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October 1998 Shore Report�u CITY OF SHOREWOOD CITIZEN INFORMER October 1998 OP l �n VRCI A`'c � RNMENT 1 ENfiANCE 8 `y rilil � P� Sl Planning Commission Addresses Telecommunication T he PCS (Personal Communication System) industry is exploding. Every day more and more people are using cellular telephones, paging systems and even portable fax machines. Along with the demand for increased air time comes a demand for antenna tower space. You may have noticed antennas sprouting up across the countryside, on top of water towers or on freestanding towers. Many communities designate commercial or industrial areas for such towers. Shorewood, on the other hand, has a very limited amount of commercial property on which antenna towers could be located. Consequently the City is faced with the possibility of having to locate towers in residential areas. For the past several months the Planning Commission has worked on a draft ordinance intended to regulate the location of telecommunication facilities. The ordinance establishes standards for where and how antenna towers may be located in Shorewood. The City's authority to regulate such uses is somewhat limited by federal law. The City Council has hired a tele- communications consultant to review the ordinance and advise the City as to Cvmmunicalions - Continued on page 4 City Considering Land Purchase s reported in the September issue of this newsletter, the owners of approximately five and a half acres of land east of the Little League fields at Freeman Park have offered to sell their land to the City. The question is in the process of being considered by the Planning and Park Commissions, the Land Conservation Committee and the Shorewood Parks Foundation. A staff report has been prepared and can be viewed at the City's web site (www.state.net/shorewood /) or by requesting a copy be mailed to you if you do not have internet access (call 474 - 3236). The City Council will be discussing the issue at the Council work session following the October 12 Council meeting if time permits. A portion of the October 26 City Council meeting will be set aside for the public to offer input on whether or not this land should be purchased, and if so, for what purpose. The public is encouraged to read the staff report and offer input via the various methods of communication with the City: • Complete the feedback form, available at City Hall or on the web site • Call the Shoreline 24 hours a day to leave a taped comment, suggestion or question (474 -3236, Ext. 1) • .Attend the City Council meeting on October 26 • E -mail the Council or staff at: cityhall@shorewood.state.net • Fax your correspondence to City Hall at 470 -0128 • Write City Hall at 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331 M October 24 is Fall Clean Up / Drop Off Day' T he annual Yard Waste Drop -Off Day for Shorewood has been established by City Council to be held on Saturday, October 24. Yard waste can be brought to the Public Works parking area at 24200 Smithtown Road between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Grass, leaves and mixed brush will be accepted. All yard waste must be emptied from bags and the bags taken home. Brush and sticks must be bundled with branches smaller than 1 1/2 " in diameter and less than 4' in length. For the residents on Shady and Enchanted Islands, a container will be provvii d near the corner of Shady Island Circle and Shady Island Road. M _ 1X S M T W T OCTOBER EVENTS W ; 2 3 10/6 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. 10/12 7:00 City Council Mtg./Work O 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Session F.,. 10/13 7:30 Park Comm. Meeting 15 17 10/20 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. O » 21 23 24 10/24 Brush/Leaf Drop -off Day 10/26 7:00 City Council Meeting 25 . r$g �� !, 10127 7:30 Park Comm. Work Session Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings - see schedule on page 4. TrailTalk ........... ............................... 2 Meet the Fire Marshal ..................... 2 Land Conservation Option .............. 2 Council Candidates ......................... 2 Primary Election Results ................. 2 Fire Department Open House ......... 3 Community Events .......................... 3 Senior Corner ... ............................... 3 Council on Cable ............................. 4 Shorewood Events Map .................. 4 Help Wanted .... ............................... 4 Early Shorewood Minnetonka Reminiscences by George Day (1845 -1937) Reprinted courtesy of the Excelsior -Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Early Boom Days Are Recalled B efore the panic of `57 this country was booming. Lots of people owned town sites, every one of which was to become the great metropolis of the northwest. There used to be a post office on Lake Minnetonka by the name Island City. At one time an effort was made by a gentleman of some influence who was interested in the above -named town site to have the state capital located there. For the information of people not posted in the ancient history of Lake Minnetonka, I will say that Island City was located on the land lying between Crystal Bay, Lower Lake and Jennings Bay in the West Arm. Frank Carman was the representative of the Post Office Department and carried the mail on his back to Excelsior, where it was transferred to the custody of Rev. Chas. Galpin's "Tow String Express," so called because the Reverend did not have time to repair his harness properly and when a break occurred he tied up the broken part with string. Postmaster Kept a Grocery Store Too Mail came to Excelsior once a week. The post office was in a 3 small log building and the postmaster eked out a slender salary by selling a few groceries. His stock was rather meager, but molasses, brown sugar, saleratus and calico could be had. On mail nights, everybody within a radius of two miles gathered at