Thirty Lakes Watershed District
Board of Managers Meeting
April 13, 2009

Board Present:  T. Ebnet, G. Hardy, M. Young, B. Yund.  Present via webcam was K Svee.  Absent:  none.

Also present were Coralee Fox, Rick Johnson and Commissioner Rosemary Franzen of the Advisory Committee, and Thirty Lakes Watershed staff T. Lauer and M. Peisch.

The meeting was called to order at 9:02 am by President T. Ebnet in the office of the Thirty Lakes Watershed District, 17064 Commercial Park Road, Brainerd, MN.

Open Forum:  None.

Consent Agenda:
Approval of the Agenda
Approval of the Minutes of the 3/23/09 Meeting
Treasurer’s Report
Accounts Payable

MOTION BY YUND/HARDY THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Office Space:  M. Young reported that the County is asking $900 for the office space available in the Land Services Building.  He stated that there is more meeting space there, and it gives Thirty Lakes the exposure they are looking for, and he estimates a savings of $400 a month in expenses.

T. Ebnet questioned the $400 a month savings.  M. Young stated that it would include the telephone and internet.

K. Svee had some questions about statements about the County Building in the previous minutes.  He asked if the County had put anything in writing. 

Rosemary Franzen pointed out a statement in the previous minutes regarding parking at the County Building.  She presented a diagram showing where the public parking closest to the building.

B. Yund recalled that Thirty Lakes did have an office in the Courthouse years ago.  They were asked to leave when the County needed the space.  M. Young stated that Chris Pence, Land Services Supervisor, had offered to put a 6 month notice in the terms of the lease.

B. Yund felt that too much time has been spent searching for office space.  More effort needs to be put into projects and protecting the lakes.  He said that this should subject be settled and the Watershed should get back to work.

G. Hardy felt that the biggest point was the convenience to the people we serve.  Since they already have to go to Planning & Zoning for a Building Permit, it would be convenient to them if Thirty Lakes was next door.

MOTION BY HARDY/YOUNG THAT WE GET THE COUNTY’S OFFER IN WRITING, AND IF IT IS TO OUR TERMS, THIRTY LAKES PROCEED WITH MOVING INTO THE COUNTY BUILDING.  HARDY QUALIFIED THE MOTION BY SAYING THAT ONCE THE WRITTTEN OFFER IS RECEIVED, IT WOULD BE VOTED ON IN TWO WEEKS. ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS:  G. HARDY – AYE, M. YOUNG – AYE, T. EBNET - NAY, K. SVEE – NAY, B. YUND – NAY.  MOTION FAILS.

K. Svee was concerned that the County could, at any time, ask the Watershed District to vacate.  Rosemary Franzen stated that no one had asked the County to put anything in writing.  The discussion had been that six month notice would be given by either party prior to ending the lease.

A lease has been offered by the current landlord for a three year term, at $850.00 per month.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND TO ACCEPT THE CONTRACT TO EXTEND THE LEASE ON THE CURRENT OFFICE SPACE FOR THREE YEARS AT $850.00 PER MONTH, SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY KURT DETER.  ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS:  T. EBNET – AYE, K. SVEE – AYE, B. YUND – AYE, G. HARDY – NAY, M. YOUNG – NAY.  MOTION CARRIED.

Dredge Fence:  G. Hardy had previously offered to store the fence on his property, providing the Watershed District purchases a tarp to cover it.

Lake Gauges:  Currently there are volunteers lined up to read seven of the gauges.  G. Hardy offered to contact Greg and Jim Larson on Sorenson Lake to see if they will read that one.

M. Peisch suggested that staff continue to read the majority of the gauges for reasons of consistency.  K. Svee recalled that prior discussions had concluded that staff should be conducting the bulk of the field work, and Managers should be conducting less.  T. Ebnet pointed out that asking for volunteers to read the gauges was a public relations effort, attempting to get more members of the community involved.

Gary Peterson Permit:  An engineered plan for stormwater management was received from Mary Woodward of Kramer Leas Deleo which showed the installation of two Drywells or “French Drains”.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND TO APPROVE PERMIT #090407 FOR GARY AND BARBARA PETERSON, 5722 MAGGIE LANE, NISSWA, MN SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Conditions of Permit #090407
Gary and Barbara Peterson, their Heirs and Assigns

1. Gutters to be directed either landward or towards the Drywells
2. Drywells to be constructed according to the 3/24/09 plan by Kramer Leas Deleo.
3. If inspection reveals that the system as designed is not properly managing the stormwater, corrections will be made by the Applicant.
4. Costs shall be borne by the Applicant.

