1998-03-17MINUTES - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MARCH 17, 1998
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:35 p.m. Those present were: Acting Mayor
Andrea Ahrens, Councilmembers Mark Hanus, Liz Jensen and Leah Weycker. Mayor Bob Polston
was absent and excused. Also in attendance were: Martha Reger, Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR); Gordon Kimball, President, Recreation Professionals; Charlie Jones, Minnetonka
Boat Rental; Richard and Cheryl Lebra; Gino Businaro, Finance Director; John Cameron, City
Engineer; Bruce Chamberlain, Economic Development Coordinator; and Ed Shukle, City Manager.
Proposed Public Access - Minnetonka Boat Rental
Ed Shukle, City Manager introduced Gordon Kimball, Recreation Professionals and Martha Reger,
DNR to explain the possible location of a public access at the current Minnetonka Boat Rental site.
Kimball referred to the Lake Minnetonka Public Access Report of 1992 which was a report
developed by a Task Force reviewing the feasibility of adding public access sites around Lake
Minnetonka. He stated that the owner of Minnetonka Boat Rental had contacted the DNR regarding
possible interest in his site for a public access.
Kimball, working on behalf of DNR, contacted the property owner directly across Edgewater Drive
from Minnetonka Boat Rental regarding his interest in selling his property to be used for the public
access. This property owner has expressed interest in selling the property.
Kimball outlined the process used by DNR in locating public accesses. He indicated that the City
gets involved as well as the neighborhood surrounding the proposed site. He indicated that DNR
has no condemnation authority and will only proceed with an access if agreement can be reached
among all of the parties.
Kimball and Reger described the history surrounding the new public access located on Maxwell Bay
in Orono. Both Kimball and Reger stated that the process for acquiring the necessary property for
the access takes about 6 ½ months.
Following the discussion with the Council, Kimball and Reger indicated that they would be
proceeding with an appraisal of the properties and will keep the City of Mound advised as to their
progress.
Cost Estimate - Lost Lake Improvement Project
Ed Shukle highlighted his memorandum of March 13, 1998 related to this matter. He explained that
the cost of the Lost Lake Improvement Project is now estimated at double the cost than what was
originally anticipated. This is primarily due to the sea wall, dredging, pier and docks. He
emphasized how important this project was to the redevelopment of downtown Mound and that it
would be difficult for the City Council to stop the project at this point.
Committee of the Whole Minutes
March 17, 1998
Page 2
Questions were then directed to John Cameron, City Engineer and Bruce Chamberlain, Project
Manager. The cost estimate was reviewed in more detail and options to reduce the cost were
discussed. Chamberlain emphasized that the project is like building a road; either you build the road
or you don't. Either you dredge the canal or you don't.
Shukle presented some options related to financing the overage. Although many options were listed,
the overall consensus was that a combination of sources would have to be used to finance the
shortfall. More study is needed on these various sources and more information will be brought back
to the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Related to financing of the shortfall was the need to establish a Stormwater Management Utility.
Funds from such a utility could be used for financing a portion of the Lost Lake project. The City
Council has discussed the need to establish a stormwater management utility for some time for other
storm water issues and directed that the City Manager prepare a proposed ordinance for Council
consideration at the April 14, 1998 regular meeting.
Annual Meeting of City_ Council and Advisory Commissions
This matter was continued until the next COW meeting.
Other Business
The City Manager distributed materials from the Hennepin County Assessor's Office related to the
Open Book meeting that will be held on April 20, 1998 at Mound City Hall. This meeting will
replace the traditional Local Board of Review meeting held in the past.
Also reviewed was the Council photograph and a picture was selected for final photo processing.
There being no other business, it was noted that the next COW meeting is scheduled for Tuesday,
April 21, 1998, 7:30 p.m.
It was moved by Jensen, seconded by Ahrens and carded unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at
10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
City Manager