11-10-14 CC Reg Mtg minCITY OF SHOREWOOD
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Mayor Zerby called the meeting, to order at 7:04 P.M
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Present. Mayor Zerby; Councilmembers Hotvet, Siakel, and Woodruff, Attorney Keane; City
Administrator Jaynes; City Clerk Panchyshyn; Finance Director DeJong; and, Director of
Public Works Brown
Absent: Councilmember Sundberg.
B. Review Agenda
B. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes, October 27, 2014
Woodruff moved, Siakel seconded, Approving the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of
October 27, 2014, as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
C. City Council Executive Session Minutes, November 4, 2014
Siakel moved, Woodruff seconded, Approving the City Council Executive Session Minutes of
November 4, 2014, as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
Mayor Zerby reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.
Woodruff moved, Siakel seconded, Approving the Motions Contained on the Consent Agenda.
A. Approval of the Verified Claims List
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B. Accepting; a Donation from WSB & Associates for Artic Fever
C. Authorization for Expenditure of Funds for Public Works Equipment - Mower
Motion passed 4/0.
4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were no matters from the floor presented this evening.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
b. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Discussion moved to Item 12.A.3 on the agenda.
7. PARKS
A. Gideon Glen Improvements
This was discussed after Item 12.A.3 on the agenda.
Director Brown stated Director Nielsen had solicited a quote from Stonescapes to construct a gravel
parking lot with concrete wheel stops at the Gideon Glen Open Space. The quote received is for $8,855.
The 2014 Park Improvement CIP has programmed $15,000 for a sign and parking lot. The sign contractor
has agreed to hold his price. Staff has not heard back from the masonry contractor regarding his original
quote. Currently the cost for both items is near $17,000; staff thinks that is reasonable. It was noted that
Director DeJong will push the expenditure to the 2015 CIP and increase the amount in the CIP to
$20,000. Staff has had considerable discussion with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD)
about erosion issues with the gravel interpretative trail going down to the ponding area. He noted that he
has told Nielsen that it is possible that Public Works personnel can install the culvert and drainage
improvement to minimize the cost. He stated staff recommends approval of the items noting it will be a
spring project.
Councilmember Hotvet asked if the MCWD has been asked to help fund this being it is concerned about
the erosion issues. Director Brown stated he believes that has been talked about and commented that the
MCWD is not in the parking lot business. Hotvet asked if staff asked for two other estimates.
Councilmember Woodruff explained the project was put out for bid and there was only one bidder whose
bid was outrageous. Council rejected the bid per staff's recommendation. Park Chair Mangold, the
general manager for Stonescapes, asked if that company could submit a bid for the parking lot and was
told that was okay. A copy of that bid is included in the meeting packet. The Stonescapes bid is
significantly below what the other bid was.
Councilmember Siakel stated she assumes it will not be an actual parking lot. Councilmember Woodruff
stated the parking area will be off of the access road and it will be four gravel pads with concrete wheel
stops.
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Councilmember Woodruff stated that during a couple of Park Commission meetings the Commission has
expressed frustration that the Gideon Glen project has been an approved project for about two years from
its perspective. There has been money for it in the CIP. It has not gotten done and the Commission
wonders why. Council put the project on hold because there was no solution provided for mitigating the
erosion issues. There still is not an answer for that. He noted that Director Nielsen's staff report for this
item states the 2015 CIP amount for this project was increased to $20,000 yet the 2015 Park Improvement
CIP Council discussed in the work session prior to this meeting shows $25,000 to also accommodate the
erosion issue.
Mayor Zerby stated he met with MCWD representatives a few weeks ago and the Gideon Glen project
was brought up. He received an email back from James Wisker (the MCWD Director of Planning, Project
and Land Conservation Programs) which states "City and District staff are working cooperatively to
provide cross drainage under the trail to mitigate any ,future actions." Directors Brown and Nielsen
received the email as well. He questioned what that cooperation is. He explained that one of the big issues
is that water is coming from the American Legion parking lot. The trail can be repaired but erosion is
likely to happen again if are other improvements are not done.
Director Brown stated the goal is to slow down the stormwater runoff so it does not cause erosion issues.
That is what the MCWD has been working with City staff cooperatively on. No one is doing anything
about the American Legion property.
Mayor Zerby noted the Gideon Glen Open Space project was a joint project between the City and the
MCWD and there was a third party involved as well. He asked if the American Legion has any
responsibility in this. It is not very neighborly to allow water from that site to flow into the Open Space
without slowing it down. Director Brown stated it is not the preferred situation and that he does not think
the City can force the Legion to do anything without the Legion taking any action that requires a permit.
