09-12-16 CC Reg Mtg Min
CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Zerby called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
A. Roll Call
Present. Mayor Zerby; Councilmembers Labadie, Sundberg, and Woodruff; Attorney Keane; City
Administrator Joynes; City Clerk Panchyshyn; Finance Director DeJong; Planning
Director Nielsen; Director of Public Works Brown; and, City Engineer Hornby
Absent: Councilmember Siakel
B. Review Agenda
Sundberg moved, Labadie seconded, approving the agenda as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. City Council Work Session Minutes of August 22, 2016
Woodruff moved, Zerby seconded, Approving the City Council Work Session Minutes of August
22, 2016, as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
B. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of August 22, 2016
Woodruff moved, Zerby seconded, Approving the City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of August
22, 2016, as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
C. City Council Executive Session Minutes of August 29, 2016
Sundberg moved, Labadie seconded, Approving the City Council Executive Session Minutes of
August 29, 2016, as presented. Motion passed 4/0.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Zerby reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda.
Woodruff moved, Labadie seconded, Approving the Motions Contained on the Consent Agenda.
A. Approval of the Verified Claims List
B. Approval of Mound Fire Department 2017 Budget
Motion passed 4/0.
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4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
Brock Austin, 19690 Sweetwater Curve, stated he was present on behalf of the steering committee for the
Silver Lake Homeowners Association (HOA). The HOA was formed out of concern about the water
quality in Silver Lake. He asked if it would be possible to reserve his comments until after the
presentation for Item 6.A about the Riley Purgatory Bluff Watershed District.
Mayor Zerby stated Council would accommodate Mr. Austin’s request and noted Item 6.A is not a public
hearing.
George Greenfield, 24715 Yellowstone Trail, noted that he had received the wage history information he
had requested from the City. Therefore, he is now prepared to respond to a claim made during the July 14,
2016, Council special meeting during the public hearing regarding tax increment financing for Oppidan
Investment Company’s Shorewood Senior Housing project. He explained the claim was the City was
careful to make sure that the wages for its nonsupervisory employees maintain their value. The
information he was about to use is from the City of Shorewood and the Federal Government Bureau of
Labor Statistics.
He explained in 1970, about the time the wage erosion began, nonsupervisory Shorewood employees
made $12,000 – $18,000 annually. In today’s dollars that range is about $74,550 – $116,600. Given
Shorewood’s current wage rates those employees have lost 35 percent of the value of their wages. The
situation from 1991 – 2016, the last 25 years, was slightly better. In 1991 a nonsupervisory Shorewood
employee made $22,000. That same employee today makes $46,000 or 15 percent more in real dollars
than he or she made in 1991. That increase is only 0.6 percent each year. That apparent gain on their part
is compromised by two local facts. Since 1991 the appraised value of a modest home in Shorewood has
tripled. For that same period the employee’s salary has doubled. Therefore, the employee lost 33 percent
of their home buying power in Shorewood. In 1991 a year’s tuition at the University of Minnesota was
$2,300. Today it is $12,200. Therefore, the same employee whether it be a man or a woman has lost 67
percent of their buying power for educational purposes either for themselves or for their children.
Therefore, it is clear that wages have not maintained their value for Shorewood nonsupervisory
employees. The claim that they do is as mistaken as was the claim made that the deal with Oppidan was
the same thing as buying a bond.
He asked that two items be entered in to the minutes for this meeting regarding two items from that July
14 Council meeting that occurred prior to the July 14 meeting that were not included in the July 14
meeting minutes. He explained the first is that 10 minutes before the July 14 public hearing
representatives from Oppidan were still presenting information to Council about the mechanics of the
proposal between Oppidan and the City. The second is three pages of printout detailing the mechanics and
the particulars of that deal are dated July 14, 2016; the same day as the public hearing. Therefore, the
inference is that no one, the citizens of Shorewood and the members of Council, had the proper time to
study and reflect on that deal to ensure that it was the best interest of Shorewood.
Mr. Greenfield thanked Council for its time.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
6. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Update by Doctor Claire Bleser, District Administrator for Riley Purgatory Bluff
Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD)
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Mayor Zerby introduced Doctor Clair Bleser, District Administrator for the Riley Purgatory Bluff
Watershed District (RPBCWD).
Doctor Bleser noted that she has worked for the RPBCWD for four years. She also noted it is the first
time she has come before the Shorewood Council.
She explained the RPBCWD was founded in 1969 and created out of a citizen based petition. It is a local
government unit. It is charged with implementing projects and programs that protect, restore and manage
water resources located within the District. There are five people on the RPBCWD Board of Managers;
four (Mary Bisek, Jill Crafton, Perry Forster, and Leslie Yetka,) were appointed by the Hennepin County
Board of Commissioners and one (Richard Chadwick) by the Carver County Board of Commissioners.
The RPBCWD has three employees with her being one of them. It also has a seasonal staff person that
helps during field season.
The water resources within the District total approximately 50 square miles in surface area. Portions of
the Cities of Bloomington, Chanhassen, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Shorewood are
located in the District. There are also two streets in Chaska within the District.
The first step in the process of managing water resources is to understand their current condition.
Monitoring and data collection are the foundation for gaining that understanding. The District has about
11 lake monitoring sites; Silver Lake is one of them. There are 18 monitoring sites in total on all three
creeks within the District. The branch of Purgatory Creek that comes out of Silver Lake is monitored as
well. The data collection provides the information needed to determine whether or not the water body is
healthy or unhealthy.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has established standards for determining if shallow
lakes and deep lakes are healthy or not. The MPCA will define wetland standards next. It has definitions
for what a shallow lake, a deep lake and a wetland are. The MPCA is currently assessing the entire lower
Minnesota River area to determine if lakes are healthy or not based on its standards.
