July 13, 2026 Shorewood Council Meeting 3 Minute Recap

Some items of interest from the Shorewood council meeting: – SLMPD Governance Dispute – Shorewood Lane Ravine – Deephaven/Minnetonka Boulevard repaving

Mass Adoption of AI is Happening Is Shorewood Ready?

Mass adoption of AI is happening. Generative AI will reach its peak in the US by 2028. Cities like Chanhassen, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park are already embracing AI and the League of MN Cities has published its 2nd set of AI guidelines as of April 26th, 2026.

SCA & Citizens Unite to Transform Engineering Budget

It took two years, resident Barry Brown regularly speaking at council meetings, seven SCA articles and widespread pressure on the city council by residents, to rein in the burgeoning engineering fees charged by Bolton & Menk. Now, the council has hammered out a compromise we can live with.

$4.0 Million! Give Us A Break Already

Upon hearing resident Barry Brown’s speech during the city council meeting of March 23, 2026 we requested Mr. Brown to provide his documentation to SCA for a follow-up story. Here’s what you need to know, in his words:

Here We Go Again! Another $7.50M Engineering Cost

Based on Shorewood’s 2025 Long Range Financial Plan and 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan , over the next 6 years, the estimated charges from engineering firm Bolton & Menk are projected to total $7.5M. Or, Shorewood could hire four internal staff engineers and save taxpayers $600k per year.

How Inflating Project Costs and Budgets Impacts Your Taxes

Millions! Higher than necessary city taxes, unspent budget dollars, egregious reserves and overestimating projects are all contributors to higher compounding taxes each year. How?

Shorewood City Engineering Spending Plummets

Shorewood resident Barry Brown has examined several years of Shorewood’s spending for engineering services and has identified a positive trend. Read his analysis here.

3–minute $1.1 Million Cost Savings Challenge to Shorewood Council

Upon hearing resident Barry Brown’s 3 minute speech during the city council meeting of August 25, 2025 we requested Mr. Brown to provide his documentation to SCA for a follow-up story. Here’s what you need to know, in his words:

Resident Pressure: Shorewood Reviews Engineering Options

Responding to resident pressure, the Shorewood council is considering options for a new engineering service model. The contract for the current provider, Bolton & Menk expires in December 2025.

$7Million: Shorewood Spends BIG on Engineering Firm Bolton & Menk

Between January 2020 and July 2024 Bolton & Menk billed the City of Shorewood $6,968,361. That’s an average $126,697/mo. or $1,520,364 per year! The amount of money billed by Bolton & Menk for engineering services in one single year is so staggering that the city could double the number of Public Works employees and still have money to hire 3-4 full time engineers. Why did the City Council allow this to happen? You decide!

Shorewood Citizen Advocates

engineering