Zerby stated if the City were allowing excessive stormwater to run on to its neighbor's property that
would be considered taking and the property owner would probably take the City to court.
Councilmember Hotvet asked if the Legion been approached about the issue. Brown stated staff has
spoken with Legion representatives. Hotvet suggested staff specifically ask the Legion to help address the
drainage problem.
Director Brown stated before the MCWD issues the permit for the drainage mitigation work it wants to be
convinced that the mitigation work will not create a worse erosion problem. He then stated the MCWD
has been the sole caretaker of the prairie grass in the Open Space and it takes responsibility for having the
burns done. The MCWD has helped resolve some of the other erosion issues down by the pond. He noted
the MCWD has been a great partner. He explained the mitigation project proposed is a simple culvert
under the trail with some after treatment (e.g., rip rap).
Mayor Zerby asked if a box with baffles will be needed to slow the stormwater down. Director Brown
stated there are a number of energy dissipaters and most are engineering nightmares. Brown explained
there are some simple things that can be done that will be effective and look appropriate.
Director Brown noted the MCWD is reviewing the City's permit application.
Mayor Zerby stated that because no work will be done until spring 2015 it may be beneficial to put more
focus into this.
Councilmember Woodruff stated it is his understanding the MCWD is fine with the parking lot and the
sign. The issue is if more people are attracted to the site they are going to want to down onto the site. It
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would not be prudent to have more people walk the trail before the trail erosion problem is addressed. He
then stated Council can approve the parking lot and sign expenditures before it approves the erosion
mitigation issue. Or, Council could wait until an erosion mitigation solution is agreed upon.
Mayor Zerby stated the trail erosion problem is severe. He noted that Council is ready to move forward as
soon as staff presents the right solution; a solution the MCWD supports.
Councilmember Siakel asked if the budgeted $25,000 is for the erosion mitigation, the parking lot and the
sign. Director Brown responded yes. Siakel then asked if $8,000 of that $25,000 will be enough to
address the drainage issue. Brown responded yes. Siakel went on to ask if Council could approve funding
for the sign and parking lot subject to an acceptable erosion mitigation solution being identified and
agreed to by the MCWD. Brown stated the parking lot construction will not proceed without the City
receiving proper approval from the MCWD for addressing the drainage issue.
Councilmember Woodruff stated if Council is going to approve the expenditure for the parking lot and
sign there needs to be a plan in place for doing everything.
Mayor Zerby stated he gets a little frustrated hearing that the Park Commission thinks Council has not
done anything on this for a long time. He noted the acceptable quote the City received for the parking lot
is dated October 31, 2014. He stated the various components of the project have been discussed for a
while but this is the first time there was something to take positive action on. There are still a series of
issues that have to be addressed. He asked Councilmember Woodruff to let the Commission know that
Council is working as fast as it can. Woodruff stated he would do that during the Commission's next
meeting.
Siakel moved, Hotvet seconded, approving the purchase of a sign for the Gideon Glen Open Space
and the construction of a gravel parking area for an approximate amount of $17,000 contingent
upon an acceptable drainage solution to mitigate the erosion of the interpretive trail being
identified and agreed to by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Councilmember Woodruff stated the Gideon Glen Open Space was never intended to be a public park.
The Park Commission suggested it become a park. It is a wetland conservation area and stormwater
management area. Mayor Zerby stated it was. also intended to have educational value. Woodruff stated he
thought that was added after the project was done. Woodruff then stated there are very strict covenants on
what can be done on the site. Zerby stated he was a member of Council when the project was done and
the educational component was part of it from the beginning.
Motion passed 4/0.
8. PLANNING
9. ENGINEERING /PUBLIC WORKS
A. Accept Proposal for Professional Services Feasibility Report Update for Star Lane
and Star Circle
Director Brown stated that in 2010 a feasibility study for the Star Lane and Star Circle for a proposed
street reconstruction projects was done. The two projects have been discussed by Council recently as part
the discussion about the 2015 — 2019 Street Reconstruction Capital Improvement Program (CIP). If
Council decides to again consider moving forward with the projects the Feasibility Report needs to be
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updated. WSB & Associates has reviewed the old Report and submitted a proposal for updating the
Report for an amount of $11,600.
Woodruff moved, accepting the proposal from WSB & Associates to update the 2010 Feasibility
Report for the reconstruction of Star Lane and Star Circle for an amount not to exceed $11,600.
