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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/97 MINUTES OF THE LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 4, 1997 I. CALL TO ORDER The Lake Advisory Committee held a special meeting on Thursday, December 4, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the Shady Beach Trail (Beach Lane) access. Members present: Marianne Breitbach, Kate Haggerty, Doug Larson and Rick Warner. Others present: Water Resources Coordinator Lani Leichty and Dave Smith, adjacent neighbor to Beach Lane. Representatives from the Prior Lake Sportsman's Club included Don Nelson, Tom Moore and Bill Zekoff. Members absent: Tom Kearney and Paul Trapp. II. SHADY BEACH TRAIL ACCESS STATUS The committee discussed options for the Beach Lane access prior to the Sportsman's Club or adjacent neighbor, Dave Smith, attending the meeting. The after hour winter traffic, from 11 :00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., along with enforcement appear to represent the biggest problems with this access. The LAC discussed ways of reaching a compromise on this issue where both the Sportsman's Club and neighbors could agree. Several options that were discussed were: 1) close the access, 2) install plantings or a fence for screening, and 3) install a gate. The option agreed upon to present to both parties when they arrived was the following: "Install a wooden pole gate which would be closed at 11 :00 p.m. by the police department and opened at 6:00 a.m. by the Sportsman's Club." The pole gate would be similar to those used by the DNR to gate park entrances. It would consist of a utility pole that pivots on a post. ~ Around 7:30 p.m. representatives from the Sportsman's Club and Dave Smith arrived. Smith, an adjacent neighbor to Beach Lane, said that he would not object to the gate solution for the access. He mentioned that he thought there were two issues to be dealt with regarding Beach Lane access. The first issue involved short term solution and the second a long term solution. Smith thought that gating the access would solve the short term problems such as the after hour traffic. But, in the long term, he thought an alternative access would be needed to mitigate the increased traffic expected in the future. Smith realized that closing the access would not be popular with neighbors who use the access in the summer to launch their boats, personal watercraft, etc. His alternative to this would be to make Beach Lane a neighborhood access instead of a public access. Smith thought it was poor planning in the past having a public park several blocks to the west of Beach Lane that had no winter access with a reasonable grade. 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The Sportsman's Club mentioned that they would like to see the access widened and opened up for use 24 hours a day. There was discussion about the gate that was once inplace on Beach Lane, but has since been removed. Supposedly the City installed a gate, but when William Marshall granted the Sportsman's Club an easement over Beach Lane, the gate was removed. Around this same period of time the Sportsman's Club offered to give the access to the DNR, but the DNR declined to accept it. If possible, the Sportsman's Club would like to see the access blacktopped and widened to the full 33 foot width. At the meeting the LAC members made a list of nine alternatives for this access: 1) Close the access (vacate). 2) Leave the access as is, open year around. 3) Install a gate at the access, with no additional improvements. Police would be the gate keepers. 4) Install a gate at the access and widen it. Sportsman's Club to pay for widening and gravel. Police would be the gate keepers. 5) Install an electronic gate, possible cost share by neighbors. No additional improvements. 6) Screen the access with plantings. No additional improvements. Sportsman's Club willing to cost share. 7) Screen the access by fencing. No additional improvements. Sportsman's Club willing to cost share. 8) Improve or relocate the Sand Point Park winter access. Leave Beach Lane as is or classify as a "Scenic Overlook". 9) Past motion by the LAC: "Widen the entrance to the Shady Beach Sportsman's access by removing a large tree and moving the northeast post to the northeast property corner. And, the Shady Beach access remain in public use." After Smith and the Sportsman's Club representatives left the meeting the LAC discussed what alternative should be recommended to City Council. It was decided that instead of spending a lot of money improving Beach Lane, these costs would be better spent on seeking an improved winter access in Sand Point Park. The following motion was made that will be taken to City Council as the LAC's recommendation for Beach Lane: MOTION BY HAGGERTY, SECONDED BY WARNER: SHORT TERM SOLUTION - PLACE A POLE GA TE (MINIMAL EXPENSE) WITH THE GATE CLOSED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 A.M. THE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB WILL ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPERA TlON OR MAINTENANCE. LONG TERM SOLUTION - HA VE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT EXPLORE SAND POINT PARK FOR AN IMPROVED WINTER ACCESS, EVENTUALLY TURNING BEACH LANE INTO A SCENIC OVERLOOK. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSL Y. VI. NEW BUSINESS No new business was discussed. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY LARSON, SECONDED BY BREITBACH TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:04 P.M., MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSL Y. Respectfully submitted, ~ LanOILei~ Recording Secretary C owJcl t.- ;n JAJit're5 lu.tS OA y) :r.4,vI,.u~e y 20, /99B .... ..... ............ . City Manager Boyles indicated that the interviews in two buildings created)ogistical problems. He asked that all interviews be scheduled for City Hall where Councilmembers can be separated. . This amendment was acceptable to the maker of the motion and second. Upon a vote, ayes by Kedrowski, Mader, and Petersen, nay by Schenck. the motion carried. . Councilmember Kedrowski said there must by some type of public process at the February 2nd meeting with perhaps 2-5 candidates for public interview for the public process. . Councilmember Schenck said nothing w~ determined but the number of candidates. . City Manager Boyles said that Council could hold a Special ~leeting on Monday, January 26th. . Councilmember Schenck said they should be able to eliminate some candidates on the 26th. . Lee .-\nn Schutz asked if in Step #2 Councilmembers will rate the applicants. . City Attorney Pace said that was the third issue and it resembles the straw vote. They don't wam to violate the open meeting law by having a secret bailot. . Lee Ann Schutz clarified that Thursday's meeting with the candidates is to gather information. . City Attorney Pace confirmed that and that nothing would be distributed such as a means to score candidates or secret ballots. . Mayor Mader said there was a question of whether or not they need a meeting on Monday. The City Manager will arrange a meeting if approperiate so that the process can continue. 12. OTHER BUSL.'lESS: . Councilmember Kedrowski said the Lake Issues concern him, such as the fact that surface water is a County issue. He said he would like to know what is going on with the County Sheriff. . Councilmember Mader said he called the Sheriff's department because someone living right by the open water called and told him people drive their snowmobiles up to the open water and then turn around. Then during the night, other snowrnobiliers could foilow those tracks and end up going right into the lake. . City Manager Boyles said he met with DNR Officer Carlson, Parks and Recreation Director Hokeness, Chief O'Rourke, Lieute!lap.t Sclunidt and Scott County Sheriff Nevin about Lake Accesses. Sheriff Nevin said his department was going to go out on the lake to parrol for speed. The Sheriff made it clear that closing the Lake is his decision. He was asked to put fabric fence around hazardous areas. Nevin stated he would not since he could not identify and mark all hazard areas. However, closing the gates does not help with snowmobiles. The Fire Department trained on Saturday, and most of the open water is closed. The minimum ice depth was 2 inches. . Councilmember Petersen said he talked with Fire Chief Dave Chromy and it looks like it was freezing up. . Mayor Mader said the lake is still dangerous. The lower lake is still dangerous, the upper lake is frozen. He said putting a screen between the lakes would be a good idea. 12 . Councilmember Schenck said the Prior Lake Association once donated markers to be placed on the bridge. The County would not allow it. What the Prior Lake Association donated ended up not being in conformance with the valid marker requirement. A Snow Fence creates a legal liability. The sheriff's department has the same concern as the City. There is virtually no way to prevent these accidents. MOTION BY SCHENCK SECOND BY KEDROWSKI TO HAVE MEMBERS OF THE LAKE ADVISORY COMMITI"EE MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB, SNOWMOBILE CLUBS, AND PRIOR LAKE ASSOCIATION AND OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES TO DISCUSS THE COORDINATION OF LAKE REGULATION EFFORTS NEXT YEAR AND SEE W THERE IS A SOLUTION THAT CAi'l' BE REACHED ABOUT THE NOTIFICA nON PROCESS. . Mayor Mader said if the lake or parts of it are identified as dangerous and access to the dangerous parts is not prevented, it could increase liability. He said he would support the motion but Council should keep in mind that people should not have been able to get on the lake with six snowmobiles going through, at least there should have been a provision to keep them off until the lake was safe. Upon a vote, ayes by Kedrowski, Mader, Petersen, and Schenck, the motion carried. 13. Ai~NOUNCEMENTS/CORRESPONDENCE: . City Manager Boyles reviewed the weekly update. 14. ~::;(iJ?1JiJfl-J {):uAJ J Recording Secretary 13 OUTLINE OF THE 1998 LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES 1. ADVOCACY: Act as an advocate for the City in day to day dealings with the Prior Lake - Spring Lake Watershed District and other Cities. 2. WATER QUALITY: Work with Prior Lake/Spring Lake Watershed District on implementing the District Improvement Projects. The LAC will support the Watershed District by having a member on the Prior Lake/Spring Lake Advisory Committee. 3. WATER QUALITY: Establish a water quality monitoring program to measure the effectiveness of water quality (NURP) ponds in reducing sediment and nutrient loads from storm water runoff. 4. WATER QUALITY: Continue to use grant money from the DNR for treating eurasian milfoil in Prior Lake. Also, continue to map the existence of eurasian milfoil in Lower and Upper Prior Lakes. 5. WATER LEVEL: Continue to work with the watershed in assisting them with water level control. 6. WATER USE: Work with Scott County Sheriffs Department lobbying for more effective enforcement of the Surface Water Ordinance. 7. PUBLIC EDUCATION: Write at least one article for inclusion in the Prior Lake American and quarterly Wavelength issues, regarding lakeshore erosion issues, lawn care techniques, proper grass disposal, etc. 8. PUBLIC EDUCATION: Develop an educational brochure informing individuals on all basic issues affecting water quality. 9. GOVERNANCE: Review ordinances governing natural environment lakes. 10. GOVERNANCE: Review uses of non-vacated public (non DNR) accesses. Investigate the status of council decisions made concerning the Lake Access Study. 11. GOVERNANCE: Monitor the list of CIP projects which are funded by the stormwater utility fee to be worked on by the water resources coordinator. 12. GOVERNANCE: Research and gather information from other communities to see what ordinances and regulations have been placed on lakes regarding the number and location of boats and docks that can be placed on lots, associations, etc. 13. GOVERNANCE: Meet at least once annually with the City Council to see what issues are of top concern with them.