor, if
you missed this public hearing, the following items, along with the Planning
Commission recommendations, should be on the, agenda of the November
26 City Council meeting:
1 A public hearing regarding a proposed amendment to the City Zoning
Code which would establish a Conditional Use Permit process to regulate
the hours of nonresidential activities, and update the provisions for required
landscaping and screening.
2 A public hearing to consider approval of a preliminary plat for six single -
family residential lots on approximately 2.9 acres. The property is located
at 6060 Strawberry Lane including adjoining land to its south and west
fronting Church Road.
3 The pre - application phase of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment relative
to the CUB Foods' proposal to add on to the Shorewood Village Shopping
Center was presented by the applicant. This phase of a Comprehensive Plan
Amendment request allows for informal discussion between the applicant
and the Planning Commission prior to making a formal application. if the
applicant determines to go forward, a formal application will include a public
hearing with public notification prior to the meeting.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
SHOREWOOD, MN 55331
(952)474.3236 FAX (952)474.0128
Monday - Friday 8 AM to 4:30 Pm
DELIVER TO:
Council Members
Woody Love, Mayor
John Garfunkel
Christine Liz €e
Laura Turgeon
Scott Zerby
Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore
Be Clearly Addressed
W ITH WINTER APPROACHING and
snow anticipated, it's a good time
to look at your home and yard from the
street and notice if your address numbers
are visible and legible, in daylight and
in darkness.
Keep in mind
where drifted
snow might
block visibil-
ity and add
numbers to a
location that
will not be
affected. Not
only does this help guests find your
home more easily, it is necessary for
emergency services to find you in urgent
situations.
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S.POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #128
EXCELSIOR, MN 55331
PLEASE VOTE
NOVEMBER 6!
This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.
THE SHORE REPORT I NOVEMBER 2001
Shorewood
Council Looks at Resident Cable Concerns
A RFA RESIDENTS have expressed concern over the cable service provided by
Mediacom, the local service provider. The City Council has been reviewing
the complaints through discussions with the Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission
(LMCC), the agency responsible for monitoring Mediacom for the City. During
this review the Council found that the LMCC is legally unable to control choices
made by Mediacom regarding channel service, one of the major concerns of
local subscribers. Because of this, and concerns over sales practices, a Board of
Review has been established by LMCC to review the franchise agreement and
to discuss other areas of concern. The Shore Report will keep you up to date on
progress made by this Board as news becomes available.
Thank You To Dog Owners
A SPECIAL THANKS GOES OUT TO PET OWNERS Who are picking up the feces from
their pets. Since earlier newsletter reports of a problem in the Shorewood
area, there has been significant improvement. Everyone appreciates your efforts
and they are definitely being noticed! Keep up the great work!
More Reflections by Gladys Peck
Reprinted courtesy of the Excelsior -Lake
Minnetonka Historical Society
The following reprint from a Historical
Society document reminds us that rais-
ing money for schools has always been
a part of the community!
T HE COST OF THE MINNEWASHTA
School auditorium I remember
was $10,000
... A small group of parents met at the
school and organized the first P.T.A. in
Eureka. Money they raised was used
to buy playground equipment and hot
lunches ... The P.T.A. put on the first
"Fun Fair" in the area. Al Clague (local
artist) drew silhouettes of children for
twenty -five cents to raise money.
th
.............._......
Shorewood Introduces garden Awards Garden
TIME TO START PLANNING your
• Nominated by neighbors
I T'S
spring garden so you can participate in
Photos of gardens will appear on the
the Shorewood Garden Awards LCEC
Shorewood Web site.
representatives will be watching all
Example gardens this year included:
spring, summer and fall for area residents
Best street -- Strawberry Lane
who make a special effort to beautify
Best mailbox- -27240 Smithtown Rd
their surroundings with gardens.
Ongoing perennial - -27540 Brynmawr PI
Categories include:
If you have suggestions for the garden
• Best street
awards program, please call the Shore-
• Best mailbox landscape
line at (952) 474 -3236, extension 1, and
• Ongoing perennial color
the information will be passed on to the
• Best spring garden
committee.