The MPCA has not previously assessed Silver Lake based on its standards. As part of an initial meeting
of RPBCWD and MPCA representatives a year and a half ago the RPBCWD asked the MPCA if it would
classify Silver Lake as a wetland or shallow lake. The RPBCWD provided the MPCA with data it had
collected for the various MPCA parameters. Based on the MPCA’s definitions for the three types of water
bodies the MPCA thought Silver Lake fits more into its definition of a wetland; it does not quite fit into
its definition for a shallow lake. That does not change the name of Silver Lake.
The RPBCWD recently finished a palynological study of Silver Lake. The information stored in the
bottom of the Lake was assessed to determine what has happened in the past. Information was pulled
from back in the 1820s; it was from three meters down. It was determined that more sedimentation came
into the Lake starting in the 1920s / 1940s. In 2000 it started to decrease; there is still some sediment
going into the Lake. Based on one diatom species, a microscopic algae that stores quite well in the bottom
of the lake, it was possible to determine past water quality. For the study the Science Museum of
Minnesota studies how water quality changed over time. They determined that it was rich in nutrients in
the past. There was a time when there was a decrease and then later an increase. That could have been
during a time when there were heavy droughts in Minnesota. The Science Museum representatives
encouraged the RPBCWD to interpret the results with caution due to the abundance of species that predict
habitat better than nutrients. What can be determined from the recent data gathered is that the water
quality used to be better. In the past it seems like there was less sediment going into the Lake and there
were also fewer nutrients.
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The RPBCWD monitors the carp population in water bodies alternating which water bodies they monitor.
Carp are bottom feeders. If they like where they are they reproduce a lot and take over. They stir up the
bottoms of lakes and ultimately help degrade water quality in one sense. The good news is there are no
carp in Silver Lake.
Wild rice continues to grow on the south end of Silver Lake. There is a plant biologist working with the
RPBCWD to help determine how healthy the rice plants are.
The RPBCWD has revised all of the floodplain elevations for the three creeks in the District because a
new atmospheric atlas had been published in 2014; Atlas 14. The 10-year average was higher than what
the RPBCWD was using which was from the 1960s. The revisions were based on the last 30 years of
actual data. Using the RPBCWD hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) model the RPBCWD teamed up with
cities within the District to estimate flood risk when there was ten inches of rain. Now people need to
determine if there are projects that can be done to mitigate that risk.
After gathering all of the data the next step is to identify solutions to problems. The RPBCWD conducts
studies for each of the water resources in the District. There is a draft document for the Purgatory Creek
Protection and Restoration Study. The RPBCWD’s current 10-year plan addresses what to do in order to
have Silver Lake meet shallow lake standards. Quite a few projects were identified that would benefit the
Silver Lake watershed. That is in draft form and was just presented to the Board the previous week. She
had spoken with Shorewood’s city engineer about next steps and about coordinating efforts. She has also
had a conversation with the Chanhassen representatives because the southern tip of Silver Lake is located
in Chanhassen.
The next step is to determine what can be done to improve the health of Silver Lake. The RPBCWD’s
current 10-year plan (the one that came out in 2011) does not identify any implementation projects for the
Silver Lake area. Efforts are underway to refresh the 10-year plan. There was a lot of public input process
for the 10-year plan over the last eight months. More than 400 participants provided input through an
online survey. Open houses were also held to solicit input from residents about their concerns. Residents
were also asked how they would prioritize the various projects for the various water resources. RPBCWD
staff took all of the input it received to develop a list of goals and plans for the District for the next 10-
year plan.
The RPBCWD has a cost share program. In 2015 it awarded $39,691.77 in grants. Projects kept an
estimated 4.99 pounds of phosphorous and 22,235 pounds of sediment out of water bodies.
The RPBCWD coordinates with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), the Carver County
Water Management Organization, the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, and the Lower Minnesota
River Watershed District. It also coordinates with cities that are located or partially located within the
RPBCWD.
The RPBCWD has a permitting program and it developed a set of rules for development and
redevelopment. 2015 was the first full year of the program. It has estimated that the 2015 permitting
program resulted in 27,000 pounds of total suspended solids (sediment) and 200 pounds of total
phosphorous being kept out of water resources.
Mayor Zerby asked Council if it had any questions for Doctor Bleser.
Councilmember Sundberg stated in the fact sheets Doctor Bleser provided it states Silver Lake is
classified as a shallow lake. Doctor Bleser explained when Silver Lake was included in the RPBCWD’s
2011 10-year plan it was assumed it would meet a shallow lake classification. When District
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representatives entered into discussions with MPCA representatives the District did have questions about
how the MPCA classified a shallow lake. The MPCA provided its parameters for that classification. The
RPBCWD staff reviewed criteria as it related to Silver Lake and provided that information to the MPCA.
The MPCA scientists reviewed the information and thought Silver Lake better fit the definition of a
wetland.
Sundberg asked what Silver Lake’s current classification is. Doctor Bleser clarified there is no
classification by the MPCA. The RPBCWD’s current 10-year plan assumed a shallow lake classification.
Sundberg then asked what percentage of the RPBCWD’s budget is directed to carp research and carp
control. Doctor Bleser responded it is not as much as it used to be and noted that work is internal. It is run
through its data collection program. She explained she thought the RPBCWD was relatively successful at
controlling the carp population in the Riley Creek chain of lakes by using an aeriation system. The intent
is to keep blue gills alive because they eat baby carp. There are quite a few problems around Purgatory
Creek lakes at the south end of the District. District staff is trying to mitigate that with the use of a barrier.
Once data is gathered representatives from other agencies are asked to participate in determining next
steps.
