7/28/11
Shorewood's Council met to discuss the 2012 budget for a second time on Monday, 7/25. This time, the Mayor graced the meeting with her presence (she was absent the last time the budget was discussed).
The budget staff presented was not balanced. Expenses exceeded revenues by more than $100,000. Council discussed how to close the gap and what to do with new projects that would add more expenses and make the gap even larger.
The discussion is on-line at: http://windowsmedia.alphameetings.com/LMCCShorewood/072511shorewood.wmv Start watching at 40 minutes and 30 seconds.
Watch for the discussion on using the excess reserves to close the budget gap and to fund new programs. This excess is tax money from previous years that the City took from taxpayers, but did not spend. There is over $400,000 available to spend while still staying within the reserve policy of the City. A policy which also meets the Auditor's recommendations. However, except for Woodruff, the council members seem to want to spend this money on new items and balance the budget by raising taxes.
The most incredible statement is from Mayor Lizee starting at 56 minutes and 44 seconds where she says that spending more money for new projects and not using reserves would not be seen as a tax increase since she believes these expenditures would be for council priorities like trails. How can an increase not be an increase just because some council members decide the spending is their priority? If the City takes more money from you to pay for new trails, are you going to say, it's really not more money because it's for trails?
The South Shore Center budget discussion starts at about 57 Minutes and 20 seconds. It's fascinating to listen to Zerby and Lizee advocate for merging this separate budget into the Parks budget. Woodruff and staff point out that if this is done, there will be no way to tell if the Center is making or losing money or how much. The comments of Zerby and Lizee show they don't want anyone to know how much this costs (At 1 hour and 7 minutes, Zerby says using the word subsidy makes his hair stand on end. Is this because he can't defend subsidizing the Center?). Lizee contradicts herself in saying the financial results should be in Parks because it'll be easier to ask the other cities that own pieces of the Center for money donations to run it. This makes no sense at all. How can burying the costs make it easier to convince, for example, Greenwood to give Shorewood money to operate the Center.
Please recall, that in January Lizee, Zerby, Hotvet and Siakel voted to eliminate the Council's two-person South Shore Center advisory committee. Now these same people want to hide the financial results in the Parks department. Who is it that ran for election on open and transparent government? Oh yes, it was Lizee, Hotvet and Siakel.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Resident Weighs In On Gate At Christmas Lake Launch
7/26/11
The Insider just received the following. Obviously, Mr. Wellens, an ex-Shorewood Council Member, disagree's with Mayor Lizee's campaign to get a gate installed no matter what the DNR says.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
The Insider just received the following. Obviously, Mr. Wellens, an ex-Shorewood Council Member, disagree's with Mayor Lizee's campaign to get a gate installed no matter what the DNR says.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr: July 25, 2011
I respectfully request that your agency deny the request of local cities (Shorewood) and agencies (Minnehaha Creek Watershed District) as they seek to deny the public access to public lakes (Christmas Lake).
DNR employee Rachel Hintzman, P&T Area Supervisor, is already on record criticizing their scheme and writing: “Gates would render the accesses closed to the public and you can’t force anyone to have their boat inspected.” Shorewood City Attorney Tim Keane told the Council bluntly “The city does not have the authority to act unilaterally. The authority rests with the DNR.”
Yet both agencies have voted to allocate funds and proceed without getting DNR approval in advance. That defiance of DNR authority deserves a strong response. I have already been published twice condemning their lawless actions and supporting DNR authority and a lawful process.
I request the DNR issue a letter or go to court for an injunction stopping these lawless entities and protecting DNR authority. I would appreciate being copied on those actions.
Sincerely,
Martin R. Wellens
4755 Lakeway Terrace
Shorewood, MN 55331-9367
952/250-1658
2012 Shorewood Budget
7/26/11
Shorewood's Council started 2012 budget discussions in a 7/11 work session and continued last night (7/25) in another work session. The Insider is gathering details, but can report the following.
City staff presented a budget draft that shows a deficit of over $100,000. However, to their credit, they showed no increase in the property tax levy. So, Council is challenged with finding a way to fund the deficit (from reserves or other sources), cutting expenses from the draft budget or a combination of the two. Or, Council could decide to raise taxes.
The Insider has reviewed the 2010 audit report that was on the 7/25 council agenda for approval. (See: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/154369/Page1.aspx#). On page 4 of the Management Letter, the auditors note that $155,000 was budgeted to be spent from reserves in 2010, but was not. The result was that reserves actually went up in 2010 (by $126 thousand) and now stand at more than $400,000 above the 55% of expenses that the City's policy mandates as a minimum reserve. The auditors recommend at least a 50% reserve.
So, the City has plenty of reserves to use to balance the 2012 budget without even getting close to the minimum reserve level. The Insider asks Shorewood residents: Do you want to spend down reserves to the policy level, avoiding a tax increase (as has been the case for the last 3 years); cut the budget and leave reserves high; or maybe use the reserves for new projects and have to cut the budget and/or raise taxes?