• Best new garden or most improved
Criteria currently include:
LCEC Recognizes
•Visible from the street
Local Gardeners
Council on Cable
City Council meetings are broadcast
on Cable Channel 8 at:
October 22 Meeting
Friday, November 2 at 1:30 PM
Tuesday, November 6 at 5:30 PM
November 12 Meeting
Friday, November 16 at 1:30 PM
Tuesday, November 20 at 5:30 PM
November 26 Meeting
Friday, November 30 at 1:30 PM
P AUL GAGNER AND KIM SCHELLER at
25650 Smithtown Road have cre-
ated a beautiful spring, summer and
fall blooming perennial garden, full of
beautiful color. In the early summer,
Paul and Kim separate their perennials
and share them with their neighbors by
placing them in wheelbarrows marked
"free to take ". Their garden is a beautiful
asset to our community!
In Progress
M EMBERS OF THE SOUTH SHORE
Gardeners garden club have been
working to create a small garden just
off a section of the LRT bike trail. The
location is just west of Smithtown Road
behind the fourth house. Planting will
take place in the spring, so keep your
eyes open for this new landscaping
addition to our City, and thank you to
the Garden Club for keeping our City
beautiful!
Thank You To
Our Gardeners!
A SPECIAL THANKS to the Adopt -a-
Garden volunteers! The gardens
were exceptional this year despite a
cold, wet beginning!
City Hall Nancy Stebbins
Freeman Park Luncinda Kircher
Diane Agnew
Manor Park South Shore Gardeners
Cathcart Park Lucinda Kircher
Lance Detrude
Silverwood Park Sandy AWstrom
THE SHORE REPORT/ NOVEMBER 2001 2
Rccli News
Garbage Facts
A Ton of Garbage Too Much Paper
The activities of the average Hennepin The average office worker uses about
County resident generates 6 lbs. of 10,000 sheets of copy paper per year. The
garbage per day, or 2,000 lbs. an typical Minnesota household receives
ally. 500 ;unwanted pieces of mail each year.
Bumper -to- Bumper Trash The EPA estimates that paper and paper -
The garbage generated in Minnesota in board account for almost 40% of our
one year would fill four lanes of trucks, garbage.
bumper -to- bumper, stretching from Composting Makes a Difference
Albert Lea to International Falls. Compostable materials like kitchen
Excess Paint scraps and other organic materials make
In 1998, Minnesotans delivered almost up' approximately one -sixth of a family's
4 million lbs. of excess paint to hazard- garbage--750 lbs. per year for the average
ous waste sites. Minnesota Household.
Thanksgiving
Holiday Recycling
Schedule
T HE WEDNESDAY RECYCLING pick -up
will not change for the mainland
residents; however, the island residents'
recycling day will be delayed to Friday,
November 23.
Visioning ...
Continued from page 1
community. Each city will also
develop its own community vision,
and thus have a framework to address
local concerns.
Whereas a comprehensive plan
addresses the more technical matters
of infrastructure and land use, a com-
munity vision is more qualitative.
What is it that we like about living
here? What is important to have
available to us? What can be done
to develop a sense of a whole com-
munity, one that is greater than our
neighborhoods? These (and other)
common understandings will be valu-
able for city councils and commis-
sions as they go into the future, and as
new members serve on them.
This project will begin in Novem-
ber, and it's expected to be com-
pleted in the March -May 2002 time
frame. Announcements of community
forums will be included in the Shore
Report and on the City's Web site,
www.ci.shorewood.mn.us.
Tuxedo Bridge Update
T HE CITY OF MINNETRISTA has
completed the temporary repairs to
Tuxedo Bridge. This repair has enabled
the bridge rating to be increased to
a 15 -ton gross vehicle weight rating;
therefore, everyday service vehicles
such as school busses, refuse trucks
and delivery trucks are able to cross the
bridge safely.
The City of Minnetrista is performing
a feasibility study to determine the next
course of action for replacement of the
bridge. As we receive more information,
we will report it in the Shore Report.
