January 2000 Shore ReportJANUARY 2000
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INSIDE
Trail Talk ............. 2
Communications Corner . 2
New Area Codes in 2000 2
Ice —On the Rocks .. .
Y2k,The Final Chapter . 2
Early Shorewood ....... 3
Senior Corner ....... . 3
Recycling Your Tree ... 3
Shorewood Map ....... 4
John (Skip) Sweeney Celebrates Fifty Years
In The Line of Fire
Skip would follow in their bootsteps just a
matter of when he would join.
When asked about the greatest challenge
to the department that he remembers, Skip
refers to his first years when they worked
without radio communication. During the
spring and fall, when people were allowed to
burn leaves, brush and weeds, it was possible
to have 6 or so grass fires in the course of one
day. The lack of communication meant the
fire department was almost inaccessible if a
second fire occured while they worked on
another. Plus the limited amount of equip-
ment, and the limitations of the equipment
they did have, were definite impairments to
their efforts. Fortunately for the fire fighters
and for the community, both of those prob-
lems have been remedied.
There was — Continued on Page 3—
never really a
question of if'
pillir
T HE PROPOSED 2000 BUDGET, which was
diagrammed in the last issue of THE SHORE
REPORT, was approved by the City Council at
their December 13 meeting. Detailed fig-
ures are available by calling City Hall (474-
3236). The bottom line for residents is good
news —tax rates in Shorewood will be down
from last year's. Basically, this is due to a
growth in our tax base as a result of develop-
ment within the City. The tax rate went from
19.573% in 1999 to 18.330% for the year
2000. For a comparison of where the
Shorewood tax rate fits in relation to other
area cities, see a listing on page 3.
SHOREWOOD EVENTS
114
7:00
Planning Commission Meeting
1/10
7:00
City Council Meeting
1/11
7:30
Park Commission Meeting
1/17
3
Martin Luther King Holiday -
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6
CITY OFFICES CLOSED
1/18
7:00
Planning Commission Meeting
THE CITY COUNCIL IS STILL ACCEPTING
HE
for volunteer positions on
the Planning and Park Commissions and for
representatives to two corrunittees; the Land
Conservation / Environment Committee and
the Lake Minnetonka Communications
Commission.
To apply, send a letter of interest and brief
resume to City Hall. Applications will be re-
viewed beginning January 7 and will be ac-
cepted until the positions are filled. The
length of terms vary with the position and all
terms take effect on February 1, 2000. Call
474 -3236 if you would like more information.
Q 4 T T
1/24 7:00 City Council Meeting
Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings —see schedule on page 3.
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1/24 7:00 City Council Meeting
Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings —see schedule on page 3.
Communications Cie
You CAN Get There From Here
Our Ice is on the Rocks
N EXT TIME YOU GET ON LINE, CHECK OUT WWW.CLSHOREWOOD.MN.US to
see the latest information about our City, such as current meeting agen-
das, recent meeting minutes, and even the entire Code Book. From our site
you can easily jump to several other government related sites which offer many
services. One of our links is to the Hennepin County Library system where
you can reserve or renew materials, check the status of your library card or do
research and explore information. Another click from our site leads to the
State of Minnesota where you can easily contact a state representative. We
also have links to the Minnetonka and Westonka School Districts' sites and
other local agencies, such as the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
E 1 FFECTIVE FEBRUARY 27, 2000, SHOREWOOD TELE
PHONE NUMBERS will have a new area code. The new 952
area code will take effect at that time, however either the 612 or 952
a , A be used for a transition period of about ten months.
;:tor 1.,of the new area codes and ten -digit dialing for local
cra "area codes will begin on January 14, 2001. Watch for
M.W. infoi. from your telephone service as the time approaches.
B Y MID - DECEMBER IN A NORMAL
YEAR, there would typically be out-
door skating facilities available in
Shorewood. Our mild winters over the
past few years have caused an early end
to skating or at least interrupted skating
activity some time during the season.
This year will be cut short at the begin-
ning of the season.
Once the cold weather starts, we still
need sub -zero temperatures for at least
eight days in order for the ground to
freeze hard enough to begin flooding.
Then it will take approximately 10 days
of non -stop flooding and cold tempera-
tures to build ice. The two skating ponds
in Shorewood will also be behind sched-
ule in being safe for skaters. The City
will staff the warming house at Manor
Park as soon as the pond is ready. Once
the pond at Silverwood is safe for skat-
ing, grooming equipment will be out on
the ice there. In the meantime, City staff
and crews ask for everyone's patience.
