3/29/12
Readers are invited to watch the 3/26council meeting and Item 6A (Osgood Milfoil Report) at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=475
Listen carefully as council member Siakel uses her version of fair math to allocate funding for 2012 milfoil treatment on Phelps and Gideons Bays.
The LMA and the Enchanted Island Bay Captain asked fot $6000 for Phelps. Siakel moved to approve and the motion was seconded. Council member Woodruff then asked Mr.Osgood how the $6000 provided by Shorewood in 2011 was allocated between Phelps and Gideons to which he replied it was split $3000/$3000. Woodruff then went on to say he could possibly support $6000 for Phelps, but would Siakel accept an amendment to her motion providing some funds for Gideons even if this meant spending more than the 2012 total milfoil budget of $6000.
Siakel refused to amend her motion going on to speak about there being only 15 Shorewood properties on Gideons and implying that Tonka Bay and Excelsior should be providing all the funds. The Insider is baffled by Siakel's math reasoning. She says 15 properties equal $0. The Insider checked, and there are 30 properties with homes in Shorewood in the treatment zone on Phelps. So, by Siakel's math in one case 15 equals $0 while 30 equals $6000 in another.
After somne additional discussion, a light bulb seems to come on over council member Zerby's head and he suggests providing $1000 for Gideons. Siakel immediately accepts. Apparently it dawned on Zerby that he and his council buddies could never explain to Timber Lane residents why they were unworthy of receiving any funds for Gideons and, once the suggestion for funds came from someone other than Woodruff, it was OK with Siakel.
In conclusion, Phelps gets twice the 2011 funding for 2012 and Gideons gets one third. Must make perfect sense to Siakel.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
New City Administrator?
3/27/12
Now that Brian Heck is officially gone and Larry Brown is officially the Interim Administrator, the plan for finding a new Administrator is:?
The subject never came up at last night's council meeting. What is Mayor Lizee planning? Seems it's a secret or maybe there is no plan. Either way, it's not the way a leader should be acting.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Now that Brian Heck is officially gone and Larry Brown is officially the Interim Administrator, the plan for finding a new Administrator is:?
The subject never came up at last night's council meeting. What is Mayor Lizee planning? Seems it's a secret or maybe there is no plan. Either way, it's not the way a leader should be acting.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Rotary and Chamber Participation - Reasons for Administrator Leaving?
3/22/12
According to Brian Heck's own blog and the recent "Lakeshore Weekly News" article on his leaving Shorewood, major weight was placed on him not been active enough in the Excelsior Chamber of Commerce and the local Rotary.
The Insider questions the priorities of anyone in government that think a top priority should be assigned to participation in these two service organizations. The Insider knows that Mayor Lizee is active in the Rotary and council member Zerby is a Chamber member, was its president until recently and has a business located in Excelsior. The key word here is Excelsior.
Lizee and her council buddies have been beating the drum for over one year about Excelsior being "our downtown." They took a run at integrating services with Excelsior and there is now an agreement for Shorewood to provide financial services. But, it seems the end game in the minds of Lizee and her buddies is to merge the cities.
Do you, the residents of Shorewood really want to take over Excelsior and all its financial problems? What's in it for Shorewood? Probably expansion of an empire and higher taxes for Shorewood.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
According to Brian Heck's own blog and the recent "Lakeshore Weekly News" article on his leaving Shorewood, major weight was placed on him not been active enough in the Excelsior Chamber of Commerce and the local Rotary.
The Insider questions the priorities of anyone in government that think a top priority should be assigned to participation in these two service organizations. The Insider knows that Mayor Lizee is active in the Rotary and council member Zerby is a Chamber member, was its president until recently and has a business located in Excelsior. The key word here is Excelsior.
Lizee and her council buddies have been beating the drum for over one year about Excelsior being "our downtown." They took a run at integrating services with Excelsior and there is now an agreement for Shorewood to provide financial services. But, it seems the end game in the minds of Lizee and her buddies is to merge the cities.
Do you, the residents of Shorewood really want to take over Excelsior and all its financial problems? What's in it for Shorewood? Probably expansion of an empire and higher taxes for Shorewood.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
New Administrator Search - Or Not
3/20/12
On the 13th, Mayor Lizee was at the Parks Commission meeting. She was asked about the City hiring a search consultant to find a new Administrator. Seems her answer was pretty vague.
It seems that the City is aware of candidates and there are lots of resumes out there. Has not hiring a search firm been decided? From Lizee's comments it would seem so. Of course if you already know who you want, you don't need to search. Wonder when Lizee will let others in on her choice?
Happy reading!
The Insider
On the 13th, Mayor Lizee was at the Parks Commission meeting. She was asked about the City hiring a search consultant to find a new Administrator. Seems her answer was pretty vague.
