March 2001 Shore ReportMARCH-2001
0
0
o
0
w
G
INSIDE
Trail Talk ............. 2
Communications Corner 2
Council on Cable....... 2
Fire Dept. Message.... 2
Compost Bin .... INSERT
Early Shorewood ......
3
Community Events .....
3
Senior Corner .........
3
Recycling News........
3
Weight Restrictions .....
0
Shorewood Map .......
>' 4
Planning Commission Meeting
e,
c�
1
2
3
3
ti
w
0
M
JI
Q
INSIDE
Trail Talk ............. 2
Communications Corner 2
Council on Cable....... 2
Fire Dept. Message.... 2
Compost Bin .... INSERT
Early Shorewood ......
3
Community Events .....
3
Senior Corner .........
3
Recycling News........
3
Weight Restrictions .....
4
Shorewood Map .......
>' 4
Property Tax Statements are Coming Soon
P ROPERTY VALUATION NOTICES will be mailed to residents from Hennepin County over the next
few weeks. The taxes for the year 2001 are based on the estimated market value of a property
on January 2, 2000. Property values in Shorewood have increased over the previous year, which
is typical of all Lake Minnetonka cities. The continued high demand for real estate is the primary
reason for higher property values. Adjustments are also made for home improvements, additions
and remodeling.
Do you have questions about your property value?
Residents who have questions regarding their property valuation notice or wish to discuss the
estimated market value for their property are asked to contact Tom Carroll at 763- 249 -4640, or the
Hennepin County Assessor's Office at 612 - 348 -3046. If you are not satisfied after discussing the
information with an assessor, you may appeal your valuation at the Local Board of Review, which
is scheduled for the City of Shorewood on Monday, April 16 at 7•00 P.M. at City Hall. Anyone
who is unable to attend on that date may retain their right to proceed to the County Board by
submitting their objection in writing to City Hall prior to April 16.
Council Appoints New Commissioners
T HERE ARE SEVERAL NEW coMNnssIoNERs who have been appointed by the Council to the Park
and Planning Commissions and the Land Conservation and Environment Committee:
Mary Lou Meyer is appointed to a three -year term on the Park Commission. Mary Lou
grew up in the Lake Minnetonka area. After living outside of Minnesota for several years, she has
returned to Shorewood, where she has resided for the past seven years. Mary Lou has a solid
background in administrative and volunteer work, as well as a commitment to the importance of
parks and trails in the community.
The three new Planning Commissioners include long -time resident Bob Gagne, who is
appointed to a one -year term. In the 1980s, Bob served on the Planning Commission and City
Council. Bob was involved with the Southshore Senior Center building, and for the past 10 years
has been active on the Friends of the Southshore Center Board Jim Pisula, a resident of Shorewood
for 10 years, has maintained an active interest in land use and community issues. He served on
the Planning Commission in the 1990s, and has been appointed to a two -year term. Ann Packard
will serve a three -year term on the Planning Commission. Ann is a 20 -year resident of Shorewood
and feels her extensive business experience and ability to make careful, well thought -out decisions
will be an asset to the Planning Commission.
Greg Ranallo, the newest member to the Land Conservation and Environment Committee,
is a professional educator who has worked with students, entrepreneurs, and educational
professionals on environmental issues. He has a great enthusiasm for learning and a commitment
to empowering communities to create economically and environmentally sustainable futures.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING ON TI-IE PLANNING COMMISSION, THERE IS STILL ONE MORE VACANCY
TO BE FILLED. CONTACT THE CITY AT 474 -3236 FOR INFORMATION ON THIS VOLUNTEER POSITION.
SHOREWOOD EVENTS
S
N1
T
W
T
3/6
7:00
Planning Commission Meeting
1
2
3
3/12
7:00
City Council Meeting
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
3/13
5:45
LCEC
3/13
7:30
Park Commission Meeting
CC
11
12
13
14
i 5
16
17
3/20
7:00
Joint Planning /City Council
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
3/26
7:00
City Council Meeting
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings
—see
schedule
on
page 2.
Community Visioning Process Just Underway
Trail (end Park) Talk
T IE SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL has placed a high priority on conducting a
"community visioning" project this year. It is designed to identify
important values held by residents and many others that have an interest in
Shorewood - including those who may be in surrounding communities. Through
the visioning process, a stronger sense of community can be developed: both
that of Shorewood and, hopefully, the larger South Lake Minnetonka area.
On February 12, the City Council engaged the services of Hoisington Koegler
Group, Inc. (HKGi), to undertake the "scoping phase" of community visioning.
