1c. MN DNR Grant for 2012 Watercraft Access Inspections: Approve Resolution0
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
7901 Park Place
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
MEMORANDUM
TO: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM: Terrance Jeffery, Water Resources Coordinator
DATE: April 9, 2012 es
SUBJ: MN DNR Grant for 2012 Watercraft Access Inspections
Approve Resolution Accepting Grant
PROPOSED MOTION
"The City Council adopts the attached resolution accepting the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources Grant for 2012 Watercraft Access Inspections
Administered by Local Government Units in the amount of $7,750."
City Council approval requires a simple majority vote of the City Council present.
BACKGROUND
The City has been working with the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
the Riley- Purgatory -Bluff Creek Watershed District ( RPBCWD), the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District, the Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance, the Christmas Lake
HOA, Lake Minnewashta HOA and others to find a workable, practicable program for
protecting area lakes from infestation by zebra mussels. The City and concerned
citizens first met and discussed the issue in the spring of 2011 and has met regularly
since this time including a city- sponsored and organized informational meeting held
on October 29, 2011.
Several ideas of how to best protect the lakes were discussed over this time. Two
points became clear from these meetings. First, there is no known method of
eradication after a water body is infested with zebra mussel. Secondly, while there is
no established method for preventing lake infestation by zebra mussel or most other
aquatic invasive species, it is agreed that education and inspection were two
components necessary for any successful prophylactic program.
In an effort to staff landings more routinely, it was necessary to procure additional
funding. After meeting with representatives of the RPBCWD, it was agreed that the
two agencies could partner to finance inspections at Lake Ann, Lake Susan and Lotus
Lake. The RPBCWD generously committed $25,000 to this end. At about the same
time, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent out a press release
announcing the availability of two grants for the 2012 boating season. The first grant
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Todayand Planning for Tomorrow
Todd Gerhardt
DNR Grant Resolution
April 9, 2011
Page 2
was to provide DNR staffing for watercraft inspections. While the City did apply for this grant,
the DNR did not award this grant to Chanhassen. The other grant made available $750,000 in
funds for Local Units of Government to hire staff to provide watercraft inspections. These grants
are available in $7,750 increments and require a financial match from the local unit of
government. The City committed $10,000 to the inspections and, on March 16, 2012, was
notified that the DNR had selected Chanhassen for one $7,750 grant.
IMPLEMENTATION
The total financial commitment to the 2012 inspection program includes $10,000 from the City
of Chanhassen, $25,000 for the RPBCWD and $7,750 from the DNR. This $42,750 will be used
to contract with Volt Workforce Solutions to provide trained inspectors at all three access points
on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays (including the week of July 4 from 6am to 8pm.
Lotus Lake will receive additional inspections from 4pm to 8pm Monday through Thursday.
The DNR also committed ninety -nine (99) hours of watercraft inspection for 2012 at Lotus Lake.
These ninety -nine (99) hours and volunteers from the Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance will be
used to achieve near blanket inspections during normal daylight hours.
Staff is recommending that the City Council adopts the attached resolution accepting the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Grant for 2012 Watercraft Access Inspections
Administered by Local Government Units in the amount of $7,750.
Attachment: 1. Resolution
Perry Forster, President, Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District
Wendy Crowell, MN Department of Natural Resources
gAeng \terry \staff reports \ais resolution_040912.doc
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
DATE: April 9, 2012 RESOLUTION NO:
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ACCEPT A GRANT
FROM THE MN DNR FOR 2012 WATERCRAFT ACCESS INSPECTIONS
ADMINISTERED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND EXECUTE GRANT
AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, Lake Ann, Lake Susan and Lotus Lake are important resources used by the
public for recreation and the enjoyment of natural beauty; and
WHEREAS, public use and enjoyment of Lake Ann, Lake Susan and Lotus Lake is best
served by protection from infestation of aquatic invasive species; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the need to provide inspections to protect these resources and to
provide education and information about aquatic invasive species; and
WHEREAS, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant in the amount of $7,750
was awarded to the City of Chanhassen for the purpose of hiring staff to inspect watercraft entering
Lotus Lake, Lake Ann and Lake Susan for the presence of aquatic invasive species and especially
zebra mussels; and
WHEREAS, the City understands that they are required to match the awarded granted at a
ratio of 1:1 and has dedicated $10,000 to aquatic invasive species inspections for the year 2012.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chanhassen City Council authorizes
the acceptance of the 2012 Grant for Watercraft Access Inspections Administered by Local
Government Units and execution of a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources.
Passed and adopted by the Chanhassen City Council this 9 1h day of April, 2012.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
YES
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
NO ABSENT
2012-
gAadmin \reso1\2012 \dnr grant resolution.doe