Councilmember Hotvet asked if the City is always required to use WSB for professional services for
feasibility reports. She clarified she has nothing against WSB.
Director Brown explained when Council and staff decided to have WSB as its general engineering
consultant part of the agreement was that WSB would provide general engineering services at a
discounted rate provided WSB would do the project studies as well to help somewhat make up for
providing discounted services.
Councilmember Siakel stated she recollects that in 2010 the Star Lane and Star Circle neighborhood
residents being in strong opposition to the reconstruction of those two roadways and the extension of
watermain. The then Council did not move forward with the projects because of resident opposition. She
then stated there are residents, such as those that live in the Strawberry Lane area, who have asked
Council to improve the roadway. She asked why Council is being asked to reconsider reconstruction of
the two roadways. She stated maybe the City should just do a mill and overlay and put funds into
roadways that need improvements and where residents want that.
Director Brown explained that from a purely technical perspective if a roadway has a poor foundation and
deteriorated significantly then doing a mill and overlay or reclamation of the roadway would not be a
good investment. That would not last as long as the City would like. Star Lane and Star Circle have
deteriorated to the level where they are some of them most challenging from a base soils perspective.
From a technical perspective the wise choice is to reconstruct those two roadways.
Mayor Zerby stated the staff memorandum states that Councilmember Woodruff asked that Council
reconsider the reconstruction of the two roadways. He asked if the City has heard from residents about the
safety and the quality of the roadways.
Councilmember Woodruff stated in 2010 staff rescheduled the reconstruction of the two roadways for
2015 in the Street Reconstruction Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and in the 20 -Year Pavement
Management Plan (PMP). He then stated during a Night to Unite neighborhood gathering some property
owners indicated to him that their perspectives on reconstruction are different from those expressed by
property owners in 2010. He told the residents it is on the schedule and Council will be discussing it.
There will be meetings with property owners about what is being proposed and Council and staff will
discuss it.
Councilmember Siakel asked if there is access to municipal water in that area. Director Brown stated
there is water accessible at Smithtown Road. Siakel noted she is willing to approve updating the
Feasibility Report. She stated if the projects are again considered and the property owners are in strong
opposition to it then it should be put back on the docket and assessments should be considered down the
road to help cover the increase in costs.
Mayor Zerby suggested discussing assessments during the February Council and staff retreat. He stated
the City has a process where the quality of the roads are rated annually and Council and staff determine
an optimum time for maintaining the roadways and for an optimum cost. He then stated he has thought
about a sliding scale assessment for street reconstruction when residents strongly oppose doing it when it
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is best for the City and the cost to do so is more when that is finally done. Some of that increase in cost
needs to be borne by the property owners.
Councilmember Hotvet noted that if the two construction projects moved forward in 2010 the City would
not have to spend $11,600 to just update the Feasibility Report.
Councilmember Woodruff stated Council could change the City's policy to assess for roadways
improvements. He noted that he would semi support that. He stated he has advocated for road
improvement districts that the State Legislature hasn't yet endorsed. He asked. Attorney Keane if the City
would have a policy where property owners are assessed some of the increase in roadway reconstruction
costs because the opposed that the first time and when they reconstruction was finally done the cost was
higher and other property owners are not assessed anything because they did not delay the projects. He
thought that would cause a legal problem.
Attorney Keane stated he did not think that would create a legal liability for the City. He then stated in
terms of policy consistency and political acceptability, a policy that applies one standard to a
neighborhood that supported the City's plans and another standard to a neighborhood that opposed the
City's plans could be problematic. He noted there are plenty of examples of street reconstruction policies
throughout the region that are based on a uniform rate of participation, a uniform dollar rate, and
successfully petitioned projects by the adjoining property owners. The uniformity of the policy is an
important benchmark of any successful, ongoing street reconstruction system.
Mayor Zerby stated, for example, a roadway will cost the City $1 million to reconstruct this year and the
property owners in the area oppose it. Then 10 years from now it costs $2 million to reconstruct it. That
additional $1 million cost should not be the general taxpayers' responsibility to fund. He clarified what he
proposed was to help make up that difference. The opposing property owners should have to pay for some
of that increase in cost. He stated that the City could also decide just to reconstruct a roadway at the
optimum time and cost without taking in to consideration residents' input.
