Excelsior City Council Talks Budget, Dogs and Snow

The met earlier this week to review a budget presentation and field questions from residents regarding cost increases. The council also made a decision about this year’s snow removal policy.

2012 City Budget

City Manager Kristi Luger presented the preliminary general fund budget. She explained some of the factors affecting the budget, such as changes in how the city must account for its funds, staff vacancies, and the loss of local government aid from the state. Increased spending for police services will also affect the budget.

There is a preliminary levy increase of five percent. Luger stressed that the final budget will not include a higher increase than five percent.

Residents questioned the city council on the increased cost of police services from the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department. They noted that is exploring other policing options and wondered if Excelsior should do the same.

Both council member Greg Miller and Mayor Nick Ruehl agreed that the best policing option in terms of finances and service level would be to expand the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department to two or three more cities. The mayor noted that Greenwood leaving the department would affect Excelsior as the city would be unable to handle the resulting increase in cost.

Tommy’s Tonka Trolley

Tommy’s Tonka Trolley is a business that includes kayak and paddleboard rentals. The owner requested permission from the council to have a 12-foot by 3.5-foot storage unit on the property to store three paddleboards and two kayaks. He said that 2011 saw increased demand for the watercraft due to the popularity of vouchers from Living Social, a social media program. The council approved the request.

Snow Removal

During a meeting earlier this month, residents expressed their objections to a proposed ordinance amendment that would prohibit them from shoveling snow into the street.

On Monday, Luger reiterated that other cities do not allow residents to put snow into the street and further noted that other cities do not allow exemptions. She explained that city staff had proposed the amendment due to safety concerns and complaints last winter that the streets were not clear.

Council member John Olson stated that he wanted “another year of anarchy.”

The mayor and other council members agreed that they wanted to wait a year to see if the amount of snow in the streets remained a problem. The mayor asked residents not to abuse the ordinance.

Parking

Dave Wisdorf, public works superintendent, stated that no new “no parking” signs would be added to the fire lanes in specified streets in Excelsior.

The city council plans to allow an amendment to shared parking regulations. Multiple businesses in one building will be allowed to share parking.

Dog Park

City Council discussed a proposal for a dog park in Studer Park. The mayor and many of the council members had different concerns about the park, including the cost of fencing the area and continued maintenance of the park. However, council member Miller stated his support of the park and belief that there would be no extra maintenance costs.

Public works superintendent, Wisdorf, mentioned that people take ownership of dog parks and take care of them well.    

Yet without an overall plan for the parks in Excelsior, there was no support (excepting Miller) for the plan at this time.