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Home My WebLink About9C - Lake Closure & Access Closure AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT December 21, 1998 h 9C f'\. rei Frank Boyles, City Managerl\ CONSIDER APPROVAL OF LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT RELATING TO LAKE CLOSURE llistorv.: Last winter, after consulting the Council, I directed that the lake access gates controlled by the City be closed and that signs be installed warning the public to stay off the lake. Last year was unique in that there were five or more instances where people or equipment fell through the ice endangering themselves and City personnel. As a result, the Council directed that the Lake Advisory Committee review this matter and provide a recommendation to the Council regarding when closure should take place and who should be informed. The Lake Advisory Committee discussed these issues in the summer of 1998 and provided the City Council with its recommendations including a communications flow chart for closure of the Lake (not City-operated lake access). The City Council approved the Communications flow chart for lake closure and directed that the Lake Advisory Committee prepare a communications flow chart for closure of lake access gates. The Lake Advisory Committee has now reviewed this subject and is considering the attached report at their December 16, 1998 meeting. Because of the time of year, I wanted to get this information to the City Council for official action. I have asked a member of the Lake Advisory Committee to be present at the Council meeting to provide an update on the Committee's action and answer questions about the report. Current Circumstances: The Lake Advisory Committee report addresses the following issues: Closure of the Lakes: Only the Sheriffs department can close the lake. Lake closure by the Sheriffs department is very unlikely. In the event of closure,. the Committee has provided a communication flow chart which the Council has already adopted. The Sheriff and Department of Natural Resources have provided their input regarding this chart. 16200::0~~1LtAdNAPtrsG:fi.U~d~ke, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: Closure of Citv-Ret!ulated Access Gates: The Lake Advisory Committee recommends that the gates not be closed by the City because of liability concerns and concerns about confusing the public. Circumstances under which Citv-Re~ulated Access Gate Closure should take place: Forgetting the Committee's position on access closure, they were asked to formulate recommendations identifying the circumstances under which the lake access gates should be closed if the City Council desires to do so. They have recommended three situations: (a) When a significant number of automobiles, recreational vehicles or pedestrians have recently broken through the ice; (b) When weather conditions occur such that a thick layer of snow covers a thin layer of ice on the lake. (c) In anticipation of either of the above circumstances or extraordinary conditions which occur on the lake and are likely to present public harm. Communications Flow Chart to Public Closure of Citv-Revulated Access Gates: The Lake Advisory Committee has prepared a communication flow chart for closure of City-regulated access gates which is attached. The chart is based upon our experiences last year. Conclusion: The Council should receive an update from the Lake Advisory Committee regarding any amendments they may have made to the Report recommendations at their December 16th meeting. After receiving Lake Advisory Committee input, the Council should determine if it wishes to endorse the report and any recommendations it contains. (1) Approve the Lake Advisory Committee recommendation not to close City-regulated access gates ever. No further action is necessary. (2) Approve the Lake Advisory Committee recommendations regarding criteria for closure of City-regulated lake access gates and communications flow chart. (3) Take no action. The Lake Advisory Committee recommends Alternative 1. While I sympathize with many of the Committee's arguments, I believe there are circumstances which justify access gate closure. My recommendation would be for Alternative 2. I:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\1221_9C.DOC LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT ON LAKE ACCESS CLOSURE I. LAC Recommendations Regarding Closure of City Accesses (West Ave., Sand Point Beach, Shady Beach) II. Regardless of LAC Position, Under What Circumstances Could or Should The Accesses be Closed. III. Communication Process for: 1. Notification of Lake Closure 2. Notification of Access Closure REPORT BACKGROUND: At the July 6, 1998 City Council meeting the Lake Advisory Committee was directed by Council to prepare a report on when the City owned lake accesses should be closed by the City and what notification process should be used. JI 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER I. LAC Recommendations Regarding Closure of City Accesses (West Ave., Sand Point Beach, Shady Beach) At the July 15, 1998 lake Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting there was unanimous agreement by the members that City owned accesses should not be closed unless the DNR accesses