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BCOL Advisory Council Minutes 03-02-2012MINUTES BERTRAM CHAIN OF LAKES REGIONAL PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL Friday, March 2, 2012 8:00 a.m. - Bridge Room, Monticello Community Center Advisory Council Members Present: Martyn Dibben, Jim Lindberg, Lyle Trunnel, Larry Hance, Pat Sawatzke, Glen Posusta, Rose Thelen, Pete Stupar, Sandra Theros, Clint Herbst Advisory Council Members Absent: Gene Emanuel, Wes Olson Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Marc Mattice, Kitty Baltos, Stacy Marquardt, Tom Pawelk Others Present: Jim Hayes, Robert Gunderson, Graham Sones 1) Call to order Martyn Dibben called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. 2) Approval of the January 6, 2012 Meeting Minutes GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 6, 2012 MEETING MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PAT SAWATZKE. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0. 3) Consideration of adding to and approving agenda A) Update on Bonding 4) Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Lake Surface Zoning Ordinance (Motorized vs. Non - Motorized Lake Use) The Park Use Committee had recommended that all forms of motorized boating on the lakes be minimized. There was discussion about the definition of motorized boats and consideration as to the intention of park survey respondents who had indicated a non - motorized preference. Most members seemed to agree that the intention was definitely no gas motors but there was some concern that they may have also intended that to mean no electric motors. Martyn Dibben generally defined a "heritage park" as a commitment to restoration and preservation by minimizing the impact to the environment. None of the seven regional parks in Wright County are heritage parks. There was much discussion about the importance of providing reasonable opportunities for fishing as well as for recreational paddling. According to survey statistics, those who fish had significant input. Several members questioned the difference in impact between using oars or electric Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 03/02/12 motors on the lakes. Glen Posusta wondered if eliminating electric motors as an option would prohibit less able folks from utilizing the lake. There was also some consideration as to noise, the disturbance in the water and the possibility of carrying invasive species into the lakes. Larry Hance was concerned that eliminating all propulsion would reduce park use. The Sheriff's Office had also expressed concerns about potential enforcement issues as their patrol boats have motors. Rose Thelen suggested that use might actually increase if there were motorized restrictions. Pat Sawatzke pointed out that any boating decision would increase current access. Pete Stupar recommended that electric motors be used on the two larger lakes, Bertram and Long, and that no motors be allowed on First and Mud Lakes. Several agreed with this compromise. This led to further consideration of the speed and size of boats and motors which would be allowed. Clint Herbst suggested that a no wake policy might address the questions about how big a motor might be allowed on the two larger lakes. The concept plan does not provide for road access to the two smaller lakes. There is a beaver dam between Long Lake and Mud Lake that would require a portage to cross. The two smaller lakes lack a solid bottom. The majority of the membership agreed that gas powered motors would not be appropriate for use in any of the four lakes. Pete Stupar asked to go on record as the only member of the board in favor of gas propelled motors on both Bertram and Long lakes. Most members agreed that the use of electric trolling motors would be appropriate on Bertram and Long lakes. The vote about whether or not boats would be allowed to have gas powered motors attached but not used was 5 -5. ROSE THELEN MOVED TO ALLOW ELECTRIC MOTORS NO WAKE ON BERTRAM LAKE AND LONG LAKE ONLY AND DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING FORWARD, FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION SAMPLE ORDINACE LANGUAGE. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PAT SAWATZKE. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER GAS POWERED MOTORS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE ATTACHED TO BOATS USING BERTRAM AND LONG LAKES WOULD BE DISCUSSED AT A FUTURE MEETING. At this point in the meeting Larry Hance submitted his resignation from the Advisory Board due to family obligations. Marc Mattice will keep him up to date by email. 5) Review and Discuss Draft MOU Regarding Ownership Intent Between County & Cit-V Marc Mattice reported that although the City and County had both discussed ownership intent for Bertram Park in 2008, staff had been unable to locate a related draft MOU document signed by both parties. There was believed to have been one modification to that draft MOU at that time but the modification had not been documented. After a recent review of the draft MOU, Marc Mattice recommended a revision to Number 4 to read 2 Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 03/02/12 "local cash match for any grants awarded shall be provided with 50% from the City and50% from the County ". PAT SAWATZKE MOVED TO APPROVE SUBMITTING THE REVISED 2008 DRAFT MOU REGARDING OWNERSHIP INTENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND CITY TO THE COUNTY AND CITY FOR SIGNATURE. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY JIM LINDBERG. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0. 