Archived Articles

Published in 2026

city of shorewood

Shorewood City Council Meeting Feb. 23, 2026

The bulk of the discussion at this meeting was to determine whether to approve an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed Watten Ponds 2nd Addition subdivision.
 
An EAW is designed to evaluate potential environmental impacts and identify corrective measures before any final approvals.

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ICE shoulder patch

ICE is in Shorewood

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in Shorewood.
 
At a recent city council meeting, a resident described in breathtaking detail, their harrowing experience as ICE surrounded a neighboring house: knocking, peering into windows and photographing license plates.

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Stop watch

Jan. 26, 2026 Shorewood Council Meeting 90 Second Facts

SCA attends every City Council meeting so you don’t have to.
 
The agenda this week seemed routine. As it turns out, matters from the floor was “zoom bombed” by three different men not shy about sharing racial epithets and other vitriol that shocked everyone present.

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Stop watch

Shorewood Council Meeting 90 Second Facts

Jan 12, 2026 Shorewood council meeting.
 
We watch so you don’t have to. Fresh eyes on every meeting, sharper reporting, and fast analysis—plus the links you actually need when you want to dig deeper.

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city of shorewood

Shorewood City Council Meeting Feb. 23, 2026

The bulk of the discussion at this meeting was to determine whether to approve an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed Watten Ponds 2nd Addition subdivision.
 
An EAW is designed to evaluate potential environmental impacts and identify corrective measures before any final approvals.

Read More »
ICE shoulder patch

ICE is in Shorewood

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in Shorewood.
 
At a recent city council meeting, a resident described in breathtaking detail, their harrowing experience as ICE surrounded a neighboring house: knocking, peering into windows and photographing license plates.

Read More »

Published in 2025

#3 Christmas ornament

3 Things

‘Tis the season.  Here are some conversational topics to keep things light, to learn and to share some humor.
 
– Winter Solstice
 
– Marcescent Trees
 
– A Little Humor

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Stop watch

Shorewood Council Meeting 90 Second Facts

Dec. 8, 2025 Shorewood council meeting.
 
We watch so you don’t have to. Fresh eyes on every meeting, sharper reporting, and fast analysis—plus the links you actually need when you want to dig deeper.

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three turkeys

3 Things to Talk About on Thanksgiving

Here are 3 new articles for Thanksgiving week.
 
• Xcel Energy Leaves Shorewood with Redevelopment Options
 
• E-bike shopping? Buyer Beware
 
• Shoreline Fire District: Firestorm Resolved

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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

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MN HWY 7 sign

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.

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U of M

2025 Learning Garden Tour!

One of the biggest educational garden tours in Minnesota will be in the southwest metro this Saturday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., rain or shine.

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Tonka Bay dirt pile

Tonka Bay Dirt Controversy: Rumors to Resolution

The Tonka Bay city council recently held meetings to summarize the nine-month process, take emotional testimony, questions and opinion from residents and finalize plans for the relocation of the Native American burial soil currently located at the Tonka Bay City Hall parking lot.

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Editorial opinion

Defining the Mayor Role-Words Matter

During the Shorewood City Council work session on May 12th, a discussion regarding the proposed council “bylaws” revealed some stark differences regarding roles, responsibilities and the relative authority of elected members.

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Published in 2024

Freeman Park sign

Freeman Park’s First Year of Change

Prof. Mike Schuster and his team of researchers from the University of Minnesota are studying alternative buckthorn management strategies in Freeman Park’s western section.
 
This research focuses on methods aimed at exhausting the plant without relying on herbicides.

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Handcuffs

Outgoing Shorewood Council Attempts to Restrict Their Successors

Update 12/1/2024 – The proposal to implement council bylaws was tabled until next year after the new council members are seated.
 
Since the middle of October, the Shorewood City Council has devoted all or part of 3 work sessions to discuss adding proposed “bylaws” to govern council operations and member’s behavior.
 
While clearly within the rights of the council to enact these “bylaws”, the details and timing of this initiative are concerning and raise quite a few questions. Here are just a few:

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Tonka Bay dirt pile

The Dirt on the Tonka Bay Dirt

The massive dirt piled in the Tonka Bay City Hall parking lot is not unnoticed.
 
In fact, it was a topic for the Sept 28 Tonka Bay Council Meeting where an impressive resident-council-consultant conversation addressed every question and concern in a full-blown “community conversation.”

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E-Bike

Playing Catch-up on E-Bike Enforcement

For those hopeful for some long-awaited enforcement on the kids on e-bikes, the wait will continue. On October 15 the Shorewood council passed its first ever ordinance regulating youth riding e-bikes.
 
The ordinance is quite simple:

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E-Bike

E-Bikes: Shorewood’s Proposed Band-Aid Fix

The October 15 Shorewood council meeting will introduce an ordinance regulating e-bikes. Until now, the council has not publicly discussed the e-bike chaos in our city.
 
