DEEPHAVEN BOAT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Minutes
Chairman David Paulson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
David Paulson, Joe Ladner, Larry Parkhurst, Pete Onstad, Oliver Arrett, John Gresens, Council Liaison Keith Kask, Administrator Dana Young
Steve Pavek, Ed Towey
The Committee approved the January 12, 2005 minutes on a motion by Pete Onstad, seconded by Larry Parkhurst. Motion declared carried.
Joe Ladner stated that he and Steve Pavek serve on the Membership Subcommittee and have been instructed by the Committee to recommend two new members. He stated that he had called approximately 6-7 individuals who had expressed interest in serving on the Boat Committee and recommended that the Committee consider the appointment of Darel Gustafson and Marc Anderson to the Boat Committee. He stated that Darel Gustafson is in attendance this evening and that Marc Anderson is out of town on business but has submitted a letter expressing his strong interest in serving on the Committee.
Dana Young stated that he had been contacted by Steve Pavek, who is also out of town this evening, that he had asked Alan Hovren to attend tonight’s meeting to discuss his interest in serving on the Committee. However, Alan Hovren informed Steve yesterday that he was no longer interested.
The Committee briefly interviewed Darel Gustafson and reviewed the letter sent by Marc Anderson. The Committee recommended the appointment of Darel Gustafson and Marc Anderson to three-year terms of office effective until January 2008 on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by John Gresens. Motion declared carried.
Mayor Tom Anderson was present to discuss his ideas regarding the St. Louis Bay & Carson’s Bay docking configurations. Also in attendance were Pat McGoldrick (19575 Chimo West) and Randy Boyd (19960 Minnetonka Blvd).
David Paulson stated that the Committee has developed a preliminary design for Carson’s Bay instead of St. Louis Bay because the Committee felt that Carson’s Bay would be the easiest plan to implement if the Committee were successful in establishing a good plan. He stated that a successful plan for Carson’s Bay would make it easier to make incremental changes in St. Louis Bay. Larry Parkhurst added that the 20 additional dock slips in Carson’s Bay would help to improve the waiting list and the development of a well defined process that included public hearings and variance approval from the LMCD would result in a successful plan for Carson’s Bay.
Mayor Anderson stated that his primary concern is to have the Boat Committee address the mix of slides and docks in order to better accommodate the public demand for these spaces. He stated that the greatest demand is for dock slips and the Committee might want to consider eliminating slides in order to increase the number of dock slips.
The Committee presented the preliminary plan for Carson’s Bay to Mayor Anderson and the public in attendance.
Pat McGoldrick commented that the LMCD did not act favorably on the Yacht Club’s proposal to exchange slides for dock slips several years ago. David Paulson stated that the Boat Committee has been advised by David Gross, the City’s LMCD Representative, to not worry about LMCD standards at this point and develop a plan that is in the best interests of the residents of Deephaven.
Mayor Anderson stated that the Carson’s Bay plan demonstrated good thinking but felt it was somewhat too aggressive in terms of the increase in the number of boat slips. He recommended that the Committee consider an alternate plan incorporating less slides and dock slips. He stated that there is clearly a large group of individuals that would like to see a moratorium on additional boat slips, both in the public and on the LMCD. David Paulson stated that he would prefer to approach the LMCD with the Committee’s number one plan. Mayor Anderson stated that the plan has to be reasonable and that the real issue is one of mix where there are too few slips and too many slides. He stated that one of the primary concerns is congestion in both Bays and the public would be less concerned if we kept the same balance in the number of boats.
Oliver Arrett asked if the Mayor was proposing that the Committee develop a plan that would not increase the present number of boats? Mayor Anderson stated that he would prefer that any increase in the number of boats be kept to 2 or 3 at most, assuming these additional spaces fit in with the overall plan.
Mayor Anderson cautioned that his opinion only represents one vote on the City Council but he would prefer a two-phase approach by the Committee. The first phase would address the proper mix of slides and dock slips and the second phase would address additional slips.
David Paulson stated that the new style rollers will be a significant addition to the City. He stated that it is his plan to require permit holders to adhere to specific specifications for rollers, purchase the rollers, and install the rollers in the spring and take them out again in the fall. He added that the current docks are rickety at best and would like to have these docks replaced with nice new docks that can be properly maintained by the City crew. He added that the length of the proposed docks that are shown on the Carson’s Bay plan could be reduced somewhat if the intention is to retain the buoy field.
David Paulson asked Mayor Anderson if he was more interested in having the Boat Committee propose changes at St. Louis Bay rather than Carson’s Bay. Mayor Anderson stated that he is more interested in St. Louis Bay for a number of reasons. He stated that when the plan for 40 dock slips was first presented, one of the major concerns of the public was to preserve the Main Beach. He stated that he has come to agree with this position and would favor moving the existing shorespace, and installing a pier in its place that would be available for viewing and fishing. He added that the Yacht Club would also be able to use the pier for its launch and would likely be favorable to contributing $10,000 towards the cost of the $33,000 pier. He stated that the 13 boats on the shorespace could be relocated to a new dock addition located north. He stated that the LMCD doesn’t like boats cluttering the entranceway to Bays so he felt that they might be favorable to such a plan. David Paulson stated that the 13 boats could be relocated to the additional slips at Carson’s Bay. Mayor Anderson stated that this would add too much density to Carson’s Bay.
David Paulson stated that he would like to have a scaled drawing done of the Carson’s Bay and approach those property owners affected by the plan. Mayor Anderson agreed that the Committee was on target with their approach and recommended that they continue to work to develop a proper mix and work with the Park Committee to develop a common plan on St. Louis Bay. Larry Parkhurst recommended developing a process in which a series of meetings are held with the community, the Council and the LMCD.
John Gresens stated that the Committee should develop a comprehensive plan for both Carson’s Bay and St. Louis Bay since the mix of slides and slips in one Bay will have an effect on the mix in the other Bay.
David Paulson stated that the preliminary plan for Carson’s Bay should be drawn to scale and invite interested parties to comment on the plan. Pete Onstad stated that a scaled drawing would be helpful in showing how many slides are being eliminated.
The Committee recommended that the preliminary plan for Carson’s Bay be drawn to scale by a professional firm on a motion by Oliver Arrett, seconded by Larry Parkhurst. Motion declared carried.
Dana Young presented the following information concerning canoe rack locations:
¨ There are a total of 32 canoe racks – 8 in Carson’s Bay & 24 in St. Louis Bay
¨ There are currently 9 canoe racks available for lease
¨ There are a total of 13 individuals that currently have canoes on slides that might decide to relocate back to a canoe rack rather than purchase a larger boat to remain on a slide
¨ There are currently 41 individuals on the canoe rack waiting list
Discussion was held concerning possible locations for additional canoe racks to accommodate those individuals with canoes who decide to relocate from slides to canoe racks and possibly the 41 individuals that are currently on the canoe rack waiting list.
David Paulson stated that he felt that additional canoe racks could be stored on street ends. Mayor Anderson stated that he is not particularly in favor of using street ends for any use other than as a fire lane.
Mayor Anderson asked if any consideration had been given to placing canoe racks at Burton Park? Security problems and the lack of parking were two reasons why canoe racks have never been installed at Burton Park. Randy Boyd stated that Burton Park is a quiet area that is not well suited for canoe racks. He stated that it is one of Deephaven’s last natural pieces of public property.
Further discussion was held on how many additional canoe racks are needed to accommodate those individuals who may chose to relocate their canoe to a canoe rack rather than to purchase a larger boat to remain on a slide. Dana Young stated that the City has not yet heard back from all 13 individuals as of yet but expects to by the next Boat Committee meeting.
The Committee tabled further discussion on canoe rack locations on a motion by John Gresens, seconded by Oliver Arrett. Motion declared carried.
Dana Young stated that the City crew would like to replace four slides at Carson’s Bay that at in poor condition at a cost of $500,00 per slide. Discussion was held on whether it would be worth the effort and cost to construct additional slides if they are intended to be replaced by rollers. The Committee tabled discussion on this matter until next month on a motion by John Gresens, seconded by Oliver Arrett. Motion declared carried.
Motion to adjourn by Pete Onstad, seconded by Oliver Arrett. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Boat Committee will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2005.