7
i f`
Y NOW, EVERYONE IS TIRING OF
THE MUCH - DISCUSSED EVENT OF
UK, or the millennium bug. As we
approach New Years Day, citizens
around the globe will be poised wait-
ing and watching to see exactly what
is to happen when the clock strikes
12:00 on New Years Eve.
Since this is the final newsletter
residents will receive before the New
Year, a few last thoughts regarding this
event are offered. Rest assured that the
City of Shorewood, South Lake
Minnetonka Public Safety Department,
Hennepin County Division of Emer-
gency Management have worked ex-
tensively to insure that 1999 New Years
Eve will be as uneventful as previous
years. In fact, cities across the United
States have prepared plans to insure that
essential services can be maintained for
extended periods of time, should an un-
expected event occur.
Having stated that, there is one re-
maining item to be addressed. That is
the reaction of people to either related
or non - related YX events here in the
U.S., or in other parts of the world.
While people across the United States
have worked long and hard to insure that
systems that we depend upon will con-
tinue to work during and after this event,
it is unknown how much preparation has
occurred in other parts of the globe.
During many strategic planning sessions
the question has been raised; "Which is
worse? The technical problems that
could occur here, or the reaction by citi-
zens in the event other portions of the
globe experience difficulties prior to the
stroke of midnight in the U.S. ?"
The media is already gearing up to
follow the time change as it occurs across
the world. The U.S. will be one of the
last countries to go through the time
change. It's important to keep in mind
that problems which occur in other parts
of the world may not be an accurate pic-
ture of what is to occur within the U.S.
As a final reminder, telephone
companies across the country are con-
cerned that many well intended resi-
dents will pick up the telephone at the
stroke of midnight, to verify the sys-
tems are working, or to pass on a
timely wish for the New Year. If too
many customers try to use the tele-
phone at the same time, this may over-
load the available capacity of the tele-
phone system. This would result in no
dial tone, until the number of individu-
als using telephones decreases to a level
where circuits can handle the demand.
Therefore, telephone companies and
emergency service providers are re-
minding people to place calls either well
in advance of, or well after the stroke of
midnight. This will insure that critical
calls such as 911 emergencies can be re-
ceived by emergency dispatch centers.
We hope that your New Years Eve
will be a pleasant one. Staff of all
agencies who have prepared for this
event are confident that the only con-
cern that you will have at the stroke of
midnight, is to stay clear of any flying
Champaign corks.
—Larry Brown, Y2K Coordinator
THE SHORE REPORT /JANUARY 2000 2
Early Shorewood
In Those Days
Recorded from the memories of the
first Mayor of the Village of
Shorewood, Mr. W. Dudley Kendrick.
T HIS IS WHAT MR. KENDRICK HAD TO
SAY about Neal Randall, the first
"public works" employee for the Town-
ship and then Village of Shorewood:
"We had really only 1 or 2 men that
worked for us. Neal Randall knew
this land like the palm of his hand.
He was a young fellow and he plowed
and he knew every place that had to
be plowed and when it would be
plowed. He had a house right across
the street on part of what is now the
golf course and he used to park his
rigs over there. Neal Randall was re-
ally a strong force in the founding and
the working of Shorewood. He had
been with Excelsior Township. He
knew all the things that had to be done
before they had to be done."
Mr. Kendrick tells an interesting story
of the resourcefulness and ingenuity of
Mr. Randall: From time to time some-
body needed a culvert at the end of their
driveway. Neal would go in this truck
up Washington Avenue to junk yards and
look for things like abandoned hot wa-
ter heaters and pick up 2 or 3 of them at
little or no cost. They were put in for
culverts under peoples' driveways and
were reasonably satisfactory in handling
the repair. As Mr. Kendrick says, "We
did it by the seat of our pants."
(Neal Randall was the father of a current
Shorewood employee, Dan Randall.)
Council on Cable
City Council meetings can be seen on
Cable Channe18 at the following times:
December 13 Meeting
Friday, January 7 at 1:30 P.M.
January 10 Meeting
Tuesday, January 11 at 5:30 P.M.
Friday, January 21 at 1:30 P.M.
January 24 Meeting
Tuesday, January 25 at 5:30 P.M.
2000 Preliminary City
Tai Ranking Within
Hennepin County
A MONG 46 AREA MUNICIPALITIES,
Shorewood ranks l It' lowest in tax
rates. These are some examples of vari-
ous other suburban preliminary tax rates:
Maple Plain 35.973
Hopkins
32.173
Golden Valley
30.715
St. Bonifacius
28.934
Eden Prairie
28.508
Spring Park
25.954
Excelsior
22.642
Wayzata
20.972
Mound
19.887
Shorewood
18.330
Edina
17.678
Tonka Bay
15.816
Help ante
T HE BURF.AU OF THE CENSUS
is hiring people for a variety
of temporary positions to help
with the U.S. Census 2000. Call
(612) 941 -3427, ext. 106 to find
out how and where to apply.
