Request to be made for state cost-share funding for control of invasive species
Dave Bucklin, Lake Commission members, presented an estimate for a sediment basin on Mountain Lake Golf Course to the group’s members at a Monday, September 12 meeting. That estimated cost is $8,423.50, with a 20% contingency, for a total approximate cost of $10,108.20.
Bucklin noted that he can request $7,500 from state cost-share.
Members of the Mountain Lake Golf Course Board of Directors stated that any excavated dirt could be placed on the golf course, and then seeded.
Bucklin and Lake Commission Chair Jim Peterson will attend the golf course board meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, September 14) to discuss the sediment basin.
Control of invasive species hopeful to continue with state cost-share funding
Bucklin and Jay Schied are willing to continue with control of invasive species (Buckthorn, Wild Parsnip, Leafy Spurge and Poison Ivy). A request has been submitted for state cost-share funding for the total project cost of $7,850, less in-kin of 50% the labor and education hours of $3,425, for a total request amount of $4,525.
Bucklin will get the Mountain Lake City Council’s permission for both (sediment basin and invasive species control) of these state cost-share projects.
In other business
+ Information on projects on Mountain Lake
- Learned that the secondary maintenance permit for harvesting expired on September 1. Peterson went out on the the lake three times to remove vegetation by the dam, fishing pier and island in order to make a path through the dense vegetation.
- Heard that the weed harvester was taken out of the lake on September 7. The city will crew is handling end-of-the-year maintenance, including oiling, replacing, some cutting teeth, checking hydraulic hoses, etc.
- Learned that Stan and Christi Bennett had donated $180 for weed harvester storage for 2017 in a building on the Sid Ewert property.
- Learned that, now that the curly leaf pondweed is being cut, the native vegetation has taken over and is causing major interference in the use of the lake. Research will be needed to be completed to see what can be done about the problem.
+ Information on the Mountain Lake Trail
- Heard that Bucklin, Peterson and Schied had supported and anchored the walking bridge until it can be moved into place when it dries out.
- Learned that installation of the weed barrier is also on hold until the ground is drier.
- Learned that maintenance work needs to be done on the island. The City of Mountain Lake is going to borrow equipment from Cottonwood County to complete some of the cutting. The agriculture class of Mountain Lake Public High School is willing to do some community service work on the island.
- Learned that the City of Mountain Lake is going to hire a student next summer to do some trail maintenance.
- Heard from Bucklin about a discussion he had with an engineer about plans for the installation of approximately 14′ or a 24′ culvert by Ken and Rachel Yoder’s property, installing tile at Lawcon Park where there is a drainage problem and plunge pool repairs at the storm sewer outlet into the lake.
+ Information on the beach
- Mountain Lake Public High School Ag Teacher Stephen Funk had requested his students to find photos of fire pits, benches and pergolas to be constructed and placed in the beach area. Lake Commission members reviewed these pictures and arrived at a recommendation for the class. When Funk has the cost estimates, Mountain Lake City Administrator/Clerk Wendy Meyer will apply for grants to help fund these projects..
+ Lake Commission new business
- Marlin and Maureen Palm have been storing leftover prizes from the Fourth of July Kids Fishing Contest, as well as from the Odin Sportsmen’s Club. The Palms asked the commission if the items could be donated to a toy drive. The Lake Commission approved the donation.
- Lake Commission Member Jason Kruser raised concerns about mowing the Mountain Lake Trail leading to the bench on the hill on the north side of the lake. Meyer stated that Randy Markle of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had given the city permission to mow up to the bench. Following discussion about the benefits and concerns, a motion to stop mowing the trail next summer failed.