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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/19/93 MINUTES OF THE LAKE ADVISORY COMMITrEE May 19, 1993 The Lake Advisory Committee meeting was called to order on Wednesday, May 19, 1993 at 6:30 p.m. Members present were: Dave Moran, Bill Packer, Peter Patchin, Jody Stroh, Dave Vinlove, Tom Watkins, and John Wingard. City staff members present were: Water Resources Coordinator Joel Rutherford and City Manager Frank Boyles. Ex officio members present were: Watershed District Manager Bill Dilks. The first item on the agenda was to approve the minutes of April 21, 1993. MOTION BY PACKER, SECONDED BY MORAN TO APPROVE THE APRIL 21, 1993 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL'Y: The next item on the agenda was to discuss the existing "No Wake Ordinance" (Ord 83-6). Boyles presented information on the purpose for discussing this item at this time. He indicated a lake shore owner had called him, requesting the City to consider lowering the threshold for imposing the reduced speed/no wake ordinance, from the high water elevation of 904 stated in the Ordinance. The resident felt shoreland damage has increased with a combination of high water and inconsiderate boaters. Dilks informed the Committee the Watershed District has received numerous calls from lake shore owners, indicating similar problems associated with the high lake level. Each member was given a copy of a letter sent to Frank Boyles from the Prior Lake Yacht Club, in support of lowering the threshold from 904 to 903. Patchin and Watkins presented information on the creation of the original ordinance. They indicated the lake was at 905.8 when this ordinance was passed, and that it was an "emergency situation." Packer sugg~sted other alternatives should be investigated, prior to amending the current ordinance. He proposed that educating boat users may be a better option at this time. Packer felt that a recommendation by the Lake Advisory Committee to initiate no wake restrictions on the lake will result in strong opposition from many boaters. Moran presented information he has received from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He indicated many lakes in Minnesota have various controls that deal with maximum speed limits and no wake restrictions. He proposed the Committee recommend to the City Council that they adopt a new ordinance restricting speeds on the lake, establishing a "quiet" period, as well as creating no wake buffer zones around the lake. The committee discussed how a wake from a slow moving boat can be more damaging than one traveling at high speeds. Therefore, the committee agreed to separate the two issues: (1) protection of property by use of a no wake ordinance or other method, and (2) increased safety by limiting the speed of boats on the lake. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLDYER -._---~ ~' The committee agreed the June agenda should include each of these issues as separate items. Vinlove asked that each member prepare any suggestions they may have on these items and present them at the June meeting. At that time the committee will assemble a report, containing the various proposals. This report will then be given to the Council for their review. During this discussion, members talked about the status of the eurasian water milfoil policy the DNR was working on. The Committee felt that if the DNR does not have a current poJicy, then the City Council should adopt an amended Ordinance to restrict boating in infested areas, for 1993, or until the DNR adopts their policy. MOTION BY WATKINS, SECONDED BY MORAN, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND THE EURASIAN MILFOIL ORDINANCE (92.01), EXTENDING IT THROUGH 1993. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL~ The next item on the agenda was to discuss a draft of the 1994.1998 Capital Improvement Projects that deal with water quality improvements. Rutherford presented information on how the documents are used to plan for future projects, and asked members to submit any suggestions to him before the next meeting. Vinlove asked if the Committee could get a summary of the storm water utility fund, showing revenues, expenditures, and balances. He felt the Committee would benefit by periodically receiving this information in the agenda packet. Rutherford indicated he would provide this information for next month's meeting. The next item on the agenda was a discussion on ideas for a newsletter. Various ideas and suggestions were presented. Concerns from the members included the quality of the production of the newsletter as well as the quality of the writing. It was suggested the Committee seek a writer, willing to write articles for the newsletter, for a nominal fee. There were suggestions on how the newsletter should be produced and distributed, to increase the chances that those receiving it, will read it. One suggestion was to have a survey as part of the newsletter. It was suggested that the most economical way to distribute the newsletter, may not be the best, but that all alternatives should be investigated. Besides a newsletter, other suggestions were presented on ways to educate the citizens, including: newspaper articles, the "Residents Guide", pamphlets dealing with specific topics, and local cable ~ Rutherford indicated he would investigate costs and options for the various suggestions and report them to the Committee. For the next item, under other business, Dilks presented information on three programs the Watershed District is involved with: (1) . a access monitoring program for eurasian water milfoil, (2) a milfoil task force (Prior Lake, Spring Lake, Fish Lake), and (3) a County ground water task force. The meeting of the LAC was adjourned at 8:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, iJrjd:i~-~ oel A. Ruthe ord Recording Secretary The next Lake Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 1993 at 6:30 p.m. r;- - 2 (p - ~3 10 3oe\ R\A+'ne \-fO\~ 120~ - ~ ~ OW~ ~ 1 o.:A ~ ~ \~ t~ . ~ ~~ /r'- ~ ~ ~ -- ~ ~~~~~~~ :~.. ~~~~: i i ~tI ~ ~ ~.a::r- CL V:1'a~~A ~ ~ ;Jrk ~~~~ ~ ~~~~ 2. Cc-;!!:+~ .~ ~ ~.~1a- 3~ ~ O~ ~~ ~ ~ .d ~ ~ / jL. J.e- ~ rfd- ~ ~ ,:li ~ ~ ~~ ~.. I ~ '1-. 'W ~ ~ ~ fYk/>- ~ iY>- ~ JVL~) k~ ~ ..-L-;"~~ ~ ~~~.~~~- ..- ':), C\~~~~,k~ ~r~~~4fE ~ .". .....",. - - --.-.-,--.