the post office and waited patiently for the mail. The time of its arrival was a matter of great uncertainty; sometimes it did not put in an appearance until midnight, owing to various causes. The mail carrier executed all sorts of commissions for the people who sent in orders for merchandise not obtainable in Excelsior. Sometimes the rig was loaded to the gunwhale with goods and passengers. In winter, storms were frequent and once I remember the stage arrived minus the mail sack. It had been left in snow drift half way to Minneapolis and was recovered the next day. R@ _ I o r — Ictober 4 -10th is Fire Prevention Week and that is when the Excelsior Volunteer Fire Department opens its doors to the community. Everyone is invited to participate in fun and educational activities and to see the equipment and facility up close. Ride the fire truck, try on fire fighters gear, spray the fire hose and escape from the smoke in Sparky's Safe Escape House. There will also be displays and demonstrations by several other local and regional agencies that work to ensure our safety. The Fire Department is giving away door prizes and serving free hot dogs and beverages. Come to the Excelsior Fire Station on Thursday, October 8th any time from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for some educational fun! Sparky and the Chief will be there! ED C ommunity Everts T he Lake Minnetonka Christian Women's Club will be holding a silent auction at their monthly luncheon on October 13 at 12:00 noon. Everyone is invited for the entire program which includes a speaker and musical entertainment. The luncheon is held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Lafeyette Country Club and the cost is $11. Call 474 -7636 with questions. M D id you know that oil filters are recycled into new steel products, such as steel cans, cars, appliances and construction? Recycling all the filters sold annually in the United States would recover about 160,000 tons of steel, or enough steel to make 16 new stadiums the size of Atlanta's Olym- pic Stadium. Check with your local service station or auto parts stores to see if they accept used oil and drained filters for recycling. M • � ing Pa rent? C heck out this series of free presentations for adult children who manage care for their aging parents. Tuesday, October 27 at 7. 00 p.m. • The Best Thing You've Never Heard of: Adult Day Services • Communication and the Family Dynamics in Later Years Tuesday, November 3 at 7. 00 p.m. • Mom and Dad and Their Changing Vision: There is Hope • Legal Peace of Mind for the Family All Presentations will be located at the Southshore Center, 5735 Country Club Road. Call 474-7635 to reserve a space. M Senior Corner Autumn Events for Seniors - Call Southshore Center (474 -7635) for details. Senior Fall Fun Day Wednesday, October 28 at Lakeside Ballroom in Waconia. The delicious lunch buffet begins at noon, followed by entertainment by the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band. The cost is $22. Transportation on the motorcoach bus is available for $5. Register by October 12 through the Southshore Center. Annual Rake -A -Thom Applications are still being taken for seniors who would like free leaf raking help Saturday, October 24. This program is open to all Minnetonka School District senior residents. Call the Center to schedule your yard. American Originals Augsburg College of the Third Age presents a sampler of American music on Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. Carolyn Bliss is the instructor. Reservations needed by October 9. There is an $8 fee. Southshore Fall Festival Dinner and Craft Sale This weekend event is scheduled for November 6 - 8th. There will be crafts, baked goods and attic treasures for sale with a chicken dinner served on Sunday noon. 3 Citizen Informer/ October 1998 Meet the Marshal o00 0 M N ext week is Fire Prevention Week. Do you know the name of your Fire Marshal? Or any of the 27 volunteer firefighters in the m Excelsior Fire Department,which serves our City? The important thing to know is that every one of them would run, day or night,- at a moments notice - to your aid in the event of a fire or medical emergency. And they don't know your name, either. In fact, their commitment to the five area communities involves much more than their around- the -clock availability. After extensive interviewing, background check, physical agility testing and initial training there is a one year probationary period before a new fire fighter can even go on calls. Forever there are weekly meetings and on -going schooling each year for state certification and renewal. And then there is the high risk -level inherent with each of the 700 or so calls during a year's time. It is a huge commitment made to their community. By the way,. Scott Anding is the Excelsior Fire Marshal. He has. been for nearly one year. Before that, he served eight years as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Chanhassen ... and still does. His full time job as the Excelsior Fire Marshal is more administrative and deals with code enforcement, but he still gets out on calls with the department. Scott began his career in fire fighting as soon as he was old enough to qualify. (He was one of those kids who really knew he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up.) As fourth generation firefighters, Scott and his sister, (also a firefighter), have the work in their genes. Now Scott is also a part of a close 27- member family which shares the passion for rescue and a strong mutual trust in one another. Come and meet the whole family at their Open House on October 8. And if you think you might have the "passion for rescue ", consider becoming part of their team. N T he Land Conservation Committee has been considering a number of land conservation tools, most recently estate planning. Estate planning is important because of the tremendous estate taxes that families must pay on the assets that