Two Stand Firm on Ethics and Conflict
The month-long debate over Mayor Jennifer Labadie’s attendance at a Washington DC transportation conference to advocate for the Hwy 7 corridor, concluded on Sept. 8.
It started on Aug. 11 when council members Gorham, DiGruttolo and Sanschagrin had many questions about the purpose of the trip and direct benefits for Shorewood. Labadie promised to do her “homework” and bring answers to the Aug. 25 meeting for their approval.
That plan was delayed when a “scholarship” was offered “out of the blue.” Although the council voted to allow her to accept the money, Labadie was tasked with explaining how cost overages would be covered among other questions by Sept. 8. In that time, council members DiGruttolo and Sanschagrin learned that a lobbying group, Minnesota Transportation Alliance, sponsors the event and scholarship. Bolton & Menk (Shorewood city engineers) is an MTA platinum sponsor.
The city attorney advised there was not a conflict of interest. Both council members were unconvinced. The final vote was 3-2 (DiGruttolo and Sanschagrin dissenting) allowing Labadie to use the scholarship for her trip.
Background reading:
Rubber Stamp Rebellion
Lobbyist Scholarship “Out of the Blue”
Aug 25 Council Meeting Summary
Feathered Snowbirds Head South
Summer winds down and the bird population dwindles as many species migrate to their winter habitat. Below are two fascinating resources to track them on their journey toward the equator.
BirdCast tracks birds in real time as they migrate by night. For example, on September 7 at 10:20 pm BirdCast showed approximately 47,700 birds were tracked in flight over Hennepin County. They were travelling SSW at about 8 mph at an approximate altitude of 1400 feet. Check with BirdCast for this and other pieces of fascinating data including nightly averages and numbers that have passed since August.
BirdCast is…
Hummingbird Central (HC) provides admirers of the avian wonders with valuable information about these amazing little birds and their migratory patterns. HC also educates readers on feeding habits and the many species (and how to identify them). Track the hummingbirds as sightings are reported. The map is updated by volunteers every few days as they make their way to the Yucatan.
Source:
ABC’s of ATVs, OHVs UTVs, mini-bikes and golf carts on public streets
Residents have been distracted by the swarms of e-bikes and the sassy behavior of some riders. As a result, we have taken our eye off the ball that is the free-for-all of off-road vehicles that run neighborhood streets–and sometimes larger thoroughfares like Hwy 19. Simply put, four wheel vehicles known as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway vehicles (OHVs) utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), golf carts and dirt bikes, are all illegal on South Lake streets.
What to know:
- None of these vehicles are legal on any public street or roadway in the South Lake Minnetonka Police jurisdiction (Check for specific rules within your HOA.).
- They are not legal on the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail (LMRT).
- Children cannot legally operate any of the above (as if it needs to be said).
- Roadways cannot be used by these vehicles to access Lake Minnetonka.
- Shorewood fire lanes are off limits for ATVs (and all motorized vehicles) per Shorewood city code.
- Minnesota DNR explains the statute governing statewide rules. (Exceptions for rural localities do not apply in the South Lake cities.)
- They cannot be used to ferry beer from party to party via public street.
- Here is a refresher on e-bike rules in the South Lake cities.
There is always the matter of liability. If there is a collision between an ATV and legally operated motor vehicle, according to Minn. Stat. § 604.01 and Minn. Stat. § 169.045:
The motor vehicle is only liable if its driver was negligent.
- The unlawful ATV operation typically shifts much or most of the liability away from the motor vehicle’s licensed driver to the ATV driver.
- Each accident is case-specific, and insurance companies (or courts) assign fault percentages under Minnesota’s comparative fault system.
In summary, it is not only e-bike (kids and adults) operators that lack sense to follow the rules, other “wheeled” comrades help flaunt the law.
Background reading:
E-Bikes: Deephaven Has a Plan
E-Bikes & E-Motorcycles: A new challenge