Pelican Lake Stormwater Project:  M. Peisch provided a brief history of the project.  The Public Works Director of the City of Breezy Point has offered to make temporary repairs by building a berm at the lake.  At this time the City of Breezy Point is requesting some type of Hold Harmless from the Watershed District due to the fact that the Resort changed the wording of the temporary easement for temporary construction.

There was discussion about the amount of resources Thirty Lakes has invested in this project.  M. Young stated that if we are unable to accomplish the project, word would get out and other entities might try to “wait us out” if they don’t want to comply with Thirty Lakes.

B. Yund spoke about the underground stormwater retention system installed at the new Marina Restaurant.  R. Johnson asked if it was feasible for Thirty Lakes to partner with the City to get the project going and get the property owners working together.  T. Ebnet stated that the property owners all know what needs to be done.

The next meeting scheduled with the property owners will be on Saturday, April 25 at the Pelican Lake Conservation Community Center.

Lake Association Workshop with Minnesota Waters:  A summary of this project was submitted in the form of a staff report.  The workshop is scheduled for April 25 at the Northland Arboretum.

Geologic Atlas Seminar & Tour:  M. Peisch summarized the seminar, which is now in the planning stages.  Chris Pence of Crow Wing County is in charge of organizing it.  The County has requested Thirty Lakes to pay for the cost of the bus for the tour.  A Coach can be chartered for $500, and a school bus for $250.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN TO PAY $250 FOR THE CHARTER OF A SCHOOL BUS FOR THE GEOLOGIC ATLAS TOUR.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Lakes and Rivers Conference:  This conference is from Wednesday May 6 through Friday, May 8 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.  K. Svee stated that in order to realize the benefit of sending someone to the conference, whoever attends should make a full written report.

MOTION BY YUND/YOUNG TO APPROVE SENDING UP TO TWO STAFF MEMBERS TO THE LAKES AND RIVERS CONFERENCE.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Etc.:  M. Peisch has asked who to hire for repair of the lake gauge.  M. Young volunteered to fix it.

The Shoreline Workshop that Thirty Lakes sponsored was a success with attendance of almost 60.  T. Ebnet said that he spoke to some of the attendees, and their comments were very positive.

Sanitary Management District:  T. Ebnet has been asked to serve on a Committee that will go around to Townships and Lake Associations providing more information about the District. The Sanitary Management Board is comprised of a 7 member Board that meets once every three to four months.  Ebnet reported that the information about sewers that Planning & Zoning had has been entered into the Data Base.  R. Johnson asked if Thirty Lakes would be reimbursed for their contribution.  Ebnet said neither Thirty Lakes nor Unorganized Township will be reimbursed.

T. Ebnet estimated that he would work about two hours, twice a month on the Sanitary District Committee.  G. Hardy stated that the people he has talked to from Lake Edward Township are in strong opposition of the Sanitary Management District, because it was public opinion that the County should be responsible.  R. Franzen stated that she had no knowledge of this Committee.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND TO APPROVE PER DIEM PAYMENTS FOR TOM EBNET TO SERVE ON THE SANITARY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT COMMITTEE.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Money Market Escrow Account:  The bank has changed its minimum balance which will result in an $8 a month service charge.

MOTION BY YUND/YOUNG TO CLOSE THE ESCROW ACCOUNT AND MOVE THE FUNDS INTO THE CHECKING ACCOUNT.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Bois de Sioux Watershed District:  Photos of the newly constructed catchment or impoundment area were shown during the spring thaw.  Some of the areas held back 5 to 6 ft. of water.

G. Hardy asked if Pelican Lake was the only project Thirty Lakes was working on.  M. Peisch reported on the Shoreline Restoration and cost-share projects.

SF 1657:  M. Young reported that this Legislavtive Bill proposes to combine the DNR, BWSR and PCA into one agency.  Senator Mary Olson of Bemidji introduced the Bill.

MOTION BY YUND/YOUNG THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 11:15 AM.