It will work with City Council and staff to develop the scope and process of
this project. Look to the Shore Report for future updates.
Land
Conservation »`
Environment
Committee
Shoreline Landscaping
D o You ImvE GEEsE making a home
on your lawn? Learn how to help
control that goose problem, how to help
filter the run -off from your lawn, and
how to control lakeshore erosion.
Guest speaker Connie Fortin, an
environmental consultant on shoreline
landscaping, will give advice on
planting along our lakes and streams.
Her talk is part of the Land
Conservation and Environment
Committee meeting on Tuesday,
March 13 at 5:45 P.M. at Shorewood
City Hall. The public is welcome and
encouraged to attend.
City Council meetings can be seen on
Cable Channel 8 at the following
times:
February 26 Meeting
Friday, March 2 at 1:30 P.M.
Tuesday, March 6 at 5:30 P.M.
March 12 Meeting
Friday, March 16 at 1:30 P.M.
Tuesday, March 20 at 5:30 P.M.
March 26 Meeting
Friday, March 30 at 1:30 P.M.
HE FOLLOWING PARK projects are
expected to be completed in the
spring and early summer.
Construction of "Eddy Station" at
Freeman Park is moving right along.
The Park Commission is in the process
of looking for a concessionaire to run
the concession stand this summer. It is
anticipated that "Eddy Station" will
open in June 2001.
The Skate Park is also on target.
Proposals from vendors are being
reviewed right now for the equipment
of the Skate Park. The Skate Park is
scheduled to open this spring.
Is Your Number
A Message From Your Fire Department
M ANY TIMES YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT Will respond to an emergency call and
will be delayed in getting there. You ask yourself why? Is it because the
engine won't work? Is it because we're too busy doing other things? NO. The
main reason we are slowed down in getting to your home is because it may not
be clearly marked with your address. That's right! A lot of people don't have
their driveways or houses marked correctly.
Here are a few suggestions that will help both you and the fire department:
1. Mark both sides of your mailbox with your address. Adding your name
would also be a big help.
2. If your driveway is shared by more than one house, clearly state this at
the road with a sign of all the addresses down your driveway.
3. If your house is one of two or more houses, also place a sign at the
junction of the driveway showing which house is which.
4. If your house is visible from the street, place the numbers in large
numerals on the house where they can be seen clearly from the street.
5. If you call from your neighbor's house, give the address where the
emergency is, not from where you are calling.
6. Last, if it is possible, have someone go to the end of the driveway and
show us exactly where to go.
The Minnesota Uniform Fire Code has been adopted and is enforced
throughout the District. Section 901.4.4, Premises Identification, states:
"Approved numbers or addresses shall be provided for all new and existing
buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or
road fronting the property."
The Excelsior Fire District's Auxiliary is now selling reflective address plates.
There are two models to choose from; one with a green background and white
numbers, and the other with a blue background and white numbers. To place an
order or to receive further information, you may call the Excelsior Fire District
Prevention Bureau at 952- 401 -4396.
THE SHORE REPORT/ MARCH 2001 2
E-E-arly Shorewood
Presidential Visitors
S WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED
resident's Day, we ask the
question, "Have American Presidents
ever visited our Lake Minnetonka area ?"
In her book Minnetonka Story, author
Blanche Nichols tells of one special day
when not just one, but two, Chief
Executives traveled to these parts.
On September 3, 1883, a grand dinner
party was held at the Hotel Lafayette. A
German visitor described the hotel in his
diary as "...a gigantic building... high and
airy, commanding a magnificent view of
the lake." This special dinner was held
to mark achievements of the Northern
Pacific Railroad.
The two special guests at the dinner
were the 18th President of the United
States and Civil War hero, Ulysses S.
Grant, as well as the then current 21 st
President of the United States, Chester
Arthur.
.t
Garden Basics for Spring
® N SATURDAY, APRIL 7, from 9:30
to 10:30 A.M., master gardeners
Tom and Joanne Schmid will be
presenting a Gardening Program at the
Excelsior Community Library, 343
Third Street in Excelsior. Registration
for this free program begins March 12.
The program will review the basics
of getting your yard and garden ready
for the season. Planning, cultivating and
improving the soil, selecting tools,
composting, lawn preparation and
pruning of trees and shrubs will be
addressed, along with hints for
maintaining the garden through the
season.
To register, or for more information,
contact the Library at 952- 847 -5450.
H ELP YOUR SOUTHSHORE CENTER
March 23 through April 16,
donating items for the attic sale.
To Donate Items:
• Place your donations in the
truck that will be in the Center's
parking lot from March 23 through
April 16. It will be open:
Weekdays - 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Saturdays - 9 A.M. to I P.M.