In any event, it's your money!
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Shorewood's Council started 2012 budget discussions in a 7/11 work session and continued last night (7/25) in another work session. The Insider is gathering details, but can report the following.
City staff presented a budget draft that shows a deficit of over $100,000. However, to their credit, they showed no increase in the property tax levy. So, Council is challenged with finding a way to fund the deficit (from reserves or other sources), cutting expenses from the draft budget or a combination of the two. Or, Council could decide to raise taxes.
The Insider has reviewed the 2010 audit report that was on the 7/25 council agenda for approval. (See: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/154369/Page1.aspx#). On page 4 of the Management Letter, the auditors note that $155,000 was budgeted to be spent from reserves in 2010, but was not. The result was that reserves actually went up in 2010 (by $126 thousand) and now stand at more than $400,000 above the 55% of expenses that the City's policy mandates as a minimum reserve. The auditors recommend at least a 50% reserve.
So, the City has plenty of reserves to use to balance the 2012 budget without even getting close to the minimum reserve level. The Insider asks Shorewood residents: Do you want to spend down reserves to the policy level, avoiding a tax increase (as has been the case for the last 3 years); cut the budget and leave reserves high; or maybe use the reserves for new projects and have to cut the budget and/or raise taxes?
In any event, it's your money!
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Farm Animals Next Door?
7/20/11
Worried about your neighbor having a herd of goats? What about chickens and pigs running around the neighborhood? Couldn't happen in Shorewood? Read on.
Shorewood's Council did a review of animal ordinances a few weeks ago. Council members were informed that nothing in City code prohibits cows, sheep, goats, chickens, etc. In fact, no license is needed to have pigs on your property and no limit to their numbers exists. The only control in City code now is for dogs and horses.
Council directed the Planning Commission to look at the animal ordinances and make recommendations back to council. Watch upcoming Planning Commission agendas for these discussions.
Note that many cities allow chickens, but usually no roosters.
If you have an opinion about having animals in Shorewood yards, the Insider suggests you send an email to the Planning Director, Brad Nielsen, at bnielsen@ci.shorewood.mn.us. You opinion counts! You can also send your thoughts to blog.shorewoodinsider.gmail.com and the Insider will post them in this blog.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Worried about your neighbor having a herd of goats? What about chickens and pigs running around the neighborhood? Couldn't happen in Shorewood? Read on.
Shorewood's Council did a review of animal ordinances a few weeks ago. Council members were informed that nothing in City code prohibits cows, sheep, goats, chickens, etc. In fact, no license is needed to have pigs on your property and no limit to their numbers exists. The only control in City code now is for dogs and horses.
Council directed the Planning Commission to look at the animal ordinances and make recommendations back to council. Watch upcoming Planning Commission agendas for these discussions.
Note that many cities allow chickens, but usually no roosters.
If you have an opinion about having animals in Shorewood yards, the Insider suggests you send an email to the Planning Director, Brad Nielsen, at bnielsen@ci.shorewood.mn.us. You opinion counts! You can also send your thoughts to blog.shorewoodinsider.gmail.com and the Insider will post them in this blog.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Breaking News - tonkaconnect fiber optic project on YouTube!
7/14/11
Check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01E2cAqSOgQ
The LMCC/tonkaconnect folks have just posted this link to information about their upcoming vote to authorize doing a business plan and financial model for the fiber optic network.
According to the tonkaconnect website at www.tonkaconnect.com, on the "What's Happening?" tab, the LMCC has sent DVD copies of this video to all council members and LMCC Commissioners in the 17 LMCC member cities.
As reported below, Shorewood's Council has already voted 4 to 1 against approving the project. The Insider has heard from residents of Shorewood and other cities around the area that this vote was "narrow-minded" while some described it in ways the Insider won't repeat here.
Readers may recall that Lizee and Zerby were enthusiastic about spending $15 million on 4 miles of trail along County Rd 19. Now they've voted against doing some professional planning, using about $50,000 of LMCC's own non-tax dollars, for an infrastructure project that would benefit every resident, business, public safety group, school, library and other entity for decades to come.
Doesn't make any sense to the Insider. Does it to you?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01E2cAqSOgQ
The LMCC/tonkaconnect folks have just posted this link to information about their upcoming vote to authorize doing a business plan and financial model for the fiber optic network.
According to the tonkaconnect website at www.tonkaconnect.com, on the "What's Happening?" tab, the LMCC has sent DVD copies of this video to all council members and LMCC Commissioners in the 17 LMCC member cities.
As reported below, Shorewood's Council has already voted 4 to 1 against approving the project. The Insider has heard from residents of Shorewood and other cities around the area that this vote was "narrow-minded" while some described it in ways the Insider won't repeat here.
