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4 Public Gathering PermitCITYOF MEMORANDUM TO: Todd Hofl'mau, Park and Recreation Director FROM: Jerry Ruegelner, Recreation Superintendent DATE: December 8, 1999 SUB& Public Gathering Permit. Water Skiing Tournament at Lake Susan Park Ms. Pain Mueller. State Coordinator for tile Minnesota Internatioual Novice Tour (INT) is requesting approval of a Public Gathering Permit to hold their fourth annual water-ski. wake-board and knee-board tournament at Lake Susan Park. July 8 and 9. INT is a non-profit company that promotes organized water-skiing, wake-boarding, and knee- boarding. The compau5 started six years ago and currently has support itl many states. If approved by tile Park and Recreatiou Commission, lhe tournament for tile water-skiing would be Saturda3, Ju[v 8, fronl 8:00 a.nl. to 3:30 p.m. Tile wake and knee-boarding tournament is planned tbr Sunday, Jut~ 9. fi'om 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. INT plaus on baying 3 boats in tile water with only one boat pulling a skier, wake-boarder, or a knee- boarder at a time. One boat would be used as a safety boat. The slalom course would be set up 40-50 yards south of tile sandy beach area, just west of the public access. If INT would like to hold their tournalnent headquarters in the picnic pavilion at Lake Susan there would be a reservation fee of $250 per day. Weekends in July are very busy and if the Git>' is setting aside tile picnic area for these types of events, \ye must generate revenue. In order to proceed with their tournament, 1NJ' must receive approval fi'om tile Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission and then tile Cit.,,' Council. If the city approves tile permit, 1NT is also required to seek approval of a temporary structure permit fi'om Carver County to allow placement of a slalom course in a public water body. This permit process hasn't been a problem in the past and shouldn't be now. All lakesbore property owners have been notified oflNT's request. Ms. Mueller has agaiu been very cooperative in answering questions regarding tile tournan~ent and she or another representative will be attending the meeting to answer any questions. The three previous tournaments were very well organized. RECOMMENDATION It is stafffs recommendation that tile Park and Recreation Commission approve INT's request for a public gathering permit to host a water-ski, wake-board, and knee-board tournament at Lake Susan on July 8 and 9. It is also recommended that INT pay the reservation fee of $250 per day to reserve the Lake Susan Pavilion. Staffalso recommends that a $1,000 deposit check be submitted prior to tile event to co\er any unforeseen damages. INT hasn't had any problems in tile past and if none occur this year, tile deposit check will be returned promptly. Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director December 8, 1999 Page 2 STAFF UPDATE (12/8/1999) At the November 2? Park & Recreation Commission meeting, the commission directed staff' to facilitate a meeting between 1NT and the Lake Susan lakeshore residents. All interested parties met on Tuesday, December 7 to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the pernfit. The meeting brought out important issues much broader than a waterski tournament. The residents were very concerned about the increased watercraft traffic, the high water levels, when the access should be closed, watercraft horsepower, plant and vegetation damage from watercraft, and shoreline erosion. The residents brought up these items for further investigation. They would like new enforceable regulations and policies developed in order to maintain the ecological integrity of the lake. These discussion topics were beyond the scope of a waterski tournament. After discussion, INT and the residents of the lake agreed upon the following issues: 1. The date has been changed to June 3 & 4, 2000. The event guide that is published annually will contain the expected behavior of all involved in the INT League. INT has established a zero tolerance for any inappropriate behavior. Any inappropriate behavior will result in immediate removal fi'om the tournament. There will be an informational meeting in February and before the tournament explaining the behavior that is expected at all tournaments and zero tolerance. Ail volunteers will be instructed to keep their eyes and ears open for any inappropriate behavior and to report it immediately. Violators will be asked to leave immediately. 5. An INT volunteer will be at the boat access ensuring that no one is informed that the access is closed. 6. Event guides will be sent to all lakeshore owners per the request of A1 Klingelhutz. 7. INT will talk with other boaters on the lake and work out a plan so that everyone can enjoy the lake, i.e. taking turns, alternate runs. 8. INT has invited the residents to bring any concerns to their attention during the tournament to be correctly immediately. 9. An evaluation form will be developed to gain feedback from the residents and INT. Todd Hoffrnan, Park and Recreation Director December 8. 1999 Page 3 Moving the date to earlier in the summer will improve many of the problems experienced last year and will hopefully ensure a successful tournament. Both groups agreed to put last year's issues behind them and look forward to the 2000 tournament. (J:Xpark'~jerD'52000\VatcrSkiToumamct.doc CHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 23, 1999 Chairwoman Lash called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Lash, Fred Berg, Mike Howe, Jay Karlovich, Rod Franks and David Moes MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Manders STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Superintendent VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Howe moved, Karlovich seconded to approve the Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting dated October 26, 1999 as presented. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC GATHERING PERMIT~ WATER SKIING TOURNAMENT AT LAKE SUSAN PARK. JetD, Ruegemer presented the staff report on this item. Lash: Thanks Jerry. Are there commissioners xvho have questions for Jen'y before we open it up? Berg: Maybe later. Lash: I think we'd like to hear first from the applicant and then we'll open it up to the residents who are here. Joe Mueller: Well thanks for having us here this evening. This will be our fourth year here in Chanhassen and before we came Pam pulled up 13 family members that are participate in the INT throughout the State that live here in Chanhassen and we've read some letters here and concerns of activities that have happened in last year's tournament and it's unfortunate that we have to read letters like this and it's not brought forward to Pam or myself that there were these incidents that happened. I participate not only in INT but Mim~esota Water Ski Association, Barefoot International. We have 20 tournaments throughout the state and quite frankly I haven't come up against this before. Especially with boat owners. Usually they're in support of family gatherings like this but obviously we have some things to go through with a few of these incidences that happened. I actually was on a radio with a couple of them and we've been out of town for a week but we actually wanted to have quite a few of our members here to come up and speak that happen to be in the boats. But I guess you guys might have some questions for us but Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 it's, Lake Susan, we like this. I mean we've got a dealership in Excelsior and we've always like the city of Chanhassen and Susan because it's close to home. And we have a lot of members in this area. Most of our tournaments are on lakes the same size as Lake Susan. As a matter of fact the only one I think that we've run throughout the whole state, whether it be 1NT, Minnesota Waterski Association or Barefoot is Madden's and that's one of our INT's on Gull Lake which is a very open lake and it's very difficult to run a tournament on it but all the other lakes are 200 acres and less that we've run tournaments. Whether it be INT or MWSA. For years. For the past 30 years. I've been at this 15 years and this is the first time I've ever been confronted by boat owners that have petitioned you know against us so I haven't had a chance to talk with these boat owners which I would love to. I would have loved to have talked to these customers, or not customers. They actually could be our customers, during the tournament, lfthey could have come over and confronted Para, our State coordinator on it instead of coming here tonight and reading these letters so. Berg: Excuse my naivtee. Big tournament? Lots of people? Para Mueller: We average about a hundred people but that's both days. So it's probably about 50/50. Berg: This is maybe a stupid question, tell me if it is. Could the tournament be held on a Tuesday and Wednesday? Or during the week. Pam Mueller: No because it happens all day. I mean...all day and afternoon and you know I've got a lot of volunteers who help us out and they all work during the week. You know so weekends are really the only time that we can do it. We're not locked into doing it the 8th and 9th of July. I mean you know we're flexible as far as. you know honestly the tournament last year was a nightmare tbr me too. I mean we spent the whole time with people going up and down, which I understand they're lake owners. I appreciate that but they truly set out to make it miserable tbr us too. I mean it's, they did. You could tell and I know at one point Jerry was there and he saw, they were going, I mean we went up to them and asked them and said you know, we tried to work with them numerous times and saying you know, take turns. Can we, because what happened was the tournament ended up going a whole lot longer than it should have because we had to give re-rides to people because they kept going up and down with the IO which caused huge wakes. I don't expect them not to be on the lake. They have every right to be on the lake, but I guess I felt like we could maybe work with each other and I felt like they just felt there was no ~vay that they wanted to work with us. As far as not letting people go on the landing, I know there's no way we kept people from going in the landing because there's people going all day into the landing. And I'm right there at the computer right by the landing so I, you know' that adds to being han'assed. I know that a couple times we did go up and ask if there was something we could do. If we could work with them. You 'know to try to, you know because xve wanted to be done too. I mean I want my tournament to be done. I don't want it to go on until, you know into the evening either. Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Berg: Is there, I haven't talked to anybody from the neighborhood. Is there anyway to work out a compromise to find a weekend that maybe would be less objectionable than one right in the middle of the summer? Let's brainstorm. Pam Mueller: Well yeah. I mean I'm willing to, you know definitely willing to work with them. Berg: My next question, and maybe it's in here. I didn't see it someplace. What's left of the lake when you're out there having your tournament? What's left for anyone else if I want to take my little boat out there. Is it practical that I can even do that? Joe Mueller: Well I would say that you've got at least 180-200 feet off of the lakeshore of the, where's that. What side is that Jerry? The far side of the lake. That would be the south side of the lake. The unfortunate thing, and whether it be an INT tournament or an AWSA sanctioned tournament, is you know water movement is critical and especially slalom skiing. And so normally what we do at 1NT, or AWSA, if there's a conflict on the lake, we normally approach that conflict and try to work it out with that particular family or homeowner. Even whether. Berg: So a conflict is somebody, for example just with their pontoon going around or? Joe Mueller: No, not at all. I would say with like a larger IO that's got 2-3 innertubes behind it and it'sjust constantly running around. It causes rollers and it's just a non-stop action. Where our tournament is just up, go through a course and drop. This action would bejust circular motion which is constantly stirring up the water and throwing it into the shore. Most the time we can work with that. And it seemed that the few people that were out there that weren't willing to work with us. As a matter of fact it was right off the bat in the morning. I happened to be on the radio. There was a gentleman in an inboard, and this is what's hard for me to believe, is an inboard ski boat and we had the course set in ready for the tournament to start and the gentleman came over and asked if he could run the course and of course we want to ge the tournament started so we can finish and we have a life too to go home to, and it was told that he wanted to run through it. And if he wasn't able to, he'd make the rest of the day miserable for us so we allowed him to go through the course, not wanting to have any hassles. It was told to him that the reason we don't let people go through it is because insurance reasons and also we don't want the course torn up because it takes time to repair it. So we let the person run through it. He did pull up a few buoys. Took a little bit more time to get it back together but xve allowed that to happen because we didn't want a conflict. And he was right. He didn't come back the rest of the day. He was perfectly happy with that run and he ~vent back to his home and that was the end of that. So we're willing to work with dates. The thing we I guess aren't willing to work with is you know if we've got residents on the lake that aren't willing to have it, I mean we want to work with those residents. 'We don't want to have a, we don't want to have a conflict out there. It isn't worth our effort, which is a lot of time to have a tournament out there if it is going to be ruined. Para Mueller: Well plus expense. I mean I do pay $250 a day you know, and I mean it was a nightmare last year and so I guess you know, I mean if they truly, absolutely don't want us there Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 then I guess you know, I don't want to fight because if we go out there and they make it miserable for us, then it's not going to be any fun either so. Berg: It sounds a little bit like you've got a PR problem too. I mean if I'm a casual boater and I'm out there doing it and maybe I'm upsetting you for whatever but if someone in your tournament flipped me the bird, I'm going to be pretty upset too. Para Mueller: l'm not aware of any. Berg: And you can't be responsible for that either. Joe Mueller: And to be honest with you, we are aware and we've talked to quite a few people but you know there are 100. you know 50 some odd people in this tournament and you know we can't be responsible. Pain Mueller: The only thing I can think of is that maybe it was one of the competitors that was trying to make a mark and you know was getting the rollers. I mean that's all I can think of and I mcan I can't, I mean I can certainly have a meeting with them before and talk to them and you knoxv, we didn't know what we were going to be up against that so it was hard to have a meeting with my competitors before that when I didn't know that that's what I was up against. You know I know for a/;act that none of my staff did it. Of my volunteers. I mean one of my volunteers is here and I know he talked to him too and I'd like him to talk. Joe Mueller: Actually Joe is our safety director. Pam Mueller: Yeah, he's responsible fbr lnaking sure that everything is running safiely. I mean if it happened, I'm truly sorry. The only thing I Call think of is it would be one of the competitors who was upset because his run was, you know and obviously that's, you're right. That's something that we need to address before hand but in that tournament last year I didn't know that that was something that I was going to have to address. Berg: Just one other question. Would you be willing to, I think I know the answer to this. Have you, or would you be willing to sit down with the people that are concerned and try to work something out? Joe Mueller: Definitely. Berg: Some sort of compromise. Joe Mueller: That's in our best interest. Para Mueller: Right. You know the thing about Chanhassen is that, I mean we live in Chaska and it's nice for us to be close to home. We have a lot of people that we know that come to the tournament and watch and like I said, I mean I've got a list of 13 you know people that are members oflNT that live in Chm~assen. You know we promote Pamily fun. I mean that's, we Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 have families who come out and you know, I know a lot of us have teenagers and to me that's why I'm in it. I've got teenagers and when you're growing up, there's a lot of things they don't want to do with you. My kids are there every weekend with me, helping me and Joe run the tournaments and it's, I mean it's...and that's why I do it. I don't compete. I do it because I think it's important that teenagers have an outlet where they can go and have good, clean fun. Joe Mueller: You know the exciting thing about it, as I'm looking through these 13 names that Pam printed out on her mailing list, is we've got Ryan Andrus. Ryan and Janice is his mother. Andrus made it to the US Championships and they came down to South Carolina with us. He's a wakeboarder. We've got Steve and Jens Smithtoon. If you're watching Channel 11 the other night. Jens had been skiing on Christmas for like 130 some odd days. They both made it to the US Championships. It was just a phenonmenal. If everybody in this room could have been at the championships and see 850 competitors and see families get together and spend their vacations. That's what this is all about so of course we're willing to work with any individuals and dates, whatever it might take. And if it's not meant to be, then I guess it's not meant to be you know in Chanhassen but if we can do something to work it out we will. Lash: Okay, thanks. Is there anyone else who has a question? Okay. Moes: One is the timing. You go 8:30 to 4:00 on Saturday and 9:30 to 4:00 on Sunday. Is that straight through or do you take breaks inbetween there? It's pretty much consistent competition throughout. Para Mueller: Right. Joe Mueller: And there are times we could quit at 2:30. It depends on if we have to do re-rides. I mean it can be done as early as 2:00-2:30. It depends on how many comeptitors sign up. Pam Mueller: Yeah, I mean actually last year, like I said the reason it took us a little bit longer was because we did have to do a lot of re-rides because of the waves and, you know we do, I mean we can go and then wait a few. I felt like we could have worked with each other last year and made it work and still have gotten done. Howe: How late did it go last year? Para Mueller: I want to say probably 3:30-4:00. But we could have been done, because competitor wise you know...more crucial. I mean Sunday with the wake-boarders, the waves aren't that big of an issue because actually the bigger the, you know they like the big wake but the slalom skiing is where, on Saturday where it was more of an issue and that was the day that it ended up going longer because of the re-rides. Lash: Do you guys post signs or how do people, are people aware that this is going on? Outside people who are coming. Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Pam Mueller: Yes, and actually Chanhassen Bank is one of our sponsors. Kevin McShane actually sponsors the title to it. We have event guys that go out so they're mailed all over and then we put up posters. You know the pro shops and the boat shops have posters that are up and you know and promoting it.and then also at the boat show then we hand out the fliers with the schedules because we actually have the people that will follow throughout the tournaments because you accumulate points through the season and then whoever's in first place goes onto the championship which is people from all over the United States. Lash: How about at the park? So ifi showed up at the park I would know that there's some kind ofa. Para Mueller: Yes. Oh yeah. We have banners. We put up a wlnole bunch of banners and we lmve you know, with INT, yeah so they do. But that's again, I mean we've had people come and picnic right with us tlnat you know, I mean it's, we don't turn anybody away. You know I mean, and actually 9 times out of 10 they'll sit there and watcln it anyxvay because it's fun to watcln. Lash: Okay. Okay we'll open it up to the residents who are here tonight. A1 Klingeltmtz: Good evening. Park and Rec Chair and members. I'm Al Klingelhutz and I live at 8600 Great Plains Boulevard. On tine south shore of Lake Susan. You know the first year wlnen this tournament took place it didn't seem like much. There probably was 40 or 50 people on the north shore of Lake Susan. Maybe 10 or 12 or 15 competitive boats out there. Tine next year it got a little bigger and last year it was really large. They said 100 people but I'm willing to wager at any one time there probably was 150 people standing on the shore. I've been pretty open about park space. I was involved in Lake Ann Park. I was involved in Bandimere Park. I was very involved in letting a public approacln come onto Lake Susan. I really tlfink the lakes should be made available to a lot of tine residents of Chanlnassen. We lakeshore owners on the lake pay probably 1/3 higher taxes because we are on tine lake, and probably any of you that live on a lakc know that your taxes are somewhat higlner. You get assessed by the front ibotage. I think the thing that concerns me more than anything is the fact that last year prior to the tournament, at least 6 weeks prior to the tournament, from 5:00 to dark they had their buoys out there and were practicing at least 4 or 5 nights a week. It isn't only a two day tournament. It's a practice tournament where people come that they know they're going to be on Lake Susan. They come there. They set out their buoys, just like they are for the tournament, and they continuously go back and forth. It isn't only one boat. Five boats one night last week was out, or last spring. I was out with my pontoon and they came awful close to my shore and I yelled at one of them and he said, hey I've got just as much right on this lake as you have. I said yes you have but I says, it seems odd that you should be out here every night practicing and not letting any of the residents on Lake Susan have a quiet evening on the lake so they can fish. Now when you've got a pontoon and you get these waves from these big boats, I've got two anchors on it and they're pretty heavy and yes, I can hold it where I want to hold it on the lake. It's just, the waves just kind of keep of rolling along. And that is my biggest concern. Lake Susan is a 90 acre lake. DNR spent quite a lot of money sealing the bottom on it. You get these big boats on there constantly and they keep stirring it up. In the morning you go down there the water's pretty clear. You can see the bottom of the lake in 3, 4, 5 feet of water. But you go down there at 8:30 at Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 night after all these speed boats are on there, you don't see the bottom of the lake in a foot of water. Now you can't tell me that boats don't turn up the lake. It has a big effect, especially on a small lake like Lake Susan. It wasn't only when the lake was down, which it is right now. But last summer we had a lot of high water on the lake. In fact it was up onto the lakeshore. And these boats were out there within 150 feet of the lakeshore going with their big boats back and forth. On their ski run. They go through the run. Come back and there was a lot of wave action. A lot of good black soil from the shoreline went directly into the lake. I can't quite see what happened, especially last year, with all the practice. They didn't even stop after the tournament. They continued to come after the tournament and use that lake and it was just the prime time when people were home from work that the residents themselves use the lake. To me it's putting much too heavy a burden on the lake the size of Lake Susan. Thank you. If you have any questions, I'd like to try to answer them for you. Lash: Thamks Al. Any questions for Al? Franks: Al, what's the most important negative about the tournament to you? Al Klingelhutz: Well I think the most important negative is the practice runs that are done 6 weeks prior to the tournament, pretty near every night. And the people on the lake who would like to enjoy the lake a little bit, and some of the Chanhassen residents who come out there to fish would like to go out there and fish, it's very disturbing to see all those waves rocking your pontoon or boat around. If the tournament only was the one or two days, I don't think you'd have many objections but the length of the time and people want to win tournaments. And they know it's going to be held on Lake Susan. What do the people that play ball? They go and practice every night of the week. Or a basketball team. The kid goes 3, 4 nights a week to practice basketball. It's the same thing with this tournament. They're out there with their boats, they set up their buoys and practice and there isn't only 2 boats on the lake, there's 4 or 5 on the lake at the same time. So that's one of my biggest concerns. Thank you. Lash: I guess I'd be, I'd like to kind of hook on Rod's question. I mean do you really feel that if the tournament wasn't there that all ora sudden all the skiers and slalom people would just not come to Lake Susan anymore? A1 Klingelhutz: Well, it seemed that after the tournament started there is when we really got the slalom skiers on the lake. I think they like the lake because there's high banks all the way around it. There isn't too many waves around the lake. Even if it's windy out. The lake is a pretty protected lake from the wind and I understand that's one of the things that the skiers on these slalom courses really like. The quiet lake. And Lake Susan is a fairly quiet lake until the boats get on it and then they provide a lot of wake. I put some rock on my lakeshore and they didn't have quite enough and last week one day I hauled in some rock. My son hauled some in from the field again. I figure well I'm going to finish this little area here. And actually the shoreline had receded over 2 feet from where ! had placed the rocks and where they weren't. So you know we've got some problems with wakes on Lake Susan too. Moes: What I'm hearing is that skiers...are setting up a system. Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 A1 Klingelhutz: Very few boats are ever out there with buoys on a lake doing the slalom course or whatever they call it, but every year since the tournament started, they're coming out earlier and earlier and more and more to practice on Lake Susan so that they can be very competitive in the tournament. Moes: And are they bringing the buoy system with them? A1 Klingelhutz: They're bringing the buoy systems in. Moes: Is that something that they can bring a buoy system on...slalom course on the lakes? I'm not sure what the guidelines are. Ruegemer: I'm not exactly positive what the guidelines are either but it's my understanding that if it's a temporary type ora use, you can bring that in and put those in. As long as you don't have them all the time. Moes: So like tbr the tournament they needed to get approval from other. Ruegemer: Carver County. Moes: Carver County...and in this environment when they're doing it... Gene Klein: Hi, my name is Gene Klein. I live at 8412 Great Plains Boulevard. i'm on the southeast end of the lake, down from Al. I was out on the lake last year and was confronted by some of the people on the lake. I'll give you my side of the story of kind of what happened. I probably didn't hit the lake until late afternoon because I had a baseball tournament that morning with the kids. We came home. It was a 90 degree hot day. Went out to use the lake and I grew up on the lake and I hear Al's frustration is, it's a public access on the lake now and every year there's more and more boats. But what seemed to happen is, they rented the pavillion to use as their headquarters there but they also tried to use the lake as their own. They were very, we had some people that were at the baseball tournament with us that came, were going to drop their boat on the lake. They had my daughter with them and they were going to come across and we were going to spend the afternoon on the lake. I had approximately 6 kids with me and they were bringing 3 or 4 more with them. While 1 was out on the lake before these other people came and I was confronted by the people on the lake, one of the safety boats and asked to stay 100 feet away and I said I would do my best. I said it is a small lake. Ifs a 93 acre lake. The way they have the course set up, they utilize half the lake. Okay, that cuts it down to a 45 acre lake. On the east, southeast side of the lake it's very shallow. You have to stay out a good 100-150 feet to maintain a depth for any size boat, which now makes it a very, very small lake. You're working in a very small eye. So I did as they asked. I stayed 100 feet away from their buoys. Ran back around and I was confronted a second time and asked how long I was going to be out there. And I said you know I'll probably be all afternoon. I says we have people coming over and they