09-08-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I A RESOLUTION REQUESTING CONTINUING FULL FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL WATER PATROL DEPUTIES WHEREAS, Lake Minnetonka is the largest lake in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, and is a natural and iccreational resource used by residents throughout the region and beyond; and WHEREAS, Lake Minnetonka is one of the most intensively used lakes by boaters, and thus results in the need to provide a high level of law enforcement activity; and WHEREAS, through the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD), the fourteen citico around Lake Minnetonka and Hennepin County have participated financially in a pilot program to evaluate whether additional patrol - the equivalent of two full-time deputy positions during the boating season - would result in better compliance with laws and a better experience for persons using the lake; and WHEREAS, many cities informed the LMCD that their financial participation would be limited to the pilot program for 2001 and 2002, as they were willing to pay to determine whether additional patrol would have positive effects; and WHEREAS, Hennepin County fully funded the additional Water Patrol costs in 2003; and WHEREAS, data from such sources as boat user satisfaction surveys indicate that the additional law enforcement activity has had positive effects; and WHEREAS, the death that occurred on July 4,2003, on the north side of Big Island, as well as a substantial spike in the number of BUl's and other illegal activities on the lake, demonstrate that the additional level of law enforcement activit) should not be reduced; and WHEREAS, the Water Patrol of the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office has ultimate responsibility for law enforcement on Lake Minnetonka. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orono City Council does hereby request Hennepin County to fund fully and permanently the additional level of law enforcement that Page 1 of2 I