Sundberg went on to ask when the revisions will be made to the 10-year plan. Doctor Bleser stated the
updated 10-year plan should be sent out for comments during spring of 2017. She reiterated District staff
just completed the public input process.
In response to a comment from Sundberg, Doctor Bleser reiterated there is a draft document for the
Purgatory Creek Protection and Restoration Study.
Sundberg asked how much the RPBCWD staff has worked with the Silver Lake Homeowners
Association (HOA). Doctor Bleser noted the HOA is relatively new and that one member of the HOA is
on the RPBCWD Citizens Advisory Committee. She stated the HOA was in the process of developing
when RPBCWD representatives were meeting with MPCA representatives to discuss Silver Lake. HOA
members have come to RPBCWD Board meetings and asked questions. They also asked for some data.
Councilmember Woodruff stated from his perspective the MPCA seldom does anything without a reason.
He thought the MPCA’s reason for reclassifying Silver Lake must be driven by something. Doctor Bleser
clarified the MPCA is not reclassifying the Lake; it is looking at formally classifying it. The MPCA is
specifically looking at the Lower Minnesota River Watershed. It is assessing the health of all of the creeks
in that Watershed. She also clarified it is not about a classification; it is about which standards are
appropriate for Silver Lake. She explained the MPCA developed the definition for a shallow lake and
then after that it developed standards for determining the health of a shallow lake. Silver Lake does not fit
the MPCA’s definition and standards for a shallow lake.
Woodruff asked what change in behavior the MPCA and the RPBCWD will make with regard to Silver
Lake if Silver Lake is classified as a wetland rather than a shallow lake. Does a wetland have less
stringent clarity requirements than a lake? Doctor Bleser explained that by the MPCA classifying Silver
Lake as a wetland the MPCA’s shallow lake standards would not apply to the Lake. After the MPCA
develops water quality standards for wetlands those standards would apply to the Lake. Woodruff then
asked how Shorewood, for example, could interact with the MPCA and the RPBCWD to understand what
the impact would be on Silver Lake.
Doctor Bleser asked if Councilmember Woodruff’s concern is that the RPBCWD does not care about
Silver Lake. She noted that over the last few years RPBCWD staff has demonstrated that it wants to know
about the health of Silver Lake and in determining solutions for the future. She also noted the
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RPBCWD‘s current 10-year plan does not include any improvement projects for Silver Lake. She thought
the updated plan would. She went on to note that it is important to protect and/or restore any wetland. All
water resources are important to protect.
Councilmember Woodruff stated the sediment and phosphorous level graphs for Silver Lake indicated an
increase in both over time. If Silver Lake is classified as a wetland he expressed concern that might result
in agencies thinking those increases are not an issue and the increases can continue over time. He asked
why an agency would fund projects to improve the quality of Silver Lake if the Lake meets the wetland
water quality standards. Doctor Bleser stated if science indicates there are projects that could be done on a
water body to help improve the quality she asked why agencies would not want to protect them.
Woodruff then stated that based on his experience with the City organizations and agencies tend not to
spend money improving things that already meet standards. Doctor Bleser stated if there is an unhealthy
water body in a community she assumes a community and/or agency would want to improve the water
quality.
Woodruff noted that he assumes water quality wetland standards would be less rigorous and onerous than
lake standards. Doctor Bleser noted no one knows that yet because the MPCA in the process of
developing wetland standards.
Doctor Bleser explained that Shorewood could provide science data that shows projects could be done to
improve Silver Lake and then include funding for the projects in the Shorewood Capital Improvement
Plan (CIP) or team up with the RPBCWD. She noted the MPCA does not fund capital improvement
projects.
Councilmember Woodruff stated the RPBCWD staff is less than 10 percent of size of the MCWD staff
yet the two Districts cover roughly the same geographic area. He asked why there is such a difference in
staff size and ultimately funding for programs. Doctor Bleser clarified the water resources surface area
within the RPBCWD is about one-third the size of that in the MCWD. The RPBCWD has different issues
than the MCWD. She noted she was not present to compare one watershed district to another.
Doctor Bleser stated staff at the RPBCWD believes it is important to work in partnership with others. She
has spoken with Shorewood’s city engineer. She noted that Shorewood representatives have partnered at
looking beyond Atlas 14 regarding the impact to the community. She explained the RPBCWD is a very
dynamic watershed district. It is implementing projects. It uses science to help find solutions. She stated
she assumes that what people will find over the next 10 years will be different from what happened during
the last five years.
Doctor Bleser noted she thought it is important to protect water resources; she does not think it is good to
be reactive. It costs more to be reactive and restore water resources than it does to protect them. With
regard to Silver Lake and other wetlands in that area she stated she thought it prudent to review solutions
that have been identified and determine what can be done to make sure Silver Lake is healthy. She then
stated that based on science and all of the data gathered it is important to identify how to improve the
quality of Silver Lake.
Councilmember Sundberg stated she thought the reason Council has some concern about the wetland
classification goes back to the history of the RPBCWD before Doctor Bleser joined the District staff.
Before that the focus was mainly directed toward lakes. There was little focus on the wetlands. She noted
she was pleased to hear Doctor Bleser indicate there would be more of a balance between wetlands and
lakes. She expressed concern that Silver Lake has not received the attention that lake bodies do. She
stated she was pleased to hear RPBCWD staff is working with representatives from the Silver Lake HOA
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and that she hoped that would continue. She stated she thought it important for Shorewood staff to
comment on the revised 10-year plan.
Councilmember Labadie expressed concern that classifying Silver Lake as a wetland could result in their
being less monitoring of it or in the water quality deteriorating because the standards used to measure the
quality would be less stringent than those for a shallow lake. She asked Doctor Bleser to talk about the
RPBCWD‘s cost-share grant program for things such as planting native buffers and installing rain
gardens. She also asked her what the contact number is for residents to call and where information can be
found on a website. She then asked staff to publish that information about cost-share grants in the next
City newsletter.
