Chairperson Bob Voyles called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Bob Voyles, Joe Ladner, Oliver Arrett, John Gresens, Larry Parkhurst, Pete Onstad, Council Liaison Kim Crockett, City Administrator Dana Young

Ed Towey, David Paulson, Steve Pavek

The Committee approved the February 11, 2004 minutes on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by Pete Onstad. Motion declared carried.

Mary Ahern, 3260 Maplewood Road, was present to request permission to retain both a dock space and a boat slide. She stated that the smaller fishing boat that is moored on the slide provides her children with the opportunity to learn the basics of motor boat use and the slide also provides much easier access for her father, who is disabled. She added that it is not unusual for her parents to visit her for several weeks at a time and one of her father’s favorite activities is using the fishing boat.

Bob Voyles reminded the Committee that the City Council adopted an ordinance last year which prohibited permit holders from having more than watercraft space, with the exception of buoy permit holders.

Joe Ladner explained to Ms. Ahern that the City has received significant pressure from the community to provide more access to the lake. He stated that there would be an additional 40 people requesting an exemption from this ordinance if Ms. Ahern’s request were granted.

The Committee suggested a number of options for Ms. Ahern to consider in the attempt to find an alternate solution for her father.

Bob Voyles stated that although the Committee is sympathetic to Ms. Ahern’s situation, the ordinance is quite clear that residents can no longer hold both a dock slip and a slide. He urged Ms. Ahern to try to find another arrangement to accommodate her father.

Bob Voyles stated that there were no subcommittee reports to review this evening.

Bob Voyles stated that he received a phone call from Jim Armour who relayed the problems he was experiencing in attempting to purchase a new boat in time to be in compliance with the March 31^st deadline for the submission of the documentation required by the Mooring Lease Agreement. Bob Voyles stated that he agreed with Mr. Armour that there wasn’t sufficient time to purchase a boat at this time of the year in time to obtain a title, DNR registration and insurance by March 31st.

Further discussion was held regarding establishing a firm deadline for the submission of the documents required in the Mooring Lease Agreement. Dana Young stated that a reminder letter has just been sent out requesting documentation on titles, certificates of insurance, DNR registration permit, and/or the purchase of new boats. He recommended that additional time be given to these individuals to provide the required documentation.

Joe Gresens and Pete Onstad argued in favor of selecting March 31^st as the final date in which the required documentation must be submitted. Joe Gresens stated that March 31^st was the date given in the Mooring Lease Agreement and City would be viewed as softening in its position if the date were extended. He recommended that a letter be sent to each of 80-100 or so permit holders who have not submitted the required information informing them that they have until March 31^st or their 2004 permits would be revoked. He added that the letter should also provide them the opportunity to call City Staff to explain why they cannot submit the information by March 31^st and when they would be able to provide the information. Kim Crockett stated that the deadline date has to provide sufficient time for staff to fill vacant watercraft spaces in a timely manner.

Oliver Arrett stated that he also favored establishing a final deadline but would prefer to give applicants until April 30^th to submit the required information. Oliver Arrett stated that the City has sent only one notice to applicants back in October regarding the March 31^st deadline and felt that the recently sent reminder letter should be effective in reminding the majority of those individuals to submit the required information. Dana Young stated that he strongly preferred giving these individuals until April 30^th because it would give City Staff the opportunity to send out a final notice via certified mail and staff would still have more than enough time to lease out all the available spots before the Boating Season really took off in June.

The Committee recommended that the City Council establish April 30^th as the final deadline in which applicants can turn in the required documentation and further recommended that failure to comply with this deadline will result in the denial of the applicant’s 2004 Boating Permit on a motion by John Gresens, seconded by Joe Ladner. Motion declared carried.

Bob Voyles recommended that Jim Friedlander’s letter, which had been distributed to the Committee this evening, be passed along to the subcommittee on long-range planning for further consideration

Motion to adjourn by Joe Ladner, seconded by John Gresens. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next meeting of the Boat Committee is scheduled for April 14th.