BCOL Advisory Council Minutes 10-07-2011MINUTES
BERTRAM CHAIN OF LAKES REGIONAL PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
Friday, October 7th, 20118:05 a.m.
Bridge Room, Monticello Community Center
Advisory Council Members Present: Martyn Dibben, Jim Lindberg, Lyle Trunnel, Pat
Sawatzke, Rose Thelen, Gene Emanuel, Wes Olson, Sandra Theros, Glen Posusta, Clint
Herbst
Advisory Council Members Absent: Pete Stupar, Janice Bergstrom, Larry Hance
Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Marc Mattice, Kitty Baltos, Tom Pawelk, Graham Sones
Staff Absent: Angela Schumann, Stacy Marquardt
Others Present: Dustin Craig, Drew Sorenson
1) Cali to order
Martyn Dibben called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
2) Approval of August 5, 2011 Meeting Minutes
SANDRA THEROS MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 5, 2011 MEETING
MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY JIM LINDBERG. MOTION
CARRIED 10 -0.
3) Consideration of addin$4 to and approving agenda None
Action Items:
1. Presentation and request from Dustin Craig and Drew Sorenson representing
the MN Chapter of Kicking Bear 1 -On -1
Volunteers representing Kicking Bear 1 -On -1 presented a request to use Bertram Park as a
host site for their annual weekend camp event. They introduced a You Tube video and
invited the committee to explore the Kicking Bear website ht : //kickin bear.org for more
information about the program and its values. Kicking Bear is a not for profit group which
provides opportunities to mentor youth and get them outdoors. The program exists in 20
states across the nation and is currently utilizing the Bald Eagle Sportsman's Club in Hugo
for its initial MN camp site. The MN chapter hopes host a camp of 200 -300 kids ages 5 -15
initially and eventually offer camps for up to a thousand kids per weekend. Campers are
accompanied by mentors. The camp is scheduled for June 8 -10, 2012.
Advertising is targeted through schools, churches, and local organizations. The program is
supported by sponsors such as Diamond Archery and Nikon and countless volunteers. All
Bertram Advisory Council Minutes 10/07/11
camp expenses are paid through an annual fundraiser. Any money remaining is utilized to
fund mentoring activities throughout the year.
There was some discussion about the types of activities provided as well as how
overnight, sanitation, and parking, and maintenance accommodations would be handled.
A special use permit would also be required for use of sporting firearms such as pellet
guns. After some consideration the committee decided to give further thought to
establishing a policy to handle requests such as this in the future. Kicking Bear
representatives understood that this request might be best revisited for the 2013 camping
season.
ROSE THELEN MOVED TO TABLE THE REQUEST TO UTILIZE BERTRAM
PARK FOR THE PROPOSED 2012 KICKING BEAR 1 -ON -1 CAMPING EVENT
UNTIL THE NOVEMBER MEETING WHEN MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
GENE EMANUEL. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
2. Lake George Regional Park/Guy Robinson Y Camp Tour Report
Eight members of the Advisory Council attended the YMCA camp tour on September
25th. A written summary of the tour was provided with the meeting agenda and a photo
slideshow was presented to highlight the discussion that followed. The purpose of the tour
was to get a sense as to how Anoka County Parks handles a shared use agreement with the
YMCA.
There was discussion about the condition of the Y facilities and outdoor amenities as well
as how the grounds and both interior and exterior maintenance issues are handled.
Hosting 200 kids per week, the Guy Robinson camp is smaller than Camp Manitou at
Bertram Park, but seemed to be ample space for the number of campers participating in
programming. Anoka County has had a good experience with the shared use agreement
and has added another Y site at their Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park. Staff noted that
most of the camp is completely separated from the general public which the exception of
use of the lake. The Advisory Council seemed to agree that the shared use arrangement
with the YMCA worked well in this situation.
At this point the discussion moved to how this arrangement might work at the Bertram
Park. There seemed to be general consensus that the Advisory Council would like to try to
coexist with Camp Manitou but there were some significant concerns about the proposed
northern location of the camp and the amount of space available at that location for the
number of campers and activities proposed. There were also some concerns about
retaining flexibility in the option to do programming in the park at some point in the
future. In addition, it was suggested that the Y also market the camp to the local
community.
Marc Mattice stated that he had asked the Y to develop a proposal illustrating a potential
layout and site use if the base YMCA day camp facilities were to be located on the north
side of Bertram Lake for Advisory Council consideration. The plan will help the
Advisory Council and negotiations team better define future shared use agreements.
