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Shorewood staff report RFPs, utilities and Highway 7 concerns; planning director search underway
Summary
At the Feb. 10 meeting Shorewood staff said a Planning Director recruitment is open through Feb. 17, two cable-franchise applications were filed, MetroNet is building out in the city, and staff are preparing Pavement Management and Parks Plan RFPs; Councilmember Gorham asked for a summary of a Highway 7 meeting and cautioned about MnDOT cost-participation changes.
City staff briefed the Shorewood City Council on several administrative and capital initiatives on Feb. 10.
City Clerk/HR Director Dandie Thone said four qualified candidates had applied for the Planning Director position; the application window closes Feb. 17, 2025. City Administrator Nevinski reported that Minnco and Comcast have submitted applications related to the local cable franchise (LMCC) and that MetroNet is actively building out in the city. Nevinski said Public Works expects to work on Grant Lorenz to maintain a channel, which may require temporary road closures.
Nevinski also reported that engineering staff continue to develop the Pavement Management Plan and mill-and-overlay proposals, expected to return to the council in March. He said an RFP for an update to the Parks Plan should be posted this week. Finance Director Schmuck issued an RFP for the city's banking services that drew eight responses; the incumbent bank offered better terms and reduced fees and staff plan to remain with that bank. Staff are also working on a worker's compensation audit and property appraisals for insurance.
Councilmember Gorham asked for a staff summary of an all-city Highway 7 meeting in Minnetonka and noted that proposed changes in the MnDOT cost participation policy during the legislative session could affect the Highway 7 project. Nevinski suggested staff who attended the meeting provide a summary at the next council meeting.
Why it matters: these items affect public infrastructure planning, franchise agreements and municipal operations. The Planning Director hire and the Pavement Management Plan will shape capital projects and permitting decisions; franchise applications could affect broadband and cable services in Shorewood.
What’s next: staff will process Planning Director applications, post the Parks Plan RFP, return Pavement Management Plan proposals in March, provide a summary of the Highway 7 meeting to the council, and continue procurement tasks related to banking and insurance audits.
