Thirty Lakes Watershed District
Board of Managers Meeting
Monday, November 10, 2008

Board Present:  T. Ebnet, K. Svee, B. Yund.  Absent:  none.

Also present were County Commissioner Rosemary Franzen and Thirty Lakes Staff M. Peisch and T. Lauer.

The meeting was reconvened at 9:05 a.m. by President T. Ebnet in of the office of the Thirty Lakes Watershed District, 17064 Commercial Park Road, Brainerd, MN.

Agenda:  MOTION BY YUND/SVEE THAT THE AGENDA BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Secretary’s Report:  MOTION BY YUND/SVEE THAT THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 27, 2008 MEETING BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Treasurer’s Report:  The report was reviewed by the Managers and filed for audit.

Monthly Bills:  The following three bills were added to the Accounts Payable list:  A. W. Research Laboratories $325.08, Jodi Eberhardt (Elks Camp Project) $121.44, Sunshine Gardens (Elks Camp Project, $3,000 of which is part of the DNR Shoreline Grant), $3,150.00.

MOTION BY YUND/SVEE THAT THE MONTHLY BILLS BE APPROVED WITH THE ADDITIONS LISTED.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

MAWD Delegates:  It was decided that T. Ebnet and B. Yund would be the delegates to the annual meeting, with T. Lauer the Public Relations delegate.

MAWD Dues:  The dues for membership in the MN Association of Watershed Districts will be increased, payable in 2010.  The exact formula for computing the dues has not yet been established, however Thirty Lakes can expect to pay about $3,300, increased from $2,000.

There was discussion about the increased demand for services and training from the State Association.

MAWD Webinar:   Training started last year on the subject of Public Relations will be continued in a Webinar Monday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Watershed District office.  The training will be interactive, allowing for questions from the attendees.

Jolly Rogers Resort Coop:  K. Svee stated that an onsite inspection had been made.  The stormwater ponds had been created, and the excess dirt had been removed from the site.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND THAT PERMIT #091017 BE APPROVED FOR THE JOLLY ROGERS RESORT COOPERATIVE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS:

1. THE SILT FENCES STAY IN PLACE UNTIL VEGETATION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
2. WHEN AND IF THE SECOND STORAGE BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED, IT WILL REQUIRE ANOTHER APPROVED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN.

ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Brainerd Dispatch School Pages:  The Administrator reported that the School Pages could be sponsored for one school at a cost of $75 for one issue.  That would include the Watershed logo on the front page, and a “this page was sponsored by Thirty Lakes” on one of the school pages.

MOTION BY YUND/SVEE THAT THIRTY LAKES WAIT TO ADVERTISE IN THE SCHOOL PAGES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS IT CAN BE TIED IN WITH A PROJECT INVOLVING ONE OF THE SCHOOLS.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Pelican Lake Stormwater Project:  The Managers reviewed the letter received from Attorney Bungaard on behalf of the timeshare owners.

The Administrator reported that she had talked with Jerry Schroden of the Timeshare Units and Jeff Johnson from Breezy Point Resort regarding the bare minimum amount of work that would be required to stop the runoff.  J. Johnson had offered to contact at least three Landscapers to get bids for the work, on the condition that representatives from Thirty Lakes would be present to discuss the work with the Landscapers.

K. Svee stated that the City of Breezy Point should be taking the lead in this project.  (It should be noted that Tim Polipnick of Breezy Point has offered to help with the project if the assistance of City trucks or manpower is required).  T. Ebnet said that a representative from the Timeshare Association should be included in the meeting with the Landscapers.

It was agreed that the absolute minimum work that would be permitted by Thirty Lakes Watershed District would include the following:

1. Repair of the existing stormwater pond, including removing the liner.
2. The areas around the trees in the parking lot will be dropped down to allow for stormwater storage.
3. A raingarden will be established in the low area on the north side of the Lodge Apartments where there is currently a culvert.
4. Berms will be established to allow for surface storage of stormwater on the lakeside grassy area of the Lodge Apartments.

The Administrator reported difficulty in obtaining the map with the updated utility information from Widseth, Smith, Nolting.  To date one phone call and two letters have been sent to WSN requesting the report, with no response.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND THAT IF WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING REFUSES TO RELEASE THE UTILITY REPORT, THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL REQUEST ATTORNEY KURT DETER TO SEND A LETTER REQUESTING SAME.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

B. Yund stated that all the Landscapers should be given the same information and requirements so that the bids received will be consistent.

MEI Biofuel Forum:  The Managers reviewed the notice of this MN Environmental Initiative sponsored forum to be held in St. Cloud on November 13, 2008.

Advisory Committee:  A letter was received from Vic Peterson requesting to serve on the Advisory Committee.  An email was received from Mr. Peterson on October 30th, and subsequently K. Svee met and discussed the Advisory Committee with him.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND THAT VIC PETERSON BE APPOINTED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

The Administrator was directed to notify Mr. Peterson of his appointment.

Office Relocation:  T. Ebnet stated that he had talked to the Landlord who suggested that rather than Thirty Lakes move to a new location, remodeling could be done to make the present office more suitable which might include making the adjacent office accessible.  The building owner will make a proposal to Thirty Lakes in the near future.

Tim Johnson – Condition Use for Non-Commercial Salvage Yard:  There was discussion about this CUP request.  Johnson owns and stores many “vintage” vehicles on his property in a well-screened area behind a large storage building some 800 ft. from North Long Lake.  R. Franzen stated that the County has no solid waste issues with the vehicles, and that the CUP will require that no additional vehicles will be allowed.  If Johnson sells or removes any vehicle, he will not be allowed to replace it.

It was agreed that Thirty Lakes Watershed District had no issues with the Conditional Use Permit.

2008 Overflight:  The Managers reviewed the Overflight Report which indicated some 28 locations that A. W. Research thought required further investigation.  The Managers did not agree with the recommendation from A. W. Research.

T. Ebnet stated that the report was not what Thirty Lakes had requested, and that it should not be paid for.  K. Svee said that the instructions had been specific in that it was to be documentation rather than searching for land use violations.  Svee further stated that Thirty Lakes should have had Attorney Kurt Deter review the contract before it was signed.

MOTION BY YUND/SVEE THAT THE MEETING BE RECESSED AND RECONVENED ON NOVEMBER 24, 2008 AT 6:30 P.M.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED