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BOARD MEMBERS <br />Bert Foster <br />Chair. Deephaven <br />Craig Nelson <br />Vice Chair. Spnng Park <br />Lili McMillan <br />Secretary. Orono <br />Tom Skramstad <br />Treasurer. Shorewood <br />Bob Ambrose <br />Wayzata <br />Douglas E. Babcock <br />Tonka Bay <br />Orv Burma <br />Mound <br />Tom Gilman <br />Excelsior <br />Paul Knudsen <br />Minnetrista <br />Tom Seuntiens <br />Minnetonka Beach <br />Herb J Suerth <br />Woodland <br />Katy VanHercke <br />Minnetonka <br />Sheldon Wert <br />Greenwood <br />o <br />LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT <br />18338 MINNETONKA BLVD • DEEPHAVEN. MINNESOTA 5539t • TELEPHONE 952 745 0789 • FAX 952 745 9085 <br />Gregory S. Nybeck. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR <br />March 1.2002 <br />50*» n«qfd#d Corrttni <br />20*« Post Contumtf Watt* <br />Mr. Ron Moorse <br />City of Orono <br />P.O. Box 66 <br />Crystal Bay. MN 55323 <br />Dear Ron: <br />In September 2000, the LMCO with the help of some of the mayors from the LMCD member cities proposed <br />adding two additional full-time Deputies for the 2001-2002 summer boating seasons on Lake Minnetonka, to <br />be partially funded by the 14 cities for a two-year period. <br />As a city that authorized a two-year voluntary payment for the project, we want to thank you for your support, <br />report what happened, and ask for your reduced payment in 2002. Note on the attached spreadsheet, the <br />amount we are asking the City of Orono is over 75% less than what you agreed to and budgeted for 2002. <br />Three key points were identified that justified the need for increased presence: <br />1) a cultural change, less courtesy by boaters. <br />2) significantly reduced availability of on the water patrol time due to the increased complexity of <br />processing violators, particularly BWI. <br />3) the need to prepare for the Special Deputy litigation that was being reviewed by the Minnesota Suprenre <br />Court that may cause more need for the licensed deputy's functions. <br />From mkJ-May to mid-October, two additional full-time Deputies were assigned to Lake Minnetonka. <br />Feedback received oi* the project included: <br />• Lt. Brian Johnson of the Water Patrol has reported the program as being a big success <br />• Lt. Brian Johnson has reported that their presence contributed to a safer and better 2001 boating season. <br />• There were no fatalities on Lake Minnetonka in 2001. <br />• There was a reduction of personal injury accidents by more than 50%. <br />• There was an increase in public contact but a lower citation count <br />• The LMCD received anecdotal feedback that the higher water patrol presence resulted in more courtesy <br />by boaters and an increase in the quality of the lake experience. <br />The project was originally estimated at $100,000 per season with a financial breakdown of: <br />• 50% from Hennepin County <br />• 30% from the LMCD Member Cities <br />• 20% from the LMCD 'Save the Lake* Fund. <br />Voluntary payments of $24,000 were received from 13 of the 14 LMCD member cities for 2001. Although the <br />City of Minnetonka philosophicjyiy agreed with the project they decided not to financially contribute to it <br />because they had concerns with the LMCD funding formula. 1l)e funding formula has been addressed and <br />the LMCD will be asking the City of Minnetonka for a voluntary contribution in 2002. <br />The good news is that the total cost for the project in 2001 was $52,290, which was substantially below the <br />budgeted figure of $100,000. The budget was partially based on needing significant overtime. In addition to <br />Web Page Address: httpi/www.lmcd.org <br />E-mail Address: lmcdOlmcd.org