Badger Park Sports Field Condition

7/25/13

The condition of Badger Park's sports field was brought up during "Matters From The Floor" at Monday night's council meeting. See: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=614bd76d-45e8-1031-bc96-29b50f2ba9d1 and item #4 on the agenda.

One resident stated that he coaches football and Badger field is the worst one in the Minnetonka sports area. He said that for the past two years, large parts of the field have been dirt, not turf. He also asked what the plans for the field might be.

Staff replied that the Parks Commission has been working on a redevelopment plan for Badger park and the field for more than one year. Seems that Council will see a recommendation for changes at the August 12th meeting. One change appears to be reorienting the field to north/south from its current east/west orientation.

The Insider recalls concern expressed by some council members about the cost of a Badger rework. So, what to you the readers think about spending money on Badger and its field. Should the field be a showplace? There appears to be some funding in the City's capital plan for the work, but readers might recall that the Parks Capital Fund will run out of money in the next couple of years if spending occurs per the capital plan.

Should more capital money go into parks and Badger? If yes, where does it come from?

Happy Reading!
The Insider

South Shore Center Advisory Committee

7/15/13

The first meeting of the Committee is set for Tuesday, the 23rd, from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Shorewood City Hall. It's likely this session will be sharing of history and some issue brainstorming.

Attendees:
- Deb Kind, Greenwood Mayor
- Mary Jo Fulkerson, Council Member from Excelsior
- Paul Skrede, Deephaven Mayor
- Elli Ansari, Tonka Bay Council Member
- Kristine Sundberg, Shorewood City Council Member
- Erik Sill,  Minnetonka Schools
 - Theresa Zerby, South Shore Senior Partners (wife of Shorewood's Mayor, Scott Zerby)
- Shorewood staff

The meeting is open to the public. So, the Insider hopes some blog readers will attend and comment back to the blog.

Happy Readung!
The Insider

2014 Budget - Tax Increase Seems Certain

7/11/13

Monday night's council work session was about the 2014 budget. Staff presented some of the slides used in the March "retreat" which show the City's reserves being spent down if taxes aren't increased, spending isn't reduced or, both.

Council members asked for staff to look at places for reductions, but seemed resigned to a tax increase. Also discussed were additional fees for sewer, storm sewer and recycling.

Staff seems to be proposing a 2% general tax levy increase although, up to a 3% incfrease could be possible under current levy limits. Fees for the other services will be reviewed in a rate study coming in the next month or so.

The fee rates and the tax levy haven't been increased for at least four years. It'll be fascinating to watch those council members who've been ready to spend millions on things like trails have to come to grips with making residents pay more taxes and fees so spending can keep going.

Watch the work session at: http://lmcc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=487155b3-3ad7-1031-bc96-29b50f2ba9d1  and the budget item at the end of the list.

Happy Reading!
The Insider