Parking permit stickers are being sent to all owner-occupied residential homes. These are exterior window stickers and they must be placed on the driver’s side of the vehicle as far to the rear as possible and in the lower corner. The sticker allows you to park from May 1 through October 1 in parking permit-only areas, including the City beaches. You are subject to a parking citation if you park your vehicle in permit-only areas without a sticker. If you rent your home, please contact City Hall about how to obtain a permit.

The boating season starts April 1. Boats must occupy their space before June 15. You must furnish a license number to City Hall in order to receive your permit. The City may revoke your boat permit if:

• your boat is not in its mooring space before June 15, or
• you do not notify the City before May 1 that you want to sublet your space.

There is a special place, located in a lovely, quiet spot and it’s available for you to rent. The Center is located at 5735 Country Club Road in Shorewood. It’s an ideal space for Family Gatherings, Graduation Parties, Bridal or Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, Business Meetings, or Any Event Where People Gather Together. The Rent is very reasonable. The rooms can accommodate from 35 to 200 people. Call Jo Ann at 952-541-1019.

Property Valuation Notices are mailed to residents by Hennepin County the early part of March. The taxes for the year 2003 are based on the taxable market value of a property on January 2, 2002. Property values are based upon real estate sales of similar homes in the area. Adjustments are also made for home improvements, additions and remodeling.

Residents who have questions regarding their property valuation notice should contact Dan Distel at 952-474-4755. If you are not satisfied after discussing the information with your assessor, you may appeal your valuation at the Local Board of Review, scheduled for Monday, April 7^th at 6:30 PM at City Hall.

Weight Restrictions for local roadways are in place March 1^st through April 30^th. The City enforces weight restrictions to prevent damage to streets. Most damage to roadways occurs during the spring months, as the frost leaves the ground. The only vehicles excluded from the ordinance are school buses, garbage trucks and emergency equipment.

All roads leading to a subdivision are posted with the allowable axle weight rating. Residents are responsible for informing their service providers of the weight restrictions in their area. This is especially important when contracting with moving vans, delivery trucks, or construction vehicles. For questions regarding these restrictions, contact the City at 952-474-4755.

Mark your calendar for this annual event. More detailed information is being sent to all owner-occupied homes with your permit parking sticker. If you rent your home, contact City Hall to obtain a flyer.

Major appliance pick-up service will be held on Monday, May 19^th. Call JR’s at 651-454-9215 for more information.

Household Hazardous Waste disposal will be held at the Minnetonka Ice Arena on May 15-17 starting at 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information you can call 612-348-4657.

Recycling Computer Equipment - call Electronic Recovery Inc. at 612-338-2466. They will take computer equipment at $.25 per pound.

The Excelsior Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for their 2003 Fourth of July celebration. They are seeking donations for the Fireworks on Excelsior Bay. Any size donation is appreciated and can be sent to: Excelsior Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 32, Excelsior, MN 55331. Please make checks payable to the Excelsior Area Chamber of Commerce and make a notation "4^th of July 2003" in the memo portion of your check.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 27^th, the Park Advisory Committee invites you to come join in the celebration of Arbor Day. This year’s event will be held at the Main Beach a 12:00 PM (noon). Refreshments will be served. Please come join us at this Community event.

Whether a neighbor has let out their barking dog in the early morning, or keeps an unsightly yard, it is these types of issues that seem to drive a wedge between otherwise friendly people. City staff deals with two types of neighbor-to-neighbor complaints – those that relate to safety and health, and those that relate to individual taste. Deephaven has ordinances to protect overall community safety and health, covering issues such as noise, weeds, junk storage, etc. However, when it comes to matters of taste, neighbors sometimes just have to work through it together. Either way, if you have a problem with something your neighbor is or is not doing, there are neighborly ways to resolve it.

Be Understanding. It helps to forge good relations with neighbors before problems arise. Get to know your neighbors. If one of your neighbors has difficulty with certain tasks because of age or disability, offer help, resources and assistance.

Do not be so quick to judge your neighbors’ faults that you forget to examine your own. You may have habits that irritate them. Walk around your house, garage or shed -- look at them from an outsider’s perspective. You may discover unsightly items in your own yard.

Deal With the Problem. First, do a little research. You may discover that what bugs you about your neighbor’s behavior is a violation of an ordinance. Remember that most people do not purposely annoy their neighbors. When approaching a neighbor about a complaint, speak calmly and stick to the facts. Avoid making offensive, personal comments. Give reasons why the behavior may not be in the best interest of the neighborhood. Offer a solution. If you are not able to reach an agreement, inform the City of your complaint. If your neighbor approaches you with a legitimate complaint – listen and be open to their concerns.

The Cottagewood General Store Annual Spring Boutique will be held on Friday, May 2 from 9 a-5p and on Saturday, May 3 from 10a-4p. Shop for unique gifts, home accessories, furniture, clothing, garden and paper good items.

Friday Grill nights at the store start on May 23^rd and run through September 18^th.

Visit the store for freshly roasted coffee, homemade baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and Sebastian Joe’s ice cream.

May store hours begin on Sunday May 4^th 9a-4p

Monday’s CLOSED, Tuesday-Friday’s 7:30a-5:30p

Saturday-Sunday 91-4p

June, July and August Store Hours

Tuesday’s-Friday’s 7:30a-7:30p

Saturday 9a-6p & Sunday 9a- 4p

Call: 952-470-8400 for any information.

