6/27/12
During the 6/25 council meeting, approval to hire an interim City Administrator was given. See: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=586.
Details are: 25 to 30 hours per week at $75 per hour for the rest of 2012 with a 14-day termination option.
The Insider observes that this deal gets an administrator 75% of the time at an annualized cost of just over $150,000. What a deal! The recently departed administrator, working more than 40 hours per week was paid just under $100,000 per year. So, the City now has someone working 3/4ths time for 1.5 times the pay.
What are Lizee, Zerby and friends thinking? It's your money they're spending. Would you approve this deal?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Update On Water Plan Report
6/27/12
The 6/25 council work session is now on the LMCC website. Check out the water plan report discussion at:
http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=586 (at the end of the agenda list).
Bottom line: the council gave vague direction to staff to develop alternatives for financing the $26.5 million cost to install water pipes through the rest of Shorewood (of course, the Islands aren't included).
Interesting to note is that the cost over 20 years does not include any increase in construction costs (2012 costs were used). So, the actual cost will be significantly higher over 20 years. Also, no costs for financing the build-out were included by the engineering consultant. Ultimately, the total costs to residents will certainly exceed $30 million.
The consultant speaks about financing method options. He suggests using connection fees, assessments, and a water district fee. He also speaks about possible franchise fees levied on the power, gas, etc. utilities. What's fascinating to the Insider is that nobody on council pointed out that all these fees and charges ultimately get paid by Shorewood taxpayers. The utility companies simply pass the franchise fees back to residents on utility bills. The rest of the methods just have taxpayers paying into different buckets. Of course, some payments are over time, but how does the City raise the cash to front the costs of these time payments? Of course, sell bonds that have to be repaid out of the general fund tax dollars every year via your tax bill.
Seems to the Insider that Lizee, Zerby and friends think Shorewood residents need a Boeing 787 (why?), and just can't come to grips with that this luxury item has a price tag that is unaffordable. Logical thinking like this has never stopped this crew from spending money. Just look back to the public safety building edifice. Shorewood spends about $1 million per year for police and about 50% is to pay for the building (do you feel $500,000 per year safer because the police have a deluxe building?).
More to come.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
The 6/25 council work session is now on the LMCC website. Check out the water plan report discussion at:
http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=586 (at the end of the agenda list).
Bottom line: the council gave vague direction to staff to develop alternatives for financing the $26.5 million cost to install water pipes through the rest of Shorewood (of course, the Islands aren't included).
Interesting to note is that the cost over 20 years does not include any increase in construction costs (2012 costs were used). So, the actual cost will be significantly higher over 20 years. Also, no costs for financing the build-out were included by the engineering consultant. Ultimately, the total costs to residents will certainly exceed $30 million.
The consultant speaks about financing method options. He suggests using connection fees, assessments, and a water district fee. He also speaks about possible franchise fees levied on the power, gas, etc. utilities. What's fascinating to the Insider is that nobody on council pointed out that all these fees and charges ultimately get paid by Shorewood taxpayers. The utility companies simply pass the franchise fees back to residents on utility bills. The rest of the methods just have taxpayers paying into different buckets. Of course, some payments are over time, but how does the City raise the cash to front the costs of these time payments? Of course, sell bonds that have to be repaid out of the general fund tax dollars every year via your tax bill.
Seems to the Insider that Lizee, Zerby and friends think Shorewood residents need a Boeing 787 (why?), and just can't come to grips with that this luxury item has a price tag that is unaffordable. Logical thinking like this has never stopped this crew from spending money. Just look back to the public safety building edifice. Shorewood spends about $1 million per year for police and about 50% is to pay for the building (do you feel $500,000 per year safer because the police have a deluxe building?).
More to come.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Water Plan Consultant Report On Monday's Agenda
6/23/12
There's a council work session at 600 PM on Monday, 6/25, during which the consultant's report on the plan to extend city water throughout Shorewood will be presented. One may recall that the staff cost estimate, including interest expense, for this extension was $29 million.
Well, the consultant has estimated $26.5 million before interest costs. So, council will be discussing spending something on the order of at least the original $29 million of your money. See: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/159937/Page1.aspx for the meeting packet and check page 4 of the consultant's memo for cost ranges per property.
