The City has a responsibility to manage snow and ice in its public spaces to ensure the health and safety of citizens. To meet that goal, Public Works has taken a major step forward by formalizing a Winter Operations Policy (start at p. 46). The policies will add efficiency, consistency and accountability to the winter road management. Further, the policy will clarify standards and policies for residents. Important points for residents: The City does not plow or maintain these private streets: The City does plow all public sidewalks and trails within the City limits. The entire document will be posted on the Shorewood city website in the future. Watch this space!   – Courtesy November

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, it’s important to note that in 2022, the inflation rate was 8.3%. In 2023 the inflation rate is 3.1%. Costs have risen and we may be paying now for the low inflation rates from 2010–2020. To simplify, the largest components of our property tax bills are Hennepin County, City of

AGENDA and packet for Jan. 26, 2024 Retreat At the Oct. 10, 2023 Shorewood City Council work session (see video here) on enterprise funds, most of the discussion centered on the troubled Municipal Water Fund.[1] See Get Smarter: Shorewood Enterprise Funds Analysis The discussion was disjointed and punctuated with awkward pauses, particularly when addressing rate increases or potential strategies to encourage, (or force!), hookups to the system. The Council fallback was, on numerous occasions to wait for the “Retreat” to discuss any consensus or give direction to staff. What is the “Retreat?” It is an annual session, usually held outside of City Hall, typically during normal business hours. The retreat is publicly noticed, but in

Takeaways from the meeting: About 50 residents attended to hear the details of the “scoping”[1] information gathered to date. This was followed by Q&A from the audience, with questions based on pedestrian safety, project costs and a construction time frame. See the city’s webpage on this project here. City officials did a commendable job of keeping the group mostly focused and on point. Residents responded with thoughtful questions and remained civil throughout the meeting. The City included recent helpful traffic data, with a speed study, and explained the pros and cons of mill and overlay[2] vs. reclamation.[3] They unveiled the potential to realign the Regional Trail crossing at Smithtown/Eureka to two 90 degree crossings. The

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, or roll to school.  “Through policy changes, infrastructure improvements, and programs, Safe Routes to School helps create physical and social environments that empower students, their families, and their communities to walk and bike more often. Communities that participate in Safe Routes to School also benefit from less air, noise, and

During the City Council meeting of 11.27.2003, one of the agenda items resulted in a difficult discussion and decision regarding the declaration of a hazardous structure for a home in Shorewood. (See documentation here and video of the discussion here). Adoption of the resolution would start the process of compelling the fix or removal of the hazardous conditions at the home. Councilmember Guy Sanschagrin stated that he was going to oppose the resolution because the timing was so close to the holidays and the effect that would have on the family. Mayor Jennifer Labadie’s response was: “You’re entitled to do so. I’m surprised as a father you would.” (watch here) While reasonable people can argue

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 twin homes-seven in Shorewood, four in Tonka Bay. Stormwater retention pond buffering the development from Hwy 19. Lowering the prescribed density to less than six units per acre Private streets maintained by the HOA Fence and tree screening from adjoining properties. Tree replacements will exceed the requirements of Shorewood’s Tree

In 2016, Alex and Elena Ugorets requested a permit to create an access point from Timber Lane (in Shorewood) to their backyard–which is in Tonka Bay. Ugorets maintained that their house, situated in Tonka Bay, was built to Tonka Bay guidelines. As a result, the side yards were too narrow to allow a vehicle to pass to the back yard. They needed a way to occasionally deliver building materials and access the underground rear garage, for vehicle storage. Shorewood’s attorneys alleged that the Timber Lane access point was in violation of City Code. Although it does not appear to be specifically cited, it would be 1201.03, (e)-(j). Even so, city staff provided a list of

The Shorewood Council discussed a contract for removal at Freeman Park, on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. See the packet here starting at page 144.  Read the minutes of the discussion starting at page 4 Hennepin County Railroad Authority (HCRRA) is issuing permits for maintenance of HCRRA property along the Lake Minnetonka and Dakota trails. “People with property adjacent to HCRRA land may request permits for landscaping improvements. Any improvements to HCRRA land must be approved by HCRRA and should focus on benefiting wildlife and pollinators and improving water quality.” – HCRRA Complete the application online. The permit is free. What to know about buckthorn: European (common) buckthorn is extremely hardy and tolerant of a

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 vehicle accommodations. Described as an “amenity for all of Shorewood,” the gated facility was private/owner use only. Read the full description here (starting at Page 122). Images above are as submitted to the Planning Commission. Descriptions vary. Two buildings were proposed on the site. One with seven garage spaces with

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 for the coming fiscal year. The increase was certified to Hennepin County on September 30. The City had until December 28 to gather public input and reduce the levy.  The final budget was certified to Hennepin County on December 28. Residents were invited to attend the Truth in Taxation meeting