• They are looking for quality
household items - small pieces of
furniture - vintage clothing, costume
jewelry, collectibles, books, videos,
and toys. Please no current clothes
or large appliances.
Advance public preview /sale
Thursday, April 19, 6:00 -8:00 P.M.
admission $5.00 per adult.
General public sale
Friday, April 20, 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.,
Saturday, April 21, 9 A.M. - I P.M.
Free admission.
Proceeds benefit the Southshore
Center. Call 952- 474 -7635 for more
information.
Recycling News
Electronic /Electrical Product
Waste
I x 1998, 35 mauoN personal computers
were sold in the U.S. Another20.6million
PCs became obsolete.
• Computer monitors and T.V.'s contain
significant amounts of lead.
• Printed circuit boards contain lead,
chromium, cadmium and mercury.
• Batteries contain lead, mercury and
cadmium.
• Mercury- containing components like
switches and relays are found in some
electronic products.
• PCBs may be found in T. V.'s and
computers made before the early 1980s.
What to do? Prevent and reduce waste.
Lease equipment When acquiring new
computer equipment, ask about lease options.
Avoid "gadgets." Electronic versions of
traditional household appliances and tools may
not actually be an improvement, may be more
costly, and may wear out faster.
Review the product's history and consumer
reliability ratings.
Repairing/ upgrading an item may be
cheaper than replacing it.
For a complete list of recyclels, contact the
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
at 651- 296 -3417 or 800- 657 -3843 toll free.
Web site: wwwmoea,state.mn.us
Senior Cori }e _r
For more information call the Southshore Center at 952 -474 -7635
Nutrition Counseling Fri., Mar. 2,12:45 P.M.
The topic is "Antioxidants" by Cara Myer from Volunteers of America. Free.
What is Hospice Care Fri., Mar. 9,12:45 P.M.
Staff from Methodist Hospital Hospice will lead the discussion. Free.
Old Log Theatre Wed., Mar. 14
Tickets available for lunch and the play "Caught In The Net ". RSVP by March 9.
Journey Through Asia Thursday, Mar. 15 $10.00
Lunch, a performance of Taiko Drumming and the play " Eastern Journey"
presented by Mixed Blood Theatre at the Minnetonka Senior Center. Contact
the Southshore Center for more information and reservations.
AAA Driving Classes To register call 1- 888 - 234 -1294
Spring Craft Sale Fri., April 2, 9 A.M. to I P.M.
3 THE SHORE REPORT/MARCH 2001
eters far ; .
Mposing tips;
ONLY $15
A $69.00 Retail Value
(Includes a 96 -page Complete Guide
to Backyard Composting)
FIRST COME FIRST
SERVED•WHILE
SUPPLIES LAST
A Compost Bin is on display in
Shorewood City Hall - come see it!
HOME COMPOSTERT
• Enjoy Healthier,
More Beautiful
Plants
• Reduce Waste
• Save Water
Just throw scraps in the
top, water, wait,
then gather
humus -rich plant food from
two convenient bottom
sliding doors.
Take advantage of this special program! You must reserve your compost bin by April 20
Supplies are limited, so don't wait ... place your order now! Clip the order form below and mail with check
payable to Hennepin County Treasurer to the address noted.
Bins will be ready for pick -up between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at
Shorewood's Public Works Facility, 24200 Smithtown Road. (NOTE: This is also 51)rinq Clean - Up Day).
Delivery service may be available for an additional $5.00. Call 612 -348 -4919 for information.
For questions call Hennepin County at 612- 348 -4919 or the City of Shorewood at 952 - 474 -3236.
(Save this top portion for your records)
°_ ■ . M . a a 01. a . �:
Guideline for Backyard Composting
Once you have ordered, paid for, and picked up your backyard composting bin and complete guide, you are ready to
get started.
Basically mixing waste from the yard and kitchen. yields humus:
• Yard Waste = Leaves and grass clippings
• Kitchen Waste = Fruit and vegetable matter, coffee grounds, tea leaves and crushed eggshell
Do Not Include:
• Protein (meat, fish, poultry, bones and dairy products)
• Fats (oil, grease, butter or margarine)
• Starches (breads, cereals, rice, sweets, processed foods)
Compost Bin Placement Considerations:
Optimal location is convenience
Place bin in a location outside that is convenient and easy to access.
Avoid Placing by:
• Shoreline or Other Run Off Areas - so as to not add phosphorus to our lakes and storm drainage
systems. Phosphorus feeds algae, which blooms greening lakes, streams and ponds.