Readers may recall that Lizee and Zerby were enthusiastic about spending $15 million on 4 miles of trail along County Rd 19. Now they've voted against doing some professional planning, using about $50,000 of LMCC's own non-tax dollars, for an infrastructure project that would benefit every resident, business, public safety group, school, library and other entity for decades to come.
Doesn't make any sense to the Insider. Does it to you?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Closing access to Christmas Lake
7/13/11
During the 6/25 Council Meeting, Shorewood's Council voted 5 to 0 to authorize spending $1000 for signs, some road striping and electrical connection so a gate restricting access at the Christmas Lake boat landing could be installed.
The gate is supposed to keep boaters from launching any boat until it's inspected for aquatic invasive species. Funding for the gate is to come from the Christmas Lake homeowners association while inspection funding is to come from DNR and Minnehaha Creek Watershed Grants to the association.
Basically, one would need to take one's boat to Lake Minnewashta and have it inspected, obtaining a code to open the gate at Christmas Lake. Inspection hours seem fuzzy and most details of how the whole operation would be conducted are to-be-determined.
The DNR has long opposed restricting public launch site access and has not approved this new plan. In fact, an email was presented in which a DNR rep indicated the agency's opposition.
The City's Attorney stated that the agreement between the DNR and Shorewood under which Shorewood operates the boat launch does not allow for restricting access. This was re-iterated by the Attorney at the 7/11 Council Meeting.
Keep and eye on this pending fiasco. The Insider opines that the DNR (when they get back to work) will not approve (an approval would open the flood gates for state-wide requests to do the same). Meanwile, Shorewood's taxpayers will have spent money (the 7/11 Council meeting approved another $2000).
Mayor Lizee indicated that it's time the City forged ahead, regardless of the DNR's approval being absent. Gee, is this how government acts in a transparent, civil manner? The Insider sees this as placing the City squarely in line of a DNR lawsuit.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
During the 6/25 Council Meeting, Shorewood's Council voted 5 to 0 to authorize spending $1000 for signs, some road striping and electrical connection so a gate restricting access at the Christmas Lake boat landing could be installed.
The gate is supposed to keep boaters from launching any boat until it's inspected for aquatic invasive species. Funding for the gate is to come from the Christmas Lake homeowners association while inspection funding is to come from DNR and Minnehaha Creek Watershed Grants to the association.
Basically, one would need to take one's boat to Lake Minnewashta and have it inspected, obtaining a code to open the gate at Christmas Lake. Inspection hours seem fuzzy and most details of how the whole operation would be conducted are to-be-determined.
The DNR has long opposed restricting public launch site access and has not approved this new plan. In fact, an email was presented in which a DNR rep indicated the agency's opposition.
The City's Attorney stated that the agreement between the DNR and Shorewood under which Shorewood operates the boat launch does not allow for restricting access. This was re-iterated by the Attorney at the 7/11 Council Meeting.
Keep and eye on this pending fiasco. The Insider opines that the DNR (when they get back to work) will not approve (an approval would open the flood gates for state-wide requests to do the same). Meanwile, Shorewood's taxpayers will have spent money (the 7/11 Council meeting approved another $2000).
Mayor Lizee indicated that it's time the City forged ahead, regardless of the DNR's approval being absent. Gee, is this how government acts in a transparent, civil manner? The Insider sees this as placing the City squarely in line of a DNR lawsuit.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, July 7, 2011
More about Fireworks Funding
7/7/11
The Insider received an email with the following about the Excelsior Chamber's fireworks and 4th of July celebration funding by Shorewood.
Also, the Insider wishes to remind Shorewood residents and the Council that it is illegal to "Donate" public funds for any reason. It appears to the Insider that the transfer of money to the Excelsior Chamber was not properly documented in the Council motion and vote such that it was clear that the transfer was a legal one and for delivery of services for benefit of Shorewood. As usual Lizee and Zerby ignore the "messiness" of doing things legally and by the rules.
Happy reading!
The Insider
Lomah and Anonymous have it right. Shorewood property owners are subsidizing 30% of the fireworks so cruise operators can sell fireworks packages, and other local businesses can capitalize off this? Seriously?
And, it appears CM Zerby, as President of the Chamber, voted to feather the nest of his pet project at the expense of his constituents. Another red flag.
The Insider received an email with the following about the Excelsior Chamber's fireworks and 4th of July celebration funding by Shorewood.
Also, the Insider wishes to remind Shorewood residents and the Council that it is illegal to "Donate" public funds for any reason. It appears to the Insider that the transfer of money to the Excelsior Chamber was not properly documented in the Council motion and vote such that it was clear that the transfer was a legal one and for delivery of services for benefit of Shorewood. As usual Lizee and Zerby ignore the "messiness" of doing things legally and by the rules.
Happy reading!
The Insider
Anonymous said...
And, it appears CM Zerby, as President of the Chamber, voted to feather the nest of his pet project at the expense of his constituents. Another red flag.
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