asked well you know can we take turns. I says well yeah, that's really not an option. I said I had a boatfull of kids waiting. We had plans too and we wanted to use the lake. ! says we're doing our Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 best. We're staying away from you. I'm doing the best I can do. You know I says it's, it was not an option as far as I was concerned. So we continued on. A third time I was approached by all the boats and asked if I could.just do a straight line back and forth and stay way to my side of the lake. And by this time I had talked to a couple of the different neighbors that were out there and one of the neighbors had been told he should not be able to put his boat on. Told him to go to a different lake. The boat that was bringing my daughter over came over and they were told the same thing. They were told to go to a different lake. That they could not be put on the boat. Lake Susan has a public access. That means it's a public lake. If they want to have a tournament, I recommend. I don't mind the tournament but I recommend they do like you say, pick an earlier weekend. I think other years it's been a lot colder. I mean this fall, spring would be better. But if you have it in the middle of the summer when it's warm out, that boat on any given day is going to have 5 to 10 boats, the lake is going to have 5 to 10 boats on it. There's approximately 10 power boats from people that live right on the lake. I would love to go out there and not have anybody bothering me also. I like to fish like A1 does. I like to use the lake for skiing and tubing, but I think what they're trying to say is they want nobody else out on the lake and that's just not realistic on this size ora lake. That's all I have. Lash: Anybody have a question for Gene? Okay, thanks. Jim Jacoby: Hi; my name's Jim Jacoby. l'm 8410 Great Plains Boulevard and what Gene has indicated is what I heard too. Now I wasn't around Saturday at all so I don't know what happened but Sunday I was out later in the day and at the end of the day I was, somebody had to come over and make a nice comment to say thanks for wrecking our tournament when I hadn't even been out there all weekend and so that was not, I didn't appreciate that and I heard the same thing from the other neighbors. I just want to reiterate everything Gene and A1 had said is consistent with what I've heard from the neighbors and what I also saw. Any questions? Lash: Thanks Jim. Anyone else? Joe Brandenberg: My name's Joe Brandenberg. I live in Eden Prairie and have been a part of the tournament since the inception and just after listening to everything I just had a couple of comments. One, I can appreciate the concern of the homeowners. I used to live on Lake Joham~a in Arden Hills tbr a number of years and was the Waterfront Director in Northwest College there and we had a slalom course. I was on the homeowners board at the same time representing a homeowner and as the waterfront director for the college. And we taught sailing and canoeing and waterskiing professionally and so I dealt with a lot of different issues and had a good repoire xvith the homeowners on the lake. A lot of that being because xve, the lake was a safer place because we were out there all the time. I was two years ago State Tournament Safety Director and I was the boat who putted over I think the second time when the one gentleman said and I went over and said can we, you know wait or how long will you be out here. We had I think at that point 3 or 4 skiers left and my concern was when you're slalom skiing, if you hit big waves the potential for serious injury is very great to the skiers because it throws you off your skiing so that was my main concern. With the deal. As far as the practice and all that. Those people may or may not have had anything to do with the tournament and one thing with the economy being good is that on any lake that I've been on, including the one I lived on, there are more fishing Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 boats. There are more personal watercraft. There are more ski boats. There are more inboard outboards and boating is growing and it's becoming a more popular sport and skiing is growing and becoming a more popular sport. So I'm not sure that that's unique to this lake. I think it's a challenge that's being faced all around the Twin Cities area. So I'm not aware of anyone at any of our tournaments. I'm not saying it couldn't have happened but I'm not aware of anyone ever trying to control the public boat launches. There's only one tournament that we have that's not at a public site. Ail the others are and so there is a real effort to try to work with the people there. And as far as people being flipped off or anything like that. Having been the waterfront director at the college I had employees and I hope nobody ever there ever did anything like that. I never heard about anything like that but the best effort I could do in training, you still can't control what everybody's going to do and if that happened, that's unfortunate. If there were bad attitudes expressed toward people, I think that's unfortunate as well. You know either direction but I guess my thoughts, as I sit and listen to this is, I'm pretty, you know I understand the concerns as far as being a homeowner on the lake. 1 also understand from the tournament point of view and to me it really comes down to I guess what the City wants to do. As far as the erosion, that really, you know some lakes in the Twin Cities area have been closed to boats, anything over 5 horsepower or 10 horsepower, that kind of thing. There's at least one in Eden Prairie that way. So really I guess you know it's going to be a challenge in years to come unless the economy gets really bad and people can't afford boat gas anymore. But so, I guess I'd just like to see the best thing happen for everybody involved, whatever that is and I know Joe and Para are. if it's not going to be a site that would be compatible with having a tournament, then they're open to looking somewhere else. You know but if it can be worked out, I know they're open to that too so. I hope it can all be worked out so it's good for everybody. So if you have any questions. Berg: It sounds like you've had lots of experience in working with neighbors as well as with boaters. I'm not saying not necessarily right now but that you can think of that might, in terms of meeting with these neighbors and addressing the concerns. Do you think there's any reasonable hope that anything could be worked out? Joe Brandenberg: Well I think there is, sure. I always think that's possible. And I think probably they, you know there's some legitimate concerns that are being expressed so I understand that and I think you know, if a meeting could take place or it could be talked out in a happy medium of some sort could be reached, that would be great. But certain things, you know they live on the lake. They do pay higher taxes. I know that. You know they want to be out there to use the lake. And for a tournament to take place certain things have to happen too and if the two can't coexist, then they just need to go in two different directions. I can't speak for the homeowners because I don't know what their individual feelings are but I would sure like to see that as an option before it's you know just dismissed but it's your city so you need to decide what's best for city and for the people that live there. Lash: Okay, thanks. Is there anyone else in the audience wishing to address the commission? Okay, seeing no other comments we'll close public comments and go to the commission. We'll open it down there with you Mike. Howe: Thank you. Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Lash: You're welcome. Howe: I just really would build on what Fred said. I mean I think both sides here are reasonable people. You both have a right to use the lake. As far as erosion and shoreline, my thinking on that was that's a DNR issue. I don't think we or even the City Council can really dictate no wake zones and such like that but it seems to me there are two options here. One is to change the date, and I realize that maybe the July 8th and 9th, that's the first big weekend after Independence Day. That's a big family time. Maybe there's a date that's better suited when the lake wouldn't be quite as used. Just a thought. Second thing. I think Fred's right. Both sides, you need to sit down and talk. I mean your reasonable people. Here's what you can expect from us. One side usually you can expect from us. The other side and work it out. I think it can be worked out. I don't think, you know that would be the next step in my mind. I don't have an answer. That's all I have. Lash: Thanks Mike. Moes: I think Mike did a good job of summarizing...for the groups to get together and...dates, then work on the dates. Scheduling throughout there within the date. Taking breaks. Whatever is appropriate. There's a lot of options available. Lash: Rod. Franks: I've enjoyed the tournament...walked around the lake and sit down and watch, but I've also been bothered Al by the boat noise in the evening as well. It makes it all the way into our neighborhood in Chanhassen Hills so that's also been a little bit ora bother to me. 1 know people organizing the tournament, you probably don't have control of that. I had the same question. It might be something worth checking into is a permit required to set down a buoy course. That might be one way to control that type of activity in that case. I haven't heard anything today that seems like an insurmountable conflict. It appears to me that we do have people with some kind of competing interests but these interests I don't think need to happen to the exclusion of the other. I think it's certainly a situation where people are capable of finding some way to work together for the benefit of boat. Everyone represented here is interested in the same sport, just wanting to do it at the same time, same place, different way and since we all have a similar interest in boating, I think there's certainly a place here to sit down and make some arrangement where maybe not everybody's completely satisfied but at least all of your needs, or most of your needs are being met. One of the things that strikes me too for the INT applicant is to make sure that everyone has all the information significantly ahead of time and that may be... last year that not everybody got that information when planning gatherings and events. That can be real frustrating. But if you had knowledge ahead of time what's going to be on the lake and you of course can also make appropriate plans as well. Jan, I'm not sure if we can make some kind of recommendation to have them meet... What would the structure be? Jerry? Lash: Here would be my first choice. Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Berg: Let's see who isn't here. Todd. Lash: I guess I would think we certainly could do that and I would suggest some type of an agreement between all these parties before we would even make a motion. Franks: So it's not necessary for us to make a definitive motion this? Lash: ...table it based on... Franks: Can I ask a question of the tournament organizers? Lash: Sure. Franks: When would be the date that you would need a definite date so you could handle your advertisement? Para Mueller's comments were not picked up on the tape. Lash: That would be Ibr sure the latest you could go? Para Mueller: Right... Actually the Boat Show... Franks: So what date would you need'? Pam Mueller: ... Lash: So that gives us a month. Okay. Moes: Don't we meet the 14~' of December? Lash: ... Franks: By the 14th have the meeting and then we can take action on the 14m. That's all. Lash: Okay. Yeah, well clearly there's you know some problems and I agree with all the other comments that I think these certainly could be worked out to everyone's satisfaction. I think that given the lake, given the conditions and given the economy and everything that was said, I think you're going to have boaters and tubers there all the time, whether the tournament's going on or not. Because if they're continuing to ski after the tournament, they're not practicing for the tournament anymore. They're just having fun and they're bettering their skills so I don't kmow that pulling the plug on the tournament is going to cut down that much on the traffic that you're experiencing. I think probably every lake homeowners is experiencing that frustration right now but I think too that this needs to be worked out and I think it can be worked out. I have a question also for Pam or Joe. Do most of the participants wear, you know wet suits and things like that that help them stay warm? Skiing and boarding or. Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Pam Mueller: Yes. I mean there are... Lash: But you could have it in June, couldn't you? Pam Mueller: Oh definitely. Lash: I mean I'm not talking about February you know but. No, no, no. No, but I mean you know a lot of times, the first couple weeks of June a lot of times there's, or later in the season a lot of people aren't as enthusiastic about the lake sports anymore. I know the attendance at Lake Ann goes way down in August just because people get kind of tired of some of those things. But I think July probably really would be a problem because that is just the peak month, especially that weekend because it's when everybody's on vacation and with the 4th and everything so I would definitely want you to reconsider the date and look at something that's, you know if you're wearing protective clothing anyway, the water temperature isn't going to be a huge factor to you where it will be for all the other little kids who want to go out and tube and that kind of thing. Pam Mueller: In the past we've had it you know more towards... Lash: I think looking at difi'erent dates would probably go a long way with the neighbors and I would strongly encourage a letter, if you guys want to make it and have the city send it or if you want to have Jerry try to come up with something, letting all the lake residents know this is the weekend that this tournament is going to be going on. These are the kinds of things that you can expect. If you have any difficulty with anyone please look for Pam or Joe Mueller. They'll have on the bright yellow hat or whatever you want to do so that they know who they can go and talk to directly if they have a problem and say you certainly would want to work through any of this. You know you want to try and have a successful thing and you know. You know what l'm talking about. But I think if people know' ahead of time, that may help and then the date may help... Pam Mueller: ... Ruegemer: There was in the initial permit. Berg: It sounds like they need a lot more than dates though. Lash: You know this is what they can expect and I definitely think you know if they know that you're trying to make an effort to make sure that problems don't happen and who to talk to too. If someone, and you can't control everyone's behavior and we know that but people who are out there are going to...that's all there is to it and at least if they know who they can go and you know vent to, it makes them feel like they have a little more control over the situation so. If it's a shot at trying to solve the whole thing. Fred, you got anything? Berg: Just a couple questions. Do you have any control over the people who practice 5 or 6 weeks ahead of time? Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Para Mueller: You know what, I guess I'd...As far as I know, I don't... Joe Mueller: Quite honestly, Lake Susan... Berg: It sounds like Lake Susan has been discovered. Para Mueller: Well you have to realize that with the amount of boats... Berg: One other thought, I don't know if they're all workable in terms of compromises and working things out with the neighbors and how it would work into your schedules. Maybe opening up the course to the people around the lake. Let them run it once or twice might be something they would enjoy too. Pam Mueller: ... Berg: Okay, that's all. Lash: Okay. thanks. Jay. Karlovich: Befbre I make a comment. Jerry I just want to ask you one question, ttow many residents approximately are there on Lake Susan? Ruegemer: I don't know that for a fact. I don't know how many are on. Karlovich: 100 or? Maybe the residents... Ruegemer: These were 500 feet. The 500 tbot notification. Karlovich: The comment I want to make to Gene, Al and Jim is first of all, I'm a Park and Recreation Commission member. I was appointed by the City Council and we're supposed to be champions of recreation, This has to go in front of the City Council however. I think we're going to have to vote for the recreational portion of this. We have a recommendation fi'om our staff'member to approve it but ifI was the City Council member and I had a petition from 18.20 or even a majority of the people that lived on the lake that didn't want the tournament to go, I think the City Council is the body that's elected by you. They're not a commission that's appointed by the City Council to champion the parks and the recreation. I think that if you don't want to work things out or things can't be worked out, and you do have the support of the people that live on the lake, I just think ifI xvas the Mayor or any of the council members, I would want to see a petition and I would want to see what people who elected me and put me into office want done here. We have a letter in the file here from Lawrence Harris and he isn't totally against it. He just wants like the parties to work together but the one thing that I guess [ would encourage you is that just for the City Council's benefit to, you know there are three of you here tonight and you're in fi'ont of a park and recreation commission where we're supposed to champion parks Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 and recreation. I guess ifI was up here, if there is a lot of negative support for this program that I at least would give some input to the City Council. That's the only statement that I have. Lash: One quick question. When will the City Council meet in December? Ruegemer: I keep them upstairs with the dates. They're probably early... Lash: Don't they meet every other Monday? Ruegemer: With work sessions, every Monday with the work sessions. Lash: So chances are they would meet... Ruegemer: I could go upstairs and get the meeting schedule. Lash: We really should know that before we go much further. Is there anybody else who needs to say anything or is there someone who's ready for a motion? Al Klingelhutz: One question? Lash: Sure Al. A1 Klingelhutz: ...neighbors together... Lash: That's what we're going to figure out. We need to find out when City Council's going to meet because if it has to come back to us and then go to City Council, we've got to make sure that they're going to be meeting at a time after our, and we meet on the 14th of December so we would want you guys to be able to have time to meet, come to some kind of an agreement, or not, whatever, so we can act on it on the 14th and it can go to the City Council at their next meeting. That's what we need to find out what their schedule is. A1 Klingelhutz: ... Berg: Well I think we're letting both sides down if we don't at least try to do. I don't think there's any harm in attempting to see if we can work out a compromise. If it can't be done, it can't be done. But I'd like to make it more than one vote. I'd like to at least know that all avenues were explored before we do that. Lash: And that's why we think, I personally I think the first thing you guys would have to do is come up with a date that is agreeable to everyone, Berg: Maybe that's where the compromise lies. And that's I think should be a relatively easy thing for both sides to sit down and discuss. Audience: ... ~' Park and Rec Commission Meeting - November 23, 1999 Lash: Okay, Jerry's what's the time schedule? Ruegemer: The next Council meeting is the 13th. Work session is the 20th. (There was a tape change at this point in the discussion.) Lash: That would be enough time for you wouldn't it Para? Okay. So now we've got a time frame to work with here. Everyone's been thinking about how to make this motion, Who's ready to do that? Berg: Well I'd move that we table this item until our December 14th meeting when we can have input again as to what happened after a meeting of the interested parties. Lash: Okay. Berg: I move that staff at least facilitate getting the two sides together. Lash: Is there a second to that motion? Howe: I'll second that. Berg moved, Howe seconded that the Park and Recreation Commission table action on the request for a Public Gathering Permit for a INT Water Skiing Tournament on Lake Susan and direct staff to faciliate a meeting between the interested parties before the Park and Recreation Commission meeting on December 14, 1999. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously. USE OF NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS FOR YOUTH ATHLETICS IN 2000. Ruegemer: Thank you Chair Lash. We had discussed this item previously at a previous commission meeting earlier. At a meeting last spring before the season got started. At that time the commission wanted to take a look at with the new community parks coming on line with the redevelopment of City Center Park and Bandimere Community Park, wanted to address the issue at that time. To look at eliminating the use of neighborhood parks and my recollection was that Meadow Green Park, North Lotus, Carver Beach and Rice Marsh Parks. At this time I would like to discuss that with the commission. We all, with the commission and staff have been waiting a long time for Bandimere and City Center to be developed and redeveloped. At this time it looks like they are going to be ready to go by spring of 2000 which is great. And they will help us out tremendously. We're adding additional soccer fields and baseball, softball fields which will certainly be welcomed by the commission. Or by the Athletic Associations in town and that serve our residents. At this time I do believe that even with the newly developed facilities, we are growing tremendously across all the associations, anywhere from 10% to 20% a year for soccer, baseball, that type of thing. I really think that we would be doing ourself a disservice to totally eliminate the use of these areas. With the development of the parks, our CITYOF CHANHASSEN 690 (Ttl' (;c,~cr Drhv,/)0 [b.v /~ ~ I?,o,c 612. 93 L 1900 November 16, 1999 Dear Resident: At their November 23, 1999 meeting, the Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission will be reviewing a request lbr a Public Gathering Permit for a water-skiing, wake- boarding, and knee-boarding tournament on Lake Susan, July 8 and 9, 2000. The tournament will be hosted ibr the fourth consecutive year by Minnesota International Novice Tour (INT), which is a non-profit group that promotes organized water-skiing, wake-boarding and knee-boarding. INT was organized five years ago and currently has support in many states. INT is proposing that the water-skiing tournament be held on Saturday, July 8, ti-om 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and the wake-boarding tournament is planned for Sunday, July 9, from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. INT plans to utilize three boats, but will have only one boat pulling a skier, wake-boarder, or knee-boarder at a time. One boat will be used as a safety boat. The slalom course will be set-up 40-50 yards south of the sandy beach area just west of the public access. INT will use the picnic pavilion at Lake Susan Park as their tournament headquarters. The City will work with INT to ensure that adequate safety personnel, refuse containers, restroom facilities, etc. win be available. Staff has recommended that the Park and Recreation Commission approve INT's request for a Public Gathering Permit. Staff has also recommended INT pay the reservation tee of $250 per day to reserve the Lake Susan Pavilion. The Park and Recreation Commission will consider this item on November 23, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. You are welcome to attend the meeting and comment on the request. If you have questions prior to the Park and Recreation Commission meeting, please call me at 937-1900, extension 126. JR:grab Todd Hoffinan, Director of Park and Recreation Chanhassen City Council Waterski o Wakeboard o Kneeboard Amateur Tofir November 1, 1999 City of Chanhassen 690 City Center Drive PO Box 147 Chanhassen? MN 55317 Dear Sir. I am x~'riting this letter to request permission to hold an International Novice Tournament (INT) League at Lake Susan in the month ot'July. We have had a tournament there l'or the past 3 years. I have worked very closely with Jerry in making sure that xYe are sensitive to the homeowners on the lake. I Feel that we make every, eflbrt to leave the park in better shape than when we arrived. We use a very small PA system, and point the speakers towards the pavilion. We never have excessive volumes, at any time. We usc boats l'rom dilTerent manulhctures, but there is only one boat in motion at a time. I love using the Lake Susan Park because it is in my hometown area, and it's fun to see participates from the area compete. I hope you will give this careful consideration, il'you have any questions feel t¥ce to call me (t~' 612-361-9577. Sincerely, Para Mueller Minnesota State Coordinator 1951 Watertbrd Lane Chaska, MN 55318 612-361-9577 c-mail mnint,~fi~,,aol.com Jerry Rue~lemer From: Sent: To: Subject: Mnint@aol.com Monday, October 25, 1999 1:40 PM chpk2@ci.chanhassen.mn.us Re: 2000 INT Tourn in Chanhassen Dear Jerry: I would love to have a tournament at Lake Susan in Chanhassen in the 200 year. It is wonderful to have a tournament, close to home. I have talked to all my Chanhassen residents and they are all willing to go to bat for me if needed. I felt that we really tried hard to accommodate the homeowners on the lake. It would be really sad if one person could keep us from having another tournament on the lake. After all this would be the 4th year of the "The Chanhassen Bank Challenge." The Chanhassen Bank is the title sponsor. Thanks for all you do for INT League. I will send a letter of intent today. Thanks-Pam CITYOF 6I£. 9Y~ I900 /'2¥ 612 '~.~Z 5?9 /:';;fi;l~'cE~, t'2¥(, I2. ~-. 9] 5,;I~;~' 12', (, i2 '~.~ ~ 27~ November 29, 1999 Dear Resident: The Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission, at their November 23 meeting, reviewed the Public Gathering Permit for the INT Water Ski Tournament proposed for July 8 and 9, 2000 at Lake Susan. After input from the INT (tournament sponsors), residents, and the Park and Recreation Commission, the Public Gathering Permit was tabled until the December 14 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. The commission directed city staff to facilitate a meeting between the INT and the residents of Lake Susan. The meeting will be Tuesday, December ? at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting will be limited to 1 hour and will address the following items. Possible alternative tournament dates (late May or early June) Establish tournament guidelines fi)r INT: a. Water Safety b. INT and participant etiquette during the tourr~ament c. Course Layout in relationship to the rest of the lake d. U sage of the public access the day of the tournament Conversations with INT indicate they are willing to change the tournament day, have a meeting with all INT tournament organizers in the winter months to discuss the upcoming tournament, and formulate a meeting with the tournament participants the clay of the tournament. The INT is willing to work with the residents of Lake Susan to establish these guidelines allowing both groups to co- exist. If you have any questions before the meeting, please call me at 937-1900 ext. 126. Jerrg Ru~g-'emer ' Recreation Superintendent g:Xpark\ cn~. \intrcstdcntmlg,d{~' ROSEMOUNT INC ATTN: CONTROLLER 12001 TECHNOLOGY DR EDEN PRAIRIE, rcA/ 55344 AUSMAR DEVELOPMENT CO LLC CIO LOTUS REALTY PO BOX 235 CHANHASSEN, IVIN 55317 MILTON R A BATHKE 8404 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN. IVlN 55317 NORMAN C JR & KIMBERLY GRANT 9021 LAKE RILEY BLVD CHANHASSEN MN 55317 STEPHEN C & JUDITH A SLACK 8675 CHANHASSEN HLS DR N CHANHASSEN k/l'4 55317 LESLIE E TIDSTROM 8679 CHANHASSEN HLS DR N CHANHASSEN IVI'4 55317 JOSEPH F JACKSON 8511 DRAKE CT CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 DAVID E & NIKKI J DUMVIER 8523 DRAKE CT CHANHASSEN k/N 55317 WILLIAM & NANCY A KOTHMAN 8535 DRAKE CT CHANHASSEN iVN 55317 ROBERT W ARMSTRONG JR 8400 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, k/N 55317 MILTON R A BATHKE 8404 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 R LAWRENCE & TArv'A4Y A HARRIS 8408 GREAT Pt~iNS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 JAMES P & KATHRYN L JACOBY 8410 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 EUGENE D & MARTHA J KLEIN 8412 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN MN 55317 JAMES J & TRUDI A A~,JNDSON 8500 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 SHIRLEY M ROBINSON 8502 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 GEORGE W & LESLIE GILMAN 8506 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, IVIN 55317 GARY R & KAREN MSCHULTZ 8507 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 JEFFREY R SICHENDER & SANDI M FORD SICHENDER 8508 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 BRAD H & CAROL MWILLMSEN 8510 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN. ~ 55317 THOMAS H & LINDA M HOUSTON 