Council News
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 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 on December 11. Three residents attended. One had questions about the Tax Increment Financing District* for The Waters and The Pillars. There were no direct challenges from residents relative to the levy itself. *SCA will
Council Discussion of Agenda “Structure”
At the 9.25.23 work session, the Council talked about agenda structure, more specifically, consent agenda[1] items. Watch the conversation. This Council has a history of controlling resident engagement. Resident initiated Emails, phone calls and Matters From the Floor have been points of anxiety for Council members and residents alike. The Council acknowledged that a member may remove an item and have it placed on the agenda for discussion, later in the meeting. Several Council members were firm that residents cannot remove an item for further discussion, though some other cities allow it. The Council said a resident could contact a member with an item of concern, and that member could remove the item from the consent agenda, at will. If the Council member agrees that the matter deserves Council attention, that member would have up to three minutes to prove their case to support the item being added to a
Shorewood Violated Its Own Ordinance on City Water
At the regular City Council meeting on Sept. 26, 2022, the City Council voted 4-1 to approve the plans for reconstruction of Birch Bluff Road. Labadie, Siakel, Johnson and Callies voted yes. Gorham voted no.[1] [2] Included in those plans and specifications, were plans for a water improvement project at a cost projection of $913,000.00. (Related article on the Water Fund here) The process authorizing the initiation of water improvements, including those by the City Council, is detailed and governed by city code 903.18. That section of the city code provides a clear and thorough recipe for how a water improvement process can be initiated and, if approved, who will pay for it. Here is the section of the code relevant to Birch Bluff Road: (4) By the initiative of the City Council. If the City Council determines to order an improvement, a feasibility report, as set forth in c. below, shall
Strawberry Lane Speed Study Completed
Strawberry Lane construction is complete and speed concerns have been reported. Below is an excerpt from SeeClickFix.com regarding the results of a speed study done by the City.
Growing the Mayor’s term; Downsizing the Commissions
The Mayor A reader may think this is old news, but it has a lasting effect on how votes count. At the February 8, 2014 City Council Retreat (p. 17), it was proposed that the Mayor’s two-year term be changed to four. The reasoning was that a Mayor barely learns the ropes in two years and then must run for re-election. Whereas, extending it to four years softens the learning curve. This item first appeared on the regular City Council Agenda on April 28, 2014 (p. 9) A draft ordinance (#512) was included for passage. Without resident comment, or any supporting data, the Council voted unanimously to approve the decision. During the discussion is was pointed out that resident input was not required. The Mayor’s term is now four years. Whether required to hold a public informational meeting, or not, this change needed voter feedback. The decision directly affects the residents
Council Meeting: “Structure” & Matters From the Floor
The Council discussed the structure of agenda, resident participation in meetings and Matters from the Floor. View the conversation here. Matters from the Floor* presentations from residents is “painful” (watch the Apr. 10, 2023 work session starting at hr. 2:04:10) for Mayor Labadie. After discussion, a majority of the Council resisted allowing any changes to the strict three minute, no Q&A, format now in place. In other words, residents may present their case, but officially, there will be no discussion. Watch the video and form your opinion, starting at hr. 1:18:19. Some Council Members support exercising “caution” because in the past, several residents were perceived as disrespectful to the Council at MTF. A Mapleview Court resident appeared (starting at hr. 08:50) at MTF on June 23, 2023 and thanked the Council for keeping MTF as part of every meeting. SCA Opinion: This forum, restricted as it is, is obviously important
Should Staff Performance be Measured?
Based on citizen feedback, city staff was asked to consider performance measurements for response time to data practice requests. Data practice policies are driven by Minnesota Statute. However, staff performance when responding, is not. The comments focused on improving staff response time. CM Sanschagrin suggested that the timeliness of responses to some data practices request has been a “pain point,” with city residents. Mayor Labadie and CM Callies both quickly responded with altered interpretations of his comments. Callies, as she has done on other occasions, narrowed the numbers of concerned residents down to a point where they did not matter. The two argued against a need for such response metrics, and declined to do anything beyond the statutory requirements. See the Council discussion here, starting at hr. 1:58.
Questioning a Council Member’s Vote x2
At the May 22. 2023 Council meeting, CM Sanschagrin chose to abstain from voting on a bond sale. He was challenged by the Mayor and CM Callies for abstaining. The City Attorney was asked for his opinion on the viability of the abstention. See the episode here. Note the attorney’s reply.* When can a voting member abstain? *Orono Council Member Benson recently faced a similar challenge at her first meeting. In that case, the Orono City Attorney (from the same firm as Shorewood’s attorney) correctly explained to her the meaning of an abstention. UPDATE (Jun 12, 2023): The City Attorney changed his previous opinion regarding the Sanschagrin’s “right” to abstain by saying the CM did indeed have that authority. He apologized for his error. CM Sanschagrin thanked him for his apology (start at hr.1:16.58). UPDATE #2 De ja vu (Jun 26, 2023): See a repeat of the Jun 12, 2023 episode
A Council Tied in Knots Over Hearing From Residents
“Every resident should be welcome, feel welcome, approached kindly, listened to, actually considered, and given the same amount of time on the floor as millionaire developers.” – Shorewood Resident (name withheld at their request). At a 2023 council meeting the Matters from the Floor (MFTF) format was vigorously debated. Watch the discussion starting at hr. 2:04:10. Additional reading at source: 4-10-23 City Council Work Session Minutes, p. 3-6 Meanwhile…even when MFTF segments may be “painful” (watch the 4.10.23 work session starting at hr. 2:04:14), a majority of the Council vigorously debated and mostly resisted allowing any changes to the the three minute, no Q&A, format now in place. In fact, Maddy said if it were up to him there would be no public comment at any regular council meeting. He didn’t stop there: “Never have I learned anything from Matters From the Floor. It’s just people complaining about stuff that is off
