Vehicle Towing in Excelsior Gains Council’s Sympathy

The open forum at the beginning of the meeting on Dec. 19 was busy with residents addressing issues not included in the meeting’s agenda.

Overnight parking violations led to the towing of six to eight vehicles, according to a resident who spoke as a representative for the owners of the vehicles. His truck was also towed in the incident. He stated that residents had not received any previous warnings that they were parking incorrectly. The cost of the ticket and obtaining vehicles has been such a hardship, he said, that one tenant had to return some of her Christmas gifts to afford the fees.

“Seven days before Christmas,” he said. “Why not have warnings first? That would have solved the problem.”

Dave Wisdorf, public works superintendent, explained that after the large snowfall last year, tow away zones were added to the no parking areas so that the city could plow. The winter changes went into effect on Nov. 12, and there are designated overnight parking areas with signs. He asked the police department to enforce the parking regulations. Prior to the request, he said that staff had passed out flyers of the regulations to businesses and left flyers in the doorway of apartment building. He admitted, though, that staff had no way of ensuring that tenants had access to the flyers.

The council returned to the issue as an added last item on the agenda. They had sympathy for the situation and agreed that the city should have asked the police department to issue warnings for a specified period of time. Mayor Ruehl will speak with the police chief and find out if the city’s part of the ticket fees could be refunded.

Patch later spoke with Kristi Luger, the city manager for an update on the situation. She said that the tenants had already paid the fees and received their vehicles. The city was still looking into refunding its portion of the fee. People willing to help financially had come forward and if possible, donors would be matched with recipients.   

Also during the open forum, a resident spoke about continuing problems with the internet service in her condominium complex. She has brought her concerns to Mediacom and Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission. Some council members and the mayor also expressed having problems with the internet service. Mayor Ruehl suggested inviting a Mediacom representative to a city council meeting. Councilmen Greg Miller will be in contact with Mediacom.

More council meeting notes:

• The building at 344 Water Street may become a restaurant with a capacity of 76 people. There are yet no tenants, but the owners of the building wanted to be assured of parking before undertaking the potential project. The council and the mayor questioned the application for parking ahead of the project; however, they decided to approve the permit with a six-month deadline.
• Excelsior received a $6,000 grant for community gardens. The Parks and Recreation Commission plans to use the grant to help fund a fence to go around the garden in . The council agreed to pay the cost of the fence not covered by the grant, specifying that it must be a black fence.
• Banner permits will now go through city staff rather than through the council. Long-standing events, such as Apple Days and Art on the Lake will have priority over other events.