012405 CC WS Min
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2005
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5:30 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE WORK SESSION MEETING
Mayor Love called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Mayor Love, Councilmembers Turgeon, Callies, and Wellens; Administrator Dawson;
Associate Attorney Mayeron for Attorney Keane; Engineer Brown, Finance Director
Burton, and Planning Director Nielsen
Absent:
Councilmember Lizee
B.
Review Agenda
Mayor Love reviewed the Agenda for the meeting. Administrator Dawson requested A Discussion of
Alleged Cougar Sighting be placed as Item 2 on the Agenda for the evening. All other items would then
follow after that insertion.
. Without objection from the Council, Mayor Love proceeded with the revised Agenda for the meeting.
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2. A DISCUSSION OF ALLEGED COUGAR SIGHTING
Administrator Dawson thanked Bryan Leuth of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
and South Lake Minnetonka Police Department Chief Bryan Litsey for appearing as part of the
discussion on the alleged sighting of a cougar by a resident.
Administrator Dawson explained there had been an alleged sighting of a cougar by a Shorewood resident
in the city in mid-December. This resident had contacted the DNR and been advised that by the
description of the eyes and head as described, the animal could have been a cougar. Since no further
description or sighting of the animal was available, the City had referred the DNR to work with the
SLMPD on the matter as these two agencies would be working together should any further sightings be
reported. Administrator Dawson also noted the City of Plymouth had provided information about how to
deal with such an issue within a municipality as a cougar had been sighted in that city approximately
seven to eight years ago.
Mayor Love stated he had spoken with the resident as well as three additional people regarding the
sighting. He noted all accounts revolved around a single sighting of the alleged animal.
Mr. Leuth explained this sighting had taken place in the vicinity of Silverwood Park near Old Market
Road. He went on to explain alleged sightings were fairly common with most cases resulting in a
sighting of another type of animal, such as a large house cat or dog. He also explained some cougar
sightings were linked to domesticated cougars that were out for a foray. He stated he did not want to
understate the potential risk of the situation; however, until there was substantiated evidence of such an
animal, either through a photo of a track or the animal itself, there was nothing further the DNR could do
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
January 24, 2005
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to take action in this matter. He also went on to explain should such an animal exist, a threshold of
public safety must be crossed. Injury to a person or livestock would be reason to take further action.
While he explained several scenarios for tracking such an animal, he noted there would a great expense
as well as issues of trespass if the animal were to be tracked with dogs. He also explained that, at this
point in time, the DNR had no reason to believe the animal sighted was a cougar as there was no
evidence to substantiate the description given by the resident. He suggested any additional sightings be
handled by calling 911 so that a report could be generated of the activity, and then the DNR could be
alerted as needed.
Chief Litsey explained information regarding the sighting as well as information regarding cougars in
general had been placed on the SLMPD web site with a link to the DNR website.
Mayor Love questioned what action residents should take if encountering a wild animal such as a cougar.
Mr. Leuth stated the action for dealing with a cougar would be the same as those to be taken in dealing
with any large wild animal, such as a bear. He stated it was important to first attempt to back away
slowly without turning and running as this could initiate a chase reaction by the animal. Then a person
should attempt to appear larger than normal, and to yell, or make any other noise so that the animal knew
a person was near it. He noted wild animals, even cougars, were typically shy and given the chance to
escape would be much more willing to leave the situation than become aggressive.
In response to Mayor Love's question regarding reports of a cougar attacking a human, Mr. Leuth stated
there had been no attacks on a human in Minnesota or surrounding states; however, there had been an
attack several years ago on a human in California in a remote area. He also stated it was important to
remember that the chances of a person being hit while traveling to the grocery store in the local area were
greater than ever being attacked by a large animal in this area. He stated many times cases received a
great deal of attention because of the uniqueness of a situation.
Administrator Dawson stated there had been no additional reported sightings within the past six weeks.
After a brief discussion by Council, consensus indicated information would be made available to
residents via the City's newsletter, The Shore Report, as well as safety issues and tips about dealing with
wild animals would be posted on the City's website.
On behalf of the Council, Mayor Love thanked Mr. Leuth and Chief Litsey for being present at this
meeting to discuss this issue.
3. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS
Administrator Dawson explained each year Council made annual appointments to various liaison
positions for Commissions and Boards within the City, as well as other represented city positions such as
weed inspector. Council held a brief discussion regarding the positions and noted this matter would be
placed on the Regular City Council Agenda for this evening for approval.
4. WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS - BOND ISSUE
Engineer Brown provided historical information and made a visual presentation of several needed
improvements to the City's water system. He provided a brief description and potential cost for' each
improvement and noted the 2005 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included a substantial project list. He
noted there were several facilities requiring substantial improvements, including reconstruction of the
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
January 24, 2005
Page 3 of 3
Badger Well House, replacement of the well controls for the Amesbury well, interconnection of the
Woodhaven well, implementation of a radio read meter system, Amesbury well house building repair and
polyphosphate system, and inspection, cleaning, and painting of the interior and exterior of the Southeast
Area Water Tower. Total project costs contemplated were estimated to be $1,471,500.
After various questions of clarification by the Council, Finance Director Burton introduced Paul Donna of
Northland Securities, noting Mr. Donna had been asked to review the process for Council of municipal
bonding as it related to the financing of these improvements.
Mr. Donna presented two scenarios for municipal bonding, noting modifications could be made should city
revenues change over time.
In response to Councilmember Turgeon's question, Finance Director Burton stated the City had been
contemplating these improvements for several years as well as the necessary bond issue for such
improvements, thus, based on budgeted numbers for 2005, the potential for bonding had been included in
those rates. She also stated, as with any service, rates should be subject to review on an annual basis.
Engineer Brown also stated there were a number of capital expenditures with regard to the water system
that had not been included in this bond issue despite necessary implementation in the next few years.
Council indicated support for the projects and bonding issues as outlined by Engineer Brown and Mr.
Donna this evening. Further detailed information on these matters would be made available at a Regular
City Council meeting in the future.
5. OTHER
There were no other items presented this evening.
6. ADJOURN
Turgeon moved, Wellens seconded, Adjourning the Regular City Council Meeting of January 24,
2005, at 6:55 P.M. Motion passed 4/0.
RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED,
Sally Keefe,
Recording Secretary
Woody Love, Mayor
/
awson, City Administrator/Clerk