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September 1998 Shore ReportCITY OF SHOREVVOOD CITIZEN INFORMER September 1998 OP N, LSE'€ OCRA IC GOVERNMENTIS NHANCEt3 ELY A 11 F©RMED. l FEU # .E .. . F or fourteen years, the City has contracted with Rolf Erickson to serve as the City Assessor. He has also been serving as assessor for a number of other municipalities. Rolf has decided to pare down his work load and Shorewood is one of the cities he is leaving as of September 1, 1998. He will be missed and we wish him well as he enjoys his lighter schedule. Following Rolf's resignation and after a search for another assessor (in conjunction with the City of Orono which was also seeking an assessor), the City Council decided to contract with Hennepin County for assessing services. The County is able to offer a wide variety of skills to maintain the high level of service to our City. The City will be assigned a primary assessor who will establish an office in the lake area in the very near future. In the meantime people can call City Hall (474 -3236) with questions on assessments, property value or taxes and they will. be directed to the right person. i� r ':'11 .. A t their August 24th meeting, the Shorewood City Council approved an Emergency Management Ordinance which calls for cooperative disaster management planning among lake area cities. The passing of this ordinance came about after more than a year of meetings between city representatives in the Lake Minnetonka area and county officials. This group has now been formalized as the Lake Minnetonka Emergency Preparedness Planning and Review Committee. The objective of this committee has been to establish an emergency management ordinance and plan that is uniform between member cities and allows for sharing of resources in the event of an emergency. The committee has also been given the task of periodically reviewing and updating this plan as well as coordinating training. The overall goal of these efforts is to assist key city officials and emergency organizations within the region to coordinate and carry out their responsibilities for the protection of life and property under a wide range of emergency conditions. Shorewood city officials and staff along with public safety officials are committed to their role in emergency management both internally and more broadly through their representation in this regional committee. The storms of this summer were a good example of just how quickly things can take a turn for the worse and the value of having a good emergency management ordinance and plan in place. A copy of the ordinance is available for viewing at City Hall. IN s iii s s; I n the month of August the City of Shorewood was approached by a landowner proposing to sell the City approximately 5.6 acres of land on the east side of Freeman Park. The parcel . includes a home and outbuilding near Highway 7. The offer is contingent upon cancellation by the landowner of a current purchase agreement. The issue will be discussed at the September 1 Planning Commission (7:00 p.m.) meeting, September 8 Park Commission (7:30 p.m.) meeting as well as the September 14 (7:00 p.m.) City Council meeting. Residents interested in this issue are encouraged to attend any or all of these meetings. IN WOW S M A W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 S EPTBABER EVENT 9/1 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. 9/7 Holiday - City Offices Closed 9/8 7:30 Park Comm. Mtg. 9/14 7:00 City Council Meeting 9/15 PRIMARY ELECTION 9/16 7:00 Planning Comm. Mtg. 9/21 7:00 City Council / Park Comm. Joint Work Session 27 28 29 30 9/28 7:00 City Council Meeting Underlining indicates cablecast of Council meetings - see schedule on page 3. ISSU MSIDETHIS !E Election Information ........................ 2 Trail Talk ........... ............................... 2 Community Events .......................... 2 Communications Corner ................. 2 Early Shorewood ............................. 3 Council on Cable ............................. 3 Tonka Rake - A - Thon ..................... 3 Senior Corner ... ............................... 3 Land Preservation News ................. 3 Adult Ordinance Passed ................. 4 Shorewood Events Map .................. 4 Communications Corner Absentee Voting rth Primary Election Has Begun A recent Shoreline call brings up a safety concern which we would lire to; Those who need to vote by absentee pass on to all Shorewood residents. The LRT trail crosses very near the`` j ballot may do so at City Hall during intersection of Eureka Road and Smithtown. Drivers who stop f9r the road. sign normal business hours or during the often ignore pedestrian and bike traffic _that is also passing that intersection via . extended absentee voting hours: the trail. Drivers are to watch for trail traffic and yield to those who are crossing Saturday, September 12 Eureka Road on the trail. Trail users should also use extra caution when 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. approaching all intersections along the LRT. The rural setting and smaller roads Monday, September 14 of our City do call for a slower pace for everyone. ® 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. ............... ............................... Trail and Park Talk Election 1998 rT T he Park Commission and City Council have set aside the evening of Monday, September 21 for a joint work session. They will hear a report from consulting Park Planner, Mark Koegler on the results of the trail and park planning process to date. Mr. Koegler will summarize the results of the Community Visioning sessions, the telephone survey and the Citizen Review Group meetings which were completed in July. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 5755 Country Club Road. The work session discussions will then be summarized and direction given on future steps in the process at the September 28 City Council meeting. Pre-Register to Vote T he Primary Election will be on Tuesday, September 15, 1998. It is too late topre- register for the primary, but • eligible voters can still register at their polling location on Primary Election day. The General Election is on Tuesday, . November 3, 1998. Voters can pre- : register for that election until Tuesday, October 13. Voter Registration cards are provided within this newsletter for your . convenience. These would need to be completed only by individuals who: • ♦ have never registered to vote. ♦ have moved or changed their name since they last registered. • ♦ have not voted at least once in the last 4 years. League of Women Voters: Brief Introduction D wring election season we hear a lot about the activities of the League of Women Voters. Have you wondered what this group does the rest of the year and the purpose of their organization? The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The South Tonka League meets quarterly to discuss and gain further information on key community issues at all government levels in an unbiased manner. Membership is open to all residents (male and female) of voting age, Community Events Excelsior Apple Day Celebrate fall and our area's heritage as a great apple producer! The annual Apple :Day will be on Saturday, September 12 in downtown Excelsior. There will be a inain street market featuring antiques, collectibles, crafts, produce, lots of apples and great food. Other events hap pc n throughout the day and there truly is something for everyone to enjoy. Bring the family! M. O. M.'s Group The Morning Out for Mothers group (St. Johns & St. Therese chapter) invites you to join them for fun, friendship and faith enrichment. They meet on the first and third Friday of each month from 9:15 - 11:30 a.m. starting September 18. This group offers friendship support for moms in their parenting roles. Childcare is available by reservation. Call 470 -8139 for more information. Citizen Informer/ September 1998 Polling Locations in Shorewood Precinct 1 Shorewood City Hall 5755 Country Club Road Precinct 2 Excelsior Covenant Church 19955 Excelsior Blvd. Precinct 3 Minnewashta Church 26710 West 62nd Street Precinct 4 Enchanted Island Residence 4445 Enchanted Point Call City Hall (474 -3236) if you are not sure of your designated polling place. File to Pun for Office T he City of Shorewood is accepting filings for candidacy for the General City Election in November until Tuesday, September 8, 1998 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The City offices up for election are one Mayor for a term of two (2) years and two Councilmembers, each for a term of four (4) years. The affidavit of candidacy will be accepted at the Shorewood City Hall, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood. There is a filing fee of $2.00. 2 residing in the South Lake area. Annual dues are $45. The South Tonka LWV will be holding its quarterly business meeting and annual `New Member Forum' on Wednesday, September 23 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Southshore Community Center, 5735 Country Club Road. The theme for this meeting is "Managing the Environmental Impact of Developing Communities." Guest speakers will be representatives from the Minnesota Land Trust and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. You are invited to attend this meeting. If you want more information about the League of Women Voters please contact Ann Duff at 473 -9189 or Laura Turgeon at 474 -7213. Also watch for Candidates Forums this fall which are sponsored by the LWV. The League does not support political parties or candidates for any public office. Candidate Forums are one of the many activities coordinated by the LWV in their work to increase citizen participation in the election process. Minnetonka Reminiscences by George Day (1845 -1937) Reprinted courtesy of the Excelsior -Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Grasshoppers and Panic Make Hard Times n 1857 the grasshoppers appeared in large numbers and threatened to clean out everything in the vegetable line; in fact they did clean out the corn and garden stuff. Very little wheat was raised here then and people depended almost