Community
Events
Elections November 6
S CHOOL BOARD AND Referendum
Elections will take place from 7 AM
- 8 PM. See page 5 for polling locations
and don't forget to exercise your right
to vote!
Cookie Sale
HE SOUTHSHORE CENTER will have
I holiday cookies available for sale
again this year. Call the Southshore
Center at (952) 474 -7635 to place an
order. The cookies will be baked on
December 5 and 6 and ready for pickup
on the afternoon of December 7. The
cost is $5 per
dozen.
2001 Holiday Pageant
G REAT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT!
V This years Holiday Pageant will
be Saturday, December 1 at 4 PM
in the Excelsior Elementary School
Auditorium . This event is free and
open to the public. Seating is limited.
The traditional Excelsior Christmas
Tree Lighting Ceremony (at TCF
Bank) will follow.
rear
Call the Southshore' Senior Center at (952) 474 -7635 to register:
November 9 Nutrition Nugget, 12:45 PM. Cara Meyer, nutrition counselor,
will present information on eating healthy during the holidays.
Free.
November 13 Rubber Stamping, 9:30 -11:30 AM. Cost $3 which includes
supplies. Call to register.
November 16 Thanksgiving Dinner, Noon. Dinner will feature the traditional
dinner with turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie. Entertain
ment by the Southside Singers from Minneapolis. Cost $4.
Reservations needed by Tuesday, November 13.
November 27 Upper Body Massage, 9 .aM -1 PM. Cost is $13 for 15 minutes.
Call for an appointment.
November 28 Flu Shots, 9:30 AM -1:30 PM. No charge for those with a Medicar:
Card; $15 for others. Register by calling the center.
The Southshore Center is located at 5735 Country Club Road in Shorewood. Th,
center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 Pm. For more informatio,
on center activities and transportation, call (952) 474 -7635.
7 THE SHORE REPORT / NOVEMBER 2001
Preliminary 2002 Budget/Tax Levy Approved
o N SEPTEMBER 10 the City Council
approved a preliminary 2002
budget and tax levy. The budget was
prepared according to the priorities and
programs identified by the Council. The
proposed 2002 levy increased 5.4% over
2001, after correcting for lost state aids
the city must now levy for. The good
news is that the city's tax base continued
to increase approximately 6% from last
year. Overall, property tax bills should
decrease for most properties, because
of other changes in the property tax
The City Council is not required to
hold Truth -In- Taxation public hearings
this year, but the budget will still be
reviewed at the regular city council
meeting in December and residents are
encouraged to attend this meeting and
to comment on the proposed budget and
tax levy. The proposed 2002 budget
is available for inspection at the city
office during normal business hours or
on our web site.
S List e of Polling Places for School Elections
November 6 , 7 AM -8 PM
Precinct
Name
School
District
Polling Place
Address
P -1, P -3, P -4
276
Minnewashta Elementary
26350 Smithtown Rd
P -2
276
Excelsior Elementary
441 Oak St
P-4
277
1 Mount Olive Church
5281 Bartlett Blvd, Mound
Pre - winter Home Maintenance
RANGES IN BUILDING construction and mechanical systems over the years have
included the need for additional vents. Ventilation is part of many household
systems, including: plumbing, whole -house vacuums, furnaces, exhaust fans,
dryers, gas fireplaces, combustion air ducts and heat recovery ventilators. While
most vents have a termination on the exterior of the building, some do have interior
terminations. In either case, vent terminations need to be inspected and some vents
need periodic maintenance to keep them operating properly.
� Dryer vent hoods on the exterior of the building often need cleaning
to remove lint and to allow the flappers to close when the dryer is not
in use.
Cleaning inlet screens and removing blockages from outlets for vents
serving combustion air ducts and heat recovery ventilators will help them to
function properly and to bring in fresh air more efficiently.
Flappers on exhaust fan hoods some-
times need repair so they open and close
properly.