6) Review and Discuss YMCA Day Camp Preliminary Site Plan Although Brian Kirk had indicated that YMCA staff support the City and County comments related to the preliminary site plan submitted, Marc Mattice indicated that he had not yet received written verification incorporating those comments into a revised site plan. Written confirmation as to the YMCA's planned location in the park would enable the project to move forward with further planning. There was some additional discussion about the use of the park. The public would have use of the rustic campsites on weekends. The location of public access on Long Lake has not yet been determined. Some of the additional issues noted relate to winter use, trail head parking, and an office facility location. Glen Posusta indicated that he thought it seemed like the YMCA was getting a great deal in that it sold the land but still gets to use it. Pat Sawatzke briefly summarized that the City and County had paid less than the appraised value for the property in return for allowing the YMCA to continue to utilize the park for programming. There were some suggestions for continued negotiations with the YMCA as the concept plan is revised. JIM LINDBERG MOVED TO ALLOW THE YMCA TO LOCATE IN THE AREA NORTHEAST OF BERTRAM LAKE CONTINGENT UPON FURTHER STAFF DISCUSSION RELATED TO ISSUES SUCH AS SHARED USE OF FACILITIES, SHARED MAINTENANCE, GROUND LEASE, EXTENSION OF THE PURCHASE OPTION, AND WORKING WITH SGA TO UPDATE THE CONCEPT PLAN, SITE DESIGN, AND SCOPE OF WORK. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PETE STUPAR. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0. Marc Mattice will discuss these issues with Angela Schumann and Brian Kirk and bring a recommendation back to the Advisory Council for further action. 7) Request to Host Mountain Bike Event Tom Pawelk was contacted by Jim Bell with a request that the cycling club hold the state finals mountain bike competition at Bertram Park. He had also been in touch with Broadway Cycle in regard to this request. The Advisory Council had numerous questions about the scope of the request and expressed concern about the size of the event, the area 3 Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 03/02/12 of the park involved, the impact to the trails, the need for signage, and the lack of parking. The Advisory Council agreed to postpone discussion about the request until the April meeting at which time further information about these issues will be provided. 8) Selection of At Large Appointment Replacement Martyn Dibben had been appointed to the Wright County Park Commission as representative to the Advisory Council. This resulted in an open position on the Bertram Advisory Council. The Advisory Council had advertised for one open, at- large, outside the City position but, as a result of Larry Hance's announcement to resign, now has two openings on the Advisory Council. Pat Sawatzke and Rose Thelen had reviewed the four applications received and brought all forward as viable candidates for Advisory Council consideration. Rose Thelen specifically commented on the strong applications submitted by John Wisecarver and Pete Edmondson. Applicant Jim Hayes was present and noted his background on the County Park Board and his familiarity with the Bertram property and support of the park project. The Advisory Council voted by ballot. PAT SAWATZKE MOVED TO APPOINT JIM HAYES AND TOM JAHNKE TO ADVISORY BOARD. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY GLEN POSUSTA. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0. The recommended appointments will be submitted to the County Board and City Council for consideration and approval. Rose Thelen suggested that new members receive an orientation packet. 9) Updates A) Farm Lease /Maintenance Agreement -Marc Mattice reported that the Farm Lease /Maintenance Agreement was approved by the County Board and the City Council. Farmer Mark Holker has been leasing the tillable field and will do the cover crop planting in preparation of the oak savannah restoration work funded by the Cargill donation. The field is ready to be planted with the cover crop which is roundup ready soybeans. Prairie grass will be established in 2013 and managed to eliminate weedy species for six to nine years. After which time the full 29 acres will be hand planted with a variety of oaks. There was some discussion about the possibility of oak wilt. B) Friends of Bertram Lakes -The Friends held an open house on Saturday, February I 01 at the Monticello Community Center. Martyn Dibben provided an overview of park plans. Although the turnout was low those in attendance seemed to appreciate the opportunity to take a look at the plan and ask questions. The Friends gathered new contact information and welcomed some preliminary interest in attending committee meetings. A promotional packet will be prepared as a resource for core members. Jim Lindberg noted that the Friends website had been updated. Staff also Q Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 03/02/12 noted that the IEDC appreciated the park planning briefing at their last meeting and look forward to additional updates. C) MYSA -The MYSA is still planning to do a survey but has not started their planning in earnest. Angela Schumann and Graham Sones have not yet heard anything further from the MYSA. D) Ground Lease /Beach -No update E) Phase 4 Purchase -Marc Mattice asked Brian Kirk of the YMCA to provide written confirmation that Parcels 12, 10 and 9 would be the next purchase. 10) Items Added to Agenda A) Update on Bonding-Marc Mattice asked that members thank Senator Amy Koch for her support in introducing Senate File 2081 which dedicates $6.1 million in bonding proceeds to the Bertram Chain of Lakes project. Staff are working with Representative Urdahl to introduce this bill on the House floor. The Greater MN Regional Parks and Trails coalition sponsored by Senator Peterson and Representative Torkelson introduced a bill which would allow for a 0% local match on Legacy funds and eliminate the administrative cap of $500,000 per project. 11) Adiourn PETE STUPAR MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 10:04 AM. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MARTYN DIBBEN. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0. Recorder: Kerry T. Burri Approved: April 6, 2012 Attest: Angela Sch Advisory Council 5