Councilmember Woodruff noted that he tends to agree with Mayor Zerby's perspective. There is a cost
for delaying projects. He stated Council needs to take a firm stand when it wants to do reconstruction
projects. He commented that Council had the same discussions about reconstructing Sunnyvale Lane. He
suggested Council authorize the update of the Feasibility Report and part of that effort will include having
neighborhood meetings. The property owners will also get to weigh in on watermain extension. But, at
the end of the day everything is really Council's decision.
Siakel seconded. Motion passed 3/1 with Hotvet dissenting.
Administrator Joynes noted that roadway reconstruction and its financing will be added to the November
retreat agenda.
10. GENERAL /NEW BUSINESS
A. Certification of Delinquent Charges
Director DeJong explained it is standard practice for the City to certify delinquent, unpaid utility charges
to Hennepin County to be levied against the respective properties for collection the next year. The
meeting packet contains a list of the delinquent charges. There is about $46,000 in delinquentt charges
outstanding to the City. The dollar amounts for this year are fairly typical with those the past several
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years. There is one parcel that is serviced by the City of Chanhassen and located in Shorewood that is on
the list per Chanhassen's request. People have been provided with notice of this meeting.
Councilmember Siakel asked if all of the delinquencies are residential. Director DeJong responded yes.
Siakel moved, Hotvet seconded, Adopting RESOLUTION NO 14 -094, "A Resolution Directing
Delinquent Charges be Placed on the 2014 Property Tax Rolls Payable in 2015 ". Motion passed 4/0.
B. Request from Excelsior -Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce for Holiday
Lighting
Administrator Joynes stated the City has received a request from the Excelsior -South Lake Chamber of
Commerce seeking a donation to help with the purchase of holiday lights, greenery and wreaths. It is the
first time for the request. He noted that Councilmember Hotvet can speak to this in her capacity as the
Executive Director of the Chamber.
Councilmember Hotvet noted she put out the request to the South Lake Cities of Deephaven, Excelsior,
Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay. She stated she considers downtown Excelsior business district as
the downtown of all five cities. Every year the Chamber has raised money to help pay for the cost to buy,
put up and take down the lights and greenery and wreaths.
Councilmember Siakel asked what it costs to do that. Councilmember Hotvet responded about $8,000
annually.
Councilmember Hotvet noted that Excelsior donated $2,500.
Mayor Zerby stated he also considers the Excelsior business district as the center of the South Lake area.
Councilmember Siakel asked Councilmember Hotvet what she recommends for a donation.
Councilmember Hotvet responded $1,000. Siakel stated she thought the major portion of the cost should
be paid for by Excelsior and its businesses. She suggested a donation of between $500 and $1,000.
Councilmember Woodruff stated he does not see any benefit to the Shorewood residents out on the
Islands. He views any donation as a way to support the businesses in downtown Excelsior.
Zerby moved, Siakel seconded, authorizing the City to make a $750 donation to the Excelsior -South
Lake Chamber of Commerce to help with the purchase of holiday lights, greenery and wreaths for
downtown Excelsior. Motion passed 2/1/1 with Woodruff dissenting and Hotvet recusing.
11. OLD BUSINESS
12. STAFF AND COUNCIL REPORTS
A. Administrator and Staff
1. Trail Schedule
Mayor Zerby noted the meeting packet contains a copy of the Trail Schedule.
2. Quarterly Investment Report
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Mayor Zerby noted the meeting packet contains a. copy of the Quarterly Investment Report.
Discussion moved to Item 12.A.4 on the agenda.
3. Boulder Cove Update
This was discussed after Item 6 on the agenda.
Director Brown noted that Engineer Homby was not able to be in attendance this evening. He stated that
Homby has documented some of the discussions that have occurred regarding the Boulder Cove
development that is occurring in the City of Chanhassen.
He explained that there has been a great deal of discussion about Strawberry Lane which is the main
access to the new development. There is limited capacity on that roadway and that capacity was strained
prior to this development. Therefore, something needs to be done to that roadway and that will be
discussed during the February Council and staff retreat.
The contractor has finished the construction of the concrete curb and gutter. It does not seem to be a good
fit even though it was trying to account for the future realignment of Strawberry Lane and a trail along
that roadway. It is his understanding that some of that concrete curb is or will be removed and replaced
with asphalt curb. Shorewood staff has worked with the owner of the property on the corner about
planting some landscaping on that corner to soften that impact.
Brown noted that the meeting packet contains a copy of the results of a traffic impact study for the
Boulder Cove subdivision from Spack Consulting dated April 23, 2014.