The consultant gives a range of cost to put the water pipe in front of an average house at $17,230! This does not include whatever the City's "connection charge" might be and excludes the cost of having a plumber actually make the connection (estimates of this have been in the $3,000 to $4,000 range). So, it's easy to see a property owner paying, on average, above $20,000, before interest costs, for city water.
So, using the consultant's own estimates of a new well of $7,000 to $10,000, city water would cost the property owner the equivalent of more than two new wells! What a deal!
Come to Monday night's 600 PM meeting at City Hall to listen to the dialog. It's your money the council wants to spend.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
There's a council work session at 600 PM on Monday, 6/25, during which the consultant's report on the plan to extend city water throughout Shorewood will be presented. One may recall that the staff cost estimate, including interest expense, for this extension was $29 million.
Well, the consultant has estimated $26.5 million before interest costs. So, council will be discussing spending something on the order of at least the original $29 million of your money. See: http://weblink.ci.shorewood.mn.us/weblink8/0/doc/159937/Page1.aspx for the meeting packet and check page 4 of the consultant's memo for cost ranges per property.
The consultant gives a range of cost to put the water pipe in front of an average house at $17,230! This does not include whatever the City's "connection charge" might be and excludes the cost of having a plumber actually make the connection (estimates of this have been in the $3,000 to $4,000 range). So, it's easy to see a property owner paying, on average, above $20,000, before interest costs, for city water.
So, using the consultant's own estimates of a new well of $7,000 to $10,000, city water would cost the property owner the equivalent of more than two new wells! What a deal!
Come to Monday night's 600 PM meeting at City Hall to listen to the dialog. It's your money the council wants to spend.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Just When You Thought There Were Enough Rules
6/19/12
Need more rules? Apparently the planning commission and the council think so.
In last week's joint meeting the council and the commission discussed establishing something called "zoning permits." The idea is that just having rules about where one can put things on one's lot aren't enough and one should really go to City Hall to pull a permit (at $25 or similar cost). So, what would need a permit?
Permits would be needed for patios, driveways, sidewalks and fences as well as other items yet to be specified. The notion is that by getting a permit the property owner would become enlightened as to the rules about where such items could be located and eliminate nasty surprises after the fact.
Zoning permits were considered by council two years ago and the idea was dropped due to lack of interest with some council members citing a desire not to enlarge government involvement. Of course, with the "new" council anything that was not approved in the past seems to be a target for approval now.
Blog readers: do you want more government?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Need more rules? Apparently the planning commission and the council think so.
In last week's joint meeting the council and the commission discussed establishing something called "zoning permits." The idea is that just having rules about where one can put things on one's lot aren't enough and one should really go to City Hall to pull a permit (at $25 or similar cost). So, what would need a permit?
Permits would be needed for patios, driveways, sidewalks and fences as well as other items yet to be specified. The notion is that by getting a permit the property owner would become enlightened as to the rules about where such items could be located and eliminate nasty surprises after the fact.
Zoning permits were considered by council two years ago and the idea was dropped due to lack of interest with some council members citing a desire not to enlarge government involvement. Of course, with the "new" council anything that was not approved in the past seems to be a target for approval now.
Blog readers: do you want more government?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Reminder - Need Candidates For Council
6/16/12
It's six weeks until the July 31st opening of the filing period for the November Council and Mayor election. Some of you, the 100's of readers of this blog, should be itching to file to run for the two council seats and the mayor seat up for grabs. All it takes is a short visit to City Hall and two dollars.
If you want to change what is not happening at City Hall (recent comments to this blog describe a do nothing council in place now), get rid of back door policy making by the Mayor, balance out crony politics and think for yourself rather than let special interests think for you, go to City Hall and file to run.
Be sure to tell your neighbors about the opportunity to make a difference (a positive one) in Shorewood.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
It's six weeks until the July 31st opening of the filing period for the November Council and Mayor election. Some of you, the 100's of readers of this blog, should be itching to file to run for the two council seats and the mayor seat up for grabs. All it takes is a short visit to City Hall and two dollars.