Your new Council is off and running. So far this year, your Council has continued the development of the East Side Fire Station and the relocation of the maintenance salt/sand shed. A public hearing was held on February 11, 2003 to share the progress on these two facilities with our residents. Based on the response of those present, it appears that the Council is on the right track. Of significance to the residents surrounding City Hall is the effort being made by your Council to incorporate a significant clean-up of the area around the paddle ball court. Hopefully when the new maintenance salt/sand shed is built we will be able to fence it off from the paddle ball court area. This will allow the refuse trucks to be moved behind the fence and out of the public’s view. Once that has occurred, landscaping of the area will become a top priority.

Councilmembers Monson and Skrede are working with the Fire District to build a fire station that meets the needs of the community and comes in under budget. So far, so good.

By now you may have recognized your favorite Councilmember on public access television (Channel 8). One of the last acts of the 2002 Council was to authorize the broadcast of Council meetings. This has turned out to be a positive action, as it allows residents to be aware of City issues and your Council’s attempt to resolve these issues. (For a broadcast schedule see LMCC-TV.ORG)

Town Hall meetings have been discussed as a means by which your elected representatives can hear what you have to say. The first of many Town Hall meetings is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9^th at 6:30 PM. The first topic for discussion will be the marina. The protocol will be as follows: When you arrive, there will be a sign up sheet. If you wish to speak, please sign up. Limit your comments to two minutes as there may be questions or discussion around your topic. Your Mayor or a designated Councilmember will moderate the meeting. This will provide an opportunity for you to share your thoughts with others in attendance. The role of the Council is to listen and respond to questions that may be put forward. This is not a meeting where decisions will be made. Hopefully, this will be a social environment where you speak your peace, meet your neighbors and share your thoughts.

On behalf of all of your elected officials, I would like to thank the residents of Deephaven for your comments and understanding during our first three months of 2003. Your courtesy during meetings, as well as your patience with the new Council is greatly appreciated.

Please don’t be a stranger, attend Council meetings, write your elected officials or e-mail them! Let us know what is on your mind.

Thanks for your support.

Tom L. Anderson, Mayor

May 15 – 17

June 12 – 14

612-348-3777

Both facilities feature a

FREE PRODUCT CENTER

Pick up good, usable household products for free!

Hours:

Tue, Th, Fr…………………………10 am – 6 pm

Wed…………………………………10 am – 8 pm

Sat………………………………….. 8 am – 5 pm

Sun, Mon & holidays………………..Closed

1400 W. 90^th St., Bloomington

8100 Jefferson Highway, Brooklyn Park

Fluorescent & HID lamps (1^st Monday of every month, except September 2003)

Call 612-348-8100 for more information about waste disposal opportunities.

Governor Pawlenty unveiled a projected 2004-2005 state biennial budget that brings expenditures in line with revenues to address the projected state budget deficit. There are three items in his budget proposal that have varying consequences on our City.

Aid Reductions – The Governor has proposed a reduction in city aids that will total 18.9% of all city aids in 2003 and 38.5% in 2004. The City of Deephaven is not particularly impacted by this proposal because the city does not receive any Local Government Aid from the State. However, the city could receive a reduction in Market Value Homestead Credit, which is the second major aid received from the State. These reductions are expected to total $28,303 in both 2003 and 2004. This proposed loss of Market Value Homestead Credit in 2003 equates to a 1.4% reduction in General Fund revenues. Once the State’s 2004-2005 budget has been finalized, and the consequences of addressing the budget deficit are fully known, the city will prepare the necessary reductions in expenditures to ensure a balanced 2003 city budget.

Levy Limits – The most onerous part of the Governor’s proposal for the City is the extension of levy limits into 2004-2005. Levy limits will further delay the City’s ability to fund the Capital Improvement Fund through the property tax levy. This has two unfavorable consequences. First, it could effectively postpone needed street improvements or the ability to finance the replacement of aged capital equipment and vehicles. Second, it could require the City to issue debt or equipment certificates in order to finance capital improvements and/or equipment.

Salary Freeze – The Governor is also recommending a salary freeze for all state and local government employees. Unfortunately, it appears that the freeze will affect groups of public employees differently as all union employees with contracts extending through 2003 or beyond will likely be exempt from the salary freeze. This will minimize the effect of the salary freeze as the majority of the impact will fall only on non-union employees.

Whichever final 2004-2005 budget is adopted by the state legislature, their need to resolve the impending budget crisis will certainly have a significant impact on the way the City operates and on our ability to provide services to our residents.

Progress Report on the East and West Side Fire Stations

The Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Noon meals are served at the center on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. March events include a Bunny Boutique and Bake Sale on March 22^nd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information on programs, transportation, and senior issues call 952-474-7635.

The Southshore Senior Center has extended an invitation to join them for lunch as they Celebrate Our Communities. Deephaven’s Special Day has been set for Monday, June 9^th. The invitation is open for City residents to attend. Call the Center at 952-474-7635 to make a reservation. The lunch cost is $2.75.

The center also has rooms available to rent for special events and meetings.

• Grilled Pork Chop Dinner at the Southshore Center on Sunday, April 27 from 11 AM – 1:30 PM.
• Attic Sale – The 5^th Annual Attic Sale will be held on April 24-26. The advance public preview sale will be held on Thursday, April 24 from 6 to 8:30 PM. Donations for the sale are acceptable at the center after April 7^th. Items needed include antiques, vintage clothing, collectibles, books, quality household items and jewelry.

The Deephaven City Council normally meets twice a month on the first and third Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the Council chambers. The Planning Commission meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Residents are welcome to attend these meetings.

Council is on Cable – City Council meetings are broadcast on Cable Channel 8.

The Deephaven Park Committee is considering installing an Oasis Garden at Thorpe Park that would consist of prairie grass, flowers and a donated park bench. The garden would be developed in a 266 sq. ft. area next to the pond. If any group or organization would be interested in assisting the Park Committee with installing and maintaining the prairie grass, please call City Hall.