Mayor Zerby noted there are a number of residents who live in the area around the Boulder Cove
subdivision present this evening. He asked them to limit their comments to three minutes and to not
expound on comments previously made.
Lisa Hashbarger, 6090 Strawberry Lane, stated she is here to speak on behalf of many residents who live
near the Boulder Cover development including the Shorewood Oaks, the Strawberry Lane, West 62"d
Street and Church Road neighborhoods. She explained the residents in those neighborhoods have
concerns about stormwater drainage and safety. The residents ask the Shorewood Council to address their
concerns and make improvements as soon as possible. She noted that she sent an email to Shorewood
Planning Director Nielsen on November 6, 2014, which included attachments of photographs
documenting two things of significance which she would like to point out.
She explained the developer, Lennar, has built up the development area in order to avoid water damage to
the properties in the development. The properties located in Shorewood Oaks subdivision that abut the
Boulder Cove subdivision are now about five feet lower than that development. There is not a gradual
decline. That is of great concern to the Shorewood residents who already have their sump pumps running
during the warmer weather. Many residents have experienced flood damage the last few years because
there has been nowhere for the stormwater to go. During the spring of 2014 many residents in the
Shorewood Oaks area were taking water soaked carpet and furniture out of their basements on a Saturday
afternoon. Lennar has promised that stormwater from the Boulder Cove subdivision will not create more
of a problem for Shorewood residents. If that does not prove to be the case she asked what Plan B is.
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She then explained that the entry into the Boulder Cove subdivision from the intersection of Strawberry
Lane and West 62 d Street is now complete. That has allowed for large trucks to enter the site into the
evening hours. At 6:00 P.M. on November 7 traffic was down to one lane on part of Strawberry Lane
because large trucks were blocking one half of the roadway. The residents are concerned about safety
now and into the future once the thirty plus houses are occupied.
She noted that some of the photographs she attached in her email showed the flooding that occurred in the
Strawberry Lane and West 62 pd Street area last spring. She provided Clerk Panchyshyn the photographs.
She stated the standing water in the area continues to be a problem. In addition to it being a flooding
problem it also allows for a rise in the mosquito population. As the area continues to develop the
stormwater needs to flow somewhere.
She stated residents are present this evening to reiterate their concerns about stormwater drainage in the
neighborhoods surrounding the Boulder Cove subdivision and the safety of pedestrians, particularly
children, along Strawberry Lane and West 62nd Street. She noted that Minnewashta Elementary School is
at the end of Strawberry Lane. The Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail crosses at Strawberry Lane. She
stated the speed limit is 30 miles per hour (mph) along that stretch of roadway and there are no stop signs
in that stretch or speed bumps to slow traffic down. She noted that residents want to know that Council
views the situation as a priority.
Ms. Hashbarger thanked Council for allowing her the opportunity to speak.
Patrick Johnson 26350 Alexander Lane, noted his property is part of the new Ashley Woods
development located off of Strawberry Lane. He stated he spoke to the Chanhassen City Council just
prior to that Council approving the Boulder Cove subdivision about Shorewood residents' concerns about
the traffic impact study that was done. Residents think the numbers in that study are very low. They
wonder if Shorewood could have another study done. He then stated that a lot of clear cutting was done in
the Boulder Cove subdivision. Basically one tree was preserved not including the trees around the
perimeter. He expressed hope that Council will not allow that to happen to the Minnetonka Country Club
(MCC) property when it is redeveloped. He also hopes that there will be a lot of transparency with that
redevelopment.
Kevin Welsh. 26225 Oak Leaf Trail, stated he was on the Boulder Cove subdivision site the previous
weekend. In some areas there is still one to two additional feet of fill required and it is unlikely that fill be
put in place before next spring. He then stated that even if the final as is construction works as expected
he still has concerns about what will happen in the spring if the site is not totally up to grade. He went on
to state he is unclear about the filtration basin proposed for Outlot C and where the stormwater will go as
well as who will be responsible for maintaining the outlet of the concrete pipe.
Jill Johnson 26205 Oak Leaf Trail, noted she agrees with what the other speakers said. She also noted
that her backyard is between lot 11 and lot 12 in the Boulder Cove subdivision. She has a direct line of
sight into the development. She stated the roadway into the Boulder Cove subdivision site is paved and on
the evening of November 8 she saw two cars drag racing on that roadway. Because that roadway is
located in Chanhassen she did not know what agency to call and report that to.
Mayor Zerby stated that residents should call 911 and report that and the call center operator will direct
the concern to the appropriate agency which in that instance is the Carver County Sheriffs Office.
