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November 2015 Shore ReportF 16 Truth -In- Taxation Hearing December 7 The Shorewood City Council, at its September 14 meeting, adopted a preliminary budget for 2016 of $5,857,087. The budget is primarily funded through a tax levy of $5,079,408. This amount represents an increase of 3% over 2015. The proposed 2016 budget is available for inspection at City Hall during normal business hours, or on our web site, wwwci.shorewood.mn.us. A Truth- Minnetonka Residents living in the Minnetonka School District will vote on two referendum levies and for four seats on the school board. Running unopposed in the election for school board are Mark E. Ambrosen, Katie Becker, Lisa Sumner and Lisa Wagner. The referendum voters in this district will vote on are: Question 1: Asks voters to renew and increase the District's annual operating levy by $340 per pupil, from $1,250 to $1,590 per pupil, for taxes payable in 2016, with another increase to $2,046 per pupil for taxes payable beginning in 2019. Inflationary increases occur annually during the 10 -year period. Question 2: Asks voters to renew the existing capital projects technology levy at its current rate for 10 years (originally went into effect in 2007 and expires in 2017). See a sample ballot of complete wording at www.mnvotes.org. In- Taxation public hearing is set for Monday, December 7, at 7 pm, at Shorewood City Hall. Staff will present information regarding the budget, property tax levy, and the property tax impact on a variety of property types and values. Residents are encouraged to contact Finance Director Bruce DeJong at 952.960.7903 with questions or comments on the proposed budget and tax levy. Westonka In the Westonka School District, voters will be electing four school board members for four -year terms. Three incumbents and one newcomer have filed as candidates for those seats. Seeking re- election are David Botts, Ann Bremer and Ralph Harrison. Kelle Bowe has also filed as a candidate. MNVotes Web Site The Minnesota Secretary of State's MNVotes page, www.mnvotes.org, is a helpful resource for voters. There you can find information about your polling place and the candidates or questions on the ballot in your precinct, as well as online voter registration and absentee ballot applications. Voters can also print out registration and absentee ballot applications at that site, fill them out and turn them in to a local election official. Bags Changes Previously, Republic Services accepted plastic bags for recycling curbside. Because of changes in markets and issues with plastic bags in equipment, residents are requested to instead take plastic bags to one of the many drop off locations in the area. Most grocery stores and big box retailers accept plastic bags for recycling. Carver County Environmental Services also has a drop off for plastic bags. Bags taken for recycling should be free of any paper, handles that are not made of the same plastic film, be clean and dry. Residents are encouraged to reduce the number of plastic bags they have by using reusable bags when possible. For more information on plastic bag recycling, including a thorough list of drop off locations, see the city web site under Recycling, or contact the city at 952.960.7900. Recycling Weeks for November 2015 All recycling must be curbside no later than 7 a.m. on recycling day. Mainland residents recycle November 4 & 18; Island residents recycle November 5 & 19. �ZMAP; Bee Safe City Progress In July of 2014, the City Council unanimously passed a resolution endorsing bee -safe policies and procedures on city properties. With this resolution, the city continued its practice of not using systemic pesticides on Shorewood city property, and encouraging planted flowers favorable to bees and other pollinators. Clover patches were planted in two parks. The city continued its efforts by working with the City of Minnetonka and tree suppliers for the spring tree sale to ensure trees being offered for sale had not been treated with neonicotinoids. Many of these trees were added to residential landscapes and several were planted in Shorewood's Manor Park. Since becoming the first city in Report misses: 952.941.5174 Minnesota to pass a resolution protecting bees and other pollinators, the cities of Lake Elmo, St. Louis Park, Stillwater and Minneapolis have passed similar resolutions. The cities of Andover, Anoka, and Champlain mayors have made bee /pollinator proclamations in their cities to raise public awareness. On September 13, 2015, State Auditor Rebecca Otto presented the City of Shorewood with an award for enacting a policy that protects bees and pollinators in the city. The city continues to make residents aware of their part in protecting pollinators, and the importance of bee safe practices on their own properties, through educational articles in the newsletter and on the web site. For more information on how to have a bee safe lawn and garden, see the city web site under Yard Care, or go to www.hummingforbees.com. Don't Be a Victim of Mail Theft Recently, the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department ( SLMPD) took a report of a theft of mail from an Enchanted Island resident's mailbox. Thefts have been reported in nearby communities as well. Mail theft nearly always leads to identity theft, which is currently the fastest growing crime both in Minnesota and the United States. The SLMPD urges you to take some basic precautions to reduce your chances of becoming a victim: • ALWAYS put outgoing mail into an official United States Postal Service (USPS) collection box. They are harder to break into, and in a more public setting. • AVOID putting outgoing mail into your own personal mailbox. Mail placed in a personal mailbox is unsecured. If you must put outgoing mail in your box, don't raise the flag; postal personnel will still pick it up, but you won't be advertising that it is there. The red flag is the perfect signal to a mail thief that there is outgoing mail (and probably checks that can be altered) in the mailbox. Pick up your delivered mail as soon as possible from your personal mailbox. Never let it overflow. Before leaving for vacation, place your mail on hold. This can be done on the Internet by going to www.usps.com. Click on "Hold Mail" and you'll be taken to a secure site for entering your information. You can also pick up a "Hold Mail" card at any post office branch. Consider electronic banking and direct deposits to minimize the amount of financial data coming into and going out from your mailbox. When you order new checks, consider picking them up at the bank rather than having them mailed to your home. ALWAYS shred all mail going into your garbage that contains your name, address, account numbers, or other vital information. Shredders are available inexpensively at office supply stores or discount department stores. (Shredded paper should be placed in a paper bag, taped shut, and labeled prior to putting in the recycling cart.) If you observe suspicious activity in your neighborhood, report it to the SLMPD immediately by calling 911. Daylight Savings Ends Residents are reminded that daylight savings time will end on Sunday, November 1. Please 7�/O' remember to set clocks back one .