they inherit. In some cases, heirs have been forced to sell their family land or homestead to pay estate taxes. Planning estate finances well before death can reduce or eliminate this tax burden. There is no estate tax if assets are transfers to a surviving spouse. However, for other family members estate taxes range from 37% to 55% depending on the value of the estate. Fortunately, the first $625,000, or assets equaling $625,000, of an inheritance are exempt from estate taxes. If your estate is a potential tax liability for your children, donating a conservation easement to a non - profit organization lowers the value of your estate and can reduce estate taxes. If land is donated as a "remainder interest," landowners control and live on their property until they die. This option may also allow an income tax deduction while landowners are still alive Tax laws are complex! Before making any decisions about your estate consult with tax, legal, and estate planning- professionals. Citizen Informer/ October 1998 T he League of Women's Voters will sponsor a Candidates' Forum on October 20 at the Southshore Center, 5735 Country Club Road. (Check your local paper for times.) This forum is an opportunity for residents to get to know the candidates running in the local races. The following candidates have filed for office. These offices will be voted on in the upcoming November 3 election. Mayor (2 year term - Vote for one.) Tom Dahlberg 25270 Smithtown Road Phone: 470 -0165 Woody Love 5460 Teal Circle Phone: 474 -7802 Council Members (4 year term - Vote for two.) Roger Champa 25500 Nelsine Drive Phone: 474 -3179 Christine Lizee 27055 Smithtown Road Phone: 470 -5338 Jerry O'Neill 25540 Nelsine Drive Phone: 470 -6011 Scott Zerby 5680 Christopher Road Phone: 470 -9858 2 Trail (and Park) Talk Park and Trail Planning Process T he City Council and Park Commission met jointly September 21 with staff and Park Planner Mark Koegler. The purpose of the meeting was to determine "what's next" in the trail review process. The conclusion was that something different is needed than the traditional written trail plan document. Such a document identifies trail projects which are then presented to the public for their comment. The new concept involves making trail planning a community— oriented, grass roots effort. The Park Commission and City Council have endorsed this new concept of an "inclusive trail process" which involves citizens early and often. The Park Commission and City Council are in the process of accepting a commitment statement as follows: "The Shorewood City Council and Park Commission recognize that residents have a substantial interest in establishing a trail system in the community. As a result, both groups are committed to establishing and carrying out an on -going process that with continuing public involvement, will identify opportunities and address concerns resulting in the construction of trails where deemed appropriate by the community." The next step is to build on the information already collected from the public participation process to date. Examples of additional data to acquire are: plans from adjacent municipalities; and data on values, use impacts, safety, national standards, financial implications, and right -of -way constraints. Further information on the full ten step process will be described in an upcoming newsletter. M Primary E le ct io r� Re Available �` A pproximately 20% of eligible voters in Shorewood voted in the recently held Primary Election. Results of that election are available at City Hall or on our web site, at: www.state.net/shorewood I LVI ill Communications - Continued from p 1 The following items are on the October 6 Planning Commission Agenda: 1 The owner of property located at 5935 Seamans Drive is requesting approval of a rear yard setback variance which would allow him to add on to the back of his house. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. 2 The City will hold a public hearing at 7:15 p.m. to consider an amendment to the City Code. A new ordinance will be reviewed which provides regulations for wireless communication (cellular phones) towers and antennas. The ordinance will address allowable location, height, etc. ar ± x Autu r 3 w �c C a w rill �a where such antenna facilities may have to be located. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 6 at the Shorewood City Hall to consider the draft ordinance. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at the City Offices. S Council on Cable City Council meetings can be seen on Cable Channel 8 at the following times: September 28 Meeting Monday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. October 12 Meeting Wednesday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17 at 9 :00 a.m. Tuesday, October 20 at 1:30 p.m. October 26 Meeting Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m. CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHOREWOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3236 Z@ FAX 474.0128 DELIVER TO General Election Tuesday, November 3 Administrator James C. Hurm Newsletter Editor Connie Bastyr Citizen Informer/ October 1998 Rink Attendants Needed T he City of Shorewood is accepting applications for Rink Attendants. This is a great opportunity for any one age 16 and older who is looking for a temporary part- time job. Hours are afternoons, evenings and weekends from mid - December to mid - February. Weekday morning hours are also available during winter break. If you are interested in being a rink attendant and are a responsible person please contact City Hall at 474 -3236 for an application. lug Election Judges needed for the upcoming General Election. If interested, please contact City Hall at 474 -3236. This is a paid position and training is provided. Students, over the age of 16, may also serve as iudL-es. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #128 EXCELSIOR, MN 55331 TNs newsletter is printed on recycled paper.