09-23-24 CC Reg Mtg Agenda Packet
Handouts
at
09-23-24
City Council Regular
Meeting
Date Submitted: 9/20/2024
Please share any comments, questions, or feedback you would like addressed at the 2025 City Budget Open House.
QUESTION 1: What has been budgeted to have our ROW / Traffic visibility @ intersections vegetation
overgrowth brought into compliance W / City codes. This type of work would require contracting outside
services, and possibly purchasing additional equipment. QUESTION 2: What is specifically budgeted in 2025
for right-of-way management and sight line clearing to bring our streets and intersections into compliance with
city code? As the streets become more overgrown and lined with dangerous trees this is now an issue of the
health, safety and welfare of residents. QUESTION 3: What is the status of Larry Brown's 2022 proposal to
budget for 11 miles of city streets trimmed to a height of 16ft and the safe zone of 4ft back from the edge of
roadway? BACKSTORY: In July, 2022, then Public Works Director Larry
Brown gave a thorough presentation about the issues facing the cities with the rights of way. Unfortunately,
his comments were not included in the minutes. The mayor was asked, via email, to amend the minutes to
document this important information, without response. Here are the important facts from Larry's presentation
to start bringing Shorewood streets into compliance. 1. Quoted the amount and scope of services from Davey
($423,000 for 11 streets so residents have perspective) 2. He included 11 streets prioritized for action (Larry
Brown presented a slide with the names) 3. Larry stated that trimming the canopy would be 16' above the
roadway surface and 4' off the edge of the bituminous on each side. (A commitment to the community of the
extent of action to be taken). 4. He stated that traffic visibility at intersections "have priority" for in-house
clearing 5. Larry said "canopy has taken over our roadways." (Important and accurate admission) To
summarize, Larry Brown was very detailed and inspiring in what he reported and the message and whether
intentional or not, was lost in the minutes prior to the following counsel . meeting.
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Date Submitted: 9/20/2024
Please share any comments, questions, or feedback you would like addressed at the 2025 City Budget Open House.
A few questions about the public safety portion of Shorewood's budget. I have never heard explained why
Shorewood's share of the South Lake Police Department budget is so much more than the share of any other
city. The fact that it is geographically larger doesn't justify the difference. Secondly, I happened to be at the
Council meeting when the chief of police made his request for additional expensive technical tools and
additional personnel. Certainly most citizens of Shorewood want police officers to be paid justly and the
budget should guarantee that. But, at least to my knowledge, Shorewood does not have a crime problem. If
that's the case, why the need for expensive new equipment and additional personnel? The department seems
unable to deter indulged children from riding motorized bikes 40 mph and three abreast down city streets,
endangering motorists and pedestrians alike. Will additional fancy equipment enable them to deter
sophisticated criminals should they come to town? The primary crime they seem to encounter is drunk driving.
Shorewood, I believe, has one establishment with a liquor license. Excelsior probably has seven or eight.
Shouldn't the primary source of the major problem bear a proportionate burden of the department's expense?
Supporting the police is not equivalent to acceding to any request they make whether it is justified or not.
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