CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Laughlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Committee Chair Laughlin to approve the minutes of April 3, 2003. Committee Member Paulson seconded. Motion carried 5-0.

Dick Kreutter, 18310 Rutlege Road, approached the Committee. He read a letter he sent to the Committee Members regarding use of the electrical outlets on the docks. He said that since the rental rates are about to be raised, the city should offer more amenities. He feels those with docks should have the ability to access the electric boxes at the end of the docks. He said he has discussed this with city staff in the past, but was told there were concerns about liability. He feels it’s not unreasonable to permit use by the public.

Chairman Laughlin said he thought they were already available for use by the public.

Mr. Kreutter said they are not and maybe a key should be made available for those times that the City Hall is closed.

Councilmember Crockett asked if the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District considered the availability of electricity an amenity.

Chairman Laughlin thought it would not.

Committee Member Voyles can see where dock holders could raise safety concerns, feels that power should be provided.

Committee Member Paulson commented that there may be greater liability in not providing power.

Chairman Laughlin doesn’t see a problem with the idea.

ACTION: Committee Member Voyles made a motion to recommend to the City Council to direct the Public Works department to unlock the power plug at the St. Louis and Carson’s Bay dock areas. The motion is conditioned that it is verified the outlets meet code and that signage is placed warning citizens against overuse. Committee Member Arrett seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

Chairman Laughlin said that he had an idea for the framework of the Comprehensive Marina Plan. He thought the a discussion on the rate structure, some ordinance revisions, some form of waiting list validation, a discussion on "grandfathering", penalties for ordinance violations, charges for the new docks versus the old and how to allocate administrative hours to oversee the boat dock activity are all important issues.

Skip Wyer, 18452 Heathcote Drive, said he is not a boat slip owner. He asked to read a letter from Jim Friedlander, 4167 Heathcote Road, who was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Friedlander’s letter discussed the sublet process, disallowing family leases, enforcement with legal penalties, limiting the number of slips a family could hole, an increase in lease rate to an equitable rate and a continued incremental increase in lease costs.

Mr. Wyer said it is important for the members of the Committee to understand the economic value of the city’s slips. He pointed out that the city’s rates are well below those of other cities and private marinas and that the city is giving a large dollar value to those residents whom hold slips. He said the docks are too valuable a commodity to permit families to pass their slip on to other family members. He feels there may be a potential conflict of interest with those Committee members who currently hold boat slips.

Committee Member Paulson said that not all members hold slips. He asked Mr. Wyer to change the formula with all the members being non-slip holders. He said there is always going to be a perception of bias. He said the Boat Committee has been struggling with the issues raised by himself and Mr. Friedlander for years and that the process for getting a dock has become a big issue only recently.

Mr. Wyer said that is because slip ownership has increased in value.

Chairman Laughlin thanked Mr. Wyer for his comments.

Committee Member Paulson said he would like to share his perspective on the Comprehensive Plan. He said that he feels that though what Chairman Laughlin described as the framework is important, he feels there is a different starting point. He said the Committee must discover its vision. He explained that the marina area is a resource to the community and many people view as those who have and those who have not. He said this creates a continual adversarial environment. The Committee must find a way for the continued use of the marina, which is equitable for all. New residents are very concerned about the length of the waiting list. He believes there is a way to create a rate system that would not only fund the marinas, but also the park system.

Chairman Laughlin said this Committee’s focus is not park, he feels park funding is the responsibility of the Park Committee.

Committee Member Paulson said that the marinas and parks are part of the shared resources of the entire city and a plan should be put together to address both.

Councilmember Crockett said there has been some discussion at the Council level about combining parks and marinas together.

Committee Member Paulson feels a joint plan will help ease the tension between residents.

Chairman Laughlin said the Committee has been handed a sizable task to complete by August. He feels the Committee has not been given formal direction on the specific issues that need to be addressed by the Council. He feels the Committee needs to tighten up the existing rules to make them more understandable and easier to enforce.

Committee Member Paulson said that’s why it’s important to start at the right place instead of giving the impression that the Committee is being bias or less than equitable.

Committee Member Ladner thinks there needs to be some clear direction from the City Council. He pointed out that in the past the Boat Committee has not been set up to be a money making enterprise.

Committee Member Volyes said it appears the Committee is struggling with tactics. He thinks the Committee should develop a vision statement and then begin to discuss specific ordinance. He thinks if this is done as a group it shouldn’t take long.

Committee Member Ladner liked the idea of a vision statement.

Committee Member Voyles suggested a special meeting with members from the Council.

Committee Member Paulson said a process must be developed that changes the public’s attitude and perception of bias.

Chairman Laughlin pointed out that the Committee is in a crunch for time if it’s going to meet the Council’s August deadline.

Committee Members agreed to hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 29^th at 6 p.m.

Committee Member Paulson would like the fire lane study done by himself and Committee Member Pavek to be on the agenda.

Chairman Laughlin said there has been some discussion about placing a canoe launch platform. The only problem is that it cannot be done without losing a slide.

Committee Member Ladner asked why people couldn’t use the dock.

Committee Members agreed that the creation of a canoe launch was not necessary since other access points are available.

Committee Voyles asked for an update on the city’s LMCD permit.

Chairman Laughlin said a site plan had been created but the LMCD wanted a certified survey. City Administrator has indicated that the first draft is about two weeks away.

Committee Member Voyles would like to see the plan on the 29^th.

Committee Member Gustafson mentioned that she is concerned about the rocks at the base of the Carson’s Bay Launch.

Chairman Laughlin explained that the issue was being address by staff and the City Engineer.

Chairman Laughlin said some residents have approached the city about opening the St. Louis Bay ramp, near the Main Beach, for boat launching for Deephaven residents only. He said they were willing to limit the hours.

Committee Member Ladner said that this issue had been discussed last year and at that time it was felt it was not a good idea because of the number of kids in the area. It has been viewed as a safety issue.

Chairman Laughlin said it would be difficult to police the area to verify that only Deephaven residents are using it. If it were opened, it would have to be available to all boaters.

Committee Member Voyles remembered that the Council was against the launch being open, especially during beach hours.

Chairman Laughlin added that there is an increase of activity in the area with the new sports court now installed.

Committee Member Paulson said that there might be some fire lanes available in the future for launching boats.

Committee Members agreed that the launch should remained closed.

Motion to adjourn by Committee Member Ladner, seconded by Committee Member Paulson. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. The next meeting of the Boat Committee will be held on May 29^th.