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Spring 1994 Shore ReportOPEN, DEMOCRATIC GOVERN IS ENHANCED BY AN INFORMED POPULACE SPRING CLEAN UP EDITION (details on page 6) CITY OF SHOREWOOD CITIZEN INFORMER SPRING 1994 ,HOREWOOD ANNUAL SERVICE EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE ENCLOSED FILL OUT AND RETURN We care what you think! The City's goal is to do our job in such an "efficient, friendly manner that residents feel good about being citizens of the Shorewood Community ". Last year at this time the City conducted it's first performance evaluation survey. Many residents filled out and returned questionnaires relating to how we are doing our job. Now we'd like to know how you think we have done over the last year. You can help us learn how we have been doing and how we can improve by having one adult in your household spend a few minutes filling out the questionnaire which is enclosed in this newsletter. Keep in mind that we are only referring here to services provided by the City of Shorewood (14% of your property tax dollar). Your participation in this survey is important. Supply fill out the questionnaire and return by mail or drop it off at City Hall as soon as possible. If you have any question you may call the City Administrator, James C. Hurm, at City Hall (474- 3236). Help make Shorewood the best community it can be! Your responses will let us know how we can better serve you, the citizens of Shorewood, throughout the year. CITY CHALLENGES SEWER CHARGES In late 1993 the City filed a law suit in Hennepin County District Court challenging the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission (MWCC) and Metropolitan Council's tax levy upon Shorewood property owndks. That levy would have made up for the shortfall in funds the City had not paid to MWCC as a result of the disagreement over the high flow the MWCC claims is attributable to Shorewood. By filing the law suit the City is challenging the accuracy of the estimated flows of the MWCC, the legality of the proposed assessment against Shorewood properties by an unelected body, and the fairness of the cost allocation system as employed by the MWCC. SEWER: continued on page 2 BOARD OF REVIEW ........... 2 PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS ... 3 SUMMER REC. PROGRAM ..... 3 SOUTHSHORE SENIORS ....... 4 DOGS AT LARGE .............. 4 HOUSE FIX -UP ................ 5 PT CLERICAL NEEDED ........ 5 SPRING CLEAN -UP ............ 6 RECYCLING INFO ............ 7 WATERMAIN FLUSHING ...... 8 BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRED Another building season is approaching us, and there is a variety of construction activity taking place in Shorewood, including the building of new homes and making improvements to existing structures. Examples of building projects that require a permit include a structural change, windows, reroofing, plumbing, heating, new additions, decks, yard sheds over 120 square foot roof area, finishing basements, remodeling, retaining walls over 4 feet and construction of a fence. When unsure if a permit is needed for a project, please contact City Hall before you start. need to show what the project is, how it is to be constructed and how it will impact the property. This usually requires two sets of plans and a survey or site plan. Please allow 7 to 10 days for a permit to be issued. To assist residents there are guidelines for some common projects available at City Hall and more will be added as time permits. Some projects do not require a permit but are controlled by regulations. Examples include driveways, yard sheds under 120 square foot roof area and on- grade patios. Please contact us if you plan this type of improvement so we can help you understand the requirements. The purpose of a building permit is to provide the Building and Planning Departments with an opportunity to inspect for safety and compliance with City Ordinances and Building Codes. This is for your protection and safety. Before you allow any contractor to start work, please be sure a permit has been obtained. Before you pay a contractor for a ,job, be sure you have a receipt of the final inspectio made by the building inslxctor and that any corrections are complete and the project has passed a reins ecp tion. Building permit applications are available at City Hall between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday. Additional information required to be submitted depends on the nature of the project. Generally you SHOREWOOD BOARD OFREVIEW The Shorewood Board