PRC SUM 2011 08 09
CHANHASSEN PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2011
Chairman Daniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jeff Daniel, Elise Ryan, Tom Kelly, Peter Aldritt, and Brent Carron
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Cole Kelly, and Steve Scharfenberg
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Hoffman, Park and Rec Director; and Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation
Superintendent
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Tom & Pam Devine 7640 South Shore Drive
Kevin & Lisa Atkinson 7407 Frontier Trail
Judy Berland 6900 Minnewashta Parkway
Mitch Krause 2380 Timberwood
Franklin Kurver 4220 Kurvers Road
David Vonfruke 131 Fox Hollow Drive
Greg Dryke 105 Choctaw Circle
Jack Fess 6280 Ridge Road
Ken Wencl 8412 Waters Edge Drive
Mark Enochs 1295 Northland Drive, Suite 200, Mendota Heights
Bill Kirkvold 201 Frontier Court
Brian Kirkvold 44 Center Street, Excelsior
Joe Shneider 1035 Holly Lane
Kristy & Brent Christenson 630 Bighorn Drive
Steve Jenks 7490 Chanhassen Road
Perry Forster 9505 Highview Drive, Eden Prairie
Mark Page 10 Hill Street
Mary Borns 7199 Frontier Trail
John Schevenius 570 Pleasant View Road
Pat Pavelko 7203 Frontier Trail
Gary Simons 70224 Tartan Curve, Eden Prairie
Steve Wanek 6615 Horseshoe Curve
Ann Hogan 481 Bighorn Drive
John Colford 7470 Chanhassen Road
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Todd Hoffman informed the commission that the August 23
Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be cancelled due to lack of items on the agenda,
and noted corrections on page 5 of the staff report.
Park and Recreation Commission Summary - August 9, 2011
Carron moved, Tom Kelly seconded to approve the agenda with the noted changes on page
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5 of the staff report and announcing the cancellation of the August 23 Park and
Recreation Commission meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously
with a vote of 5 to 0.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Todd Hoffman provided updates on the Tour de Tonka and
Miracle Kids Triathlon.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Carron moved, Aldritt seconded to approve the verbatim
and summary minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated July 26, 2011
as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
CONSIDERATION OF RESIDENT REQUEST TO:
ENFORCE PARK HOURS AT SOUTH LOTUS LAKE PARK BOAT ACCESS
ADOPT AN AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS) POLICY
FURTHER SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEER AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
EDUCATION PROGRAM AT THE SOUTH LOTUS LAKE PARK BOAT
ACCESS.
Chairman Daniel thanked everyone in attendance and explained the role of the Park and
Recreation Commission as an advisory body to the City Council. Todd Hoffman presented the
staff report for this item. Lieutenant Jeff Enevold with the Carver County Sheriff’s Office
addressed details of the police contract with the City of Chanhassen and how law enforcement
and park patrol works in the community. Tom Devine, 7640 asked for clarification of Lt. Jeff
Enevold’s statement that they do not have the resources to enforce park hours. Commissioner
Ryan asked for clarification of what groups would be involved in developing an aquatic invasive
species policy. Commissioner Tom Kelly asked if the training that the volunteers receive qualify
them as a Level I or Level II inspector and if staff has any hard numbers on the long term
maintenance and operation of a gate. Chair Daniel asked if other cities in close proximity to
Chanhassen have adopted similar policies before opening up the meeting for public comments.
Tom Devine, 7640 South Shore Drive commented on the DNR’s involvement with citizen
training and education, results of a survey showing that 90% of boats launched on Lotus Lake
are not Chanhassen residents, concern that staff’s recommendation did not include public input,
highlights from their newsletter, training for Level I and Level II inspectors, and the need to
study what other communities are doing. Steve Jenks, 7490 Chanhassen Road stated he would
submit a written response to the questions laid out by the City Council, and clarified the role of
the proposed automated gate. Joe Shneider, 1035 Holly Lane clarified the role of the DNR in
addressing aquatic invasive species and asked that the City maximize the effectiveness of the
proposed aquatic invasive species program at the Lotus Lake Park. Greg Dryke, 105 Choctaw
Circle, manager of inspections, clarified that the DNR is moving forward with their Level I and
Level II inspection training. Mitch Krause, 2380 Timberwood Drive stated he was opposed to
any gated access on any lakes in Chanhassen. John Colford, 7470 Chanhassen Road explained
that a gate would not be unprecedented because there are currently automated gate systems being
used in the Twin Cities and the Three Rivers Park District. Gary Simons, 7024 Tartan Curve,
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Park and Recreation Commission Summary - August 9, 2011
Eden Prairie, being a waterskier, explained he uses the Lotus Lake boat launch frequently and
thinks it’s a good idea to have inspectors but was concerned with the off site inspection sites.
Dave Vonfruke, 131 Fox Hollow Drive, having experience with their family cabin on the White
Fish chain of lakes, stated he would stress action over inaction. Bill Kirkvold, 201 Frontier
Court, who took part in the DNR training, stated the City needs to take a leadership role instead
of waiting for the DNR to take action. Pat Pavelko, 7203 Frontier Trail pointed out all the
people who use Chanhassen lakes and beaches and the need to protect all the city lakes and
asked that the City take a leadership role in stopping the invasion of zebra mussels. Brian
Kirkvold, 44 Center Street, Excelsior quoted the DNR in saying zebra mussels are preventable.
After commissioner comments and discussion on each of the three discussion points, the
following motions were made.
Daniel moved, Carron seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend
that the City comply with an action step in the DNR AIS Volunteer Manual and create a
written agreement between the City and volunteer groups outlining expectations and
procedures for adoption by the City Council. All voted in favor and the motion carried
unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Ryan moved, Tom Kelly seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend
that the City Council moves forward with the very aggressive approach in terms of timing
and developing a policy with the input of the citizens, city advisory committees and local,
county, state and regional governing bodies to adopt an aquatic invasive species policy.All
voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.
Tom Kelly moved, Ryan seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission recommends
to the City Council to approve the installation of an electronic gate at the public access at
Lotus Lake to enforce the posted lake access hours. This gate will be purchased, installed
and maintained at the expense of the Lake Action Alliance group with the only initial
expense to the City being the electrical hook-up. Additional gate management issues will
be worked out between the City of Chanhassen and the Lake Action Alliance group. All
voted in favor, except Daniel and Carron who opposed. The motion carried with a vote of
3 to 2.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS.
None.
COMMISSION MEMBER PRESENTATIONS:
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE PACKET.
None.
Tom Kelly moved, Carron seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the
motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The Park and Recreation Commission
meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by Todd Hoffman
Park and Rec Director Prepared by Nann Opheim
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