Because mutual aid may kick in the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD) may be the
first to respond. The 911 call center creates a record of any call to the center.
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Kristi Killelea, 6080 Strawberry Lane, stated she supports all of the comments the residents have just
made.
Director Brown explained when the Boulder Cove subdivision was proposed one of Shorewood's primary
concerns was drainage. There are known drainage issues in the Strawberry Lane area. A priority for
Shorewood was to have the developer ensure that the majority of the stormwater from the new
development would flow to the Highway 7 ditch system. The system Mr. Welsh referred to does flow to
that system. Shorewood staff also wanted to make sure that when there are 100 -year rain events the
stormwater would also flow into the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) right -of -way
(ROW) system. He stated tree removal on the development site is regulated by Chanhassen.
Mayor Zerby stated during a recent meeting with representatives from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District (MCWD) he and staff were informed there is a rule that states a site has to capture the first inch
of rain in a day. He asked if that varies by city or is that a MCWD rule. Director Brown clarified that is a
MCWD restriction. Zerby asked who is responsible for the stormwater in excess of one inch of rain in a
day. Brown explained the subdivision must be designed to handle 100 -year rain events. The MnDOT
ROW system should handle the events as well.
Mayor Zerby asked if Shorewood can do a traffic impact study or should it approach Chanhassen or the
developer about that. Director Brown responded all three are options Council can consider and suggested
Shorewood staff first approach the staff at Chanhassen to undertake that.
Councilmember Woodruff stated the traffic impact study report refers to northbound Strawberry Court.
He questioned if that should be Strawberry Lane. He asked staff for its opinion on the validity of the
study because he questions the numbers shown in the report. He stated the way he interprets the report the
underlying thing is the uncontrolled intersection which from his perspective is problematic.
Director Brown stated this Council has reviewed the realignment of that intersection. Part of that effort
would include making it a controlled intersection with a stop sign on all three roadways. The three -way
stop sign configuration has already been approved by Council. Councilmember Woodruff stated
Shorewood cannot put a stop sign on the new Boulder Cove roadway. Brown explained that because
Chanhassen asked Shorewood for permission for ingress on to a Shorewood roadway having a stop sign
on that roadway was a condition of approval.
Councilmember Hotvet stated a lot of things have changed since the Boulder Cove subdivision was first
approved in 2006 which is why she asked for a copy of the traffic impact study. She expressed hope that
Council will approve a new study. She noted that Minnewashta Elementary School has the highest
student population of any elementary school in the Minnetonka School District due in large part to open
enrollment. She stated any student living within one mile of school is charged $100 to utilize the bus
service. Therefore, a lot of families have their children walk to school. She thought those things should be
taken into consideration. She disclosed her property is located along side of Strawberry Lane. She stated
she thought the numbers in the traffic impact study report were very low.
Councilmember Siakel questioned the value of conducting another traffic impact study because the
Boulder Cove subdivision has already been approved, while noting she thought the numbers seem very
low. She stated it is clear that Strawberry Lane needs to be fixed. That will be an expensive undertaking.
Council has agreed to discuss improvements to Strawberry Lane during the February Council and staff
retreat. She asked if the posted speed limit for Strawberry Lane could be reduced to 25 mph. She
suggested something be done in the near future to improve the look of where the new Boulder Cove
roadway abuts Shorewood.
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Director Brown explained that during its work session just prior to this meeting Council discussed the
City's 2015 — 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP showed that the improvements to
Strawberry Lane, including the trail, would cost about $2.2 million. That needs to be programmed in over
time; it cannot be done right away. Council understands that issue needs to be addressed. He noted that
State Statute allows Council to reduce the speed limit to 25 mph. That is the lowest it can be reduced
without MnDOT conducting a petitioned traffic study. He stated he does not think MnDOT will approve
lowering it to less than 25 mph. Staff will craft a resolution for Council's approval that will lower the
speed limit if that is what Council wants to do. He explained that after hearing concerns expressed from
some members of Council about the appearance of the intersection some of the concrete curb has
been/will be removed and replaced with asphalt to soften the look. The City Engineer has contacted the
owner of the corner property and informed them that Council has approved some plantings for that area.
Councilmember Siakel noted that Shorewood has a Tree Preservation and Restoration Ordinance that will
prohibit clear cutting of the MCC property.
Director Brown noted that during its last meeting Council approved a professional services proposal from
WSB & Associates to go back and explore the Freeman Park wetland restoration concept. Shorewood
Oaks will be included in that effort. That study will take a fair amount of time.
