01-22-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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M—ClMniiasMn. EmWw^Shwmiaod Sarfor—WM.. Jan. X1990Committee refines fuel thut will drive luke d 1Bv Parker Hodccs i-i.. _• .... JlBy Parker HodgesSweeping changes in the management of Lake Minnetonka are under way, with the Lake Minnetonka Management Plan scheduled for unveiling in the spring.The hid that will drive the management plan to fruition is currently being reflned by the Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee of the Lake Min netonka Conservation District ■LMCD). which is conducting the plan. That fuel consists of the money needed to make the pro gram work. The proposals being discussed in the plan call for in creased regulation and control over many areas of the lake. In order to implement the plan’s proposals, more money fo r die LMCD than currently ex ists is required, according to Dave Amdorfer who is conduc ting the study for the LMCD. The plan calls for some sweeping changes in how the l^e is managed, including limiting ui-lake dock slips, increasing the Hennepin County Sheriffs Water Patrol presence, s^fening enforcement of en- vironmMtal regulations, and controlling on-shoredeveiopmoit.Creating the plan, scheduled for LMCD ratification in this spring, is only the first phase. It has identified areas that need streamlinuig and clearer outlina of enforcement respon sibilities, and has developed some proposals on how to cor rect them. But as developing the plan hits the homestreach, the two major hurdles that need to be cleared are coming into focus. The first is to get the cooperation of the agencies that re^te parts of the lake. The second may te the most important: money. Currently the LMCD gets a majority of its budget from con tributions from the 14 cities that border the lake. It also gets some money from licenses and fees, and grants from the state and federal governments.Hennepin County provides public safety through the Sheriffs Water Patrol and maintenance of channels and buoy placement through its Public Works department.In exchange for the contribu tions. the 14 cities each have an LMCD board representative. But when the LMCD s In tergovernmental Relations Sub committee makes its final report m the next month, aU that may change. TTie subcui .mittee’s preliminary report is looking at how to increase the LMCD's fun ding in order to give it the resources to better control all aspects of lake management, said Arndorfer. Several possibilities are being discussed. They include a metro-wide boat sticker “for boats used in water bodies around the metro area.” said Minnetonka Mayor Larry Donlin, who has regularly at tended the suteommittee meetinp. But a specific boating sticker for an area of the state has traditionally met opposition from the Department oi NaturalResources. said JerryRockvam. Spring Park mayor and regular attendee at the meetings.Rockvam said he thinks a Hennepin County tax makes more sense. “If the LMCD is trying to broaden its scope and bMome a regional agency a broader base of funding is need ed.” he said. Donlin agreed, but said he would support a three-tier tax ing system. Riparian, or lakeshore. homeowners should be taxed the heaviest, with homeowners in a r^awn LMCD boundary taxed at a lower level, and then the rest of the county taxed at a still-lower rate. What next? The Intergovernmental Rela tions subcommittee is scheduled to hold its final meeting beginn ing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at Tonka Bay Village Hall, 4901 Manitou Road. Any funding changes sought by the LMCD will require ap proval by the Legislature, in eluding a metro-wide - boat sticker or a new taxing district.Donlin said that the LMCD needs to be strengthened if it is to survive as a viable management agency for the next 20-25 years. The main obstacle, he said, is the sense ot “parochialism ” among the lake communities. "The communities are goin^ to have to give up some of theii authority. If they resist the Mel Council can recommend to U h Legislature that the LMCD be disbanded,” Donlin said. Rockvam said that some lake area mayors have not been regularly attending the In tergovenunentol Relations Sub committee meetings and in some cases have not been there at all. He said that those cities may not want to give the LMCD anv more power than it currently has, but that that thinking may be a mistake. “Those dties should be represented because what is being discussed is serious stuff," he said.