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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-16-1974 . , 1 . 'Minu~es of Special Councl I Meeting Vi Ilage o'i Arden Hills Thursday. May 16. 1974 - 8:00 p.m. Village Hall , ( Ca II to Order The meetlns was called to order by Mayor Henry J. Crepeau, Jr. at 8:00 p.m. .... Roll Call Present - Mayor Henry J. Crepeau, Jr., Stan Olmen, James Wingert. Absent - Councilman Charles Crichton. Also Present - Parks Director John Buckiey, Clerk Charlotte McNlesh, Deputy Clerk Dorothy Councilmen William Feyerelsen, Administrator Zehm. PUBLIC HEARING RE CONTROLLING WATER ACTIVITIES ON LAKE JOHANNA Mayor Crepeau briefly reviewed State legiSlation concerning surface water regulation. Copies were distributed of Planning Commission's report, proposed rules and map relating to water surface use of Lake Johanna. Mayor Crepeau advised that this hearing was being held to get opinions of the people on this subject. L. McGqugh, 1666 La ke -!.ohanna Bou I eva!:.!t. wants more restrl ct I ve ordinance re horsepower and weekend hours and feels proposed regulation of "noise" Is ambiguous. He feels the 5 mph'regulation In the first speed zone can be enforced and that big boats and skiers should be off the lake at 5:00 p.~. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. J. Schm~edekeL 1954 Ed~~wat~r Avenue, noted that Minneapolis and St. Paul restrict lakes to n2,power boats and expressed concern re number of boats on Johanna If regulations permit boats with up to 150 hp. motors. Restricted hours of use and limiting traffic on the lake ''-make sense" to K. Simon, Ramsey County, said it was possIble to restrict parking of cars and tral lers In the ramp lot and not al low trailer parking In other areas . S. Ludlow advised that the 5 mph corridor refers to motorboats only, does not apply to canoes and sailboats. Mr. Schmaedeke suggested It might be possible to check boat speed with radar. Schmaedeke questioned whether the 72 decibel noise ,level was restrictive enough since OSHA considers aa decIbels InjurIous to hearing. Ludlow stated that a8 decibels was exceedingly more noIsy than 72. J. Kahil"k.e. 154J EcJqllwater Avenue, expressed concern about nol,.e (racing nholl$ extremely noisy) and felt horsepower regulation was misleading. He concurred that limItations be placed on number of boats on Johanna at one time and expressed concern re 011 slIcks on the lake. -. Lud low reported that Dtifl IH.G RI eEl Ct'eel<, 'tlatershed 01 strl ct attri bute this primarIly to "run-off" from parking lots. It was al.o noted that the Dept. of Aeronautics does not Include Johanna or JosephIne as lakes designated for use bv Dlan~s. J. Schroedl, 1450 Skiles Lane, favored speed zone limits but '~"'~- against horsepower limitation, favored limiting number of people using lake. He noted that lakeshore owners are constantly cleaning up garbage, cans etc. R. Schultek, 3415 Johanna Boulevard, said horsepower should be restrIc- ted to closer to 50 hp. Square Lake has 15 hp. limit. He feels con- trols are necessary to avoid abuse. L. Amundson, 3320 Joh~nna Blvd., said terminology regulating speed at 5 mph should be changed to "closed throttle". He feels that Johanna Is relatIvely idle except for weekends and favors some control of number of boats on lake at one time. -1- . ' , . Minutes of Special Counc! I Meeting Page two May 16, 1974 .. :!..:...Jiulllvan. 1429 Ski les Lane, reported he and his family use lake for sailing, canoeing and skiing; we should accomodate all uses. The proposed legislation adequately covers use. Unsafe operation of boats Is attributable to lake residents as wel! as non-residents. He would favor regulating number of boats and tral !ers on the ramp lot. From a legal standpoint, Sui livan felt proposed regulations were enforceable except for the 3J mph limit in the second speed zone which would be difficult to measure. The safety regulations are under pollee power and not discriminatory If applied to all users of the lake. H.. Biersach. 3382 Johanna Blvd., felt horsepower restriction was not meaningful whereas speed zones were. Noise comes largely from un- muffled engines. His experiences, some years ago, as a deputy for lake control Indicate that patrol, especially at high use times, would solve many problems. J. Edwardson. 3453 Johanna Blvd., feit noise and traffic are biggest ~roblems, and nothing in proposed rules regulates traffic. He suggested shorter hours on weekends, probably stop at 5:00 p.m. and also favored IJ.I~lng horsepower to 50. The noise Is not a constant sound, gunning ~f motors Is annoying. .c.. Sheehy, 1505 Edgewater Avenue, said he's lived on lake 25 years ,~n4 feels most 01 probiem stems from public access, suggests licensing bo.ats @ $IO-$15/year. Pleasant Lakes's restricTions make It a "dead ",ake". ReSTrictions should relaTe to safety, but sTi II permit full ,use of. lake for all ac1"lvltles. J. rlmm, 1622 Johanna Blvd., said greaTest concern Is for safe operation of boats, has observed many "near accldents", particularly on Sundays. ~ "handful" of people support Lake Johanna Imprbvement Association en4contrlbute to preservinq beauty of lake. Those who contribute ,sh:ould have some say re control. W. Cedarholm, 3242 Sandeen Road, said he'd lived on lake 38 years, there was no ramp when he came. Traf fie and nol se have become I ncreas- Ingly bothersome. F'lshlng lines have been cut by power boats when n.