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PAT SAWATZKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE TO
DISCUSS WITH THE YMCA TEAM THE POSSIBILITY OF USING THE NORTH
SIDE OF BERTRAM LAKE FOR CAMP MANITOU PROVIDED CONCERNS
RELATED TO THE SINGLE LOCATION AND SIZE OF THE CAMP ARE
RESOLVED. USE OF THE NORTH SIDE OF BERTRAM LAKE WOULD BE
ACCEPTABLE TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL UPON SATISFACTORILY
ADDRESSING RELATED CONCERNS. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY WES
OLSON. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
3. Access use agreement, develop standards, ordinances and recommend approval
There was considerable discussion about developing an access use agreement with the
YMCA at this time. The Y would like to utilize two buildings for arts and crafts on
City /County property and the City /County would like access to the beach currently owned
by the Y. Marc Mattice noted the legal ramifications of leasing the beach should a safety
incident arise. He suggested that it may be an option to reenact the agreement with the
DNR to provide public beach and boat access. Access could be provided outside of the
hours of camp operation. There was much discussion about the definition of "non-
motorized" restrictions within the park and whether or not that should or does include
restricting electric motors. The survey results indicated that users would prefer to retain
more of a "heritage" park undisturbed by motors. The negotiations team is expected to
address and clarify these issues.
JIM LINDBERG MOVED NOT TO PURSUE AN ACCESS AGREEMENT WITH THE
YMCA UNTIL SPRING OF 2012. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY GENE EMANUEL.
MOTION FAILED 3 -7 WITH ROSE THELEN, LYLE TRUNNEL, WES OLSON, PAT
SAWATZKE, SANDRA THEROS, GLEN POSUSTA, AND CLINT HERBST VOTING
IN OPPOSITION.
There was some discussion about how it might be more appropriate to come to some
decision so that the Y could make plans to advertise next year's camp activities.
PAT SAWATZKE MOVED TO TABLE ACTION ON PURSUING AN ACCESS
AGREEMENT UNTIL THE NOVEMBER MEETING. MOTION WAS SECONDED
BY WES OLSON. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
4. Natural Resource Restoration Plan for Parcel 5, Review TimeLine, process, and
costs. Recommend action and developing agreement
Marc Mattice reviewed the components of the Natural Resource Restoration Plan for
Parcel 5 with the Advisory Council. The Natural Resources subcommittee is in support of
moving forward with this action. The plan involves preparing for oak savannah restoration
utilizing the funds donated by Cargill. The farming agreement for the parcel would be
replaced with a maintenance agreement for 2012 and a cover crop would be planted.
Herbicide and seeds will be purchased at a cost of $4,500 and the work of prairie
establishment will begin in 2013. There will be two burn cycles three years apart. The
oaks will be hand planted in 2019. When the oaks are about 2 -3 inches in diameter
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it will be burned once again before being finally established. Staff will work to try to
partner with NRCS for cost sharing purposes.
ROSE THELEN MOVED TO PROCEED WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCE
RESTORATION PLAN FOR PARCEL 5 AT BERTRAM PARK WHICH INCLUDES
APPROVING USE OF THE CARGILL DONATION FUNDS FOR OAK SAVANNAH
RESTORATION; ESTABLISHING A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR THE
PARCEL FOR 2012; AND PROCEEDING WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
AREA IN 2013. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY JIM LINDBERG. MOTION
CARRIED 10 -0.
5. Take action to establish an Executive Committee to report to City Council and
County Board, relating to topics such as; expenses, operations, responsibilities, and
improvements
PAT SAWATZKE MOVED TO TABLE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UNTIL THE NOVEMBER MEETING. MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY ROSE THELEN. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
6. Formal adoption of concept plan, as prepared by Graham Sones
There was some discussion about whether or not it was necessary to take the concept plan
to the public for a third time before the formal adoption due to concern that not enough
people know about the park or the plan. It was noted that, although there hadn't been
significant attendance at park plan development public meetings, the issue had been given
its due diligence. It was suggested that Advisory Council members continue to make
efforts to get the word out about the park plan at community events and venues. It was
decided that information disseminated about the park plan should summarize how the plan
was developed so that the public would be confident that ample opportunity for input had
been provided.
GENE EMANUEL MOVED TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE BERTRAM PARK
CONCEPT PLAN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY WES OLSON. MOTION
CARRIED 10 -0.
Marc Mattice thanked Graham Sones for all of his work in preparing the concept plan.
4) Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Recorder: Kerry T. Burri
Approved: November 4, 2011
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Attest:
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