were closed. Discussions at the meeting centered on different scenarios involved with closing the lake to the public and/or closing only City accesses to the lake, it was decided that it would be best to close all accesses to the lake at the same time or to keep all of them open. The thought was that it would be confusing to the public if City accesses were closed and the DNR accesses were left open to the lake. At the October 21, 1998 LAC meeting the committee reviewed the previous motion made on July 15, 1998 on the lake access closure process. The agenda at this meeting included the following: REVIEW MOTION ON LAKE ACCESS CLOSURE PROCESS ACTION REQUIRED: CONSIDER AMENDING A MOTION MADE ON JUl Y15, 1998 REGARDING CLOSURE OF CITY OWNED LAKE ACCESSES TO INCLUDE THE FOllOWING: CITY OWNED LAKE ACCESSES WOULD BE CLOSED UNDER THE FOllOWING CONDITIONS WITH THE CITY MANAGERS DISCRETION: 1. WHEN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS EXIST WHICH PRESENT LIKELY HARM TO THE PUBLIC. 2. WHEN EXTRAORDINARY CONDITIONS OCCUR ON THE LAKE AS TO PRESENT PUBLIC HARM. The committee elected unanimously to remain with the previous motion and disregard the two conditions providing the City Manager discretion with closing City accesses. The committee was concerned that closing City accesses while the DNR access remained open would open up liability for the City. The DNR's position is that the lake is never safe when covered with ice. If the City chose to close its' accesses due to extreme conditions, then opened them again after harm apparently passed, implies that the entire lake would be safe under all conditions. Two other reasons mentioned for not closing the City accesses: 1) There is no way to inspect the entire lake to make sure that it is entirely safe in all locations during the winter season, and 2) The general public does usually not know the difference between City and DNR accesses. II. Regardless of LAC Position, Under What Circumstances Could or Should The Accesses be Closed. A. At the November 18, 1998 LAC meeting the committee considered the following agenda item: LAKE ACCESS .CLOSURE ACTION REQUIRED: RECOGNIZING THAT THE LAC OPPOSES LAKE ACCESS CLOSURE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES THE CITY'S LAKE ACCESSES SHOULD BE CLOSED AND WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED ABOUT THE CLOSURE IF THE COUNCIL DECIDES IT WANTS TO CLOSE THE ACCESSES DESPITE THE LAC RECOMMENDATIONS. No action was taken by the LAC at this meeting regarding circumstances for lake closure. ~~WI...'i!~rc-J B. At the December 16,1998 LAC meeting the committee ~t'r:-..~~the following circumstances for the City Manager to consider in closing City owned accesses to the lake: CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING CLOSURE OF CITY LAKE ACCESSES 1. When a significant number of automobiles, recreational vehicles or pedestrians have recently broken through the ice. 2. When weather conditions occur such that a thick layer of snow covers a thin layer of ice on the lake. 3. In anticipation of either of the above circumstances or extraordinary conditions occur on the lake as to present public harm. III. Communication Process for: 1. Notification of Lake Closure: The notification process to be followed for lake closure when unsafe lake conditions occur is attached. This process was adopted by City Council on July 6, 1998. 2. Notification of Access Closure: The notification process to be followed for access closure (City gates) is attached. This process was approved by the LAC on December 16, 1998. UNSAFE LAKE CONDITIONS PUBLIC NOTIFICATION PROCESS ORGANIZATION CHART ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCL JULY 6, 1998 SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 1 ~ 1 P.L. POLICE DEPT. -CITY OF PRIOR LAKE CITY MANAGER -P.L. FIRE DEPARTMENT - CITY COUNCIL - PARKS & REC. DEPT. 1 -PRIOR LAKE AMERICAN -CABLE TELEVISION -RADIO STATIONS -TELEVISION STATIONS -LOCAL BUSINESSES .... -LAKE ADVISORY COMM'I WATER RESOURCES COORDINATOR TO MAKE A COURTESY CALL TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS -(Procedure to be developed) . ! -GENERAL PUBLIC I -SPORTSMAN'S CLUB -PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION -SNOWMOBILE CLUBS -HENNEPIN/SCOTT- COUNTY PARKS -OTHERS AS MAY BE REQUESTED 1 -MEMBER CONSTITUENTS -FRIENDS -ASSOCIATES -ETC. ~ DNR COMMISSIONER I LAKE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED 1 DNR STATE CONS. OFFICER DNR TRAILS & WATERWAYS ACCESS (CITY GATE) CLOSURE PUBLIC NOTIFICATION PROCESS ORGANIZATION CHART 1 P.L. POLICE DEPT. 1 -PRIOR LAKE AMERICAN -CABLE TELEVISION -RADIO STATIONS -TELEVISION STATIONS -LOCAL BUSINESSES -FLIERS ON FISH HOUSES -GENERAL PUBLIC CITY MANAGER I (DECISION TO CLOSE ACCESSES IS MADE) I 1 SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE -P.L. FIRE DEPARTMENT - CITY COUNCIL - PARKS & REC. DEPT. I , , -LAKE ADVISORY COMM'I (WATER RESOURCES COORDINATOR TO MAKES A CALL TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS) J, -SPORTSMAN'S CLUB -PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION -SNOWMOBILE CLUBS -HENNEPIN/SCOTT - COUNTY PARKS -OTHERS AS MAY BE REQUESTED 1 -MEMBER CONSTITUENTS -FRIENDS -ASSOCIATES -ETC. 1 DNR STATE CONS. OFFICER DNR TRAILS & WATERWAYS