Councilmember Woodruff stated he can support lowering the posted speed for Strawberry Lane to 25
mph provided the same is done for West 62 "d Street. He commented that the City's Tree Preservation and
Restoration Ordinance is quite stiff.
Councilmember Hotvet stated she drove past houses along Strawberry Lane and West 62 d Street for three
months this past summer and saw standing water. She hopes the City will take a proactive approach to
managing that proactively next spring. She thanked the residents for coming this evening.
Mayor Zerby stated if another traffic impact study was done by Shorewood and if the results come back
quire different he asked if any changes could be made to the subdivision. Director Brown stated
Councilmember Siakel's point is well taken; what is the alternative. An access from the subdivision on to
Strawberry Lane has already been approved. And, MnDOT will not allow an additional access on to
Highway 7. He questioned. if the developer would be willing to reconfigure the site so that there is ingress
on to Church Road. Councilmember Hotvet stated from her perspective doing another study over multiple
days will help determine if what is being done is sufficient. Zerby stated if the numbers end up being
twice as high or event three times as high there is still only one option and that is the one approved.
MnDOT will not allow another outlet on to Highway 7. Director Brown stated the traffic impact study
was done by a consultant hired by the developer or Chanhassen.
Councilmember Woodruff noted that what has been discussed to date is reconstructing Strawberry Lane
to City standards (it would be wider in some areas and there would be curb and gutter), making the
necessary stormwater management improvements and constructing a trail. The current budget cost
estimate well over $2 million and the City does not have the money now.
Mr. Johnson stated that during residents' conversation with the Chanhassen Council at a meeting the
developer had indicated that it would be willing to help out with the costs for addressing the impact on
traffic. He noted the traffic study was basically done within two days of approving the subdivision. The
traffic cameras were out 1.5 days. He staff if a new traffic study comes back with much higher numbers
he asked if that would open the door to asking Chanhassen and /or the developer to fund or help fund
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
November 10, 2014
Page 12 of 14
Strawberry Lane improvements. He then stated he thought that stop signs could be put in on Strawberry
Lane between the School and West 62 "d Street.
Mayor Zerby stated this discussion has been about gathering information. He noted that Council is well
aware of the issues. He stated it may be more beneficial to conduct a traffic study later; closer to when
work would begin on Strawberry Lane improvements.
Councilmember Hotvet stated she hopes that Council and staff will keep the drainage issue and the safety
issue a priority going forward.
Mayor Zerby suggested having Shorewood's City Engineer visit the site on a regular basis and provide
Council with updates. He noted that Council and staff make a concerted effort to have transparency on
projects and things going on with the City.
Discussion returned to Item 7.A on the agenda.
4. Green Steps Program Update
No report was given due to Director Nielsen's absence.
5. Police Chief
This was discussed after Item 12.A.2 on the agenda.
Mayor Zerby noted that South Lake Minnetonka Police Department ( SLMPD) Chief Bryan Litsey has
tendered his resignation effective November 30, 2014. He has served with the Department for nearly 34
years, an incredible amount of time. People will have an opportunity to express their appreciation to him
during the SLMPD Coordinating Committee's November 18 meeting. He stated he is saddened to have
Litsey leave. He has accepted a job in academia as a teacher.
Councilmember Siakel asked if anyone has been named Interim Chief. Mayor Zerby stated the
Coordinating Committee will discuss that on November 18.
Mayor Zerby noted that Chief Litsey had told the Coordinating Committee that he would be leaving no
later than February 28, 2015. He also noted that Litsey recommended Deputy Chief Pierson fill the
interim position.
Administrator Joynes stated the member City Administrators/Manager will present the Coordinating
Committee with a plan for the interim position and a recommendation for filling the position.
Mayor Zerby stated the Coordinating Committee has discussed the possibility of having a combined
public safety organization. The member City Administrators /Manager were asked to discuss that further.
Based on what he has heard it is likely that the structure will remain more traditional. That has to be
discussed at the Committee level.
6. FEMA
Director Brown explained that as of this afternoon he learned that the City will receive a reimbursement
from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the amount of $74,157.31 for activities
related to the June flooding. Part of that is for the overlay of Enchanted Lane. Although it has been a long
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
November 10, 2014
Page 13 of 14
arduous process, FEMA representatives have been good to work with. He stated FEMA pays 70 percent
of the reimbursable costs incurred and it is optional for the State to pay 25 percent. The State did do that.
