08-28-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT 18338 Minnetonka Blvd. Deephaven, MN 55391 745-0789 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEWSLEHER Gregory S. Nybeck August 9,2000 meeting ? 8 2000 cur Of UttoisiQ Big Island Task Force; In tlie fall of 1999, the District received public testimony that some activities have took place in Cruiser ’s Cove which are causing public safety concerns. These activities included unlicensed special events, over congestion in the area because of rafting, and the inability of the Water Patrol to patrol the area properly. A Task Force was established to review the issues and to make recommendations back to the Board. The Task Force recommended the establishment of public safety lanes, delineated by buoys, in this area for the 2000 boating season to allow the Water Patrol better access and enhanced control of the activit:es. The Board conducted a public hearing on a proposed public safety lane layout in this area for the 2000 boating season on 2/23/00. Significant testimony was received at this public hearing, with concerns raised about the proposed layout. Based on the testimony received from the public, changes were made to the proposed layout of public safety lanes for the 2000 boating season. The buoys, which were purchased by the MN DNR, were installed Ihe week prior to Memorial Day weekend. To date, the District office has received no complaints on the public safety lanes established in Cmiser ’s Cove. Exotics Management: The EWM Harvesting Program commenced on 6/12/00 and is planned through 9/1/00, with a skeleton crew of three harvesters the last two weeks. The crew has recently completed the first round of harvesting and has initiated the second round of harvesting in Carman and Old Channel Bays. Once harvesting has been completed in these bays, the Program will move to Lower Lake, with an emphasis on Gideon, St. Albans, and Grays Bays. Staff believes the Program should be in Upper Lake by the end of the week of 8/14/00 - 8/18/00, the last week the Program will be fully staffed. Harvesting priorities, which are consistent with past years, are based upon impediment to public boat navigation on the open water. The new aquatic plant harvester, which was order in December of 1999, arrived to Lake hiinnetonka ori 7/9/00. The purchase of the new harvester, which is being paid from donated, non-levied funds from the EWM Equipment Reserve, increases the number of harvesters in the fleet from four to five. The purchase of the new harvester was one recommendation of the EWM Harvesting Program Improvement Task Force in the fall of 1999. Other recommendations of this Task Force, some of which included starting the Program earlier in the year, harvesting later In the year, and longer work days, will be evaluated at the conclusion of the season. Please call the District office if you have other suggestions on how to improve the EWM Harvesting Program or if we can be of assistance. The District launched a zebra mussel billboard campaign at four Lake Minnetonka locations this past May. Additionally. District staff worked with EWM/Exotics Task Force Chair Suerth on the distribution of an educational poster and information at commercial facilities around Lake Minnetonka. Review of Code fc. u. nversion of Use Proposals; This past January, the District received an application to re develop a legal, non-conforming commercial facility to a multi-family development on St. Albans Bay. The Board, in general, supported the proposed project; however, they recognized that there were problems with the Sections of the Code relating to the 1:50’ General Rule and Conversion of Use principles. The concept of changing these Code Sections was discussed at a number of subsequent Board meetings. At the 6/14/00 Regular meeting, the Board adopted LMCD Ordinance 169, which provides greater flexibility to maintain