Senior Corner
Will You Be a Friend?
V OLUNTEERS ARE WHAT KEEP THE SOUTHSHORE CENTER A VIABLE PRO-
GRAM for our community. A group of 15 seniors form the Advisory Board,
which is the governing body of the Senior Program. Secondly, the Friends of
the Southshore Community Center Board, consisting of 14 individuals are
responsible for the building itself. Through various fund - raising events, they
generate additional income to cover the cost of maintaining the building, and
providing heat, lights, insurance, custodial service, repairs, etc.
Many have helped by participating in these events. Please consider joining the
"Friends" Drive. It is your opportunity to help promote senior programs, become
better acquainted with the Southshore Center and enjoy the benefits of being a
Southshore Friend. Call the Center today (474 -7635) for more information.
Southshore Times
The monthly issue of the Southshore newsletter is full of information about
events and opportunites that are of interest to Seniors. Call the Center at
474 -7635 for a current copy.
The Sow shore Center wivhes everyone a ver.v Happy New Yea.rf
... ...............................
Recycling News
Christmas Tree Recycling
B ECAUSE OF A FIRE at their location
last winter, the Ceres Tree Site is
not open as a drop -off center for used
Christmas trees. Homeowners are en-
couraged to make arrangements with
their regular trash hauler for disposal
of trees. Most companies have a lim-
ited time period where they will take
trees at little or no cost. Contact your
trash hauler for details.
Line of Fire —from page L
It's rare that anyone has a 50 -year
history in one community, not to men-
tion a history of dedication as a volun-
teer in one organization! What has
motivated him all this time is the prin-
ciple of service to the community.. What
has enabled him to continue in that ser-
vice is the support of his wife and fam-
ily. (By the way, Skip's son Doug has
logged twenty years as afire fighter ...so
far.) . Skip says he plans to continue as
long as he is able to contribute to the
cause. The City of Shorewood says
Congratulations and Thank You to Skip
for his contribution of service!
3 THE SHORE REPORT /JANUARY 2000
IMPORTANT • IMPORTANT • IMPORTANT • IMPORTANT • IMPORTANT • IMPORTANT
NEW YEAR'S EVE AND Y2K BULLETIN
ETIN
Issued By
Bryan Litsey, Chief of Police/Emergency Management Director
South Lake Minnetonka Public Safety Department
(Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay)
and
Harlan Johnson, Chief of Police/Emergency Management Director
Deephaven Police Department
IRTUALLY EVERYONE IS NOW AWARE of the
term "Y21(" and whatt significance this has
in regard to the Year 2000 rollover on New
Year's Eve. The good news is both the public and
private sectors in this country have been working
diligently to correct any potential
problems associated with Y2K.
This has been true on a local level
as well. Just recently, city offi-
cials for Deephaven, Excelsior,
Greenwood, Shorewood and
Tonka Bay along with represen-
tatives from the police and fire de-
partments for these communities
discussed the current status of
their Y2K readiness and what
things could be done to collec-
tively prepare for any potential
problems. By all indications,
there should be no major disruption of essential ser-
vices on New Year's Eve directly caused by Y2K.
There could, however, be some temporary disrup-
tions caused by misinformation, perceived rather
than actual problems, criminal activity and over-
use of phone communications leading to a delay in
911 service. Therefore, the public is being asked
to prepare for New Year's Eve as if they would for
a pending snowstorm by keeping a few days of food
and water on hand and networking with neighbors
to see who has alternative heat sources.
If You Pick Up, Don't Hang Up
One of the remaining concerns is people overusing
the phone system to wish in the New Year and
checking to see if the phone system has been ef-
fected by Y2K. Such extensive use could overtax
the system and result in some people receiving no
dial tone. If this occurs, people are advised to stay
on the line. The dial tone will au-
CC The Year 2000
rollover on New Year's
Eve hopefully will be a
non - event, other than
the festivities
associated with
bringing in the new
millennium. Yy
tomatically come on once enough
people hang up. The wrong thing
to do is continue to pick up and put
down the phone since this will only
further the problem.
Emergency Plan Identified
The following protocol has been es-
tablished starting at 10:00 P.m. on
December 31, 1999 for callers
needing an emergency assistance in
the cities of Deephaven, Excelsior,
Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka
Bay. First try 911, which is routed
through the Hennepin County Sheriff's Communi-
cation Division to the local police. If this does not
work, try their non - emergency number of 525 -6210.