entirely on corn for bread. A good many got scared out of the country and returned to their former homes in the east and those who stayed had hard picking until the next crop. The grasshoppers left late in the summer, greatly to our relief. The panic of 1857 left this country in bad shape. Money was scarce; in fact there was no money in the country except what was issued by wild -cat banks. If you got hold of a dollar, it behooved you to spend it as soon as possible, for the bank might "bust" over night. Artemus Ward illustrates this in one of his humorous love stories. A lover who has been refused by the girl of his choice, thinking to win her by a display of wealth, said to the girl, "If money is your wish here it is," and flourished a ten - dollar bill on the bank of Waukegan, Illinois. "Miscreant!" the girl replied. "I spurn the vile dross; besides there is ten per cent discount on it." b '} erne is Near innetonka Community Education Services coordinates a community service project in the Minnetonka School District called the Rake -A -Thou. Teams of volunteers provide lawn raking services to senior residents. October 24, 1998 has been designated as the Twelfth Annual Tonka Rake -A -Thou day. Residents can register to have their yard raked by calling Southshore Center at 474 -7635 beginning September 8. To volunteer to help or for more information about the program, call Holly at MCES at 470 -8310. Last year over 800 volunteers served the seniors within this school district! City Council meetings can be seen on Cable Channel at the following times: August 24 Meeting Wednesday, September 2 at 1:30 p.m. September 14 Meeting Wednesday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 a.m. September 21 Meeting Tuesday, September 22 at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 30 at 4:30 p.m. September 28 Meeting Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m N ational Pollution Prevention Week is September 21 - 27: The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance has lots of information about pollution and the environment. Their phone number is 215 -0232. They also have a very informative web site: http:/ /www.moea.state.mn.us which details the events for Pollution Prevention Week. They have even included an educational section just for kids. N k.lonservation Easement A Land Preservation Too', he City's Ad Hoc Land Conservation Committee has set a goal of presenting its findings to the City Council by November. The Committee has been meeting on a bi- weekly basis, and the first land protection option available to landowners that the Committee has studied is a "conservation easement." A conservation easement is a legal agreement in which landowners voluntarily restrict the use of their land. Landowners can permanently protect their land by donating or selling a conservation easement. Landowners can donate or sell any of their property rights, such as the right to farm or the right to build. Landowners receive a substantial tax benefit when they donate a conservation easement to a qualifying non - profit organization. The land must be of public benefit such as providing scenic vistas, protecting water resources and wildlife habitat. However, a conservation easement does not require public access. The tax benefit of a conservation easement is determined by the value of the easement. The value of the easement must be determined by a qualified appraiser familiar with IRS regulations. First, the land is appraised with all of its development rights. Then the land is appraised with the conservation easement. The difference between these two appraisals is the value of the easement. If the easement qualifies under IRS regulations as a charitable donation, the easement value can be taken as an income tax deduction. Donating landowners are allowed to deduct up to 30% of their adjusted gross income for 5 consecutive years. There may also be property tax and estate tax benefits.M Before making any decisions, consult a tax advisor and a financial planner to determine what is in your best interest. Senior orne Southshore Center Anniversary Open House Sunday, September 20 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come to celebrate the first year of the Southshore Center. Preview fall programs, enter drawings for door prizes, and enjoy musical entertainment and free refreshments. Southshore Elder Learning Forum The Southshore Center announces a new program for people who have a desire to explore new information and take time to do some things for themselves. The program called SELF will offer a variety of opportunities for lifelong learning. To receive a list of course offerings, call the Center at 474 -7635. 