Update 9.19.23: Mowing has occurred along the edge of Grant Street Pond.  See photos below 9.1.23: Two city projects:  Smithtown Ponds and Grant Street Pond are complete.   See the photos of Grant Street Pond, one year after completion. A ClickFix ticket was recently submitted for the weeds. Canada thistle  and  invasive burdock  have gone to seed, two ash trees have fallen into the pond, and three of the replacement trees are severely stressed. Smithtown Ponds, completed in June 2023, does not have any identifiable plan for ongoing maintenance.  It appears to be a haven for wildlife. After a few months, the south rim of the pond, within Freeman Park, has a healthy crop of thistles and other undesirable

Scott Zerby was sworn in on July 10 to fill a vacancy on the City Council. He previously served as mayor for eight years. Research indicates he ran unopposed for those terms. Read more in the July 13 SunSailor article covering his background, reason for applying and the interesting Council discussion in support or opposition to his appointment. Read about the process to select Zerby here: Candidate interviews,  Appointment of ex-mayor to the City Council A review of the July Shorewood Planning Commission minutes showed that not everyone was impressed with the selection process. Commissioner Eggenberger had something to say.

Sec. 32-2. – Driving on sidewalks. (a) No person shall ride or operate any bicycle, motor scooter, skateboard, or in-line skates upon any sidewalk carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of the rights of others or in any manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person. (b) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle, skateboard, or in-line skates, roller skates, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle on the sidewalks of Water Street from George Street to Lake Street. (c) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle, skateboard, or in-line skates, roller skates, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle on the sidewalks of Lake Street from Water Street on the northerly sidewalk to 603 Lake

Resident Nancy Westman spoke to the Council on 9.25.23.  Watch it here starting at minute 9.11 Read below a SeeClickFix* submitted by resident Barry Brown: Quick summary: A resident submitted a SeeClickFix regarding needed trail maintenance at Freeman Park. A second resident posted the city code regarding trail “standards.” The original submitter was able to follow up when the job was not done correctly by asking for accountability in meeting community expectations. *Sign up for SeeClickFix and stay in touch with resident “tickets” and how the City responds. See the thread:

Watch the council meeting video of the appointment discussion.  Shorewood council member Patrick Johnson resigned in May. Because the remaining term was less than two years, the city council chose to appoint to fill the seat leading to an application and interview process completed on 6.26.23. Seven residents were interviewed for the opening. Former Mayor Scott Zerby was appointed to the open seat. Background on Zerby:  He served as Mayor from 2012-2020. Two 2-year terms and one 4-year term, all unopposed. Source: MN Secretary of State.  In 2014 he led the Council to change the Mayor’s term from two to four years, making his final term four years. City staff determined that some online applications were lost

Due to the resignation of Patrick Johnson, there’s now an opening on the Shorewood City Council that will be filled by appointment. The open position will be filled for the remainder of Johnson’s term by a vote of the remaining four council members. Three of the open seat candidates have held positions as mayor, council members or both, and will likely use that experience as their primary qualification for the appointment. One other candidate has not been previously associated with Shorewood government but has diverse background, education, interests and viewpoints.* Here are a few reasons why appointing someone from the outside may be the best choice: A city council should be representative of the population

Patrick Johnson resigned from the Council in May. The timing of his resignation, less than two years from the date of the next election, does not require a special election (start at hr. 1:41:17). The period for applications closed on June 20 at noon. First applicants interviewed on 6.12.23 were Planning Commission Chair and former Council Member Nat Gorham, former Mayor Woody Love and another former Mayor Scott Zerby. Commissioner Gorham  (start at hr: 1:20:25) ran for re-election to the Council in November 2022. He lost by 10 votes. Prior to his time on the Council, he had served on the Planning Commission. Love served as Mayor from approximately 1998-2005. He dropped out of contention