of Review is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 pm . The procedure for appealing a property valuation or classification is described in detail on the 1994 real estate valuation notices which will be mailed to all property owners by Hennepin County approximately two weeks before the Board of Review meeting. Please remember that only the 1994 assessment for taxes payable in 1995 can be addressed at this time. If you have any questions you can contact Patti Helgesen for zoning regulations and Joe Pazandak for building codes at 474 -3236. We will be happy to assist you. SEWER..... continued from page 1 Since our last newsletter several matters can be reported. First, the City has nearly completed the Sump Pump Inspection Program to assure that Shorewood residents are not pumping clear water into the sanitary sewer system. Second, in December the Court directed that the tax should not be levied on Shorewood properties. This resulted in a significant reduction in the "special districts" line of your tax bill from what had been originally sent to you in your Truth In Taxation Notice. Subsequently, the Court ruled that the Court was without jurisdiction to hear this dispute between the City and the MWCC and that the appropriate forum was the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The City is considering challenging this ruling. Finally, it is the City's continued position that inflow and infiltration is a regional issue that requires both the MWCC and the City to undertake joint efforts to remediate in a cost - effective manner. 2 SUMMER RECREATION IN SHOREWOOD School ends June 15 and the fun starts the following week with Minnetonka Community Education & Services! PLAYGROUNDS: Meet at Manor Park on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am -12 noon and at Cathcart Field on Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 9am -12 noon. Run around games, art projects, bike decorating and lots more are part of the fun. Playgrounds provide loads of activity for children ages 3 -8 years old. Affordable! only $18.00 for seven weeks of fun. TENNIS LESSONS: Tennis lessons are always a Shorewood staple and will be held at the Badger Park courts. Lessons meet twice a week for six weeks starting June 20. Pre - beginners, and Beginners are available for children. Higher levels are available in Excelsior and Tonka Bay. T -BALL: T -ball for boys and girls ages 4 -5 and 5 -7 will meet at Manor Park Tuesday mornings, Cathcart Field on Monday afternoons and at Manitou Park on Thursday mornings. Children practice for seven weeks learning the basics of catching, base running, throwing, fielding, and, of course, batting. A game against a team from another park is played at the Excelsior Commons or at Deephaven School August 8th or 9th. BEACHES: The beaches will open June 11 and close August 28. Cresent Beach will have a guard on duty from 12 noon - 7pm. Swimming lessons will start June 27. Exact dates and registration information will be available the end of April in the Minnetonka Community Education & Services "Summer" brochure. Cross your fingers for lots of warm, sunny weather this year! 1994 PLANNED IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Vine Hill Rd /Hwy 7 Intersection: The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation will be constructing a new, safer intersection at this location. You should see the first signs of construction sometime in June. Da Hydr� ants: Three dry hydrants, which will make lake water readily available to fight fires, are scheduled to be installed to cover Shorewood's Enchanted and Shady Islands this spring. Silverwood Park: Improvements for Silverwood Park are scheduled to be completed this spring. The sledding hill will be unproved, playground equipment installed (including "shoots" down the hill) as well as a basketball and practice tennis area. Early this summer a Saturday will be set aside for neighbors to volunteer to help install playground equipment and plant landscaping. Trail Plans: The City is starting implementation of its trail plan. Trails are scheduled to be put in along Old Market Road to Silverwood Park Pond and in Freeman Park (to make the facilities more handicap accessible). Cathcart Park: Following the Little League baseball season, the Cathcart Park diamond will be rebuilt to the south to make room for a parking area. Off street parking is important in the area for safety reasons. The more volunteer help we have, the further our park dollars can be stretched. So if you can help in