3 Citizen Informer/ September 1998 MINNESOTA VOTER REGISTRATION CARD Please type or print in Ink. 1. What is Your Full Name ? La st First Middle 2. Where Do You Live? Number Street Apt. H MN City State Zip Code 3. In What City or Township _ Do You Live? Check One: 17 City 13 Township County 4. If Mail Cannot Be Delivered Where You Live, Where Do P.O. Box City Zip Code You Receive Your Mail? 5. When Were L---I What Is Your You Born? Month Day Year Telephone Number? (Fold Here) 6. Have You Been Name: Registered Before Last First Middle Under Another Address: Name or Address? State Zip Code 7. In What School District Do You Live (if Known)? School District Name or Number 6. Read The Statement Below And Sign if All Parts Apply To You. • win be at least 18 years old on election day, • am a citizen of the united States; • will have resided In Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding election day; • am nd under guardianship of the person; I certify that is • have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote; • have not been convicted of a felony without having my civil rights restored; and • have read and understand this statement, that giving false information Is a felonry punish, able by not more than 5 years knprisonment or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. Date / / X Month Day Year SIGNATURE ELECTI DAY OFFICIAL USE O NLY W — 13 Driver's License 13 Student iD 1, Passpport P_ or MN ID or Military ID 10 Number SD— 13 Prior Registration 13 IneBedive Notice 13 Witness 13 uoitty Bili (type) MINNESOTA VOTER REGISTRATION CART) Please type or print In Ink. 1. What Is Your Full Name ? Last First Middle 2. Where Do Number Street Apt. N You Live? _ _M City State ^v � Zip Code 3. In What City or Township _ Do You Live? Check One: 17 City 13 Township County 4. If Mail Cannot Be Delivered Where You Live, Where Do P.O. Box City Zip Code You Receive Your Mali? S. When Were ( / What Is Your You Born? Month Day Year Telephone Number? (Fold Here) G. Have You Been Name: Registered Before Last First Middle Under Another Address. Name or Address? Slate Zip Code 7. In What School District Do You Live (if K n o wn)? School District Name or Number � S. Read The Statement Below And Sign It All Parts Apply To You. • will be at least 18 years old on election day; • am a citizen of the United States; • vdA have resided In Minnesota for 20 days Immediately preceding election dn. • am not under guardianship of the person; I certify that I: • have not been found by a court to be legally Incompetent to vote; • have not been convicted of a felony without having my dv8 rights restored; and • have read and understand this statement, that giving false Idormntlon Is a felony dxnrish- able by not more than 5 years Imprisonment or a fine of not more than 5 10,000, or bottr. Date______/ / X _ Month Day Year SIGNATURE 1 0101 •• • s W^ ® Drivers license 13 Student iD 13 Pa6 ort P_ or MN ID r7 or MlFflary ID It, Number 13 sp^ 13 Prior Registration Ineftective Notice 13 Witness 13 Utility 8111 (type) Post Office will not deliver without First Class Postage Return to: HENNEPIN COUNTY ELECTIONS DIVISION A600 GOVERNMENT CENTER MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55487 -0060 Fold and seal { INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION I Print your full legal name. Do not use initials, nicknames, or abbreviations. 2. Print the house number and street address or rural route and box number where you live. 3. Print the name of the township or city and county where your residence is located. 4. If your mail cannot be delivered to the address listed in number 3, provide the P.O. Box or alternate address where you receive mail. 5. Provide your full birth date — month, day, and year. Enter the telephone number in the appropriate space, including the area code. 6. If you were previously registered, write the name and/or address you used before. If you are registered to vote in another state, write the name and address under which you are registered in that other state. 7. If you do not know the school district in which you live, leave this area blank. 8. It is very important that you read everything in the statement before signing your name. 9. Mail or deliver the completed voter registration card to your county auditor. Call 474 -3236 if you need information about registration or voting assistance. Post Office will not deliver without First Class Postage Return to: HENNEPIN COUNTY ELECTIONS DIVISION A600 GOVERNMENT CENTER MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55487 -0060 \ Fold and seal J INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION 1. Print your full legal name. Do not use initials, nicknames, or abbreviations. 2. Print the house number and street address or rural route and box number where you live. 3. Print the name of the township or city and county where your residence is located. 4. If your mail cannot be delivered to the address listed in number 3, provide the P.O. Box or alternate address where you receive mail. 5. Provide your full birth date — month, day, and year. Enter the telephone number in the appropriate space, including the area code. 6. If you were previously registered, write the name and/or address you used before. If you are registered to vote in another state, write the name and address under which you are registered in that other state. 7. If you do not know the school district in which you live, leave this area blank. 