All Articles
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Camera Will Analyze Shorewood Streets
The city roadway maintenance program ranges from total street reconstruction, to mill and overlay down, to pavement preservation, such as filling cracks and seal coating. To improve on the overall pavement management program, Shorewood’s Public Works Director, Matt Morreim, is implementing the use of Vaisala RoadAI. The Council approved the subscription to the service on June 26. The cost is approximately $8500-9500 annually. The Director’s
Shorewood 2024 Tax and Rate Increases
At the Dec. 11, 2023 City Council meeting a number of presentations focused on tax and rate increases going into effect for 2024. It’s important to note all rate increases and budgets passed unanimously with little discussion or question from council members. Read previous SCA budget article here for more background. Property Tax Before we can begin to understand the complexities of our property tax bills,
Shorewood “Safe Routes to School:” What’s the Status?
In June, 2022, a Shorewood-led report was released on Safe Routes To School (SRTS) as it applied to the one-mile radius around Excelsior Elementary. This included Shorewood neighborhoods. Shorewood invested a significant amount of senior staff time in the production of this document. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program improves the City’s streets by making pedestrian and bicycle improvements for children to safely walk,
Get Smarter: The Minnesota Open Meeting Law (OML)
The Open Meeting Law (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13D) divides government meetings into three types: regular meetings, special meetings, and emergency meetings. See a detailed presentation here. Every public body is required to provide members of the public with notice of its meetings,* regardless of the type of meeting. The same notice requirements that apply for any type of closed meeting, would apply for the same
Get Smarter: The “Consent Agenda”
Reviewed 12.26.23 Ever wondered about the section of the council agenda called “Consent Agenda”? The consent agenda is a tool used to streamline meeting procedures by collecting routine, perceived non-controversial items into a group whereby all are passed with a single motion and vote. This method has grown in popularity in recent years because of the time efficiencies. Items on the consent agenda are not
The Facts on the Truffle Hill Redevelopment Site
The Lake Park Villas development project, (former Truffle Hill property) includes two parcels straddling the Tonka Bay/Shorewood border. Both cities agreed on the details that have given this project some interesting facets making it less obtrusive on a difficult parcel. See the details presented to the Planning Commission starting at p. 6 Drop the elevation of the property by removing 13,000 yards of soil. 11
Is It Really About Pickleball?
Putting the Council and Land Use Zoning to the Test At its 10.23.23 regular meeting (watch here) the City Council came up against an extreme development challenge proposed for the property at 24650 Smithtown Road. The project has been described as a paddle ball club, lifestyle condos, and/or vehicle storage on a 103’ x 411’ lot. A high percentage of building space is devoted to
Shorewood: Chain Link or Picket Fence Model?
A Shorewood resident shares his observations of Shorewood leadership and submitted this article. Clarity, Alignment, and Commitment By Dr. James J. Lynn, 44 year resident Are people on the same page? Can staff communicate the purpose and values of the city in an elevator ride? Is there a clear message about who and what we are as a city? Do they know where the city
What to Know About the 9.6% 2024 Tax Levy Increase
Public comment was taken at the December 11 Truth in Taxation Hearing at City Hall. (See the Finance Director’s report here, starting at page 80) See the approved budget and related information here). The 2024 increase for the city share of your taxes is 9.6%. Through a series of work sessions on August 14, September 11 and 25, the Council reviewed revenue and expenditures forecasted