Doctor Bleser stated people can find information about the cost-share grants on the RPBCWD’s website
www.rpbcwd.org. She noted the cost-share grant program for this year has closed. It will open again next
year.
Mayor Zerby noted that during matters from the floor one resident asked for the opportunity to comment
after Doctor Bleser had spoken. He asked him to come forward.
Brock Austin, 19690 Sweetwater Curve, stated he was present on behalf of the steering committee for the
Silver Lake Homeowners Association (HOA). He explained the HOA was formed about one year ago by
a number of residents concerned about the water quality of Silver Lake. They wanted to become active in
trying to improve the quality of the Lake.
He explained that when members of the HOA spoke with representatives of the MPCA in December 2015
the members were advised that the Lake was categorized as a shallow lake. At that time the MPCA had
not assessed whether or not it was impaired. The MPCA has a list of impaired shallow lakes. It provides
that information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and that allows people to apply for a
grant for an impaired lake. The HOA had no doubt that once the assessment was done Silver Lake would
be called impaired. The HOA is waiting for the results of the assessment.
The MPCA standards for lakes are not regulatory; they are guidelines. Guidelines contain words like
typically, generally and may or may not. Therefore, there is some subjectivity involved in determining
whether or not a particular body of water falls into the shallow lake category or the wetland category. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a national wetland inventory map and on it Silver Lake is identified as
a lake with pieces along the fringes of the Lake as wetland. The Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) has identified Silver Lake on its public waters inventory as a lake. It has a “p” next to it
for public water. Other wetlands are identified as a “w”. He had spoken with a representative at the DNR
earlier in the day and learned that the State has also classified Silver Lake as a “class 5 wetland”. By
definition a “class 5 wetland” is a shallow lake. The representative at the DNR admitted there is some
confusion about Silver Lake between various state agencies.
When members of the Silver Lake HOA spoke with representatives from the MPCA the representatives
advised the members that a lot of data they used to determine whether or not Silver Lake met its
guidelines for a shallow lake or wetland came from the RPBCWD. The HOA members then decided they
should be dealing with the RPBCWD; the MPCA agreed with that. People can then come back to the
MPCA after the HOA and RPBCWD had met. After speaking with the MPCA the HOA sent a letter to
Doctor Bleser asking her to setup a meeting and asking her to give the HOA any information about Silver
Lake that they had given to the MPCA.
He noted the Silver Lake HOA understands that Council is not making a decision about whether Silver
Lake is a shallow lake or a wetland. He stated the HOA is asking Council to table any endorsement of
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whether or not Silver Lake is a shallow lake or wetland until Council has been presented with additional
information. The HOA may ask for Council’s assistance at a later date with respect to information
provided to the MPCA. The HOA thinks that some of the data that has been provided to the MPCA is
inaccurate.
He stated the Silver Lake HOA is concerned that Silver Lake would move down on the priority list if it is
classified a wetland. The HOA is also concerned about whether Silver Lake would qualify for grants to
improve or protect the Lake. If Silver Lake is not a shallow lake on the impaired list there will be grants
that Silver Lake will not be eligible for.
Mr. Austin thanked Council for its time.
Mayor Zerby stated he thought Mr. Austin’s comments were well spoken.
Karen Missen, 5780 Covington Road, noted her family has lived in their house for about 10 years. She
stated over the last couple of years they have watched Silver Lake rapidly deteriorate. They used to be
able to watch blogs get blown back and forth across the Lake. Now they cannot move because of all of
the weeds and lily pads. She asked that be addressed to free up the area.
Councilmember Woodruff stated Mr. Austin stated a couple of things that he personally thought were
quite important because he does not understand it. He then stated he is unsure of what, if any,
involvement the City personally has with the MPCA when it comes to classifying Silver Lake. He does
not think the City has any at this time. He asked staff if there will be a review period when the City can
participate or does the MPCA just make a ruling. Engineer Hornby noted that he cannot specifically speak
to this case and offered to get back to Council on it. He stated there may be some projects that will be
done that require public input and then the City can respond in some manner. Woodruff asked staff to find
out from the MPCA if Council will have an opportunity to provide input. Councilmember Sundberg
stated from her perspective Council can share its opinion with the MPCA. She thought it is in incumbent
for Silver Lake HOA members and representatives for the RPBCWD to ensure the MPCA has been
presented with all of the facts.
Mayor Zerby asked staff to keep engaged with what is going on relative to Silver Lake and to keep active
with the RPBCWD. He stated he does not think anyone wants to have the quality of Silver Lake degrade.
Based on the charts Doctor Bleser presented it appears the quality has been improving; the sediment has
been decreasing.
Councilmember Labadie stated from her perspective Council’s encouragement should be to nudge the
MPCA to define the water quality standards for wetlands.
Councilmember Sundberg asked staff to provide Council with a quarterly update on Silver Lake.
Engineer Hornby suggested having RPBCWD representatives come and provide Council with an update
periodically. Councilmember Sundberg suggested that be done quarterly. Hornby stated he will work with
Doctor Bleser to set up a schedule for updates.
Councilmember Woodruff stated he was not sure that the City’s interests and the RPBCWD’s interests
are aligned with regard to Silver Lake. He suggested staff contact the MPCA because if the MPCA is
going to set up a wetland classification that could affect the other wetlands in Shorewood. He stated it is
his understanding that the federal government has 10 different classifications for wetlands.
Mayor Zerby stated there may be a need for outside help on this concern.
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Engineer Hornby stated he would ask one of the WSB & Associates environmental scientists to contact
the MPCA to find out what it is doing regarding classification and standards for Silver Lake. He will
report the findings back to Council. Council noted it would appreciate that.