8. It is very important that you read everything in the statement before signing your name. 9. Mail or deliver the completed voter registration card to your county auditor. Call 474 -3236 if you need information about registration or voting assistance. W h at's Happening in the S-` Map Descriptions The following items are on the September I Planning Commission Agenda: The owner of property located at 5935 Galpin Lake Road is requesting a conditional use permit for a Special Home Occupation permit to allow his writing studio within an accessory building. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The City will hold a public hearing at 7:10 p.m. to consider an amendment to the Home Occupation regulations of the City Code. Or:: rT'he recycle schedule will be affected by JL the Labor Day Holiday. For the week of September 7, pick up of recyclables will be on Thursday, the 10th for the Mainland and on Friday, the 11th for Island residences. w a m c O n August 24 the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing regulations and a licensing procedure for adult use establishments in Shorewood. After many months of study by the Planning Commission and a public hearing which was held on August 4, the ordinance was recommended unanimously by the Commission. The ordinance is consistent with those being adopted by many other communities throughout the country. It establishes hours of operation, restricts the activities at adult use businesses and creates distance separation requirements between adult businesses and such uses as residential, churches, schools and day care facilities. In addition to the ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission, the City Council directed City staff to draft a policy establishing a notification procedure by which neighbors would be made aware that an adult use license is being considered. A copy of the new ordinance is available for review at the Shorewood City Offices. CITY (_).F SHO REWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHORE WOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3235 M FAX 474.0128 D LI v1 R T€ : Primary Election Tuesday, September 15 General Election Tuesday, November 3 Administrator James C. Hurm Newsletter Editor Connie Sastyr Citizen Informer/ September 1998 Free wood chips are still available at • Freeman Park. The pile (which has been reduced in size) is now located : in a more central area of the park, just east of the sand volleyball court. . • Offer good while supply lasts. ............................. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #12.8 EXCELSIO R, MN 55331 This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. , 5 n. /�`�/ S-` Map Descriptions The following items are on the September I Planning Commission Agenda: The owner of property located at 5935 Galpin Lake Road is requesting a conditional use permit for a Special Home Occupation permit to allow his writing studio within an accessory building. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The City will hold a public hearing at 7:10 p.m. to consider an amendment to the Home Occupation regulations of the City Code. Or:: rT'he recycle schedule will be affected by JL the Labor Day Holiday. For the week of September 7, pick up of recyclables will be on Thursday, the 10th for the Mainland and on Friday, the 11th for Island residences. w a m c O n August 24 the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing regulations and a licensing procedure for adult use establishments in Shorewood. After many months of study by the Planning Commission and a public hearing which was held on August 4, the ordinance was recommended unanimously by the Commission. The ordinance is consistent with those being adopted by many other communities throughout the country. It establishes hours of operation, restricts the activities at adult use businesses and creates distance separation requirements between adult businesses and such uses as residential, churches, schools and day care facilities. In addition to the ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission, the City Council directed City staff to draft a policy establishing a notification procedure by which neighbors would be made aware that an adult use license is being considered. A copy of the new ordinance is available for review at the Shorewood City Offices. CITY (_).F SHO REWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHORE WOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3235 M FAX 474.0128 D LI v1 R T€ : Primary Election Tuesday, September 15 General Election Tuesday, November 3 Administrator James C. Hurm Newsletter Editor Connie Sastyr Citizen Informer/ September 1998 Free wood chips are still available at • Freeman Park. The pile (which has been reduced in size) is now located : in a more central area of the park, just east of the sand volleyball court. . • Offer good while supply lasts. ............................. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #12.8 EXCELSIO R, MN 55331 This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.