Silverwood Park, or Freeman Park, where playground installation and landscaping help is needed, call City Hall at 474 -3236. We can provide you with more information about this opportunity to invest "sweat equity" in the community. SPRING AT SOUTHSHORE SENIOR CENTER A new season - new beginnings - why wait until New Year's to begin doing something you really want to do but just haven't. Join us for either our Senior Aerobics Class or for the new Senior FLEX Exercise Program Monday and Tuesday, May 16 and 17 55 Alive Driving Course 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Cost: $8:00. Class will enable you to receive a discount on your auto insurance. Registration necessary. AEROBICS meets - Monday and Friday at loam and Wednesday at 9 am beginning March 21 for 8 weeks. Cost: $25.00 Consisting of warm -up with stretches for flexibility, cardiovascular build -up to aerobic dance, cool down, ending with resistance exercise for strength. FLEX Program meets - Monday and Friday at 9 am for 10 weeks Cost: $24.00 The emphasis is on strength building and stretching for flexibility with more individual work with the trainer. Instructor Linda Matthias of American Council of Exercise, who has worked with retirees the past 8 years, will teach both classes. Other Events Friday, May 6 - Free Health Fair 9 am to Noon - no appointments necessary. Courtesy of Ridgeview Medical Center. Screenings for: skin cancer pulmonary function cholesterol screening registered dietician to discuss nutrition. The Center is located at Mt. Calvary Church. Call 474- 7635 for additional information. DOGS AT LARGE Contrary to popular practice, it is illegal for you to let your dog run at large. A dog is under restraint if it is on the premises of the person keeping the dog, or if the dog is with the person having custody of it and is effectively restrained by a leash or chain or is within ten feet (10') and is obedient to the command of the person having custody of it. To let your dog out, in hopes of it returning in several minutes, is illegal. For dogs caught running at large, a couple of options exist for the Animal Control Officer. Those animals which have a current Shorewood City License and identification may simply be returned to its owner with a verbal warning. The Animal Control Officer also may issue a court citation for the violation. If the dog does not have any identification, it will be impounded at the Chanhassen Veterinary Clinic for seven business days. The expenses to have the dog released include an impound fee, boarding fees, and any medication or shots. Thennpound fee may be doubled for repeat offenders. Animal owners, please be courteous to your neighbors and keep your animals under control. If you are having a problem with a particular dog in your neighborhood, please do not hesitate to call the Chanhassen Public Safety Department at 937 -1900, ext. 3, and ask for an Animal Control Officer. 4 PLANNING COMMISSION NEW MEMBER Meet Laura Turgeon, one of the newest members of the Planning Commission. She was raised in Northeast Minneapolis and as she puts it, has moved to the "burbs ". She has lived in Shorewood for 11 years, is married, mother of a 4 1/2 year old and works in customer service for the Ford Motor Company. Her interest in the Planning Commission came about by researching a development close to where she lives. Once she started finding out about zoning regulations, density etc. she was hooked. Her interest is the future development of Shorewood. Style and affordable housing rank high on her list of criteria for future development. Asked about commercial development she said she is "not in favor of a whole lot more ". City of Shorewood Part-time Clerical Assistant Flexible, part -time clerical position reporting to the Executive Secretary/Deputy Clerk. Average of 25 -32 hours per week. Starting salary $8.40; benefits not provided. Essential Duties: General typing, answering phones, maintenance of files, issue permits, take meeting minutes and assist with election duties. Education & Skills: High School diploma or equivalent; schooling beyond preferred; knowledge of general office operations; previous computer experience required. Apply at: City of Shorewood, 5755 Country Club Road, Shorewood, MN 55331. Phone (612) 474 -3236 Postmark no later then April 4, 1994. MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY OFFERS LOW -COST FUNDING FOR FIX -UP, ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECTS No matter what the season, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency can help you afford those home improvement and energy conservation projects which have been on your to -do list. If you're a homeowner with an eye on spring, you might be thinking about adding air conditioning to your home, or finally getting started on a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. There are many projects that qualify for a loan through MHFA's The Great Minnesota Fix -up Fund. Fix -up Fund loans have fixed interest rates tied to homeowner income; these rates range from two -to -eight percent annual percentage rate. Qualifying homeowners whose maximum gross household income does not exceed $41,000 can apply for a loan of up to $15,000. The repayment term will be based on loan amount and household budget. The loan can be used to finance home improvement projects ranging from room additions to siding to air conditioning, to electrical and plumbing work. Certain home improvement projects, for example, decks, fireplaces and swimming pools, do not qualify under the program. Home Energy Loans is another popular MHFA program which offers an attractive eight percent interest rate and which has no income limit. These loans are available to homeowners interested in improving the energy efficiency of their home. Improvements which qualify under this loan include furnaces, replacement of inefficient doors and windows, water heaters, insulation, weather - stripping and caulking. Homeowners who are interested in additional information on the Fix -up or Home Energy Loans can contact a participating lending institution directly or call the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for a free brochure and list of participating lenders. Shorewood residents can call 296 -7615 for more information. 1994 SPRING CLEAN UP This year our Spring Cleanup will be handled similarly to previous years: A combination of Following is a list of items which will be accepted curbside pickup for yard waste, brush and and the fees which will be charged for those household rubbish, and a limited drop -off site for items: certain larger items. Appliances, including water heaters S 8.00 Curbside Pickup The curbside effort will be conducted on Saturday, May 21. Items you wish to have taken away must be at the street by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. The cost of this service will be prorated to all residents of Shorewood and will appear on your second quarter utility bill. Following is a list of the types of items which will be accepted for the curbside pickup: • Brush, cut in four -foot lengths and bundled so as to be handled by one person Mattresses, carpets (larger than 6 feet in length) and large furniture items 10.00 Air Conditioners 17.00 Automobile tires 2.00 (without rims) Automobile tires 3.00 (with rims) Truck tires, up to 16 inches (no rims) 6.00 Batteries no fee • Grass clippings and leaves in bags not to exceed 50 lbs. per bag. • General household rubbish including small furniture items, portable T.V's, fiber glass bathtubs, toilets • Small lawn mowers and small engines (drain off fluids) • Carpets, 6 feet or less, no more then 12 inches in diameter, tied with twine (no wire) • Dismantled swing sets (length 8 feet or less) To expedite the process, please have brush and yard waste in piles separated from the trash. T HES E IT EMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED: Construction debris (lumber, blocks, sheetrock, cabinets, doors, railrood ties, etc.) and household hazardous waste (including paint cans) Limited Drop -Off Site On Saturday, Ma v 21, residents may bring larger items to the new Public Worksacility located at 24200 Smithtown Rd just east of Minnetonka Plaza on County Rd 19 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both the curbside pickup and the drop -off site are for Shorewood residents only. Those using the drop -off site will be required to show proof that they are Shorewood residents. Large Volumes of Brush Yard Waste and Trees Since the curbside pickup is limited to bagged yard waste and manageable bundles of brush, it may not be practical for some residents with large volumes of brush, logs, etc. to utilize the curbside service. Those residents have several options: 1. Contact a private company, listed in the Yellow Pages under Tree Service which chips trees and brush. (Bagged wood chips can be accepted in the curbside pickup.) 