~s fishing off hl~ dock. Noise does not necessarily relate to horse- powe r of motor. N. Bakken, 3203 Shorewood Drive, said he may be prejudiced as a sall- ~~at man but feels the lake Is too smal I to accomodate al I uses. Large boats at low speed create high waves resultlnq In erosion of banks. Average height of lake Is now what the highest was years ago. This also aggravates erosion, particularly on east and south shores. If other lakes In area prohibit or restrict power boats, JOhanna,wlll get more; there should be a phased program over a periOd of time. Most boaters are responsible, relatively few careless ones cause most problems. Boaters come too close to swimmers even though buoys mark area. Ludlow noted that Johanna Is categorized as a multi-use lake by DNR. Village can exclJde motorized boats, but regulation must be fair to all. . Warren Forslund. 3147 S~orew~?d Dr~, complained of noise on weekends and wake of Inboards swamping c~noes. If we want to be generous to outsiders, more can be accomodated if horsepower and boat size Is smaller. R. Droel, 1690 Johanna Blvd., stated there were too many large boats, felT 30 mph. regulation was unenforceable, "We can't assume non-resi- dents want power boats". Hours for second speed zone should be cut off earlier In the evening. Droel commended committee on water surface control study. . K. McFarland, 3254 Sandeen Road, announced that the Lake Johanna Improvement Association will hold Its annual meeting at 8:00 p.m. at the Vii lage Hal Ion Thursday, May 23. Weed control of the lake will be discussed. -2- \ Mlnu-res of Special Council Meeting Page th ree May 16, 1974 T. Lynch. 32lO H,mllne Avenue, said he Is annoyed by boat noises from Johanna (lives on Josephinel. Also expressed concern re pollution of I akes caused by run of f. J. Plemmons, LexLngton Avenue, felt control via horsepower was not the answer, Is concerned about safety and fert ramp access control and reduced hours on weekends would be effective. . S. Ludlow reported as follows on several points raised: We should act on regulating Johanna this summer, DNR must act on our proposed rules within 90 days, but has Indicated they will not hold Village up on time schedule. Tanners Lake and Square Lake have regulations. Water skiing and fast boating require about 20 acres/boat; Johanna is 212 acres, which would accomodate 10-11 fast boats or skiers at one time. The Committee has worked closely with DNR and Ramsey County and feels this will expedite their action. In addition to proposed rules, the Plan- ning Commission has recommended that: I. Access from the ramp be control led possibly by limiting ramp parking or issuing licenses for power boat use during peak periods. 2. Ramsey County be responsible for enforcing the ordi- nance and placing marking buoys. 3. Establish a corridor in County beach area for launching area for novice and beginning skiers. She noted tnatllcenslng for ramp access and limiting ramp access might raise question of discriminatory regulation. G. Dlmke. .Rice Creek WaTershed DISTrict, said they would like to be kept Informed re lake regulation; noted that other lakes are restricted" that the cost and means of enforcement present greatest problems. He said that Johanna Is basically a "storm water lake" and the weed problem relates to boating In that phosphates are stirred up, encouraging algae growth. The Watershed District is presently studying the Johanna sub- watershed. This wil I point out problems and remedies. An assessment hearing Is being' held June 16th at 7:30 p.m. at Centervllle Public Elementary School. K. S I lOon, Ramsey....f..2.J!.n tv Open Space, reported that County has recent I y formed an ad hoc committee to determine a suitable and feasible system of policing Rams~y County Park and Open Space Sites. If strong enforce- ment 15 needed, advise committee. He felt parking of cars and trailers could be controlled If,rela1'ed to carrying capacity of the lake. R. Woodburn, member of study committee, reported that most issues raised tonight were considered by committee. He felt a regulatory ordinance was essential, even though enforcement might present some difficulty. . Mayor and Council advised that all comments would be considered when Councl I promulgates regulations. The VI I lage Attorney wi II put these in ordinance form, DNR then reviews proposed ordinance, after which ord I !'lanCe may be app roved by Counci I . After It was determined there were no further questions or comments, the Public Hearing was closed, and meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. ~~ Charlotte McNlesh Clerk Admlnl~trator -3- . . , -. .',\ ., REPORT FROM WATER SURFACE CONTROL COMMITTEE The proposed ordinance (or rules for watercraft operation) On Johanna lake was. the result of a 6 month study by a sub- committee authorized by the Planning Commission of Arden Hills to assess the need for water surface control on the lakes with- in the Vi!lage. Wlth the changes made by the 1973 legislative session to the Water Safety Act, for the first, +ime it became possible for local units of government to establish ordinances to control the. u.s,e 01 watercrafT on waters within their terri- torial limits, provided thaT such ordinances are approved by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. Any water surface use ordlhances adopted by a local unit of gov,erninent afTer January 1, 1975 must be consisTent with the statewide rules and regulations to be formulated by the