� hour. This is also a great time //. to change batteries in smoke r� detectors! IrI Chistkindlemarkt Celebrates 9 Years xcelsior Christkindlemarkt is proud to announce its 9th annual Christkindlemarkt over the 2015 Thanksgiving weekend. The three -day event, November 27 -29, is modeled on the traditional German, open -air Christmas markets held during Advent. The event features exceptional food and entertainment for the entire family. It is free and open to the public. The festive market will be decorated for Christmas with red and white - striped tents, Christmas figures, live evergreen garlands, wreaths and trees, plus decorative lighting. The entrance will be bracketed with a matched pair of life -size nutcracker soldiers. Christkindlemarkt will officially open at 10 am on Friday, November 27 when Santa Claus and the Kindle Angel ceremoniously cut the red ribbon. Santa's Reindeer will arrive Friday for the afternoon and take part in the Friday night Children's Lighted Lantern Parade. This immensely popular market will feature • Modern, vintage and traditional German artisan gifts. • Local choirs and carolers'. • An array of delicious holiday foods. • Santa Claus aboard the North Pole Trolley (running throughout the event). • Horse -drawn buggy rides on the main street of Excelsior. • KinderWorld (children's heated centerfor puppetshows, music, story telling, and activities.). Food and Toy Drive at City Hall Each year, the City of Shorewood serves as a drop -off site for toys to be given to the Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center and food for ICA foodshelf. The Toy Chest Drive provides toys to low income children up to age 18 in the local area. Items for teens are especially needed each year. Volunteers for sorting, counting and assisting with distribution are also needed. For information on volunteering, call the Resource Center at 952.988.5350. For information on the food shelf, please contact ICA at 952.938.0729. Toys and non- The Excelsior Christkindlemarkt offers an enchanting holiday experience to be enjoyed by young and old. For more information about the Christkindlemarkt please go to www. excelsiorChristm as. com. perishable food items may be - dropped off at City Hall during business hours through Friday, December 4.6 Spring Tree Sale Ordering Fo Begin The City of Shorewood has again been invited to participate in the spring tree sale hosted by the City of Minnetonka. In an effort to offer a greater variety of trees to our residents, we will take pre- orders online beginning November 9 and an insert for ordering will be in the December newsletter. Pre - orders will allow the city to order exactly the trees we need, thus allowing a greater selection of trees for residents. Watch the city website beginning November 9 or the December Shore Report for an order sheet and for complete tree order information. All trees offered in the spring sale will be guaranteed neonicotinoid free to guarantee safe plants for our pollinators. ® City of Shorewood 5755 Country Club Road ' Shorewood, MN 55331 Planning Commission The November 17, 2015 Planning Commission Agenda: PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT #30681 1. 7:00 PM Public Hearing to consider a commercial conditional use permit to allow outdoor sales of cars on the parking lot at 19245 State Highway 7. 2. 7:10 PM Public Hearing for a Zoning Text Amendment for a senior housing and care facility on properties located at 23075 State Highway 7 including adjacent parcels at 6020 and 6050 Chaska Road. 3. A minor subdivision of 24835 Yellowstone Trail for one additional single - family residential lot (this request was previously considered in 2005 but was withdrawn). he City of Shorewood is hiring part time, seasonal rink attendants to work at the ice rinks of Badger, Manor and Cathcart parks December to approximately February. Schedule is flexible and hours are evenings on school days, during the day and evenings on weekends and school breaks. For an application and more information, see the city web site under Jobs, or stop into City Hall. Mayor; Jennifer Labadie; Debbie Siakel; Kristine Sundberg; Richard Woodruff City Administrator: Bill Joynes; Newsletter Editor: Julie Moore APPLICATION AND PAYMENT ALSO AVAILALBE ONLINE AT WWW. CI.SHOREWOOD.MM US. DEP] DOG LICENSE CITY OF APPLICATION IQ SHOREWOOD 5755 Country Club Road • Shorewood, Minnesota 55331 • 952.960.7900 Date: RENEWALS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 31ST A dog license is required for all dogs OVER 6 MONTHS of age. An additional kennel license is required for owners with more than 2 dogs. This can be obtained at City Hall, or on the City's web site at www. ci.shorewood. mn. us. Please complete the following information: Last Name: Address: Phone: Email: Veterinarian /Clinic: Description of Dog(s): Name of Dog: Color: Rabies Tag # Name of Dog: Color: Rabies Tag # First Name: Alternate Phone Breed: Age Expiration Date: Breed: Age Expiration Date: Total Number of Dogs in Household: X$10— Total Number of Dogs in Household: X .55 = Total Number of Dogs in Household: X$5 = Lost Tag: X$1 = Total Amount Due = $ Phone Sex: Male _ City Tag # Sex: Male _ City Tag # Female Female License Fee Mailing Fee Late Fee (after Jan. 31) (License, Mailing and Late Fees) THE DOG TAG SHALL BE SECURELY ATTACHED AROUND THE DOG'S NECK AT ALL TIMES DURING THE LICENSE PERIOD. Expires December 31.