8520 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 ROME ,a, & ELLIS E NOONE 8522 G~: ,-- ¢',T PLAINS BLVD CHANHAS3EN. MN 55317 WAYNE E & KATHLEEN MHOLTMEIER 8524 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 A & M J KLINGELHUTZ TRUST C/O ALOYSIUS & M J KLINGELHUTZ 8600 GREAT PLAINS BLVD CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 JOSEPH S & VERONICA PERTTU 1000 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 JAMES LEE PEHRINGER 1010 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 MARILYN J LEVVIS TRUSTEE 1020 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 RICHARD L & PEGGY A ANDERSON 1030 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, IVl'4 55317 RANDAI. !3 & SUSAN A 930 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DF; CHANHASSEN. ~ 55317 AMIR MASSOUD DABIRAN & ZAHRA-SHAHSA IVOGHIMI 940 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 Laser Smooth c°°d ......... ~ ..... , -~ .S~,~:~= .... Use template for 51_60® JEFFREY D & ELIZABETH TENDICK ,~;~.0 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR ANHASSEN,~ 55317 THOMAS L HOFFA & SUSAN C PIERCE-HOFFA 970 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, IVN 55317 MATTHEW JOHN NOAH & SUSAN KATHERINE NOAH 980 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN,~ 55317 EUGENE E & GVVYNN C WAARA 990 LAKE SUSAN HILLS DR CHANHASSEN, ~'4 55317 JOHN DAVIS & KARl SENJEM DAVIS 8200 WEST LAKE CT CHANHASSEN. lVlN 55317 THOMAS L &TtNA M SHEAR 8211 WEST LAKE CT CHANHASSEN. fVT4 55317 JOE BRANDENBURG 8762 HAWTHORNE DRIVE EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55347 PAM MUELLER 1951 WATERFORD LANE CHASKA, MN 55318 DEBBIE KELLY 7090 ROLLING ACRES ROAD VICTORIA, MN 55386 3 FRANKS .~94 MARY JANE CIRCLE CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 A, ddr3ss ' -x , Laser Hi Todd. My name is Gene Klein. I am a resident of Lake Susar~ and I was calling regarding the waterski tournament that took place over the weekend. Ijnst wanted to infbrm you of some of the situations that occurred on the lakeo This is the third year the tournament has been there and we've never had a problem on the lake before; but this year the tournament took place and there was a little bit of controversy. The people running the tournament were telling people at the landing that they could not put their boats on, they wanted them to go to different lakes. I live on the lake and I was on the lake with my boat, and I was approached several times and they got very hostile telling me that ! was making too many waves on the lake and that I was interrupting their tournament. Now, it's my thought that this is a public lake and my boat is on the lake at all times and residents should be allowed to put their boats on. I just wanted you to be aware of some of the situations that happened. My number is 934-8977. Please give me a call, but I would sure like to address this issue because if it was up to the residents on the lake or anybody around there, they will not be issued a permit again. There's no way people can treat us like that. I don't like being flipped offwhen I go by in my boat, especially when I have four children in the boat, So please give me a call. I'd like to discuss this further with you. Thanks very much. July 19, 1999 g:'~park',th klein doc Park and Rec Commission Meeting - February 23, 1999 PUBLIC GATHERING PERMIT~ WATER SKIING TOURNAMENT AT LAKE SUSAN PARK. Jerry Ruegemer presented the staff report on this item. Lash: Was this at Lake Susan before Jen'y? Ruegemer: Yes. Franks: .~ .how the lakeshore residents were notified about... Are you planning jusl the one event this snmmer? I know in the past you've considered having two events. Joe Mueller: Well it's actually three events in one. There's wake boarding, knee boarding and slalom skiing. What's happened with us in the past is we're pulling close to 100 to 150 competitors per weekend and we had held practice on Saturday and Sundays was our tournament. Well we were running into thc evenings, into the night sometimes which we don't like to do for safety reasons so we decided to go Saturday fi'om like 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 with practice and then we'll be doing our slalom skiing throughout the afternoon Saturday and Sunday will be basically knee board and wake boarding, which is the big events for the kids. So it is a full two day schedule. Franks: That includes the practice'? Joe Mueller: That includes the practice. And chances are at the Lake Susan, we've got a professional womens WAL tournament coming the 17th, that following weekend so that's not going to be an open spot for us because we're also sponsored by the local marinas in the area so we're all going to be at a womens WAL tournament down at the Aquatennial with our boats and staff. I lost track of what 1 was getitng at. Lash: Joe Mueller: Oh the 17'h, correct. Thank you. So it is a two day tournament. Lash: Other questions for Mr. Mueller? For staff?....motion. Howe: I move we accept staff's recommendation to approve the INT's request for a public gathering pem-dt...$250.00 per day and recommend that a $1,000.00 damage check be submitted to cover any damages. Lash: Is there a second? Roeser: Second. Howe moved, Roescr seconded that the Park and Rec Commission approve the INT's request for the public gathering permit to hold the water skiing, wakeboard and kneeboard tournament at Lake Susan on July l0th and 11th. It's also recommended that the INT pay the reservation fee of $250.00 per day to reserve the Lake Susan Pavillion for their tournament headquarters. Staff also recommends that a $1,000.00 deposit check be submitted prior to the event to cover any unforeseen circumstances or damages. All voted in favor, except Berg who opposed, and the motion carried 4 to 1. Lash: Fred, do you want to just clarify your vote? Berg: I did have a resident or two, some residents talk about the disruption that live on Lake Susan. They did register their complaint with me about the noise and the...use the lake for those days. Lash: Okay, thanks we'll move on. City Council Work Session - March 8, 1999 e. Approval of Bills. Councilwoman Jansen sent a note asking about monthly statements for the accounts payable. Acting City Manager Gerhardt clarified the new format for the bills. Councilman Senn asked if it was possible to have a monthly income/expense statement. Acting City Manager Gerhardt asked for clarification regarding activity or department. Councilman Senn stated a monthly summary of budget, income, expenses by activity and department codes with monthly and year to date information. ,f. Approval of Minutes: No questions. ~ g. Approve Easement for 1998 Bike Trail Proiect, Nicholas Lucas. No questions. h. Accept Donations from Minnesota Vallev Electric Trust~ Meals on Wheels Program. Councihnan Senn asked if the donation was the total cost. Kate Aanenson stated yes. There are no matching funds from the city. i. Accept Cash Donation from Chanhassen Athletic Association for the Purchase of Spectator Seating at the Recreation Center. Mayor Mancino asked if the bleachers conformed to the new state regulations. Todd ttoffman said that they would. j.. Re. solution Authorizing Submittal of a Grant Application to Pro{'ide~Accessible Entrance to the Chanhassen Library. Councilman Senn questioned reimbursement which Kate Aanenson clarified. 1. Authorize Advertising for Bids. Shore Drive Storm Sewer and Water Quality Prolect. Mayor Mancino questioned if there was enough money for this project. Kate Aanenson stated that there was. Councilman Labatt asked is the city entered into an agreement? Kate Aanenson stated that the city has maintained the boat ramp to help with erosion problems. m. Approval of Public Gathering Permit for INT Water Ski Tournament~ July 10 & 11~ Lake Susan Park, Para Mueller. Councilman Senn and Councilman Labatt asked if there were any resident complaints from last year's tournament. Todd Hoffman stated that no one showed up for the public hearing at the Park and Recreation Commission meeting, but stated that A1 Klingelhutz had complained about all the practicing that was done on Lake Susan last year. Councilman Engel stated that one weekend event was fine, but if they had asked for txvo events, he would not be in favor of that. The work session was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Submitted by Todd Gerhardt Acting City Manager Prepared by Nann Opheim nue~emer, Jerry From: Sent: To: Subject: James P Jacoby@bluecrossmn.com Friday, November 19, 1999 1:27 PM chpk2@ci.chanhassen .mn.us Public gathering permit I~or water skiiing tournament Dear Jerry, I am writing you to ask that the commission deny this permit. As I know you are aware this event has taken place for the last several years on Lake Susan. I have noticed that it has gotten larger both in terms of spectators and participants. While I enjoy the tournament itself I am unwilling to give up the use of the lake for a whole weekend during the short summer that we have, and basically that is what is required due to the size of the lake. I am saying this because last year when I used the lake during the tournament I was harrassed by individuals involved with the tournament when I had my boat on the water(incidentally when any boat stays the required distance offshore on the far side of the lake away from the tournament it is impossible for any other usage not to disturb this tournament). Additionally I heard of others being told that they could not launch thief boats during the tournament. I believe it is unreasonable for the residents of chanhassen to be denied the use of Lake Susan for one of the most prime weekends in the sunm~er. I believe the real issue is that due to the nature of a tournament waves are a detriment to their tournament which I understand however other use of the Lake does in fac~ create waves and I don't see how other