DEEPHAVEN BOAT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Minutes
Chairman David Paulson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
David Paulson, Joe Ladner, Larry Parkhurst, Pete Onstad, Steve Pavek, Ed Towey, Oliver Arrett, Council Liaison Keith Kask, Administrator Dana Young
John Gresens
The Committee approved the December 8, 2004 minutes on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by Pete Onstad. Motion declared carried.
Nancy Lauritsen, 18645 Highland Avenue, was present to object to being relocated from a slide to a canoe rack as directed by the Council’s adoption of Ordinance No. 9-13. She stated that she is a single parent with a kayak that is currently stored on a slide that she would prefer to use instead of a fishing boat. She stated that she had a skiing accident in which she damaged her shoulder and she doesn’t know if she can physically get her canoe if it were relocated on a canoe rack. She stated that she is not going to be able to get a larger boat to comply with the new slide requirements and asked the Committee to consider grandfathering her to enable her to continue to use her kayak on the slide.
Joe Ladner asked if a lower spot on the canoe rack would help. Nancy Lauritsen stated that it might but it is not easy to transport a kayak. Joe Ladner stated that he has a friend who uses a cart to transport his canoe to the water. Steve Pavek stated that he is concerned about the size of the boats on the slides and the lack of available space if canoes are removed. He particularly noted a problem with the location of John Goodwyne’s boat.
Chris Doman, 3860 Northome Avenue, was also present to object to being relocated from a slide to a canoe rack. He stated that he would also like the Committee to consider a grandfather clause since he has waited quite some time for a slide. He stated that he uses his canoe to get to his buoy and prefers to use the canoe since it is light and doesn’t damage his sailboat. He stated that he has a congenital back problem that would hamper his ability to use a canoe rack. He stated that it would be quite a struggle for him regardless if his canoe were located in a high or low rack. He also objected to the additional expense of having to purchase a larger boat that would qualify for a slide space and the expense of purchasing a trailer. He stated that he is particularly resentful of this process since he has waited in line to get a slide and is now being told what type of boat he needs to purchase in order to retain his space.
David Paulson stated that he is reluctant to grandfather everyone in due to the length of time it would take to get all the canoes off the slides. He stated that canoes are not appropriate for slides when canoe racks are available.
Pete Onstad stated that the rationale for requiring canoes on canoe racks instead of slides is that the City has to fight for every slide or dock slip with the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. He stated that canoes do not count in the LMCD’s calculation of boat storage units so it becomes important to better utilize our current spaces.
Chris Doman stated he could understand wanting more people to enjoy the lake but not at their expense.
Oliver Arrett stated that he also would not like to grandfather people in but would not object to allowing an exemption to Nancy Lauritsen and Chris Doman due to their medical conditions that makes it difficult for them to use a canoe rack.
Further discussion was held on establishing a particular location for canoe racks north of the docks to allow those individuals with a medical exemption to use canoes on slides. Dana Young recommended keeping these two individuals on their same slides until we have a better idea on the availability of space should the other 15 individuals with canoes on slides decide to get larger boats. The Committee agreed that it would be a better idea to wait before establishing a separate area for canoes on slides.
The Committee recommended that the City Council adopt a policy that would allow current or future slide permit holders that have a canoe or similar craft to submit medical documentation verifying that their physical limitations necessitate their use of a slide space instead of a canoe rack for a boating season on a motion by Joe Ladner, seconded by Ed Towey. Motion declared carried.
2006 Minnetonka
Yacht Club Lease (Tom Maple)
Dana Young stated that discussion with Tom Maple on the renewal of the Minnetonka Yacht Club’s 2006 shore space lease with the City has been postponed pending the City Council’s discussion of the matter at their January 19th Council worksession.
Dana Young stated that the City Council approved a change in the Boat Card Renewal Policy last month whereby City Staff will no longer revoke the permits of those individuals who have failed to return a boat card by the November 20th deadline. Dana Young stated that, as an alternative, those individuals who have failed to return their boat cards by the required deadline will be contacted by mail and by phone to ensure that they have every opportunity to submit their boat renewal cards for the upcoming season. Dana Young stated that the benefits of this policy change are as follows:
¨ Residents no longer have to try to defend the indefensible, namely that they “forgot” to return their boat cards on time.
¨ The Boat Committee and City Council no longer have to waste valuable time listening to appeals from residents.
¨ There is a four week delay in issuing new permits due to the fact that City Staff has to wait until the appeals process has been completed before issuing new permits.
It was the consensus of a majority of the Committee members that this policy change was a good idea.
Steve Pavek stated that he was watching a recent Council meeting and observed that the Mayor would prefer that the Boat Committee establish a long range plan for St. Louis Bay rather than Carson’s Bay. David Paulson noted that he believes that if the Boat Committee can come up with a successful plan for Carson’s Bay, it will make it much easier to propose changes for St. Louis Bay.
Steve Pavek presented the plan for Carson’s Bay that showed three separate docks that would accommodate an additional 20 slips. The Committee was very supportive of the plan and suggested reviewing it before the City Council. Dana Young stated that he would invite the Mayor to the next meeting of the Boat Committee to review the Carson’s Bay plan and to give his comments on what he would like to see at St. Louis Bay.
Dana Young stated that the City has received one new application for membership on the Boat Committee following the request for new volunteers in the January Newsletter.
Discussion next month will include an interview of new members, a visit from the Mayor to discuss Carson’s Bay and St. Louis Bay, and a discussion on additional canoe racks.
Motion to adjourn by Pete Onstad, seconded by Ed Towey. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Boat Committee will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2005.