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March 1997 Shore ReportCITY OF SHOREWOOD CITIZEN INFORMER March 1997 OPEN, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IS ENHANCED BY AN INFORMED POPULACE T he Shorewood City Council and staff have made a commitment to build a foundation of responsible two -way communication with the citizens. In living up to our goal of ... "continuously striving to keep citizens informed and asking for and listening to feedback," we promise to set a new standard for city government in communicating with citizens and involving them in decision making processes. This will be a formidable task. It will require not only the commitment of your government, but your participation, to succeed. Your participation, as a citizen in your community, Shorewood, can happen in a variety of ways. You can become knowledgeable in local issues (responsibility). You can be involved in local issues that affect you (participation). And, you can show patience and understanding (civility) as we attempt to "change with the times ". The City will initiate many changes in the near future to simplify your participation. The changes will provide for a beneficial outcome and hopefully, a pleasant experience in working with the City. Conununieations - Continued on Page 2 Local Board of Review Date is Set U_�_�. T he Local Board of Review will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 1997 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Statements from Hennepin County which state your property market value for 1997 will be mailed prior to this meeting. Your 1998 property taxes are based upon this amount. This meeting is the opportunity for residents to express their objection to their property market value to the Local Board (made up of City Council members). Residents who wish to appear should contact the City Assessor (473 -1844) to discuss their situation prior to the meeting. If it is not possible to attend the Local Board of Review, a written objection must be filed at City Hall prior to the meeting. n Z Road Restrictions Go Into Effect 7:00 Planning Commission mtg. 7:30 City Council mtg. 7:30 Council Work Session 7:00 Planning Work Session 7:30 City Council mtg. 7:30 Park Commission mtg. City Offices Close at 12:00 Noon 7:30 Council Work Session Road Restrictions Ahead W eight restrictions (in excess of 8,000 pounds on any single axle) are placed on local streets from March 1 through April 30 in order to preserve the condition of City streets from serious damage and destruction. Some streets are exempt from this restriction. All roads are posted with the allowable weight limits. Ques- tions on specific streets or areas can be answered by calling City Hall at 474 -3236. N New °Shoreline" ............................ Page 2 Shorewood History ........................ Page 2 Ways to Get Involved .................... Page 3 Help Rename the lnto►mer ............ Page 3 Senior Activities ............................. Page 3 Shorewood Events Map ................ Page 4 Waterford Liquor Proposal ............ Page 4 Eureka Area No Parking ............... Page 4 City Hall Launches "The Shoreline" D o you have an idea or question floating around in your head regarding the City of Shorewood? The City Council, Commissions and staff would like to hear from you. To make it more convenient for you to pass on your thoughts, we have implemented a phone line which you can access at any time. Just call 474 -3236, ext.1, day or night to leave a recorded message and indicate whether you would like a response. Your message can be a request, complaint, suggestion or even a com- pliment on any city- related issue. We are especially eager to hear feadback from you on this newsletter, its contents and new look. Hope to hear from you soon! � The Early History of the Shorewood Area by Darel Leipold, Author of "Minnetonka Memories" M uch has been written about the "discovery" of the great series of bays and lakes known as "Lake Minnetonka ". Most writers refer to that day in May 1822 when four young men, including Joseph Brown and John Snelling, ventured forth from Fort Snelling to find a lake that Native Americans had spoken about. They ventured up a creek that ran into the Mississippi River near the fort, past a magnificent waterfall, past and through a series of lakes, none of which matched the description of the lake they were seeking. After perhaps 15 miles, they came upon a great marshland and a shallow lake that opened up into a great wide lake. This was the lake they were seeking. Brown and Snelling visited a big island where they found a native village of the Chippewa Nation. They returned from the native lands that surrounded the lake and creek with many stories of their adventures. The creek became known as "Brown's Creek". The native name for the