If this still does not work, personnel will be on-
duty until no longer needed to answer calls at the
South Lake Minnetonka Police Department in Ex-
celsior (474 -3261) and the Deephaven Police De-
partment in Deephaven (474 - 7555). If these ef-
forts are unsuccessful, there will be reporting spots
for people to go for emergency assistance. These
will be staffed until no longer needed. The various
locations are listed on the reverse side of this page,
along with reporting stations for Island residents.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE LOCATIONS
To be staf fed from 10:00 P.m. on December 31 until no longer needed.
South Lake Minnetonka. Public Safety Department
820 Excelsior Boulevard (adjacent to westbound Hwy. 7)
Excelsior
Excelsior Fire Department
339 Third Street
Excelsior
Tonka Bay City Hall
4901 Manitou Road (County Road 19)
Tonka Bay
Deephaven Police Department
20225 Cottagewood Road
Deephaven
Deephaven Police Squad
Minnetonka Blvd. and Maplewood Road (Chowens Corners)
Deephaven
For Island Residents:
Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol Division
4141 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park
In addition, from 10:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M., the Mound Police
Department will have squads located at: the PDQ store on Three
Points Blvd., Mound Bay Park on Bartlett Blvd., Island Park
Skelly on Tuxedo Blvd. and at Commerce Square.
AV
he public can rest assured there will be additional city, police and fire
personnel on hand to deal with any potential problems that might arise. There
will also be networking taking place with county and state agencies to stay
on top of the latest information. The Year 2000 rollover on New Year's Eve
hopefully will be a non -event other than the festivities associated with bringing
in the new millennium. Nevertheless, people need to take a few precautionary
measures in order to be prepared not just for Y2K, but for such things as
winter and summer storms.
Any further questions about the local preparedness efforts underway should
be directed to City Hall (474- 3236).
Information contained in this communication relates to the City of Shorewood 's Year 2000 efforts.
The disclosure of this information is intended to serve as a Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure under the
Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, Public Law 105 -271.
DECEMBER 17, 1999
What's Happening in the City?
Map 3:
Descriptions
The following items are on the January 4
Planning Commission Agenda:
1 At 7:00 P.M. the Planning Commission will hold a public
hearing to consider approval of a nine -lot preliminary plat
proposal on 6.3 acres located at 25100 Smithtown Road.
At 7:15 P.M. an amendment to the Zoning Code will be
considered establishing a conditional use permit process to
allow two dwellings on a single lot on a temporary basis.
2 At 7:30 P.m. a request for a conditional use permit for two
houses temporarily on a single lot at 20625 Garden Rd.
will be presented.
3 At 7:45 P.M. a variance to the wetland setback will be
requested for building a home at 21175 Minnetonka Blvd.
ve. Good Wish For You
I n, The New 11/ ill e itti
CITY OF SHORE WOOD
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
S HOREWOOD, Mfg 55331
(612)474.3236 M FAX (612)474.0128
s� Monday r Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.r9.
1 FLtVER TO-
T HE SO UTHSHORE C ENTER WILL SPOTLIGHT
the five communities that helped with getting
the Center built two years ago. A city will be high-
lighted each month with a special invitation extended
to the city residents, council members and city staff.
Everyone from the area is invited to come for
lunch, find out what is going on in the community
and celebrate our five -city South Shore area. If you
have not visited the Center, this is a perfect time to
come and see this wonderful community facility.
Lunch reservations can be made by calling the
Center at 474 -7635. Rides are available on the
Center van by calling Dial -A -Ride at 474 -7441.
The cost for lunch is a suggested donation of $2.25.
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #128
EXCELSIOR, MN 55331
This newvsletier is printed on recycled paper.
THE SHORE REPORT I JANUARY 2000
Council Member's
Woody Love, Mayor
Kristi Stover
Joan Garfunkel
Christine Lwzoe
Scott Zerby
tit
Administrator
James C. [Harm
Newsletter Editor: Connie Bastyr
1 FLtVER TO-
T HE SO UTHSHORE C ENTER WILL SPOTLIGHT
the five communities that helped with getting
the Center built two years ago. A city will be high-
lighted each month with a special invitation extended
to the city residents, council members and city staff.
Everyone from the area is invited to come for
lunch, find out what is going on in the community
and celebrate our five -city South Shore area. If you
have not visited the Center, this is a perfect time to
come and see this wonderful community facility.
Lunch reservations can be made by calling the
Center at 474 -7635. Rides are available on the
Center van by calling Dial -A -Ride at 474 -7441.
The cost for lunch is a suggested donation of $2.25.
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #128
EXCELSIOR, MN 55331
This newvsletier is printed on recycled paper.
THE SHORE REPORT I JANUARY 2000