HomeMy WebLinkAbout9D - Dock Location/Regulations
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
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4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MAY 7,2007
9D
ROSS BINTNER, WATER RESOURCES ENGINEER
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT RECOMMENDING A PROCESS
AND TIMELlNE FOR PREPARING RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING
DOCK LOCATION REGULATIONS.
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is for the City Council to give feedback on a
proposed process to be implemented by the staff and Prior Lake Lake
Advisory Committee to consider development of potential dock placement
regulations. This process will include a public information meeting to gauge
citizen interest and opinion.
History
The potential regulation of docks has been a persistent issue in recent years
as parties to private civil disputes seek direction from the City for standards to
direct their dock placement.
Current Circumstances
The LAC has been directed to once again review the City's position on
regulation of private docks. This agenda item proposes a process to review
issues previously discussed at the LAC on the topic, take public comment on
the need for regulation, and create a report and recommendation for City
Council consideration. A tentative schedule for this process is presented
below:
LAC Meeting May 15, 7:30: LAC will receive a written report from staff and
discuss past dock issues, past LAC recommendations, and propose format for
notice and public information meeting. DNR and Sheriff will be invited to
participate.
LAC Meeting June 19, 5:00: Hold Public Information Meeting to garner input
on potential dock regulation. Identify most common issues; assess what
regulations would address the perceived issues.
LAC Meeting July 17, 4:30: LAC receives written report from staff
summarizing public meeting input offering alternative regulations for discussion
and offering implementation steps and cost. LAC formulates recommendation
for incorporation into staff report.
CC Meeting August 6, 6:30: Council receives written report with LAC
recommendations. LAC chair provides oral report. Council determines most
appropriate action.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
ISSUES:
Currently the City uses DNR guidelines as a recommendation in private dock
placement disputes; regulation of this issue would set a new level of city
involvement. Prior to the informational meeting on June 19th the City would
advertise using these methods: Press release to and official public notices in
Prior Lake American, City wavelength publication, City cable channel, City
website, and direct mail to residents.
Information presented in press release and through city publications would
summarize the current City position on this issue and indicate that it is up for
review. Additional information would summarize typical types of dock
regulation in place in the Twin Cities metro area. The wavelength article and
mailing would encourage interested citizens to get involved and provide their
opinions in writing, on-line, or by participating in person at the meeting.
Information would be provided on the process and give dates that public input
would be accepted.
By presenting an overview of the topic and examples of the potential result of
the public process the City would hope to generate interest in the effort to get
a broad section of public input at the meeting.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
Facilitating this process is estimated to take 120 hours of staff time over the
course of 4 months. Salary, benefits and overhead of $50 per hour equate to
an estimated cost of $6,000.00 to facilitate the process. Approximately 10,000
notices would go out at an average cost including postage and materials of
$0.55, totaling $5,500.00. The total cost for staff time and mailings totals
$11,500.00. Funds for this purpose are available from the contingency
budget.
Costs for potential regulation and enforcement resulting from this process
would be assessed in the report to City Council.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize the staff and Lake Advisory Committee to proceed using the
process and timeline set forth herein.
2. Authorize the staff and Lake Advisory Committee to proceed using the
process and timeline set forth herein with amendments.
3. Take no action and provide staff with alternative direction.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
As determined appropriate by the City Council.
ReVie'7J
Frank Boyles,