• Wooded Areas - in order to minimize worm migration into woods where they destroy endangered native
wild flower root structures.
Other Considerations include:
* Sunlight - adds warmth
* Away from wind (slows drying)
* Available water - to moisten ingredients
* Out of the way of yard activities and neighbors' vision
Collection:
The rate you obtain finished compost is determined by microbial activity. The stirring of ingredients puts air into
the mix. Water aids the breakdown process. So stirring (with a pitchfork) and watering speed -up the microbial
process. The smaller the pieces are increases the amount of surface area exposed to air helping decomposition.
Empty ice cream buckets and lids of one - gallon size plastic jugs with a hole cut into the top make good
containers to collect your organic kitchen waste for composting.
LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Vol. 8 No. 8 • Spring 2001 SPRING PARK OFFICE /STUDIO: 952. 471.7125 • FAX 471.9151
2001 Web www.Imcc- tv.org EMAIL LMCC @LMCC TVORG
COMMISSIONERS
Deephaven
Mediacom Reports
*Dennis Stanga, At Large
High Speed Internet
Excelsior
Availability
-James R. Olds, Chairperson
19) have everything fully two -way acti-
Charlie Thomson
In December, Mediacom cable company
Greenwood
invited the public, on two evenings, to
Jeff Sagal
the LMCC Studio to a demonstration of
Gene Alstatt
Independence
Mediacom's new high speed cable
*Jim Smith, Treasurer
modem internet service and digital video
Gene Cook
product. They also demonstrated the
Long Lake
products at the LMCC January
James Benson
Bob Hardin
Commission meeting.
Loretto
Bill Jensen, Mediacom's General
John Reynolds
Manager, reported to the Commission
Tom Vogt
Orono
Medina
that, "In the Lake Minnetonka area we
Carolyn Smith
should, by the end of this week January
LMCC Channel Line-Up
p
Ann Thies
19) have everything fully two -way acti-
Channel 8— Government Access.
Minnetonka Beach
vated. What I mean by that is that our
Channel 19— Educational Access
Leonard MacKinnon
Bobbie Abdo
cable modems will work in all the repre-
Channel 20— Community Announcements
Minnetrista
sentative communities here."
Channel 21— Public Access
George Zenanko
Jason Landry
Orono
producer of the Quarter
-Tim Pattrin, Secretary
Bob Sansevere
St. Bonifacius
Randy Debner
Mike Laberdie
Shorewood
*Jeffrey Foust, At Large
Scott Zerby
Spring Park
Tom Scanlon
-Bruce Williamson, Vice Chair
Tonka Bay
William LaBelle
-Mary Ellen Wells,at large
Victoria
Jerry Bohn
Woodland
Tom Newberry
Ann Duff
The Lake Minnetonka
Communications Commission would
like to recognize Kathleen Marie for
her continuing contribution to pro-
gramming at the LMCC. Kathleen has
been active in community television for
close to 10 years. She has volunteered
many production hours to such non-
profit groups as the Lake Minnetonka
Association, Hennepin County Parks,
Our Lady of the Lake Church, and
Toastmasters. She has hosted city
parades and produced her own talk
show series "Lake Country Currents ".
Most recently, Kathleen Hosted the
"Holiday on the Lake 2000 - Live!"
Congratulations, Kathleen, and thank
you for your support of community tel-
evision programming in the Lake
Minnetonka Area.
-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.
Kathleen Marie
LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
4071 SUNSET DRIVE • PO. BOX 385 • SPRING PARK, MN 55384
FROM THE
ADMINISTRATOR'S
DESK...
The beginning of the year might be
a good time to take the opportunity to
reflect on the value of community televi-
sion channels to local communities. In
the seventeen years of having been
associated with community cable televi-
sion I have witnessed some very
rewarding outcomes of providing chan-
nels and studio production facilities to
local residents and organizations to pro-
duce programming.
To share just a few observations may
Congratulations to the following graduates
of the November and January sessions of
production classes held at LMCC:
Studio Hours
9am until 10pm Monday through Thursday,
9am until 7pm on Friday
9am until 2pm on Saturday.
Production Class Schedule
The spring production class will be held
Wednesdays in March. Classes will meet
March 7 14 21=` and 28 from 6:30 until
8:30 pm.
As always, in addition to the aforementioned
schedule, the LMCC will attempt to work with
groups by scheduling separate sessions for
organizations that may not be able to take
advantage of our regularly scheduled classes.
The LMCC will also endeavor to accommodate
individuals who may want to learn about edit-
ing, for example, for a specific project with a
deadline that won't allow for our normal
course of classes.