recreational use of the Lake and any tournament can coexist due to the nature of tournaments. Paul A. Melchert Luke L Melchert David P. Hubert Keith E. Sjodln R. Lawrence Harrm Timothy ]. Looby Bradley W, Solheim J Michael Melcherl- Kelly C. Dohm Thomas W. Larkin %tort kl. Lucas Of Counsel: Mac R. Willemssen F)r,,n Administrator: Mary Lee Re[net MELCHERT- HUBERT- SJODIN November 18, 1999 WACONIA OFFICE 121 West kla~n Street, Suite 200 Waconia, Minnesota 55387 Telephone (6~-2) 442 5].55 Facsimile (612) 442-6166 CHASKA OFFICE ! ] 2 Second Street West PO Bo× 67 Chaska, M~nnesota 55318 Telephone (612) 448-~.21 Facsirmle (612) 448 6282 P~epiy to: Waconia Ofhce VIA FACSIMILE (93%5739) AND FIRST CLASS MAIL Jerry Ruegemcr Recreation Superintendent Git5' of Chanhassen 690 City Center Drive PO Box 147 Chanhasscn, MN 55317 Dear Mr. Rucgcmer: I live at 8408 Great Plains Boulevard on the east shore of Lake Susan. i am writing to you in response to your letter of November 16, 1999. concerning the request by INT for a permit for a water-skiingwake-boarding tournament on Jul5, 8 and 9, 2000. I believe this will be the fomth year INT has conducted this tournanaent on Lake Susan. Prior to 1999. I had always c~xioyed having tho tournament on llae lake and lkmnd the competition both enjoyable and thc participants fl'icndlv. ltowcxcr, in 1999 myself and several of my neighbors were confronted and harassed bv INT tournament organizers on both Saturdav and Sundav of the tom'nament. Essentially, INT tournament organizers were telling us that we could not use any part of the lake for our own water-skiing and related activities. Both myself and my neighbors had relatives in fi'om out of toxvn and we wanted to make usc of the lake. At all times we remained at least 100 yards away fi'om the tournament area. However, the tournament organizers believed that they had the exclusive right to use the entire lake during their tournament. Clearly the Git3' cannot and did not give INT exclusive dominion and control over the waters of Lake Susan for a two day weekend period in the middle of the summer. Additionally, friends of one of my neighbors attempted to launch their boat during the tournament and were told by tournament officials that the public access was closed and they could not launch their boat to use public waters. MELCHERT ° HUBERT · SJOD1N Jerry Ruegemer November 18. 1999 Page 2 As previously stated, 1 don't believe there have been any problems between INT and other users of Lake Susan prior to the 1999 tournament. I am not suggesting that the problems which occurred in one year are significant enough to preclude tile issuance of the permit for the tournament in July of 2000. However, the language of the permit needs to clearly address the following issues: The public access to Lake Susan remains a public access and the tournament organizers have no righ! to preclude anyone fi'om using that access. -) The permit allows the tournament organizers to conduct a water-skiing/wake- boarding tournament within a narrowly defined area along the northerly shore of Lake Susan. The permit should provide fbr an adequate safety buffer around the tournament site. Other than tbr the actual tournament site and a safety buffer, the tournament organizers and participants have no rights over the balance of Lake Susan which shall be reserved for other recreational users. 1 would ask that tile City provide me with a copy of tile permit prior to tile tournament Ihat myself and other users of Lake Susan are well informed as to tile terms and conditions such permit. Unfortunately I have a schedule conflict and cannot attend the meetiug on November 999. I hope tile Park and Recreation Commission will consider mv request. Sincerely yours, RLIt CC: Jim Jacoby R. Lawrence Hah-is Lar~,';misc/lettelxoChan November 18, 1999 Mr. Jerry Ruegemer Recreation Superintendent City of Chanhassen 690 City Center Drive PO Box 147 Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 Dear Mr. Ruegemer: 1 am in receipt of your letter regarding the proposed Minnesota international Novice Tour event scheduled for Lake Susan on July 8-9, 2000. The last two years the tournament has been held during a time of high water levels on Lake Susan. I am very concerned about the shoreline erosion that is occurring on Lake Susan when speedboats are used after heavy rains. I urge you to table action on this item until the City Council and State determine a policy for lake use during high water levels on Lake Susan and other City lakes. Sincerely, Wayne E Holtmeier 8,~,_4 Great Plains Blvd. cc Scott Botcher CITYOF CHANHASSEN MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUB J: Scott Botcher, City Manager Mayor & City Council Phillip Elkin, Water Resource Coordinator May 25, 1999 No Wake Zones on Area Lakes With the recent amount of continuous rainfall, we've been getting calls requesting that the City establish No Wake Zones on city lakes from lakeshore owners who are afraid of erosion that the high waler and wave aclion will cause. As you may recall, in 1996, we had a similar situation and at that time I investigated the possibility of establishing No Wake Zones on all of the city lakes. As part of my research I found that anytime a lake or the lake level is at or below the ordinary high water (OHW) level established by the DNR, the DNR has jurisdiction over use of the water body and the City cannot restrict activities. I also contacted the Watershed District and the DNR and obtained lake level readings since the late 1950's on most all of the lakes. What this indicated was that very seldom do city lakes get above the OHW level and when they do, it is for a ve~7 short period of time (one or two days). The only lakes that are consistently above the OHW water level in the Chanhassen area are Lake Lucy and Lake Ann. Lake Lucy has no public access so we have no way of enforcing a No Wake Zone on that lake. Lake Ann already has restrictions on the speed and motor size so, again, ~ve would not have reason to put No Wake ordinances on those lakes. Lake Minnewashta and Christmas Lake both have large channelized outflow systems and their water levels fluctuate very slightly. Again, they seldom reach the OttW and when they do, it is for a very short period of time. Which leaves us with Lores Lake, Lake Susan and Lake Riley. After looking at those lakes, Lotus Lake has only reached an elevation of 3" above the OHW level mark three times in the last 30 years. Lake Susan has done this five times. Lake Riley has a history or getting high elevations but it also has a larger outlet dam system so that, again, it is very short periods of time that it reaches a high level. The major obstacles in enforcing a No Wake Policy is knowing when the lake is above the OHW level. This would require two people with surveying equipment to carefully monitor on a daily basis when it is suspected that the water level is above the OHW. In researching this issue, I talked to other agencies that enforce No Wake policies, most notably the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. They have established a No Wake elevation which is 2'/4' above the OHW level and which must be sustained for five days belbre they will start enforcing No Wake rules. This prevents public No Wake Zones Memo May 25, 1999 Page 2 safety officials from making numerous trips out to the lake to put up and take down No Wake signs. The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District has not issued a "No Wake" warning this year. After meeting with public safety officials and the Carver County Sheriff's Department, I reached the following conclusions about No Wake Zones and enforcing the rules: On the three lakes in question, Lotus Lake, Lake Susan, and Lake Riley, very seldom reach a significant elevation above the OHW. These lakes do not sustain this high water level for extended periods of time (days). If we established a no wake ordinance, we would be unable to enlbrce this action effectively. Cun'ently, Carver County has one patrol boat. We could put up signs but would not be able to meet citizen expectations on enforcement. Monitoring lake levels would require two staff members to be on-call during times of significant rainfall. Bi-weekly monitoring is already conducted by the MnDNR volunteer program and monthly readings by local Watershed Districts. We must give reasonable notice to the boating public that no-wake restrictions are in effect. Because of the nature of the Lake levels and the publishing deadlines lbr the Villager, wake ordinances could come and go before any notice is given. Boaters entering the lakes through the public access would see the no~wake signs but not users living on the lake ~vould not. 5. If we pass a no xvake ordinance, we nmst be able to justily this action before the DNR would allow us to enact. The reason for establishing no wake zones is to prevent erosion of shoreland around the lakes. There is little if any evidence of shoreland loss due to high water levels. In conclusion, we fbund that it would be a time consuming venture and would not significantly increase the quality of the lakes. I would recommend that the Council adapt a plan that if water levels reach the 100 year flood stage or higher an emergency No-wake ordinance be passed until water subsides. jillS ?' clSs 1 'wol2',,eng',phi/lip newalley itemdoc 9/I5/70 '- 3/17171 12/14/71 7/6/72 2/22/73 9/12/73 4/27/74 I 1/I 6/74 6/I 9/75 1/26/76 8/27/76 3i5/77 9/22/77 4/20/78 11/17/78 7/18 79 3/l 8/80 10/13/80 5i20/81 12/28/8I 97/82 5/26/83 2/29/84 2q2/85 9/I8/85 4/20,86 2/9'87 9~2/87 6/2/88 12/30/88 8!7/89 44/90 11/12/90 9/30191 7/3092 3/12/93 l 0/8/93 5/24/94 12/I 6/94 7'13/95 1/23/96 8/15/96 3/13/97 1 O/14/97 1,2/90 3/I 2/90 5/31/90 8/2?90 [ 1/29/90 5/23/91 3~18 q2 71,92 l '20'93 4 S,'93 78 g3 I0 g'q3 4 1594 7'1 s 04 4 I 7q5 7 1395 I0 1295 i,17 96 61398 9 20 96 2 23 % 3 1397 6'l I 97 9 } 097