Transparency Articles
They Said It Couldn’t Be Done
Unlike Shorewood, Excelsior has proven that some simple additions to an ordinance to improve it’s understanding is not impossible to do.
Just Answer the Question!
The draft minutes from the July 9 Shorewood Park Commission meeting have just been released. Two items, subtly related, stand out in the 22 pages of the document.
STAND-OFF: Government v. Process
At the Monday, April 8th Shorewood Council meeting, the 3 attending members, (Labadie, Zerby and Callies*), without discussion, voted to approve the blanket spraying of Freeman and Manor Park soccer fields with an unspecified weedkiller. The recommendation by the contractor
Do You Know About Shorewood’s Crisis Management Plan?
SCA editors view the city council meeting and work session videos. Our mission includes promoting transparency and accountability by evaluating council discussion and decisions. So, we took note when CM Sanschagrin made a nondescript suggestion at the Feb. 26 meeting, that the Council discuss the existence of Shorewood’s Crisis Management Plan (CMP). The context of his comment and question, reveals that as a newer councilmember, he had not been made aware of a CMP. Neither had we!
Get Smarter: Watch Your Council Members in Action
One of the best ways to see if a council member earned your vote is to watch them in action. Zoom has added another level of “observation.” History shows this method was endangered in 2022. All Shorewood Council meetings and
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
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
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.
Included in those plans and specifications, were plans for a water improvement project at a cost projection of $913,000.00.
Get Smarter: Shorewood Enterprise Funds Analysis
Every 3 months, property owners in Shorewood receive a bill from the city for utilities and services. Those utilities and services are: Recycling, Storm Water, Sewer and Water (if connected to city water) The money from each of those line
