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Politics & Government

City Briefs: Hockey and Streetlights in Excelsior

Highlights from this week's Excelsior City Council meeting.

The Excelsior City Council met earlier this week and discussed a range of topics, from future events to ordinance amendments.

Here are some of the highlights:

Lake Minnetonka Conservation District Board (LMCD): Jeff Morris, who represents the City of Excelsior on the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District's Board of Directors, gave a power point update on the LMCD. Morris detailed efforts to collaborate with other organizations and updated council members on an event being planned to power wash zebra mussels off boats.  are an aquatic invasive species, which were found in Lake Minnetonka in July of 2010.

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The LMCD is also currently in the fourth year of a pilot herbicide treatment program to deal with Eurasian Watermilfoil. Greg Nybeck, executive director of LMCD, was present at this week's city council meeting and said addressing aquatic invasive species is the top issue the conservation district focuses on, as well as budget and finances.

Minnesota Hockey Day Event: Excelsior will be hosting a hockey day event in January 2012, and Mayor Nick Ruehl described the planned event area as a “hockey village.” Details are still being worked out, but council members brought up concerns about how the city could benefit financially. They called for more research into the matter, though changes would be difficult to make this late in the planning stage.

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Council members also discussed the impact of the hockey rink on The Commons and the possible removal of trees to make room for a bandshell. Any trees removed would be planted elsewhere and new trees planted in their place.

Special Event Permits: Council members briefly discussed permits for outdoor music at wedding ceremonies. Council member Mary Jo Fulkerson expressed her concern about approving permits after the date of the event.

Planned Unit Development for a Business: There is a boat sales business looking to expand in Excelsior. As part of the development, the city is discussing financing three streetlights on the Hwy. 7 side of the Oak Street area. The mayor and council members described this area as a “gateway to the city,” so that drivers know when they have entered Excelsior. They also spoke about how dark that area is at night.

Parking: The Planning Commission had been working on an amendment for shared parking between businesses. Council members had many questions, including the permanent nature of such private agreements and competition with city parking fees. All agreed that more work and research should be done and the amendment revised. 

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