06-26-2000 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR JUNE 26, 2000 (LMCD, Continued) possibility of adding additional deputies to the water patrol to help strengthen the enforcement on the lakes. Mayor Jabbour noted the Minnesota Supreme Court has heard the LMCD's appeal on the deputy issue approximately three weeks ago, with no ruling having been made at this time. Sansevere noted he is in favor of the additional deputies, but was concerned that the added deputies would be utilized elsewhere other than Lake Minnetonka. Mayor Jabbour stated the cities need to do a better job of educating the users of the lake on boat safety and proper care of the lake, but that in his opinion the additional deputies will be utilized on Lake Minnetonka. McMillan stated an organization called Control the Boats has expressed concerns regarding the use and number of charter boats on Lake Minnetonka, noting the charter boats are apparently violating some of the LMCD's ordinances regarding the distance needed to be maintained from the shoreline. McMillan stated the LMCD holds an annual meeting the owners of the charter boats are required to attend, prior to a license being issued to the charter boat operation, where the rules and procedures are explained to the owners. McMillan commented in her view this is a great start on improving the charter boat operations in the area, but still comes down to an enforcement issue. McMillan stated hopefully the Control the Boats organization will become actively involved in the efforts to get additional deputies on the lake. wr `. u McMillan stated in her opinion 90 percent of the charter boat operations do provide a good service • for the lake, with a small element creating some problems. McMillan stated the Control the Boats organization located in Deephaven would like to see the charter boats limited to the upper and lower lakes. McMillan stated the LMCD will need to stay on top of this issue and perhaps review whether restrictions are appropriate on where the charter boats may go. Mayor Jabbour stated the residents in Wayzata Bay have been actively pursuing with the LMCD restrictions to keep charter boats out of that area. Jabbour stated if charter boats are limited to certain areas, it will put an additional burden on other cities, which needs to be considered. Jabbour stated another problem the Orono Police encounter is whenever they arrest someone on a DWI, that police officer is tied up for three to four hours with that person and is not able to be out patrolling the streets. McMillan stated the deputies experience the same problem on the lake. Mayor Jabbour inquired what surplus the LMCD had left over from last year's budget McMillan stated approximately $30,000 has been allocated to Save the Lake, with approximately $20,000 having been spent last year. McMillan noted there was a $20,000 balance left over from last year. Mayor Jabbour suggested that perhaps some of the leftover balance be allocated towards additional enforcement. Kelley inquired whether the LMCD has ever considered allocating the fees based on the number of miles of lakeshore in each city. U Page 2