Address number of agenda items
The Lake Commission held its regular meeting on Monday evening, April 10.
During Public Open Forum, Ken and Rachel Yoder were at the meeting to discuss several trail issues and their requests:
- The Yoders would like to be consulted before any tree trimming is done in the area south of the Mountain Lake Trail to Mountain Lake.
- Concerning the new easement, they would like defined boundaries on both the north and south side of the trail.
- Concerning the installation ofa new culvert, they would like to communicate with the contractor to make sure it is in compliance with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and meets buffer strip regulations.
- They also requested a liaison from the Lake Commission so they have someone to communicate with concerning trail issues.
Mountain Lake
+ The aluminum can bin was emptied on Saturday, April 1 by Lake Commission Members Jim Peterson, Dave Bucklin and Jean Haberman, along with Adam Watkins. The bin contained 1,300 pounds. At 45 cents a point, $585 was received.
+ Peterson, Kevin Ella and Jason Ella have retrieved the “Thin Ice” signs.
+ The fishing pier will be moved to its summer location when there is time on a calm day.
+ Lake Commission Member Mike James offered to take Secchi disk readings this summer. Habermen will contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) to inform them of the name of the new volunteer. Readings are taken once a week from the beginning of May through the end of September. These readings measure water clarity and are sent to the PCA as part of the Citizen Lake Monitoring Program.
+ The weed harvester will be moved out of storage, have the paddle placed and be launched by Monday, May 1.
+ Mountain Lake City Administrator/Clerk Wendy Meyer noted that three applications for weed harvester operator had been received. Peterson will train them and review the harvesting operation. Lake Commission Chair Jason Kruser will also be trained as an operator.
+ Approved was an application for an Aquatic Invasive Special Grant administered by Cottonwood County Soil and Water in the amount of $12,000 to replace the weed harvester and pay for some operating hours if needed. Bucklin will complete the application.
+ Meyer reported that there is $10,025 set aside in a special fund for future replacement of the harvester.
+ Lake Clean-Up will be on Wednesday, April 26, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Kruser will ask the local Boy Scout Troop for help, and Stephen Funk will tap FFA students for assistance.
Mountain Lake Trail
+ The Mountain Lake City Council has accepted bids for two projects. Lohrenz Construction of Mountain Lake will build the Mountain Lake Golf Couse sediment pond and Nickel Construction of Mountain Lake will repair the plunge pool and replace some riprap.
+ Bolton & Menk, the firm that assists the city with engineering services, will develop new specs for the culvert on the trail by the Yoder’s property and the drainage at Lawcon Park. The city will then request bids for those projects.
+ The Mountain Lake Golf Course sediment pond will probably have to wait until fall. Kruser will contact Brian Hopwood to come up with a date.
+ Bucklin has completed some clean-up work on the island, and the trail looks to be in pretty good shape.
Beach
+ Funk presented an estimate of material costs for the fire pit and benches by the beach. Meyer will submit an application to the Mountain Lake Foundation by Monday, May 1. The concrete and benches will be placed this summer, and the pergola in the fall.
Other Business
+ Funk asked if there were any projects his FFA students and himself could work on this Friday, April 14. Projects mentioned included – removing volunteer trees and brush growing south of the dam, cleaning up trash on the island and surrounding beach and cleaning up the beach area.
+ Meyer reported she has received three applications for summer help for the trail and parks.
+ The decision was made not to have a unit in the 2017 Pow Wow Grande Parade.
+ Meyer suggested placing information in local media explaining that the harvesting removes bad aquatic vegetation, but that new good vegetation will continue to grow and cause some problems.
+ Kruser asked if controlled burns would improve the grassy area on the west end of the lake, but Bucklin stated they would be of no help.
+ Meyer will contact Vince Voelker to see if he is still interested in becoming a member of the Lake Commission. If not, the commission recommends that the Mountain Lake City Council appoint a new member.