There was no public comment before the creation of this ordinance. How this version came to be, with so few specifics, is unknown.

Here are 5 suggestions for creating e-bike regulations:

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election year shell game

Election Year Shell Game!

Shell game or voodoo economics – call it what you will, but our leaders in city council don’t want you to know that they can make a 13.9% budget increase look like a 3.2% tax increase because it’s an election year.
 
Wait – What? How does that happen?

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Master Gardener

Become a Master Gardener

Master Gardener volunteers are committed to providing the highest quality, research-based horticultural information and educational activities that enhance our community’s environment and quality of life.
 
This next year, why don’t you apply to be part of this great program?
 
Hennepin County is accepting applications for the 2025 Master Gardener program through October 1st.

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Shorewood budget open house

NOTICE: City Budget Open House

Due to increasing public pressure, Shorewood has scheduled an open house for residents to ask questions and provide comments on the 2025 budget.
 
This is the first time the City has offered this opportunity!

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Close Up Photo of a Mosquito

Metropolitan Mosquito Control

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) oversees the “control” of the nuisances in the metro area.  MMCD is funded through a line item on our property tax bills.  We all pay for it. 
 
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) has been conducting surveillance and treatment activities in your community to reduce the risk of disease and annoyance in an environmentally-sensitive manner.
 
Read the full article, including MMCD contact information for comments.

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Published in 2023

trail crossing

Strawberry Lane/Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail Changes

Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and Three Rivers Park District have proposed a change to the trail crossing at as part of the Strawberry Lane road project in Shorewood. A bike “radius” has been designed on each side of the crossing to slow bicycle traffic to 15 mph.  Once through the radius, riders will cross the road at a 90 degree angle.The proposal suggests “yield” signs at the crossing, rather than “stop,” as most riders do not stop. However, in the short term, a “stop” sign will remain in place. Minnesota’s new “Idaho Stop” law could make management of any type of rider etiquette at street crossings more difficult. See the map below and read

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Freeman Park

UPDATE 11.15.23: What’s Happening at Freeman Park?

UPDATE as of 11.17.23.  Final grading along new trails is nearly complete. See photos in comments below. The paved trails are being reconstructed in tandem with the creation of a trailhead by Three Rivers Park District. A proposal was first introduced to the Council in August, 2022 and approved on 5.09.23. The estimated cost of the project as of May 9 date was $743,000. The City’s share is approximately $478,000. The balance is being funded by Three Rivers. View the Council meeting wherein the project was approved for bids on 5.9.23. Read the Engineer’s memo here, starting at Page 44. All asphalt segments will be replaced except for Segment “B”. Currently, this segment goes through the

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Eureka Road

11.15.23 UPDATE: Eureka Road North

“Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future.” – Buddha UPDATE 11.15.23: The next neighborhood meeting is scheduled for 11.30.23  at 5:30.  City Hall 10.11.23:  The Council discussed the 9.21 meeting, the feedback received from the Eureka Road website, and a more format for the next community meeting with the residents.  See the full discussion here. The words chosen in the cloud above are not random. They were voiced, often repeated, by frustrated neighbors, wanting to be heard at the City Hall open house on September 21. The subject discussed was the planned 2025 revision of Eureka Road North. Emotions ran high. The format of the meeting took a quick turn from

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Invasive weeds

UPDATE 9.19.23: Invasive Weeds on City Property

Cathcart Park Playground Cathcart post-weeding Freeman Park Volleyball Court South Rim of the New Pond in Freeman Park Update 9.19.23: Progress has been made on the Cathcart Playground Freeman Park volleyball court.  See photos above. 9.1.23: Invasive plant species and EAB (Emerald Ash Borer) are flourishing on City property. In December 2021 a resident alerted the Council that it had approved payments for harmful chemicals to control invasive plants in the Parks.  This contradicted the Bee Safe Resolution* of 2014. Since learning that the policy was not being followed, the Council has had vigorous debates about IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and the wording of the Resolution. The result has been $6,000 in consultant expenditures to analyze

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UPDATE 9.19.23: What Are the Maintenance Plans for City-Owned Smithtown & Grant Street Ponds Property?

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

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special election

Hennepin County District 6: Special Election Scheduled

Read full story. Special Election:  Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Primary for Special Election (assuming more than two candidate:Tuesday, April 30. Filing dates:   Jan 30-Feb 13 (Feb 15 deadline for candidate to withdraw) This vacancy is the result of the resignation of Commissioner Chris LaTondresse who announced his intention to depart the County Board effective September 21, 2023.

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Zerby sworn in to Vacant Council Seat

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.

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Excelsior’s Ordinance for (E-) Bikes

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

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UPDATE 10.8.23: Residents Who Get Involved Make a Difference

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:

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Scott Zerby Appointed to City Council

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

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