4/11/12
Here's an update to the Insider's predictions (see blog from 1/12/12).
- Heck did "resign". No replacement plan has been announced. So, former Administrator Dawson still could be in the running. He was recently hired by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to project manage its AIS programs. Also rumored is that Larry Brown, Interim Administrator and Public Works Director, is on the short list along with an administrator from one of the other lake communities.
- Shorewood is doing financial work for Excelsior, but was not chosen to do work for Tonka Bay. Is it possible Mayor Lizee and her council buddies have a much larger desire to "partner" with neighboring cities than do these cities to partner with Shorewood?
- The city-wide water move is underway, but the $29 million price tag may be too much for even Lizee and Zerby to swallow.
- One attempt to "lead" in AIS management was aborted when the DNR would not participate in a new Joint Powers organization with Shorewood (cooked up by City Attorney Keane and Mayor Lizee) and the MCWD. But, the MCWD, Shorewood and the Christmas Lake Homeowners Association are in process of signing agreements (with the DNR's blessing) for AIS inspections at the Christmas Lake. launch. Shorewood's council approved the deals on 4/9. So far, Shorewood's financial exposure seems very limited as the MCWD and the CLHA are supposed to pay for almost everything. Cost for 2012: close to $50,000!
- The trail plan implementation is underway for the approximately 1200 feet along County Rd. 19. However, staff estimated the cost at $72,000, there is no agreement with Excel for power pole movement, the bus company has not yet agreed to allow encroachment and there is no agreement on how wide the trail should be. Lizee has tossed this hot potato to the Planning Commission to worry all the pesky details.
- And something new: Rumor has it that most of City staff have their resumes on the street following the Heck departure. Seems many are wondering if they too have a target on their back.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Plan for New Administrator - Not!
4/6/12
It's one month since former Administrator Heck announced he was leaving Shorewood's employ. Since then, there have been two Council Meetings yet, no plan to replace Heck has been unveiled by the Mayor.
The Insider sees that the subject of replacement is not on the agenda for the 4/9 council meeting. So, what is Mayor Lizee planning? The Insider, not finding any mention of a plan or one forthcoming, fears the worst and so should residents of Shorewood.
Of course the important things like proclaiming Arbor Day in Shorewood are on the 9th agenda. First things always first!
Happy Reading!
The Insider
It's one month since former Administrator Heck announced he was leaving Shorewood's employ. Since then, there have been two Council Meetings yet, no plan to replace Heck has been unveiled by the Mayor.
The Insider sees that the subject of replacement is not on the agenda for the 4/9 council meeting. So, what is Mayor Lizee planning? The Insider, not finding any mention of a plan or one forthcoming, fears the worst and so should residents of Shorewood.
Of course the important things like proclaiming Arbor Day in Shorewood are on the 9th agenda. First things always first!
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Heck's Departure Cost, Lizee Squeaks About Insider
4/3/12
Thanks to Brett Stursa and the "Lakeshore Weekly News" for reporting on the cost and details of Shorewood Administrator Heck's departure. The article is at: http://www.weeklynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=10&ArticleID=10057&TM=44111.94
Ms. Stursa lists costs at over $50,000 and this does not include unemployment insurance costs that could go on for a year or more.
The article goes on to report on Mayor Lizee's rant about information getting to this blog. Obviously, Lizee is furious that she can't control information flow and manage what you, the readers, know about how she operates as Mayor.
The Insider pledges to keep reporting to you..
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thanks to Brett Stursa and the "Lakeshore Weekly News" for reporting on the cost and details of Shorewood Administrator Heck's departure. The article is at: http://www.weeklynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&SubSectionID=10&ArticleID=10057&TM=44111.94
Ms. Stursa lists costs at over $50,000 and this does not include unemployment insurance costs that could go on for a year or more.
The article goes on to report on Mayor Lizee's rant about information getting to this blog. Obviously, Lizee is furious that she can't control information flow and manage what you, the readers, know about how she operates as Mayor.
The Insider pledges to keep reporting to you..
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Monday, April 2, 2012
AIS - #1 Priority for Shorewood?
4/2/12
Seems AIS must be Shorewood's #1 priority.
The Mayor and council member Zerby have appointed themselves as an AIS committee to meet with the Watershed and others about AIS and specifically, the Christmas Lake boat ramp inspection program. So far, no authorization for this from Shorewood's council and no authorization to spend even more $ despite now paying Tim Keane, the Attorney, for attending and supporting these meetings. Yet another example of "openness" and "transparency" being delivered by Mayor Lizee and her buddies.
The LMA (Dick Osgood) released a summary of the financials for 2011 milfoil treatments. Phelps Bay cost $52K with $5K being "LMA Manangement" while Gideons cost $68K with another $5K for management. Most interesting is that after collecting the donations and monies from the city, etc., Phelps was left with over $12K of extra money and Gideons with over $17K of extra funds. So, the naive Shorewood Council just approved providing to the LMA $6K for Phelps and $1K for Gideons without even asking how much the LMA had leftover. Great financial management! More like, just take this blank check LMA and you fill in the amount as we don't really care about taxpayer's money.
LMA "management" costs? It's more than 10% of milfoil treatment costs. One can only surmise that this is the pay for Dick Osgood. What, you thought he did his newspaper columns and attended meetings gratis? Think again. He beats the LMA AIS drum for profit and don't you forget it.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Seems AIS must be Shorewood's #1 priority.
The Mayor and council member Zerby have appointed themselves as an AIS committee to meet with the Watershed and others about AIS and specifically, the Christmas Lake boat ramp inspection program. So far, no authorization for this from Shorewood's council and no authorization to spend even more $ despite now paying Tim Keane, the Attorney, for attending and supporting these meetings. Yet another example of "openness" and "transparency" being delivered by Mayor Lizee and her buddies.
The LMA (Dick Osgood) released a summary of the financials for 2011 milfoil treatments. Phelps Bay cost $52K with $5K being "LMA Manangement" while Gideons cost $68K with another $5K for management. Most interesting is that after collecting the donations and monies from the city, etc., Phelps was left with over $12K of extra money and Gideons with over $17K of extra funds. So, the naive Shorewood Council just approved providing to the LMA $6K for Phelps and $1K for Gideons without even asking how much the LMA had leftover. Great financial management! More like, just take this blank check LMA and you fill in the amount as we don't really care about taxpayer's money.
LMA "management" costs? It's more than 10% of milfoil treatment costs. One can only surmise that this is the pay for Dick Osgood. What, you thought he did his newspaper columns and attended meetings gratis? Think again. He beats the LMA AIS drum for profit and don't you forget it.
Happy Reading!
The Insider
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Math Siakel-Style - How to Spend Milfoil Treatment $
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
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
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
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