Commissioner of Natural Pesources. There- fore a very real incentive was provided to research and develop a plan for water s~rface control of the lakes within our munici- pal limits which would be specifically tailored to the needs and wiShes of the people of Arden Hills, while s+111 being mindful of our larger responsibilities to the total recreational needs of Ramsey County. the commiTtee consisted of the following 'peopfe: Chwmn:Shlrley ludlow, Larry McGough, Maurice Johnson, Robert Woodburn, Dick Frey, Tom Lynch, ,Bob & Nancy Car I son and C' eon Garl ey. Early in our deliberations TWO facts became evldent--I.Water surface use of the lakes could not be compleTely divorced from ecological considerations and 2. To provJde ourselves wIth a working knowledge of the needs and wishes of Arden HI lis re- sidents It would be necessary to send out Questionnaires on uses and abuses of the lakes. I I Three different Questionnaires were sent out upon which I shall report briefly. (The rei'urned Ques+lonnalres are on file aT the Village Office.) The first questionnaire went to riparian residents of lake Jo- hanna. Its primary purpose was an assessment of whether those who lived on the I~ke's shores fel+ a regUlaTory ordinance would be a good Idea---the answer---strongly affirmative. We also sought to get an Idea of what the residents consi~ered to be abuses of the lake. The same generai purpose was behind a Questionnaire sent to resIdents on lake Josephine. In this case the response was mixed. However, most residents felt regulations weren't necessary, and that abuses were not that numerous. Both of These responses were consistent with the evaluation in the Lakes in Ramsey County Report # 4 made by the University of Minnesota for the Department of Natural Resources. in that report Johanna was Identified as a " high problem !ake" and Josephine as " low probtem " level. . . '. ., ' . Page 2. Report on Water Surface Control-con't. The third questionnaire sent out was a more general question- naire and went to all residents of Arden Hills. 1058 Quest- Ionnaires were sent out and 238 were returned. From those returning Questionnaires the following results wer'e obta I ned: 204 used lake Johanna; 45 used lake Josephine; 26 used Valen- tine Lake. 137 were In favor of an ordinance for lake Johanna 34 were against any restrictions for lake Johanna 28 had no opinion 131 thought we should regulate the other lakas 52 thought we should not 47 had no opinion 63 of those responding lived on lake Johanna 17 of those r~spond I ng lived on -Lake J1:lseph I ne. The hourly break down'on summer and winter' activities was a little har'der to assess-It being a much more subjective evalu- ation-but some generalizations were possible from the evidence suggested. As might be Imagined, the gr'eatest use of the lakes was for swimmlng--almost 3 times the man hours Indicated as for the next most popular summer activity, whIch was fishIng. Both of these results serving to remind us of the need for keeping our lakes as pollution fr'ee as possible. Canoeing and sailing were the next most popular summer activities, followed by water skiing and power boating. Considarable use was made of the lakes for winter sports activities, but the results of all the Quest- ionnaires plus the assessment of the commi~tee was that no very real problem existed in this area of winter recreational activi- ties. With this background In mind, the sub-committee submits the pro- posed rules for watercraft operation on lake Johanna as our suggested method for Insuring the most equitable use of the lake possible while also attempting to preserve It for "the continued pleasureable use by future generations. Shirley ludlow, Chwmn. . PROPOSED RULES FOR WATERCRAFT OPERATION ON LAKE JOHANNA RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA (a) Application: Thesa regulations shall apply to the water ~f Johanna lake (62-78) T.30, R. 23, S. 33-34, In Ramsey County, Minnesota. . lbl F'rst Speed Zone: There shall be a 5 mile per hour maximum speed zone between the shore and the eIght buoys, each located 250 feet from shore and area In center. (c) Second Speed Zone: There shall be a second speed zone which shall consIst of all that portion of the lake surface net included In the FIrst Speed Zone. Boats within this zone shall not exceed speeds of 30 miles per hour. In addition, speeds In excess of 5 ml las per hour will not be allowed In thIs zone except between 'he hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (dl Pattern of Movement: All motorized watercraf~ shall travel ~ounterclockwlse during the period of time that speeds in excess of 5 miles per hour are allowed. (e) Powerboat Racing: No powerboat racing will be allowed at any time. (f) Noise: All powerboats shali have efficient mufflers capable of preventing excessive or unusual noise and adequately suppressing the sound of the exhaust. In no Instance shal! noise level of power boats exceed 72 decibels at the Sho~61Ine. In addition to the usual patrol enforcement, the written complaint of not less than three people may initiate enforcement of thls section. (g) Maximum Horsepower: No powerboat shall have more than 150 H. P. (hI In addition to the above, the applicable MInnesota Water and Watercraft Safety laws shall be enforced. , (i) Penalties: Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine of not more than 1300.00, or by Imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or botho .