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Three New Things
Here are three new, quick and informative articles for readers this week.
• Are Woolly Bears Winter Predictors?
• Hennepin County Plans North Arm Access Improvements
• A Facelift for the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail
Automated License Plate Reader Privacy Concerns
A letter from a Shorewood resident to the Shorewood City Council raised privacy concerns about the Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers (ALPR) installed in the South Lake area.
This letter triggered a work session being scheduled on 10/10/2025 to discuss those concerns.
$45.9M Capital Expenses Projected in Shorewood
Street reconstruction, water projects, new trucks, skid-steers, mowers and park equipment are a few items that the city wants residents of Shorewood to believe are in desperate need of replacement.
The city is planning to spend $45.9M in Capital Expenditures (CapEx) over the next 10 years.
Art & Advocacy Builds Freeman Park Community
If you’ve spent time in Freeman Park, chances are you’ve noticed — and perhaps paused to admire — the beautifully crafted bench that blends art and function.
The bench was designed, built, and donated by Barry Brown, a dedicated advocate for Freeman Park.
Shorewood City Council Meeting Observations
Dale and Karan Newberg attended the September 22, 2025 Shorewood City Council meeting.
Here are the observations and comments of that meeting they shared in an email with the City Council.
The Road Ahead: Hwy. 7 Study Update
MnDOT has developed a comprehensive website to keep the public informed and engaged as it progresses with the Hwy 7 Corridor Study.
It includes public feedback gathered via an online study of design alternatives, pop-up events, an online public meeting and online survey.
Council Bylaws: Ethics or (In)Consistent Control?
The Shorewood City Council is set to approve bylaws to impose a code of conduct that outlines “appropriate behaviors and interactions of council members with each other, staff, and residents.” We disagree with the premise and find this to be inconsistent, open-ended and poorly planned.
Essential Reading:118% Tax Increase
Shorewood resident Barry Brown has analyzed the Long Range Financial Plan (2026 – 2035) for Shorewood. It shows the Tax Levy skyrocketing from $7.5M in 2025 to $16.4M in 2035 – a 118% increase. Also, the city plans to increase its bond debt by another $21.6M between 2026 and 2031.