Obstructions must be kept away from
outdoor termination points. Shrubs
may also need to be pruned to provide
clearance and air movement to vent
hoods.
These steps are especially important for the
winter months when our homes are tightly
sealed from the outside air.
3
Property Tax
System Changes
AST SPRING THE MINNESOTA Legis-
lature passed a tax bill that made
major changes to property taxes. The
state will now be paying for much of the
K -12 education instead of using local
property taxes to fund schools. This is
where most of the property tax relief
comes from.
Other changes include restructuring of
tax classification rates and reinstatement
of levy limits for cities for the next
two years.
One of the results of the reform is that
money the state usually paid to cities
and counties has been either eliminated
or shifted. One of the goals of property
tax reform is that cities and counties
rely more on the property tax to pay
for local services and infrastructure
like police, fire, maintenance, economic
development and park programs.
Most residents will see lower property
taxes because of these changes in the
property tax structure.
Rinks Supervisor
HE CITY OF SHOREWOOD is
taking applications for a part
time Rinks Supervisor (minimum
age 19). Responsible for coordinat-
ing and overseeing the work of rink
attendants. The season runs mid -
December through mid - February.
For an application, call City Hall
at (952) 474 -3236. Deadline for
submission is November 21.
Rink Attendants
HE CITY IS ACCEPTING applica-
tions for warming house atten-
dants. Positions are open to people
16 years of age and older. The posi-
tion' offers flexible hours in the
afternoons, on weekends and during
winter break. The season runs mid -
December through mid - February.
Call City Hall at (952) 474 -3236 or
stop in for an application.
T-IF SHORE REPORT/ NOVEMBER 2001
The following are the results of the Resident Survey taken in August 2001:
Resident Survey:
Refuse Collection Services
. How do you view the traffic and noise that is generated by the several refuse collection providers
that service your neighborhood?
No Problem Serious Problem
1 (125) 2 (55) 3 (78) 4 (58) 5 (39)
:3. How satisfied are you with the fees charged by your current refuse collector?
Very Dissatisfied Very Satisfied
1 (23) 2 (46) 3 (118) 4 (77) 5 (82)
. How important is it that your refuse collector accept yard waste (e.g., leaves, lawn clippings, etc.)?
Not Important Very Important
1 (108) 2 (31) 3 (26) 4 (56) 5 (131)
. How important is it that refuse and recycling be collected on the same day?
Not Important Very Important
1 (100) 2 (29) 3 (55) 4 (59) 5 (110)
E. To what extent do you find it unsightly to have garbage cans out on the street for collection in your
neighborhood several days a week instead of only one day?
Not Unsightly Very Unsightly,
1 (100) 2 (43) 3 (56) 4 (51) 5 (103)
F. To what extent does road damage from garbage trucks concern you?
Not Concerned Very Concerned
1 (62) 2 (34) 3 (55) 4 (72) 5 (127)
G. How important are any "special "services that your current refuse collector provides that others
might not (e.g., back up into driveway, take away yard waste for free, etc.)?
Not Important Very Important
1 (86) 2 (42) 3 (44) 4 (53) 5 (117)
H. Of the issues noted above, which 2 do you consider most important to resolve or include in any
future planning? (Please circle your 2 choices)
A (60) B (86) C (106) D (102) E (75) F (106) G (88)
K. Would you be willing to switch services in order to have one hauler for your neighborhood?
Y (201) N (104)
No decisions have yet been made regarding the results of this survey. The Planning Commission will continue
to review the results and then make a recommendation to the City Council. Watch the Shore Report for
more information.
THE SHORE REPORT/ NOVEMBER 2001 6
,
of 5korcwood
5nowmo6 Rul and Regulations
2001 /2002 Season
THIS FACT SHEET CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR
SNOWMOBILERS AND PEDESTRIANS SKIERS AND PROPERTY
OWNERS WITHIN THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD.
SAFETY
Safety is the key concern. In 1996, a city wide survey of Shorewood residents identified concern for safety with
respect to snowmobiling-- especially along the LRT trail. In traveling along City streets, snowmobilers must be
very aware of potential wards when encountering pedestrians or other vehicles.