If you want to change what is not happening at City Hall (recent comments to this blog describe a do nothing council in place now), get rid of back door policy making by the Mayor, balance out crony politics and think for yourself rather than let special interests think for you, go to City Hall and file to run.
Be sure to tell your neighbors about the opportunity to make a difference (a positive one) in Shorewood.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Council To Retain Part-Time Administrator
6/13/12
Monday night, Council voted unanimously to negotiate a contract as a part-time city administrator with William Joynes. Joynes was one of two candidates interviewed by the whole council last week.
The Insider has learned that Joynes has an extensive resume as a consultant, a professor at Hamline U. and as a past city administrator and manager. Of note is that he was the mediator working with the four cities in the South Lake PD JPA negotiation some six years ago.
Of real interest is that the intent is to have Mr. Joynes work three days per week and to retain him through the end of 2012. The Insider wonders how the council thinks the full-time position can be adequately filled by a part-timer. It'll be interesting to see if everything council wants done gets done as well as what strain not having a full-time boss puts on the staff for the rest of 2012.
The Insider continues to speculate that Mayor Lizee and her cronies have some nefarious plan up their sleeves and are just waiting until after the November election to spring it on the unsuspecting residents of Shorewood.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Monday night, Council voted unanimously to negotiate a contract as a part-time city administrator with William Joynes. Joynes was one of two candidates interviewed by the whole council last week.
The Insider has learned that Joynes has an extensive resume as a consultant, a professor at Hamline U. and as a past city administrator and manager. Of note is that he was the mediator working with the four cities in the South Lake PD JPA negotiation some six years ago.
Of real interest is that the intent is to have Mr. Joynes work three days per week and to retain him through the end of 2012. The Insider wonders how the council thinks the full-time position can be adequately filled by a part-timer. It'll be interesting to see if everything council wants done gets done as well as what strain not having a full-time boss puts on the staff for the rest of 2012.
The Insider continues to speculate that Mayor Lizee and her cronies have some nefarious plan up their sleeves and are just waiting until after the November election to spring it on the unsuspecting residents of Shorewood.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Monday, June 11, 2012
Budget Responsibility?
6/11/12
The Insider notes that the calendar for the 2103 city budgeting is on tonight's council meeting agenda. Some comments on council's budget responsibility follow.
Over the past 18 months, the Insider has observed that council members pay little attention to the city's expenditures even though they are required to approve them at every meeting. Does this mean that everything is always 100% OK? No. The Insider is aware of errors that ultimately get corrected, but nobody seems to ask questions.
Consider payments to the City's Prosecutor. These are monthly expenditures and usually are in the $2500 range. There's never an explanation of what these payments cover or why they should be approved. The Insider doesn't think there is anything incorrect going on, but if you were on council wouldn't you, at least once in awhile, want to know why this money is being spent? Maybe Mayor Lizee knows, but like everything else regarding police activities, she feels no obligation to inform the rest of council.
Then, there are unplanned expenditures that council authorizes during the year. The approvals rarely come including direction to staff as to where the funds should be obtained. It's like some magic checkbook with unallocated money exists. Staff should not be left to decide how to find the money, that's council's job and they rarely do it.
Four the last four years, the tax levy has been the same. Want to take bets on this council keeping it that way for a fifth year?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
The Insider notes that the calendar for the 2103 city budgeting is on tonight's council meeting agenda. Some comments on council's budget responsibility follow.
Over the past 18 months, the Insider has observed that council members pay little attention to the city's expenditures even though they are required to approve them at every meeting. Does this mean that everything is always 100% OK? No. The Insider is aware of errors that ultimately get corrected, but nobody seems to ask questions.
Consider payments to the City's Prosecutor. These are monthly expenditures and usually are in the $2500 range. There's never an explanation of what these payments cover or why they should be approved. The Insider doesn't think there is anything incorrect going on, but if you were on council wouldn't you, at least once in awhile, want to know why this money is being spent? Maybe Mayor Lizee knows, but like everything else regarding police activities, she feels no obligation to inform the rest of council.
Then, there are unplanned expenditures that council authorizes during the year. The approvals rarely come including direction to staff as to where the funds should be obtained. It's like some magic checkbook with unallocated money exists. Staff should not be left to decide how to find the money, that's council's job and they rarely do it.