If you are interested in taking television pro-
duction classes, contact John at 952.471.7125
give residents a better understanding of
what community television is about.
Basically, what it is about is providing
opportunity for expression. So how
does that happen? Someone has an
idea, takes a production workshop and
produces a TV program which has the
potential of being watched by over
12,000 households.
One familiar scenario at the LMCC tele-
vision studio is parents or teachers who
have produced their student's sports
event, concert, play, recital, etc. The
benefit: The youth see themselves and
their friends on TV doing positive things
and they see that the community values
what they do. They're becoming role
models for younger children in the com-
munity. It's reported that they have
pizza parties at their homes to watch
"their game ".
Another scenario is non - profit organiza-
tions using the studio to inform area
residents of their services. A specific
example is the Lake Minnetonka
Association producing programs on
water quality. The benefit: education to
the community on our immediate envi-
ronment, something we can do some-
thing about.
Thanks to all the community television
producers who help the community
value its citizens, educate, inform and
entertain by producing their show and
having it aired on a local channel.
Sally Koenecke
STUDIO NEWS
John Weaver the position of full
time studio assistant. John joins John
Weaver and Jonathan Shank in the mission
of helping you bring your video production to
life.
Last December the LMCC held the second
annual Holiday on the Lake 2000 —LIVE!
This year, Kathleen Marie hosted three
musical groups along with Santa Claus and
Michael Ireland Hof Mike's Minnesota
Musings who read his holiday essay
Christmas in Trafalgar Square. The musical
groups, The Grandview Guys and Gals
and the St. John's Children's Choirs, both
under the direction of Sue Rabago, provided
the holiday entertainment. The
this spring.
The LMCC Production Talent Bank contin-
ues to grow but there's always room for
more talent so if you are interested in work-
ing on the productions of others, please call
us at 952.471.7125 to add your name to the
list.
The Access Development Committee is still
looking for members of the LMCC communi-
ties to help promote and develop public
assess television in the Lake Minnetonka
Area. We would like the input of as many
access producers and just plain residents as
possible. If you are interested, call the studio
at 952.471.7125.
I'd also like to solicit producer's program
announcements and write -ups for publica-
tion in the LMCC newsletter. You can fax
your contributions to the LMCC at
952.471.9151 or if you need more informa-
tion, as always, call John at 952.471.7125.
Producers and Productions
Stringbeans —Jo Schubert and Roger
This quarter's producers of note include Ell
Cuthbertson not only provided their own
Ehlebracht who is in the midst of producing
special kind of holiday entertainment but
Mound - Westonka Hockey and Jack
they both helped out on camera along with
Neveaux who has been busy providing us
Sindt Dossett, Eli Ehlebracht, Laura Thies
with coverage of Orono School Board
and Nate Reinitz.
Meetings, is now covering Orono Hockey
The Alliance for Community Media is solicit-
too. And Michael Ireland continues with his
STAFF
ing entries for the Hometown Video Festival
production, Mike's Minnesota Musings.
Sally Koenecke
competition. The entry deadline is February
Recent production class grads Joe Struyk
Administrator
16th so if you're interested in entering, and I
and Zach Differ are each working on their
John Weaver John Peterson
Studio Manager Studio Assistant
would encourage all who have produced a
own productions. Joe will have his first
Sue Paurus
show in the calendar year 2000 to enter, you
episode of American Cities cablecast by the
Administrative Assistant
can obtain entry forms and information from
time you read this.
Jonathan Shank
John Weaver at the LMCC studio —call
John Weaver
Production Assistant
952.471.7125 soon.
Map D e scr i p tions Highway Projec
The following items are on the March 6
Planning Commission Agenda.
1 The property owner at 26080 Birch Bluff Road has
appealed the Zoning Administrator's interpretation of the
zoning code that would require a variance application to
structurally alter the existing cabin on the property. The
Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:00 P.M.
Council Members
Woody Love, Mayer
John Garfunkel
Christine Linde
Scott Zerby
Laura Turgeon
s newsletter is printed on recycled paper.
fi This
THE SHORE REPORT MARCH 2001
CITY OF S-HOREWC)OD
a
575 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
STAN STANDARD
STANDAfiD
{°
4-tOREWOOD, MN 55331
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
0
(052)474.3236 M FAX (952)474.0128
PERMIT -4128
0; Monday
- Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
EXCELSIOR, MN 55331
�l DFLIVFR TO:
anp
rtt
n
`
a A9 is
Council Members
Woody Love, Mayer
John Garfunkel
Christine Linde
Scott Zerby
Laura Turgeon
s newsletter is printed on recycled paper.
fi This
THE SHORE REPORT MARCH 2001