DEEPHAVEN BOAT COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2004
MINUTES
Vice-Chairman David Paulson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
David Paulson, Larry Parkhurst, Joe Ladner, Steve Pavek, Pete Onstad, Ed Towey, Oliver Arrett, Acting Council Liaison Nancy Middleton, Administrator Dana Young
John Gresens, Council Liaison Kim Crockett
The Committee approved the September 8, 2004 minutes on a motion by Ed Towey, seconded by Oliver Arrett. Motion declared carried.
Dana Young presented the 2005 Marina Fund Budget for Committee review. The Committee approved the 2005 Marina Fund Budget on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by Steve Pavek. Motion declared carried.
David Gross, Deephaven’s LMCD Representative, was present to provide an overview of the LMCD’s 1974 Density Policy and to request direction from the Committee on how to address the future implementation of this policy. David Gross stated that the 1974 Density Policy is the cornerstone of the LMCD’s dock policy. It seeks to ration the density of use in order to maximize the quality of the boating experience. He stated that the policy controls density by limiting the number of docks and the number of boats that can be stored at each dock. The 1974 Density Policy uses specific formulas that have determined that 80% of the bays in Lake Minnetonka, including Carson’s and St. Louis Bay, are critically dense.
David Paulson stated that before defining a bay as critically dense, the LMCD should differentiate between those bays where boats are in motion and those where boats are stored. David Gross stated that the LMCD calculates that between 10-20% of boats that are stored on the lake are active. David Paulson stated that there is a huge difference in the number of boats that are using Carson’s Bay in comparison with the number using Excelsior Bay.
David Gross stated that the LMCD is considering three separate positions on the 1974 Density Policy. The first consideration is that the policy is ineffective and should be thrown out. The second consideration is to create harbors with very high density as long as the density of the main lake remains unchanged. The third consideration is to leave the policy in place and to continue to enforce the density restrictions.
Further discussion was held a number of factors that have a significant impact on the lake such as the increasing size of boats, size of wake and speed limits.
David Paulson thanked Mr. Gross for his comments and stated that he would like to invite him back to a future meeting to continue discussions on the 1974 Density Policy.
David Gross stated that there was an incident at the public launch at Gray’s Bay where somebody tried to launch a 70’ charter boat and caused significant damage to the launch. He stated that the City should consider establishing restrictions on the size and weight of boats being launched at the Carson’s Bay launch. He stated that problems could result if there isn’t an ordinance in place that places restrictions on the launching of abnormally large boats at Carson’s Bay.
The Committee requested that Dana Young review any ordinance that the City of Minnetonka has adopted on this matter and present a draft ordinance for Committee review at next month’s meeting on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by Oliver Arrett. Motion declared carried.
Dana Young provided a brief summary on the LMCD requirement that an applicant must provide .5 amenity points for each boat slip in excess of the 1:50’ rule.
Further discussion was held on developing a long-range plan on the configuration of docks. David Paulson stated that the Long-Range Planning Group comprised of representatives of the Boat Committee, Park Committee and others had not reached any substantial conclusions on this issue and felt that the planning group had simply added confusion to the development of a long-range plan. Steve Pavek suggested that members of the Boat Committee meet next week to tour the dock facilities at Wayzata, Excelsior and Mound. It was decided that several members of the Committee would meet on October 19th at 4:00 p.m. to tour these facilities.
Joe Ladner suggested holding a brainstorming session to assist in the development of a long-range plan. The members felt it was a good idea but the session should be held after the tour of other dock facilities. David Gross encouraged the Committee to be creative on the plan and not to feel compelled to strictly follow LMCD setback requirements. He stated that the Committee should develop a long-range plan that is in the best interest of Deephaven residents. He also encouraged the development of a Lakeshore Development Plan that incorporated such other features as beaches rather than just a Dock Plan.
The Committee tabled further discussion on the selection of a chairperson and vice-chairperson until January. The Committee reaffirmed the appointment of David Paulson as temporary chairperson until elections are held next January. The Committee appointed Steve Pavek as Vice-Chairman for the balance of the year on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by Pete Onstad. Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Paul Skrede was present to discuss the Council’s action concerning the ordinance that the Boat Committee had recommended for adoption. He stated that the Council had reviewed the ordinance but no action had been taken. He stated that reason no action had been taken was due to the Council’s concern over subletting. He stated that the majority of the Council would prefer an alternative to subletting whereby an individual who is offered a space has the opportunity to turn down the space for the first year, then must either take the space or return to the bottom of the waiting list the second time he or she is offered the space. He stated that this would take the City out of the subletting business and would still allow current permit holders the opportunity to either join the inactive list or to joint lease their space should some circumstance require them to consider those opportunities.
The Committee stated that they would review this proposal at next month’s meeting.
Motion to adjourn by Joe Ladner, seconded by Pete Onstad. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Boat Committee will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004.