It seems that the City is aware of candidates and there are lots of resumes out there. Has not hiring a search firm been decided? From Lizee's comments it would seem so. Of course if you already know who you want, you don't need to search. Wonder when Lizee will let others in on her choice?
Happy reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Administrator Heck - Gone!
3/14/12
Yes, Brian Heck is gone. Seems he cleared his desk on Monday.
Larry Brown, Public Works Director, was announced yesterday as acting Administrator. This is the third time he's been in this role.
Thanks to readers who are posting comments on this subject. Seems they are tracking some of this more closely than is the Insider. Good to see some residents are awake and have an opinion.
So, what is Council and Mayor Lizee going to do? She called an Executive session of Council after the regular meeting Monday night. These are not public so, what was discussed and decided may never be revealed. It would be logical to conclude that there was agreement on Heck leaving immediately and on the Brown appointment.
Interesting to note that Mayor Lizee announced at the beginning of Monday's council meeting that Heck could not attend. What appears to have happened is Heck was told not to attend. Just another example of Lizee's version of "transparency."
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Yes, Brian Heck is gone. Seems he cleared his desk on Monday.
Larry Brown, Public Works Director, was announced yesterday as acting Administrator. This is the third time he's been in this role.
Thanks to readers who are posting comments on this subject. Seems they are tracking some of this more closely than is the Insider. Good to see some residents are awake and have an opinion.
So, what is Council and Mayor Lizee going to do? She called an Executive session of Council after the regular meeting Monday night. These are not public so, what was discussed and decided may never be revealed. It would be logical to conclude that there was agreement on Heck leaving immediately and on the Brown appointment.
Interesting to note that Mayor Lizee announced at the beginning of Monday's council meeting that Heck could not attend. What appears to have happened is Heck was told not to attend. Just another example of Lizee's version of "transparency."
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Monday, March 12, 2012
Administrator Leaving - More Info
3/12/12
So when is Brian Heck leaving Shorewood? The agenda for tonight's council meeting doesn't have anything about this. So, what is Lizee and buddies waiting for? Even the Insider isn't sure.
Also, a reader asked what Heck's leaving will cost the City. Well, it's not 100% clear, but it will include up to 6 months' pay (in Heck's contract), his unused vacation, and the City will have to pay unemployment benefits so long as Heck remains unemployed and for up to whatever the current number of months of unemployment are in force in Minnesota. In dollars, the total will be well above $50,000. In other terms, this is 1% of the entire budget for 2012.
Where do you suppose Lizee and buddies are going to find the 1%? What will they cut?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
So when is Brian Heck leaving Shorewood? The agenda for tonight's council meeting doesn't have anything about this. So, what is Lizee and buddies waiting for? Even the Insider isn't sure.
Also, a reader asked what Heck's leaving will cost the City. Well, it's not 100% clear, but it will include up to 6 months' pay (in Heck's contract), his unused vacation, and the City will have to pay unemployment benefits so long as Heck remains unemployed and for up to whatever the current number of months of unemployment are in force in Minnesota. In dollars, the total will be well above $50,000. In other terms, this is 1% of the entire budget for 2012.
Where do you suppose Lizee and buddies are going to find the 1%? What will they cut?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
More Information About City Water Plan
3/7/12
See the previous blog about the proposed city-wide water plan.
Readers have asked for more information about this draft water plan, including the schedule for their street. This may be found in the packet for the 2/27 council work session at: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/158583/Page1.aspx. The Insider suggests reading the whole memo preceding the cost and schedule tables that start on page 6. The memo explains the terms used and how the table works. The general strategy is to tie the water installs to road work already planned in the City's 20-Year Road Plan.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Happy Reading!
The Insider
See the previous blog about the proposed city-wide water plan.
Readers have asked for more information about this draft water plan, including the schedule for their street. This may be found in the packet for the 2/27 council work session at: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/158583/Page1.aspx. The Insider suggests reading the whole memo preceding the cost and schedule tables that start on page 6. The memo explains the terms used and how the table works. The general strategy is to tie the water installs to road work already planned in the City's 20-Year Road Plan.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Happy Reading!
The Insider
City Administrator Leaving
3/7/12
Brian Heck, City Administrator of Shorewood, told his staff yesterday that he was leaving. Seems the council has lost confidence in him. Council met Monday night in executive session to discuss Heck's performance and this is apparently the result of that meeting (executive sessions are not public so, no details are available).
Heck was hired about three and one half years ago after the departure, under similar circumstances, of then Administrator Craig Dawson. Heck has appeared to have developed a base of supporters, but also detractors. The detractors seem to have won out. Details about the departure are forthcoming.