Four the last four years, the tax levy has been the same. Want to take bets on this council keeping it that way for a fifth year?
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Saturday, June 9, 2012
New AIS Law Coming From Shorewood
6/9/12
One the agenda for the 6/11 council meeting is a new Shorewood law that provides for a penalty for anyone who launches a boat at a public launch after refusing AIS inspection (in Shorewood, this is the Christmas Lake launch). The Insider believes this law will be approved with no problem. Violation will be cause for a misdemeanor citation with fines up to $1000 and 90 days in jail.
There seems to be some disagreement as to if the law is needed since some claim state law already covers this situation.
Mayor Lizee is going around saying this is a "beautifully written" law and other such platitudes are also being espoused. Obviously, this law will become one of the major accomplishments listed on her campaign literature this election season. Hopefully, voters will see this as just another incidence of Lizee taking credit for the work of others.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
One the agenda for the 6/11 council meeting is a new Shorewood law that provides for a penalty for anyone who launches a boat at a public launch after refusing AIS inspection (in Shorewood, this is the Christmas Lake launch). The Insider believes this law will be approved with no problem. Violation will be cause for a misdemeanor citation with fines up to $1000 and 90 days in jail.
There seems to be some disagreement as to if the law is needed since some claim state law already covers this situation.
Mayor Lizee is going around saying this is a "beautifully written" law and other such platitudes are also being espoused. Obviously, this law will become one of the major accomplishments listed on her campaign literature this election season. Hopefully, voters will see this as just another incidence of Lizee taking credit for the work of others.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Zerby AWOL For LMCC Meeting, Again
6/6/12
Somewhat old news, but worth reporting anyway is the fact the council member Zerby missed the 5/15 full commission meeting of the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission.
So what, you might ask. Well, the missed meeting is one of only four he is supposed to attend during the year. Last year, after this blog called him out on missing these, he had the council name an alternate, council member Siakel, so Shorewood was sure to be represented if Zerby was not available. Of course, on 5/15 Siakel did not attend either!
Ironically, one agenda item Zerby missed was his own election to the Executive Committee.
The Insider takes great comfort (not) in knowing that Shorewood is represented by people of such dedication.
The other executive Committee members must be wondering how much help Zerby is going to be.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Somewhat old news, but worth reporting anyway is the fact the council member Zerby missed the 5/15 full commission meeting of the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission.
So what, you might ask. Well, the missed meeting is one of only four he is supposed to attend during the year. Last year, after this blog called him out on missing these, he had the council name an alternate, council member Siakel, so Shorewood was sure to be represented if Zerby was not available. Of course, on 5/15 Siakel did not attend either!
Ironically, one agenda item Zerby missed was his own election to the Executive Committee.
The Insider takes great comfort (not) in knowing that Shorewood is represented by people of such dedication.
The other executive Committee members must be wondering how much help Zerby is going to be.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Open Meetings - Not!
6/2/12
As reported previously, council met on the 29th and the name of the Interim Administrator Sub-Committee was changed to Working Group. So, now no meetings will be publicly noticed, no minutes will be taken and the public won't be able to attend. Woodruff questioned the motives for this and voted against the change saying that the only reason for the change had to be to keep the public from seeing what is happening. Of course, other council members were quick to deny this and all others voted to eliminate openness and transparency.
Of course, none of the ones voting for this mentioned the Personnel Committee (Lizee and Siakel) and that this committee never has posted meeting notices, been open to the public nor made any minutes of its activities available, even to other council members. Double standard? Sure seems that way.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
As reported previously, council met on the 29th and the name of the Interim Administrator Sub-Committee was changed to Working Group. So, now no meetings will be publicly noticed, no minutes will be taken and the public won't be able to attend. Woodruff questioned the motives for this and voted against the change saying that the only reason for the change had to be to keep the public from seeing what is happening. Of course, other council members were quick to deny this and all others voted to eliminate openness and transparency.
Of course, none of the ones voting for this mentioned the Personnel Committee (Lizee and Siakel) and that this committee never has posted meeting notices, been open to the public nor made any minutes of its activities available, even to other council members. Double standard? Sure seems that way.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
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