2. Take large loads (no compost materials) to the Hennepin County Tree Disposal Site in Maple Grove, operated by Ceres Tree Co. The site is open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call 420 -7045 for fees and directions to the site. 3. Make arrangements with a private company to have a dumpster brought to your property. Cil POLYSTYRENE RECYCLING This program is for residential food and beverage polystyrene containers only! Drop off rinsed, clean polystyrene at Fina Service Stations or any other location displaying chasing arrows and "6 ". Look for the chasing arrows and "6" that identify a plastic food packaging item as polystyrene. These items are polystyrene: • Foam Meat Trays • Foam Egg Cartons • Foam Sandwich Containers • Foam Cups, Plates, and Bowls These items MAY be polystyrene: (Look for the chasing arrows and "6 11 ) • Salad Containers • Yogurt Containers • Food Carry -Out Containers • Cottage Cheese Containers • Clear Cups, Plates, and Bowls 15 I0 i • Plastic Bags • Other Plastics • Paper Bags DO NOT include polystyrene in your recycling bin for curbside pick up. IT PAYS TO RECYCLE IN SHOREWOOD BE A WINNER...... Each week an address is selected from our bin. If that address has their recycling at curbside by 7:00 am the day of collection the resident wins a $25.00 cash recycling award for the week. If the selected address does not recycle that week - the award is rolled over and added to the following week until the city has a winner. ALL RECYCLING BINS MUST BE CURBSIDE BY 7:00 am on WEDNESDAYS (TUESDAY ON THE ISLAND). WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED? Proper recycling begins with preparation. Items should be separated into Shorewood recycling bins and placed roadside. Newspapers /Magazines /Glossy Paper.... Newspapers, including shiny inserts, should be bagged or tied securely. Magazines, glossy advertisements, inserts in your credit card bills, shiny brochures, pamphlets and catalogs are recyclable. Sorry, no telephone books. Plastic Bottles.... only plastic bottles with necks, such as liquid laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, water bottles, milk, catsup, syrup, shampoo, pill bottles, windshield washer, antifreeze, and etc. are recyclable. Remove lids, rinse, you do not need to remove labels, flatten if possible. • Aluminum Cans...... Pop cans, soup cans, vegetable cans, and etc. Remove paper labels and rinse clean. • Glass.... Recycle clear, green and brown container glass only. NOT ACCEPTED...ceramic cups and plates, clay flower pots, heat resistant ovenwear, light bulbs, crystal, window glass, mirrors and etc. • Corrugated Cardboard.... Flatten and tie boxes. Packing boxes only. No food containers. Recycling Contract: Knutson Recycling Service If you have any question call Knutson 423 -2294 or 7 xadud pajoSooi uo pojupd si aajjojsMau srtjZ 4 M A Iffsy NW `2IOIS7 -7JX.7 9ZI #1IW2L7d aiVd -7DVJSOd 'S 'l1 91 VY x 7118 .z01el1SiuiuipV XiiD `uunH •O s3Luuf •OZ WI IAI"IHQ `STMO ue(j `, 1.13g2n Cl go-d `.zanoaS 11SU}I `uosuag aatug .zo,teW `taoue.zg qxeg sjaquiayN jpunoD poomwogS 3o X11D 9£Z£ Q19) I££SS NW `QOOMg2I0HS QV021 gf1'IO �kd LNf10D SSLS QOOMH2I01IS d0 .U10 SHOREWOOD SPRING CALENDAR APRIL 1 ........ GOOD FRIDAY City offices will close at noon MAY 11 ........ BOARD OF REVIEW 7pm - Council Chambers MAY 30 ........ CITY OFFICES CLOSED Memorial Day JUNE 11 ........ CRESENT BEACH OPENS Life Guard on duty 12 -7pm JULY 04 ........ CITY OFFICES CLOSED Independence Day • City Council meetings are the second and fourth Monday of each month. • Planning Commission meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month. • Park Commission meetings are normally the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. • Recycling pick -ups are scheduled every Wednesday (Tuesday on the Island). Your recyclables must be curbside by 7•00 am. • Watch the Sun Sailor Newspaper for any changes in calendar dates. WATERMAIN FLUSHING SCHEDULE During the months of April and May, fire hydrants in the City of Shorewood will be opened to flush out accumulated minerals in the watermains. To avoid drawing discolored water into your own system, the City requests that you refrain from major water use activities during this time. Check for water clarity prior to doing laundry. After flushing is completed in your area, residents are advised to let the cold water taps (preferably outside faucets) run until discoloration is cleared from your individual service lines. The flushing schedule is as foil( Boulder Bridge/ Shorewood Oaks Area ...... Badger & Woodhaven Well Areas ..... Amesbury Area ........... Southeast Area ............ )ws: April 11 th - 16th April 18th - 22nd April 25th - 29th May 2nd - 6th