Of note, earlier this year the Insider predicted Heck would be fired and replaced by ex-Administrator Dawson. The first half of the prediction is now fact. It remains to be seen if Mayor Lizee makes the second part come true. Dawson was reportedly just hired as a project manager for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Brian Heck, City Administrator of Shorewood, told his staff yesterday that he was leaving. Seems the council has lost confidence in him. Council met Monday night in executive session to discuss Heck's performance and this is apparently the result of that meeting (executive sessions are not public so, no details are available).
Heck was hired about three and one half years ago after the departure, under similar circumstances, of then Administrator Craig Dawson. Heck has appeared to have developed a base of supporters, but also detractors. The detractors seem to have won out. Details about the departure are forthcoming.
Of note, earlier this year the Insider predicted Heck would be fired and replaced by ex-Administrator Dawson. The first half of the prediction is now fact. It remains to be seen if Mayor Lizee makes the second part come true. Dawson was reportedly just hired as a project manager for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Monday, March 5, 2012
Water, Water - Everywhere?
3/5/12
Have a private well and no city water available to your property? More than half of Shorewood properties are in this situation. Mayor Lizee and her three council buddies have embarked once again on a quest to put city water down every street in Shorewood (well, not every one as can be seen later in this posting).
During the 2/27 council work session Lizee, Siakel and Zerby discussed the first blush of a plan to put water throughout Shorewood over a 20 year period. Hotvet and Woodruff were absent. Readers can view the meeting at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=439
Staff has done an excellent job of presenting a plan with associated costs. With some inflation in the costs, and over 20 years, the plan costs nearly $30 million (yes million). The average cost is about $15,000 per property and costs of over $100,000 per property are shown.
Just to put $30 million into perspective, the City's whole tax levy per year is just under $5 million. So where is the money coming from?
Well, Zerby and Siakel want a consultant. Siakel wants to focus on the first 3 to 5 years. Zerby thinks a City subsidy might be in order so as to lower the cost to property owners. The Insider doesn't see any leadership from the three at the meeting as to how to fund and what policy might need to be adopted. The only thing they want is to have meetings with residents to discuss the plan (what plan?). I guess Lizee expects someone else, once again, to tell her what to do.
The Islands? They're not part of the plan or the costs.
Keep watching this blog and messages from the City about meetings over the next two or three months.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Have a private well and no city water available to your property? More than half of Shorewood properties are in this situation. Mayor Lizee and her three council buddies have embarked once again on a quest to put city water down every street in Shorewood (well, not every one as can be seen later in this posting).
During the 2/27 council work session Lizee, Siakel and Zerby discussed the first blush of a plan to put water throughout Shorewood over a 20 year period. Hotvet and Woodruff were absent. Readers can view the meeting at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=439
Staff has done an excellent job of presenting a plan with associated costs. With some inflation in the costs, and over 20 years, the plan costs nearly $30 million (yes million). The average cost is about $15,000 per property and costs of over $100,000 per property are shown.
Just to put $30 million into perspective, the City's whole tax levy per year is just under $5 million. So where is the money coming from?
Well, Zerby and Siakel want a consultant. Siakel wants to focus on the first 3 to 5 years. Zerby thinks a City subsidy might be in order so as to lower the cost to property owners. The Insider doesn't see any leadership from the three at the meeting as to how to fund and what policy might need to be adopted. The only thing they want is to have meetings with residents to discuss the plan (what plan?). I guess Lizee expects someone else, once again, to tell her what to do.
The Islands? They're not part of the plan or the costs.
Keep watching this blog and messages from the City about meetings over the next two or three months.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Prevent AIS - Use Permitted Service Providers
3/1/12
Reminder. Ice out is coming and it's up to everyone using MN lakes and waters to help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.
The Legislature passed law last year requiring all service providers that place boats, equipment and other items into our lakes and streams to have training on AIS identification and prevention measures. All of us should insist that the service providers we use have the proper training.
It's easy to do. Just demand to see the providers DNR sticker (yellow sticker should be on their vehicles) or their training paperwork. All providers should have received notice of the requirement to be trained and have had opportunities to get trained. So, no excuses. No documentation? Just say no to using them.
Tell your friends and neighbors!
Reminder. Ice out is coming and it's up to everyone using MN lakes and waters to help prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.
The Legislature passed law last year requiring all service providers that place boats, equipment and other items into our lakes and streams to have training on AIS identification and prevention measures. All of us should insist that the service providers we use have the proper training.
It's easy to do. Just demand to see the providers DNR sticker (yellow sticker should be on their vehicles) or their training paperwork. All providers should have received notice of the requirement to be trained and have had opportunities to get trained. So, no excuses. No documentation? Just say no to using them.
Tell your friends and neighbors!
You can verify a provider’s certification status by contacting the MN DNR at www.dnr.state.mn.us/lsp or 651-259-5100
Happy Reading!
The Insider
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