lake was "Big Waters ". Later the creek was renamed "Minnehaha Creek" and the lake "Minnetonka ". "Minnetonka" is Dakota for "big waters ". The actual discovery came perhaps thousands of years ago, by natives of this land. These people lived for centuries in and about the lake area, for much evi- dence has been found of the life and death of many persons. When Brown and Snelling came, they found people living in villages along the shores of the lake. Later visitors found burial mounds. We now know that there were mounds near Mound, Cook's Bay, Bartlett's Point, Halstead's Bay, Crystal Bay, Spring Park, Starvation Point and other areas. When the natives sold the land to the U.S. Government in 1851, the new pioneers built the area into farms and villages. Business and industry built structures along main streets and great boats parted the waters of the lake. Hotels were built and railroads extended rail lines into the area. The present cities of Excelsior, Green- wood, Tonka Bay and Shorewood share a common history, for all were once a part of the Excelsior Township, which was established in 1858. In 1956, the remaining portions of the Excelsior Township that had not been already incorporated became two villages under the names of Shorewood and Green- wood. Shorewood therefore can trace its modern history to the same pioneers that the City of Excelsior claims. Both date from 1852 -53. George Bertram's "Excelsior Pioneer Association " was formed in 1852 -53. Each member could lay claim to a "village lot" and to 160 acres outside the "village ". Villages and townships did not exist at that time in the Lake Minnetonka area. Excelsior became a township in 1858. The Excelsior area had one of the earliest volunteer fire departments in the Lake Minnetonka area dating to about 1880. This fire department served areas that are presently part of Shorewood. It is recorded that a bucket brigade operation was in existence in 1882, though it was not until about 1889 that a wagon and engine company was formed. Shorewood, with its many miles of shoreline, has an interesting and varied history. There are may tales to be told. The story of Shorewood will continue in future issues of this publication. M "Communications" Cont'd from page f Improved communications from your city to you, the citizen: • The Citizen Informer newsletter will be published monthly. It will include information on current Council and Commission discussions and actions. The Informer will also have a map highlight- ing areas of activity within the City. These areas will be numbered for your quick reference. • Public hearings must be held to fulfill legal requirements concerning various land use and ordinance change issues. While the law requires notification of affected neighbors from 350 feet of the proposed change, we will send written notice beyond that. These notices will be clear and concise, and will not leave the citizen uncertain of the intent. • Early involvement of area residents will be sought on any potential City project at the "idea" stage and will continue throughout the life of the project. • Placement of signs at appropriate sites, along project routes, or on specific property may be utilized to notify the public of pending changes or additions. • Informational brochures will be available clarifying various processes of dealing with local government (i.e., conditional use permit, variance). • The City World Wide Web HomePage (http: / /www.state.net/ shorewood) will be expanded to include permit and licensing information and /or forms, and portions of the municipal code. • Shorewood's Information Line 474- 3236, Ext. 2 contains a wealth of informa- tion about upcoming meetings and events and public service announcements. • Civic, neighborhood and sports organizations will be contacted for monthly additions to this newsletter. This will help keep residents informed of what is happening in the community or their neighborhood. An array of opportunities for you, as a responsible, participating citizen: • Attend City Council (or watch them on Cable TV, Channel 8), Planning and Park Commission meetings or work sessions. This is an opportunity for you Continued on Page 3 Page 2 "Communications" Cont'd from page 2 to learn about actions and recommenda- tions being taken by these bodies. It is also an excellent insight into how your city officials interact with each other and members of the community. • Complete the feedback forms, avail- able at City Hall (or by phone at 474- 3236) each time you have contact with the City. • Call the "Shoreline" 24 hours a day to leave taped comments, suggestions or questions (see related article on Page 2). • Plan to attend an informal, public session with the City Council to discuss specific issues. These sessions will take place before certain Council meetings. Call 