ENFORCEMENT
The South Lake latnne�o� loiice Department will have police officers in squads and on a snowmobile patrol-
ling the city. Offictrs w11 tali tion on every violation observed. This may include impounding snowmobiles if
the violation warranty i,, Police Department will coordinate enforcement efforts with other agencies,
The police snowmobile is equipped with emergency lights, radar and a radio. If any questions or problems arise
while you are snowmobiling in the City, you are encouraged to either flag down the polite o�cer or call 911 for
assistance.
YOUTH LAWS
It is unlawful for any person under fourteen years of age to operate a snowmobile d� streets, highways, public
lands, or frozen water or to make a direct crossing of a street unless accompanied by*p ovrit or guardian. A
person fourteen years of age or older, but less than twenty 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 snowmo-
bile safety certificate issued by the commissioner of Natural Resources.
PROPERTY OWNERS
Snowmobiles are not allowed onto your property or inside the plow ridge on the boulevard without your express
permission. If a snowmobile enters your property without permission, call 911 immediately, then report the inci-
dent to City Hall, (952) 474 -323:6 .Your.property will be inspected and we will work with you to help solve the
problem.
LAKE ACCESS
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park ofter.s snowmobile access point to Lake Minnetonka. Snowmobiles may not be
hauled by truck or trailer, but must be ridden to the park. The entrance is west of Shorewood at Highway 7 and
County Road 44. Call Hennepin Parks, (763) 559 -6701, for more information.
QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
CITY HALL AT (952) 474-3236 OFFICE HOURS ARE MONDAY - FRIDAY, 8 AM - 4:30 PM.
CITY of S nouwoOD /NOVEMBER 2001
ORDINANCE RULES REGARDING SNOWMOBILES WITHIN THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD
SEASON
The snowmobile season has been designated December 1 to March 31. Any person
found riding outside these dates will be ticketed and their snowmobile may be
impounded.
HOURS OF USE
7 AM - 10 PM, Sunday through Thursday
7 AM - 11 PM, Friday and Saturday
SPEED LIMIT
City Streets and Highways 10 mph
Lakeshore Buffer Zone 10 mph when within 150 feet of shoreline
LAKE BUFFER
Snowmobiles are prohibited in the 150 foot buffer zone along the shores of Lake Min -
ZONE
netonka and lakes (frozen public waters) within Shorewood, except when entering or
exiting the lake. In the buffer zone, travel must be perpendicular to the shoreline.
STREET USE
Snowmobiles must be driven on the street side of the plow ridge and avoid obstacles
by going into the street, not onto the boulevard. Snowmobilers must drive in the direc-
tion of traffic.
PARKSIWETLANDSI
Snowmobiles are prohibited from ALL City parks, wetlands and trails.
TRAILS
PERMITTED AREAS
A person may operate a snowmobile on the following:
OF USE
• Frozen public waters, except within 150 feet of the shoreline as stated above.
• Private property with the express permission of the property owner.
• On City streets for the purpose of direct travel from the operator's home to the
closest destination where snowmobiling is permitted, by the shortest possible route.
CROSSING STREETS
When crossing streets or highways snowmobiles must:
• Cross at a ninety degree (90) angle.
• Be brought, to a complete stop before crossing.
• Yield to all on- coming traffic.
• Cross with both front and rear lights illuminated.
SNOWMOBILERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND OBEYING THE LAWS WITHIN THE CITY.
NON- COMPLIANCE MAY RESULT IN
SAFETY CLASSES
T he Department of Natural RE
the Twin Cities metro area.
proficiency on a snowmobile. TI
OF PRIVILEGES FOR ALL SNOWMOBILERS.
)roved Snowmobile Safety Training Classes throughout
nts taking this course will be required to demonstrate
ne 12 vears of aEe and older. Class size is limited and
pre - registration is required.
For more information call the DNR information line at (651):296-4819. The DNR has posted class locations
and dates beginning in early November on this information line.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD/NOVEMBER 2001