Call Meeting to Order

Chairman David Paulson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Members Present

David Paulson, Pete Onstad, Ed Towey, Steve Pavek, John Finn, Marc Anderson, Michael Kelly, Council Liaison Keith Kask, City Administrator Dana Young

Members Absent

Larry Parkhurst, Sue Jerutis

March 14, 2007 Minutes

The Committee approved the March 14, 2007 minutes on a motion by Marc Anderson, seconded by Pete Onstad. Motion carried 7-0.

Matters from the Floor

There were no Matters from the Floor.

Council Decision on B1 Slides & Dock Addition

Keith Kask provided a brief summary of the City Council’s decision concerning B1 Slides, the creation of Wide Boat Permits and the addition of ten dock slips at St. Louis Bay. He stated that his main intention with the introduction of Wide Boat Permits was an attempt to accommodate everyone with a wide boat at least through the 2007 Boating Season. He stated that it is a challenge to operate a public marina and he wanted to craft a solution that doesn’t exclude anyone.

Further discussion was held on whether Wide Boat Permits should be extended beyond the 2007 season.

David Paulson and other Committee members stated their disappointment with a number of the decisions made by the City Council concerning the B1 Slides. He stated that B1 Slides should have been considered as an A resource and did not agree with the decision to allow buoy permit holders the opportunity to have both a buoy and a B1 Slide.

Marc Anderson voiced his displeasure over the lack of opportunity that those slide permit holders prior to May 18, 2004 had to obtain a B1 Slide or a Wide Boat Permit if their boat was not in excess of the width requirement. Dana Young explained that the rational for this decision was that the Council felt that these permit holders could have obtained a wider boat if they had chosen to do so since there was no restriction on width in place at the time.

Management & Policy Responsibilities

Keith Kask stated that the Council discussed the benefits of having the Committee assist in administering many of the policies that have been implemented concerning the marina resource, such as determining how long Wide Boat Permits should be issued. He stated that there would be a real benefit to developing a policy manual for the operation of the marinas.

Ed Towey stated that the Committee is obviously frustrated by the lack of Council support and an over-riding policy discussion is needed to better coordinate the efforts of the Boat Committee.

Marc Anderson stated that the Committee really needs to meet with the Council to get a better idea on what they would like the Committee to do.

John Finn stated that there is little purpose in developing plans if they are not going to be adopted.

David Paulson stated that any discussion of marina issues before the City Council should include a representative from the Boat Committee to better clarify the Committee’s position on issues. He added that he was not opposed to the development of a policy manual and looking at the whole policy issue philosophically. He added that he would like Keith Kask to relay the Committee’s obvious frustration to the City Council.

John Finn stated that the problem is that current policies need more enforcement. Keith Kask agreed that this has been a real problem. He stated that it has been very difficult for the Council to deny a permit to someone for violating a boating policy because the punishment has never seemed to fit the crime.

B1 and B2 Slide Policy

Discussion was held on the progress in assigning B1 Slide spaces and Wide Boat Permits.

Length of Boat Definition

Administrator Young stated that there has been some correspondence between Boat Committee members on the length of Bruce Crist’s boat in Carson’s Bay. He stated that boat length has been defined as:

Boat Length” of a watercraft at a dock slip means the straight-line distance from the bow of the craft to the transom part of the craft, measured parallel to the centerline, excluding sheer, shall not exceed 24 feet. Bowsprits, outboard motor brackets, rudders and other attachments are not included in the length measurement, but shall not extend further than four feet from the length of the dock.

Marc Anderson stated that Bruce Crist’s boat exceeds the required length standard and he needs to be informed of this fact.

Keith Kask recommended that the definition needs to be made more inclusive to include other attachments that are not listed.

Ed Towey recommended reviewing the LMCD’s definition of boat length at next month’s meeting to see how it compares with the City’s definition.

Dredging in St. Louis Bay / Carson’s Bay

Discussion was held on the possibility of clearing some of the sand from the south end of the slides. The Committee recommended obtaining an estimate from Minnetonka Portable Dredging. Steve Pavek stated that if just the end of the slides need to be cleared of sand, it might be cheaper and more effective to hire a contractor with a backhoe. Dana Young stated that this might be a better idea than contracting with Minnetonka Portable Dredging.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Pete Onstad, seconded by Michael Kelly. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The next meeting of the Boat Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9, 2007.