Councilmember Siakel asked what fund the reimbursement funds will go into. Director Brown stated that
is up to Council to decide. Siakel stated she does not need an answer this evening.
Councilmember Woodruff stated the change order to do the overlay of Enchanted Lane is $55,746.
7. Woodside Road Sanitary Sewer Update
Director Brown explained that there was a slope failure by Woodside Road during the heavy rains during
June 2014. There is a sanitary sewer line alongside of Woodside Road proper and there is a sanitary sewer
line along the shoreline. One of the sanitary sewer lines is very close to the surface. Not all of it became
exposed because of the mud slide. The City owns and operates the sanitary sewer line near the private
property by easement. The property owner has contracted with a dredging company located next to Lake
Minnetonka to restore the slope slide by the end of October. He learned a few days ago that the contractor
cannot make that happen. It won't be done until spring. That puts some of the City's sanitary sewer line at
risk. He has spoken with representatives from WSB & Associates as well as Public Works staff on how to
best insulate the line over the winter. Within the next few days staff will drape insulation blankets over
the sanitary sewer line for approximately 100 feet along the shoreline. He has been told that will be
sufficient enough to keep the frost from penetrating the line. He has ordered about $2,000 insulation
blankets.
Mayor Zerby asked how many residential properties that section of sanitary sewer line services. Director
Brown stated only two houses are immediately affected. Zerby stated he went skiing in the Michigan
Upper Peninsula last winter and people were told to run a constant stream of water throughout winter to
keep pipes from freezing. Director Brown stated when there are such few users on the line that will not
help. Brown noted the users in the area are on private wells.
Councilmember Siakel stated she is surprised there is sanitary sewer line so close to Lake Minnetonka.
She asked if that is common in the Lake area. Director Brown responded it is.
Director Brown explained that Shorewood's sanitary system infrastructure was installed in 1970 — 1972.
Nowadays the sanitary sewer would have been limited to Woodside Road roadway. Today's technology
allows for each house to effectively have a pumping station.
In response to a question from Councilmember Woodruff, Director Brown explained that the plausible
solutions are limited until the slope has been stabilized. The line may be rerouted in the spring.
8. Accounting System Update
Director DeJong stated a couple of employees at City Hall will use the employee self - service component
of the new financial system for the next pay period. He then stated training on the credit card processing
component will go live for the December utility bills. There will be some small wording changes on the
back of the statement in January. Staff has worked through a few minor things that did not work the same
way they did with the old system. The City had to purchase new receipt printers and scanners and a
software update for the interface with the utility billing system. Staff has experimented with different
report formats and will present them to Council during its second meeting in January for comment.
9. Enchanted Road Update
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November 10, 2014
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Director Brown stated Public Works staff elevated Enchanted Lane, graded out the base materials when
the Lake level receded and then paved over it.
He then stated the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) as the responsible governmental unit
has asked what the City plans to do with regard to floodplain mitigation. The MCWD has a mitigation
project planned that the City may be able to participate in. He has asked WSB & Associates to conduct a
survey of what the volume is. He hopes the volume is small enough that the MCWD will think it is not
necessary to involve the Army Corps of Engineers.
Mayor Zerby stated an email states that the MCWD and the City of Minnetrista have entered into a.
cooperative agreement to collaborate on floodplain mitigation on a conservation tax forfeit land abutting
Jennings Bay. It also states the MCWD's engineer has reached out to Director Brown to determine some
permanent fill calculations. He then stated there needs to be a permanent solution.
Councilmember Woodruff stated Enchanted Lane and the other roadways on Enchanted Island are
scheduled in the 20 -Year Pavement Management Plan for 2021. There will be interesting discussion
about what to do what that time approaches. There are a lot of low spots out there.
Other
Director DeJong stated he and Administrator Joynes met with the Hennepin County Assessor. Generally
in Hennepin County there will be a 5 percent increase in the tax. For Shorewood properties not fronting a
lake taxes will go up about 6 percent and slightly less than that for lakefront properties. He noted that
Truth in Taxation statements will be mailed out this week.
B. Mayor and City Council
Councilmember Woodruff stated that Metro Cities and the League of Minnesota fall meeting will be on
November 13.
Woodruff moved, Siakel seconded, Adjourning the City Council Regular Meeting of November 14,
2014, at 8:51 P.M. Motion passed 4/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Christine Freeman, Recorder
Scot erby, Mr
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.lean Panchyshyn, City Clerk