7. PARKS
A. Report on the August 23, 2016, Park Commission Meeting
Director Nielsen reported on matters considered and actions taken during the August 23, 2016, Park
Commission meeting (as detailed in the minutes of that meeting).
Councilmember Labadie noted the Movie in the Park event occurred on September 9. The movie was
Aladdin.
8. PLANNING
9. ENGINEERING/PUBLIC WORKS
A. Consideration of Drainage Concern at 21710 Lilac Lane
Director Brown noted that Mayor Zerby asked staff to review a drainage concern at the property located
at 21710 Lilac Lane. The concern was brought to Zerby’s attention by Larry Stokes, the owner of the
subject property. He also noted the meeting packet contains a copy of a site location map, aerial
photograph and topography maps. He explained the elevation of the house pad ranges 6 to 12 feet lower
than the surface of Lilac Lane (a Shorewood Roadway). The boundary between the Cities of Shorewood
and Chanhassen is very near the Lilac Lane pavement. A portion of Chanhassen drains to Lilac Lane. The
driveway on the property is located at the low point of the roadway. The western half of the Lilac Lane
does not have curb and gutter; the eastern section has surmountable curb and gutter.
He noted that a long-time (about 40 years) Shorewood Public Works employee had told him that the City
had to clear out a culvert where the original house was located many times.
He explained when staff discussed the concern in a staff meeting they decided it would not be appropriate
to take this issue on based on the request of just one member of Council. Therefore, staff is seeking
direction from Council on how it wants staff to proceed. The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
does not include any improvements to mitigate the problem. Staff contacted the Chanhassen City
Engineer to find out if Chanhassen has any capital improvements planned for in that area. The sewer main
on Lilac Lane is schedule to be lined within the next three years. That Engineer told him that the
watermain along Lilac Lane and located in Chanhassen is cast iron and it should be replaced whenever
Lilac Lane is reconstructed.
Brown noted the most obvious solution would be to install concrete curb and gutter along that area of
Lilac Lane and intercept it by storm sewer due to the size of the area that drains to that low point in the
roadway. That improvement would not be inexpensive. He stated if Council believes the issue is a City
issue Council should direct WSB & Associate representatives to prepare a mini feasibility report for
Council. If Council believes it is the property owner’s responsibility staff would like to have Council
clarify that.
Larry Stokes, 21710 Lilac Lane, explained the amount of storm water that drains off of City property onto
his property is quite substantial. After it rains water drains for 1 to 2 hours after the rain stops onto his
property. In addition to the water gravel, sand and mud also flow onto his property.
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He stated the information Director Brown shared about the culvert being cleared out in the past was news
to him. He explained that culvert is under the roadway and it is completely covered on both sides. He
noticed the culvert when he was excavating dirt that has washed down the roadway to try and create a
pathway to divert the water and materials down one section of his property.
He expressed his appreciation for all of the time and attention given to his concern.
He explained the drainage problem has eroded his driveway as well as portions of his yard and shed. He
cannot replace anything until some solution for channeling the stormwater is put in place.
Mr. Stokes noted he is willing to help, both financially and with labor, to address the concern. He thanked
Council for its time.
Councilmember Sundberg asked if most of the drainage problem came about after the residential
development was built near that area in Chanhassen.
Mr. Stokes stated he has lived in his house for 23 years. He noted a lot of the houses on the Chanhassen
side had been there for quite some time. He explained over the last 23 years the City has come out to
assess the situation. One time the City put a small asphalt berm at the end of his driveway. There is so
much stormwater that it flows around the end of it. He reiterated a great deal of water, sand and dirt flows
on to his property.
Councilmember Labadie thanked Mr. Stokes for the approach he has taken with his concern. Mr. Stokes
asked for help rather then begged for forgiveness. She noted that she went to look at the property earlier
in the day. She stated it would have been easy for Mr. Stokes to divert the stormwater off of his property
by digging a trench and installing some type of pipe and then have it drain onto his neighbor’s property.
She noted that she does not think the problem is only Shorewood’s problem. The stormwater is flowing
off of the development in Chanhassen just passed Lilac Lane. She stated she thought any improvements
need to be done as a collaborative effort with the two Cities and the property owner.
Labadie asked Engineer Hornby how much it would cost to prepare a mini feasibility report. Hornby stated
he would have to scope the effort out in order to come up with a cost. Hornby then stated he thought
Director Brown was talking about a letter feasibility report that would not be as detailed as a full feasibility
report. Hornby noted that some stormwater modeling would have to be done for the area. Mayor Zerby
asked Hornby if he could come back with a quote for that if Council asked for it. Hornby responded yes.
Labadie stated Council needs to have the quote before it decides what the next step should be.
Councilmember Woodruff asked if it is correct for him to think the culvert was serviced recently. Director
Brown stated the culver could have been covered when Mr. Stokes’ home was rebuilt. The culvert is buried.
Woodruff stated based on the topo map it looks like the properties in Chanhassen on one side of Lilac
Lane drains on to that roadway. Director Brown stated a substantial portion of the drainage goes onto
Lilac Lane. Mayor Zerby stated those houses look like they are elevated 8 feet.
Woodruff asked if there are drainage easements on the property. Director Brown stated he does not think
so and noted that implementing a solution would likely require acquisition of some drainage and utility
easements.
