Thirty Lakes Watershed District
Board of Managers Meeting
Monday, May 11, 2009

Board Present:  T. Ebnet, G. Hardy, K. Svee, M. Young, B. Yund. 
Absent:  None.

Also present were Cora Lee Fox and Rick Johnson of the Advisory Committee, Dale Armstrong and Thirty Lakes Staff T. Lauer and M. Peisch.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by President T. Ebnet in the office of the Thirty Lakes Watershed District, 17064 Commercial Park Road, Brainerd, MN.

Open Forum:  Nothing from the Public.

Consent Agenda:  MOTION BY SVEE/YUND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDING THE MINUTES OF THE 4/27/09 BOARD OF MANAGERS MEETING, THE TREASURER’S REPORT AND THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Rinke Noonan reviewed the lease presented by the current landlord and found more than nine points of concern.

MOTION BY SVEE/HARDY TO RECONSIDER THE PREVIOUS MOTION TO SIGN A LEASE WITH THE CURRENT LANDLORD, AND STAY ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS WHILE OTHER OPTIONS ARE EXPLORED.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

K. Svee pointed out that Statute 103.D, Subd. 1 states “If public facilities are not available for a watershed district’s principal place of business within the watershed district, the board shall determine and designate the nearest suitable public facility as the watershed district’s principal place of business”.  He further stated that the property in Nisswa that is currently being considered is only 300 ft. from the District Boundary.

The Managers viewed photographs of another office available on College Drive in Baxter.

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND TO HAVE THE ADMINISTRATOR CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE PROPERTIES UNDER CONSIDERATION AND REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Testing of Lake Edward:  Herb Nelson of the Lake Edward Water Committee inquired as to having water quality testing done every year.  Currently the Thirty Lakes plan is to test every year for three consecutive years, then stop testing for three years. 

MOTION BY YUND/HARDY THAT THIRTY LAKES CONTINUE WITH THE ROTATION PLAN FOR WATER QUALITY TESTING AND NOTIFY LAKE EDWARD.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Maske Cost-Share Request:  Craig Maske and his uncle, Fred Mertens, own the property on the channel between Cree Bay and Pelican Lake.  Bank Beavers burrowed under the bank during the winter, causing it to collapse.  The Administrator and Beth Hippert of SWCD met with the owners and came up with a plan to rebuild the bank and line it with rip rap to discourage future beavers.

T. Ebnet pointed out that a dredge fence will be required during construction.

MOTION BY SVEE/YOUNG TO GIVE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO THIS COST SHARE SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Newsletter Cost:  A proposal was received from Lakes Printing for a four page newsletter and postage.  A first draft of the newsletter should be ready by the next meeting.

Pelican Lake Stormwater Project:  T. Ebnet reported that at the last meeting with the property owners, the 1986 plan engineered by Landecker & Assoc. was presented.  That plan was designed for a one-half inch rain event and includes the entire 11 acre area. 

K. Svee pointed out that the development was part of a Conditional Use Permit issued by the City of Breezy Point, and is therefore the responsibility of the City.

T. Ebnet suggested that bids be taken for work according to the original plan.  Several things have changed since the plan was drawn, such as the location of the playground and height of the berm.  K. Svee stated that if any changes are to be made on the 1986 plan, those changes should be made by Landecker. 

MOTION BY SVEE/YUND THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT LANDECKER & ASSOC. TO HAVE THE PLAN UPDATED AND AMENDED.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

MAWD Summer Tour:  The Summer Tour will be June 25-27 hosted by the Shell Rock River Watershed District in Albert Lea, MN.  T. Ebnet plans to attend.  This Watershed District passed a Sales Tex amendment to fund projects.  D. Armstrong suggested that this is a good training opportunity for new managers.

Annual Overflight:  A. Cibuzar of A. W. Research Laboratory has requested to meet with two Managers to determine the specifications of the annual overflight.  K. Svee and T. Ebnet volunteered to attend the meeting.

Etc.  K. Svee suggested that the cost of printed “sticky notes” be explored.

MOTION BY SVEE/HARDY THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 10:20 AM.