474 -3236 for exact times or watch for a schedule in future newsletters. • Leave a voice mail message for City Council members. A complete listing of extensions can be obtained by dialing 474- 3236, Extension 8. • E -mail the Council, Commissioners or staff at: cityhall @shorewood.state.net. • Fax your correspondence to City Hall at 474 -0128. • Write City Hall at 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331. If you are unable to attend a meeting, communicating with the City Council or a City Commission through one of the above methods can be an extremely effective way to make your point. Try to get your communications to us as many days in advance of the meeting as possible so the appropriate people can get a copy of it, read it, and think about it well in advance of the meeting. We try to get information to the Council or Commissions four days before a meeting. Involvement in the Community ® is essential in a vibrant democracy. Help us to become the best community we can be! qW IN M1011 A Change for The Citizen Informer I n addition to moving to a monthly distribution, the Citizen Informer will have a new format. It will also have a new name and/or masthead. We invite suggestions and ideas from our citizens in choosing a name and designing the masthead. We also appreciate your feedback on the new look as well as the quality of information included in our newsletter. We encourage leaving any suggestions on the "Shoreline ". (see Page 2 for details). Senior Community Center Update C onstruction continues at the new Center building. When weather allows, asphalt, concrete and landscaping work will be completed. We hope to have the Center opened around June 1. Just for Seniors... On -Going Activities Day Event Time Mondays Reading & Discussion 1:00 P.M. Tuesday Cards 1:15 p.m. Tuesday Van to 7 -Hi grocery RSVP Thursday Bridge RSVP Friday Van to Driskills RSVP 2nd & 4th Mon Legal Consultation by appt. 2nd & 3rd Mon *Foot Care Clinic by appt. 2nd & 4th Fri Crafters 9:00 a.m. Wed & Fri *Exercise Class 9:00 a.m. Special Events Date Event Time March 3 Blood Pressure Check 11:30 a.m. March 3 You & Your Health - independent life style March 7 Women's History Film 12:30 p.m. March 13 *Casino Trip 7:45 a.m. March 14 You & Your Health - coping with allergies March 17 *St. Patrick's Day lunch RSVP March 21 English Tea 1:00 P.M. March 25 Comm. Center Update 10:00 a.m. Call the Southshore Senior Center at 474 -7635 for directions, more information, *costs or to register for any of these activities and events. Page 3 What's Happening in L The City of Shorewood ? QD t t7 _ Smithtow SMlt O /r S m x c S O Mary Reutiman, 5965 Eureka Road, would like to replace their existing two -car detached garage with a three -car attached garage. A conditional use permit will be requested at the March 4 Planning Commission public hearing. O Manor Park, 20600 Manor Road, a light is proposed for the west side of the skating pond to be on during skating hours only. - Park Commission / March 25 Agenda O Eureka Road area - No Parking Signs posted. See related article below. O Waterford Center - Amendment to covenants to allow a liquor license - March 24 City Council meeting. See article below. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Waterford Liquor License Proposal T he Planning Commission has for - warded to the City Council a proposal for a European style, family restaurant at the Waterford Center. The proposed changes in the Development Agreement would allow liquor to be served on the premises with the following conditions: • Hours of operation 7:00 am. to 11:00 p.m. • No televisions, video or pinball games. • Amplified sound must be inaudible beyond 50 feet of the restaurant. No separate bar area. Liquor served only with meals. No advertisement of the sale of alcohol. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. on March 24, the Council invites the public to City Hall to visit with them about this proposal in an informal setting. They are scheduled to take action on the proposal during the regular portion of the meeting. See location 4 in the above map. N No Parking O n February 10, the City Council approved a request for NO PARKING on Eureka Road from Valleywood Lane to Birch Bluff Road and along Orchard Circle. This is in response to the recently approved subdivision of Watten Ponds located immediately west of the intersection of Eureka Road and Watten Ponds. Appro- priate signage has been posted. See Location 3 on the above map. R@ CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD SHOREWOOD, MN 55331 (612)474.3236 ® FAX474.0128 DELIVER TO: City of Shorewood Council Members Tom Dahlberg, Mayor Kristi Stover Jennifer McCarty Jerry O'Neill John Garfunkel BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #128 EXCELSIOR, MN 55331 Administrator James C. Hurm