Address agenda items on lake, trail, beach, sediment pond, budget, other info
The Lake Commission met Monday, August 8, and the group’s agenda addressed tems related to Mountain Lake, the Mountain Lake Trail, the lake’s beach, the proposed sediment pond on Mountain Lake Golf Course and the commission’s budget – along with additional new information.
Both the minutes and treasurer’s report from the last meeting were approved. It was noted that Christy Bennett had donated $180 for wintertime harvest storage in Sid Ewert’s shed, to be paid to Ewert.
Mountain Lake
+ Former Lake Commission Member Jay Schied informed the commission a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) lake study that listed Mountain Lake on the impaired water list. Brian Schultz, of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, explained that the lake is on the list due to a fish biological assessment the PCA conducted. According to Schultz, the MPCA study states there aren’t enough fish species in the lake. Schultz continued that the lake was claimed and has a dam; and because of that the only fish in it are the ones stocked into it. The high phosphorus level is another reason the lake is on the list. Schultz determined there was no cause for worry.
+ Schied and current Lake Commission Member Dave Bucklin have volunteered to continue working on cutting buckthorn. To assist in ridding of the buckthorn, Mountain Lake City Administrator/Clerk Wendy Meyer, who was in attendance at the meeting, stated that the City of Mountain Lake would be applying for an Invasive Species Grant.
Mountain Lake Trail
+ Nickel Construction of Mountain Lake will be working on straightening and repairing the footbridge on the trail that was flooded and damaged during heavy rains this summer this Saturday, August 13, beginning at 8 a.m. Lake Commission members will be on hand to help.
+ Lake Commission Member Jason Kruser presented the suggestion of raising the height of the footbridge.
+ Administrator Meyer shared that a new part-time employee (20-hours per week) with the city’s Streets & Parks Department, Levi Grams, began working on Tuesday, August 9. His focus will be on trail maintenance and parks.
+ Discussion was held about installing a culvert on the trail by the property of Ken and Rachel Yoder where there is a problem with water runoff. Bucklin will collect information about the size of the culvert needed.
+ Lake Commission members learned that the solution to the water runoff problem by Lawcon Park might be the installation of tile.
+ Stressed that grass clippings on the trail by Curt Fast’s property are a safety issue and need to be swept or blown off on a regular basis.
+ An attempt was made to place a root barrier by the willows along the trail however, it was too wet at the time. A second try could be made in the fall if it dries out.
Mountain Lake Beach
+ Mountain Lake Public High School Ag Teacher Stephen Funk, husband of Lake Commission member Heather Funk, was on hand at the meeting to offer in-kind labor from the agriculture classes to build benches and a fire pit by the beach. Funk will gather cost estimates for the lumber and supplies. Meyer will apply for grants from the Mountain Lake Area Foundation and Remick Foundation in connection with the beach restoration projects.
+ Funk also shared that he is beginning a FFA program called, “Living to Serve Days.” Students are interested in doing some lake/trail projects. Funk requested a checklist of things that could be done on the island or other places around the lake or along the trail.
Sediment Pond by Mountain Lake Golf Course
+ The sediment pond by Mountain Lake Golf Course will cost approximately $26,000. Bucklin and Lake Commission Chair Jim Peterson were scheduled to attend a meeting with golf course leaders today (Wednesday, August 10) to discuss the project. Bucklin will request for State Cost Share to help with the expenses. City personnel could haul the dirt that will be excavated in order to create the sediment pond. It might be possible to use that dirt to make some hills on the golf course.
Lake Commission Budget
+ Lake Commission members decided to request a budget of $5,000 for the plunge pool, $4,000 for culvert and tile and $2,000 for benches and fire pit – for a total of $12,000.
New Lake Commission Information
+ Michael James was welcomed as a new Lake Commission member.
+ Kruser reminded members to place “hunting notices” in the Utility bills, the public-access television channel, the City of Mountain Lake website and the Lake Commission website.
+ Mayor Mike Nelson noted a visit from a “Bike About Minnesota” group on Saturday, August 20. They will visit Heritage and bike the Mountain Lake Trail if the footbridge is repaired.