Councilmember Labadie stated there are a number of mature trees on Mr. Stokes’ property; their roots are
visible. She noted she thought it would be a shame to lose those mature trees.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 11 of 17
Mayor Zerby stated he had met with Mr. Stokes about three weeks ago and toured his property. He noted
he was pleased that Councilmember Labadie had gone to look at the site and he encouraged other
members of Council to do so also. He stated he thought the City has some responsibility to work with the
property owner on this issue. The stormwater flows from quite a large area onto the roadway and then
mostly on to Mr. Stokes’ property. He noted that Mr. Stokes has indicated a willingness to work with the
City and possibly even financially. He stated he had alerted representatives from the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District (MCWD) of this issue. They appeared to be willing to assess the issue and determine
if mitigation of the issue would qualify for MCWD grant funding.
Mr. Stokes reiterated that when there is a hard rain a tremendous amount of water flows on to his
property.
Engineer Hornby stated WSB will prepare a scope of services letter to do a mini feasibility report for
Council’s considerations during its September 26 or October 10 meeting.
10. GENERAL/NEW BUSINESS
A. Summit Avenue Parking Restrictions
Director Nielsen explained that when the Summit Woods Development north of Murray Hill Road on
Summit Avenue was approved the City stipulated to the developer that on-street parking of construction
vehicles would not be allowed. Two houses have been built to date and there was not an issue with
parking. While the third is being constructed the issue of subcontractors parking on the street has become
more of a problem. The police department has offered to help with enforcement but officers cannot issue
citations until the area is approved by Council as a no parking and posted as no parking. The City has
received complaints about parked vehicles.
Staff assessed the roadway from the border with the City of Chanhassen down to Murray Hill Road to
determine where the no parking restriction should begin and end. With the roadway being narrow, steep
and curvy up at the top staff concluded that there should not be any parking in that stretch. Staff had
prepared a resolution that would place parking restrictions on both sides of the stretch of roadway
between the Chanhassen boarder and Murray Hill Road.
He noted that staff recommends Council adopt the resolution restricting parking.
Councilmember Sundberg asked if residents in that area are receptive to the parking restriction for all
vehicles in that area. Director Nielsen responded he was not sure.
Director Nielsen reiterated the roadway is quite narrow in that area. He explained when the development
was approved there had been discussion about various alternatives for improving the roadway; the
residents were not receptive to them.
Councilmember Sundberg asked if the parking restriction would be eliminated once construction was
complete. Director Nielsen stated that if after construction is complete residents decide the restriction is
an inconvenience they can petition the City to remove it.
Councilmember Labadie stated the hairpin curve in the roadway is very dangerous.
Labadie moved, Sundberg seconded, Adopting RESOLUTION NON 16-072, “A Resolution
Restricting Parking on Summit Avenue.” Motion passed 4/0.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 12 of 17
B. Southshore Center Painting and Lighting Improvements
Administrator Joynes explained that during the February 9, 2016, Council and staff retreat a list of
maintenance improvements to the Southshore Center was discussed. A quote for interior was received
from Superior Painting Contractors painting for an approximate cost of $5,705 and a quote for lighting
improvements was received from Prehall Electric for an approximate cost of $7,942 (a copy of the quotes
was included in the meeting packet). The chairs in the facility need to be replaced. Staff is searching for
replacement chairs. Council will likely be asked to consider the replacement of the chairs before the end
of the year.
Joynes noted there has been a steady increase of about 6 percent per year in the use of the Center since
January 2014.
Mayor Zerby stated that a few months ago Council asked to be provided with the financial information
for Center operations. Administrator Joynes stated staff will provide that information to Council and
noted rental revenue has increased.
Councilmember Sundberg asked if staff solicited bids for the work. Administrator Joynes clarified staff
asked for quotes and noted the City has used the two contractors in the past.
Sundberg then asked if Shorewood is solely responsible for paying the cost of those improvements.
Administrator Joynes stated that unfortunately at this time it is.
Councilmember Woodruff stated because there is not been a conclusion about the ownership of the
Center he will vote against paying for the proposed improvements. He wants a ruling from the Court and
discussion by Council about the ownership. Mayor Zerby noted the Court has ruled. Woodruff stated it is
being appealed again. Zerby noted Council has not discussed that. Administrator Joynes confirmed that an
appeal notice has been filed in order to reserve the City’s right to appeal.
Councilmember Labadie asked what the deadline is for Council to vote to pursue the appeal. Attorney
Keane responded September 19. Labadie noted that she will also vote not to fund the improvements at
this time.
Mayor Zerby noted there is not another Council meeting scheduled before September 19 to vote on that.
Attorney Keane explained the papers to perfect the appeal have been filed. That is a placeholder petition
and is quite customary. The City could withdraw the placeholder prior to September 19.
Councilmember Sundberg stated it was her recollection Council had an executive session to talk about
this. Mayor Zerby concurred. Sundberg stated there has not been any follow-up on the pros and cons of
doing that.
Sundberg noted she thought resolving the ownership issue is the highest priority.
Attorney Keane stated Council can convene into executive session after this meeting. He noted the public
has to be advised prior to the close of this meeting that Council will go into an executive session to
discuss the ownership issue.
There was Council consensus to continue the approval of the funding for Southshore Center
improvements to a future Council meeting.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 13 of 17
C. Country Club Road / Yellowstone Trail / Lake Linden Drive Discussion
Engineer Hornby explained the Traffic Committee presented its final report to Council during Council’s
July 11, 2016, meeting. The report identified potential solutions for addressing traffic concerns along the
Country Road 19 / Country Club Road / Yellowstone Trail / Lake Linden Drive corridor. Mayor Zerby
asked that staff put an item on the agenda to further discuss what the next steps are. He noted the meeting
packet contains a copy of the Committee’s report.
He highlighted some of the higher weighted suggestions in the Committee’s report.
