Thirty Lakes Watershed District
Board of Managers Meeting
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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

Also present were Rick Johnson and County Commissioner Rosemary Franzen of the Advisory Committee,  and Thirty Lakes Administrator M. Peisch.

The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm 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 5/11/09 BOARD OF MANAGERS MEETING AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Well Sampling in Breezy Point:  $306.00 is requested from the City of Breezy Point for the testing of an MPCA test well that is located within the Watershed District.

MOTION BY HARDY TO TABLE PENDING INFORMATION ON WHERE THE WELL IS LOCATED AND WHY IT IS THERE CAN BE OBTAINED.  T. Ebnet determined from the map that it is located near the City Park, and may have been required by the Health Department.

Annual Overflight:  Alan Cibuzar was present to discuss this with the Board.  Photographs were reviewed to determine the resolution required for the annual overflight.  The pictures will be geo-referenced for a seamless image.  It was decided that the photographs will be taken at a height of between one-half and three-quarters of a mile.

K. Svee pointed out that the contract called for the Overflight to be done after the leaves are off the trees, but before the snow falls.  The purpose of the overflight is for documentation.

Cibuzar showed the Board his Zebra Mussel bobber that will show how many zebra mussels have attached by its position floating in the water.  This would replace the tiles previously used.

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Aerial TSI Testing:  Cibuzar showed the Board how his photographs can determine the Trophic Status of a lake by using thermal, chlorophyll-A and water penetrating cameras.  He estimated that it would cost the Watershed District an additional $4,700 for photographs of the lakes scheduled for testing this year.

Breezy Point Retaining Wall:  Permit # 6003 granted to the City of Breezy Point in 2006.  The City is requesting that the Conditions of the Permit be modified so that testing could occur once a year instead of three times each year.  Results of the first two years of testing indicated no significant concerns.

M. Young suggested that random testing be done every five years to confirm positive results.

MOTION BY HARDY/YOUNG THAT CONDITIONS OF PERMIT #6003 BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE ONE TEST TO BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER OF 2009.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Sullivan’s Resort Cooperative:  The Applicant is requesting a five year window for completion of the improvements outlined in their engineered plan.  Receipt of signed application is pending.  R. Franzen pointed out that the density will be decreased when the cabins are replaced with travel trailer sites.

MOTION BY SVEE/HARDY THAT AT SUCH TIME A PERMIT IS GRANTED TO SULLIVAN’S RESORT COOPERATIVE, IT BE GRANTED FOR A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Fred Mertens:  This project is to repair damage caused by Bank Beavers.  Design has been approved by Crow Wing Soil & Water Conservation District.

MOTION BY YOUNG/SVEE THAT PERMIT #090515 BE GRANTED TO PAMELA MERTENS (LIFE ESTATE) FOR REPAIR TO THE SHORELINE AT 10007 WEST CREE BAY CIRCLE, BREEZY POINT.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Whitebirch Village:  This development is half in the Watershed District and half in the City of Breezy Point.  The Engineered stormwater plan is based on a five year rain event of 3.30 inches in a 24 hour period, which is acceptable to the City of Breezy Point.

G. Hardy pointed out that this is not shoreline property.  K. Svee felt that the 100 year rain event is excessive in this case.

MOTION BY HARDY/YOUNG THAT THIS BE TABLED PENDING MORE INFORMATION.  BRUCE YUND WILL GO TO THE CITY AND VIEW THE LARGER MAPS OF THE PROJECT.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

K. Svee suggested that the Engineer, Bryan Drown of Landecker & Assoc. attend the next meeting to discuss his plan.

Enviroscape Model:  This is a plastic model that shows how stormwater travels across a landscape.  It was decided to bring this idea up again when the Educational Budget for 2010 is established.
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Breezy Point Stormwater Project:  Landecker & Assoc. has been contacted to update the 1986 plan for the stormwater holding area by the Point Place Condominium.  There may be a question as to conflict of interest since Landecker is the Breezy Point City Engineer.

Etc.  K. Svee suggested that Thirty Lakes have a professional facilitator work with the Board to prepare a new overall plan.  Administrator will check with BWSR to see if grant funds are available.

M. Peisch reported on the office buildings that have been considered.

G. Hardy spoke to Chris Pence at Crow Wing County, and he felt that $750 per month might be acceptable.  According to the evaluation form provided by SWCD, the County office would score the highest. 

Administrator reported that a Certificate of Deposit is coming up for renewal.  The interest rate for 13 months is 2.3% at Northern National Bank.  G. Hardy suggested that American National be contacted for their current interest rates.

G. Hardy asked why there was resistance on the subject of moving into the County Building.  R. Franzen stated that she has heard many positive comments about the operation of the County offices.  M. Peisch said that the feedback from the County DRT meetings have been favorable.  K. Svee felt that whatever the County’s reputation is, it would reflect on the Watershed District if they were in the same building.

T. Ebnet reminded the Managers of the upcoming MAWD Summer Tour and encouraged them to attend.

MOTION BY YUND/HARDY THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 8:15 PM.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.