Smithtown Road at Country Club Road
Signaled intersection coordinated with CSAH 19
Widen the roadway from the Mattamy entrance to Country Club Road
Country Club Road
Widen the roadway approaching Smithtown Road including the addition of a left turn and
right turn lane
Add bike lanes with a 25 miles per hour (mph) speed limit
Yellowstone Trail (Country Club Road to Lake Linden Drive)
Stop sign enhancements (e.g., blinker stop signs)
Improve sight lines (e.g., cut trees back)
Intersection improvements (e.g., at the Lake Linden Drive intersection add a street light, a
pedestrian cross walk, and a children’s crossing sign)
Yellowstone Trail (east of Lake Linden Drive)
Improve sight lines – trim trees and realign Yellowstone Trail at Seamans Drive to a more
o
90 angle and add blinker stop signs
Stop signs – add all way blinker stop signs at the entrance to the Mattamy development
Lake Linden Drive
Improve sight lines – trim trees and straighten curve south of Yellowstone Trail
Improve sight lines – fix grade changes north of the CUB development access for left turning
vehicles
Lake Linden Drive at CUB Entrance / Trunk Highway 7 / Trunk Highway 41
Access improvements – close CUB development exit from the east at the frontage road (Lake
Linden Drive) while maintaining inbound movement
Roadway improvement – widen Lake Linden Drive eastbound to three approaching lanes
(one right turn to westbound Highway 7, one through to Highway 41, and one left turn to
eastbound Highway 7) and one exiting lane westbound beginning at the existing center CUB
development access
Miscellaneous
Technology improvements – remove the use of Country Club Road, Yellowstone Trail and
Lake Linden Drive from Google Maps directions
Enforcement – improve/enhance enforcement of speed limits and traffic controls on area
roadways
Traffic calming – add drive feedback speed control signs at selected locations on Yellowstone
Trail and Lake Linden Drive
Mayor Zerby noted that he asked that this item be placed on the agenda again because residents who
served as members of the Traffic Committee have asked what Council intends to do with the information
it provided. When the report was presented to Council in July two approaches were discussed. The first
was for staff to prioritize the recommendations and to provide high level cost estimates and information
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 14 of 17
about the effectiveness of the modifications. The second approach was for Council to prioritize the
suggestions.
Councilmember Sundberg commended the Traffic Committee for excellent job it did. It took a complex
issue and made it somewhat understandable. She stated the next step is for staff to provide cost estimates
for the high priority recommendations (items rated 4 and higher), the feasibility of making the changes,
and timelines for implementing them. If some of the lower rated recommendations are economical and
easy changes that would achieve some benefit then maybe those should be considered also.
Mayor Zerby stated he has spoken with Engineer Hornby about the need to be mindful of which solutions
would work in other areas of the City. It is difficult to make improvements for one area and not for other
areas without there being a policy for it. He noted that there are not any stop bars (the white painted lines
at a stop sign) along the corridor route. The corners at the Country Club Road / Yellowstone Trail and
Yellowstone Trail / Lake Linden Drive intersections are somewhat “rounded off”. There has been
increased police traffic enforcement. Unfortunately, enforcement results in short-term changes in diving
behaviors. He went on to state that Hornby had indicated that the tightening of the corner and stop sign
enhancement at the intersection of Birch Bluff Road and Edgewood Road appears to have helped. He
noted the corridor route is a Minnesota State Aid (MSA) route. Maybe that requires a little different
standard (e.g., more visible stop signs). He stated he would like to have staff identify which suggested
improvements would be applicable for other traffic “pain points” in the City.
Councilmember Woodruff stated he agrees with Councilmember Sundberg’s suggestion to concentrate on
those recommendations ranked 4 or higher. He suggested staff prepare a brief statement about the
feasibility of implementing each recommendation and what the benefits of doing so would be.
Councilmember Labadie suggested staff also estimate how long it would take to implement the
recommendations.
Councilmember Woodruff stated he thought that changing the intersection at Highway 7 and Highway 41
near CUB would be like pushing a boulder uphill. It may be worth having a discussion about it.
Teresa Elsbernd, 5880 Minnetonka Drive, noted she was a member of the Traffic Committee and she was
one of its elected spokespersons during Committee meetings. She explained the Committee’s impetus was
to identify ways to improve the roadways in the corridor route. It also considered the increase in traffic
that will be generated by the Minnetonka Country Club (MCC) residential development and the impact on
the various intersections along the corridor that are already somewhat problematic.
She noted the light at the intersection south of CUB at Highway 7 only allows about six cars to go though
at any one time. It easily takes 3 – 5 minutes to get through that intersection.
Ms. Elsbernd explained that one of the improvements the Committee discussed a lot was constructing a
traffic circle or maybe two at the north end of Country Club Road where it intersects with Smithtown
Road then on to Country Road 19. The goal was to keep most of the traffic on Country Road 19 and off
the corridor route to get to Highway 7. She thought that idea received high support from the Committee
members. She asked Council to keep that idea at the top of the list.
Councilmember Woodruff stated there are three roundabout items on the list of recommendations for
Smithtown Road at country Club Road. But, none of them scored very high. He then stated he would like
the dual roundabout (Country Club Road and Country Road 19) to be considered.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 15 of 17
Ms. Elsbernd clarified that when the Committee did the ranking it did not call it a priority. It was intended
to convey committee support for a recommendation and not priority. Priority would have implied the
Committee thought it was the most important and that was not the case.
Engineer Hornby stated using the word priority was not his best choice of words. The report titled the
rankings as committee support. The recommendations he highlighted earlier had high or medium support
from the Committee.
There was Council consensus to have staff factor Council’s comments in and come back with a shorter
list of items with a brief statement of the feasibility, estimated costs and estimated time effort to
implement for each of them.
11. STAFF AND COUNCIL REPORTS
A. Administrator and Staff
1. Trail Schedule
Mayor Zerby noted the meeting packet contains a copy of the Trail Schedule.
Engineer Hornby noted the schedule for the Smithtown Road east sidewalk extension was updated to
show a construction substantially complete date of September 2 and a ribbon cutting ceremony date of
September 12. He explained one pole needs to be removed before the contractor can finish the other
sidewalk panels. Staff will prepare a punch list for the contractor to complete.
Mayor Zerby stated that some of the punch list items he has noticed include putting traffic signs back up.
He noted that some properties had small sidewalks coming out to the street before construction of the
sidewalk and now there is a small gap between where their sidewalk and the City sidewalk is. He asked
who has to restore that. Engineer Hornby explained if it was disturbed during construction it should be
restored as part of the project. Zerby listed a few other items for the punch list. Hornby stated the
contractor will likely come back and do some of those things after it completes the concrete work.
Zerby thanked people for doing a good job on this project.
2. Country Club Road Traffic Counts
Director Brown stated he had not been able to download the traffic count data from the counters along
Country Club Road. He will try to have that data for the next Council meeting.
Other
Engineer Hornby stated street sealcoating was supposed to continue today. Director Brown stated it will
resume tomorrow and explained that because of the rain the contractor had an opportunity to work in
another part of the state. Hopefully the contractor will finish sealcoating on September 13. Hornby noted
that someone crashed into the contractor’s seal coat spreader and that delayed two City projects.
Hornby then stated that 2016 mill and overlay effort is mostly completed. The paving of the wear course
for Star Lane and Star Circle will be done the week of September 19.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 16 of 17
Hornby went on to state there will be a public information meeting on September 15 from 6:00 – 7:00
P.M. at City Hall for the residents living along the route of the watermain extension project for the
Shorewood Landing Senior Living project.
Director Nielsen stated the construction of the artificial play field in Badger Park is progressing nicely.
He noted the contractor for that project has been very good to work with. He stated the plan is to have a
ribbon cutting ceremony toward the end of September.
Mayor Zerby stated he had heard Director Brown indicate that the removal of the equipment in the Skate
Park had been delayed. Brown indicated that was because of other priorities for Public Works personnel.
Director DeJong stated that he has been working on wrapping up the implementation of accepting credit
card payments for minor permits. He then stated he is working on certification stuff. He noted AT&T has
renewed its lease agreement for another five years. He also noted that he will be out for the next two
weeks because he is going to have knee replacement surgery.
Administrator Joynes stated that he and Attorney Keane will meet with representatives from the City of
Excelsior next week to plan out the schedule for The Waters of Excelsior project and the annexation of
Shorewood land to Excelsior.
Councilmember Labadie stated the Minnewashta Elementary School Back to School 5K run occurred on
September 10. The entire race was run in Shorewood. She thanked members of the South Lake
Minnetonka Police Department (SLMPD) for patrolling the race very well. They also had patrol cars at
the School at the end of the race. Officers spoke to the children after the race and they let them sit in
vehicles. It was a great police presence for the young children. She also thanked residents for cheering the
young runners on. The race is a fundraiser and replaces the need for children to sell things like candy bars
and gift wrapping paper. It is the School’s main fundraiser for the year. She then stated on the same day
th
there was an Excelsior Fire District (EFD) parade to celebrate the Fire Department’s 125 anniversary. It
was amazing to see fire engines from places she had never heard of before. There were many volunteers
there handing out an American flag to everyone who wanted one. She thanked the Department for putting
on a wonderful event.
Mayor Zerby stated on September 9 he and Councilmembers Labadie and Sundberg attended a ground
breaking ceremony for the Oppidan Shorewood Landing Senior Living project at Highway 7 and Chaska
th
Road. He then stated he attended an EFD dinner to celebrate the 125 anniversary; Boardmembers,
mayors and former mayors, and active and retired firefighters and their wives were invited. There was a
lot of history about the Department presented.
B. Mayor and City Council
1. City Administrator Search
Mayor Zerby explained Council met in executive session on August 29, 2016, to discuss the results of the
interviews with a subset of the applicants for the city administrator position. During the session Council
directed Attorney Keane to present an offer and negotiate a contract with Council’s choice. Keane stated
it was his understanding that vote for the recommended applicant would be taken by Council during this
meeting.
Councilmember Woodruff asked if the recommended applicant should be named in the motion. Attorney
Keane responded yes.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 12, 2016
Page 17 of 17
Woodruff moved, Zerby seconded, directing Attorney Keane (and City Administrator Joynes if
necessary) to enter into a negotiation with and prepare an offer for the city administrator position
for Greg Lerud.
Councilmember Sundberg suggested that the motion be amended to include Mr. Lerud would have to
relocate to within a certain distance from Shorewood within one year of starting his employment with the
City.
Without objection from the maker or the seconder, the motion was amended to include subject to
Mr. Lerud moving closer to the City within one year of the start of his employment.
Mayor Zerby stated he thought a few good candidates applied for the position.
Motion passed 4/0.
Mayor Zerby noted Council will go into an executive session to discuss the ownership of the Southshore
Center after this meeting.
Mayor Zerby recessed the Regular City Council meeting to a City Council executive session at 9:04
P.M.
Mayor Zerby called the executive session to order at 9:06 P.M.
Mayor Zerby; Councilmembers Labadie, Sundberg, and Woodruff, Attorney Kean; and, City Attorney
and Administrator Joynes were present.
The City Councilmembers, the City Administrator, Attorney Keane discussed the Southshore Center
ownership issue.
The Executive Session was concluded at 9:14 P.M.
The City Council reconvened in regular session at 9:15 P.M.
Sundberg moved, Labadie seconded, Adjourning the City Council Regular Meeting of September
12, 2016, at 9:15 P.M. Motion passed 4/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Christine Freeman, Recorder
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