03/11/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 11, 2002 slalom course and ski jump since 1954. He was pleased to report that the Water Club has co -existed quite well with the lake residents and lake users. He indicated Bald Eagle Lake has bald eagles, blue herons and egrets co -existing with no problems and with no restrictions on the lake. Mayor Bergeson asked that public comments be limited to the proposed ordinance related to a no - wake zone on Peltier Lake. A resident at 1687 Peltier Lake Drive stated he has lived on Peltier Lake for 25 years. He stated he has heard twice this evening that the majority of the Peltier Lake Association were opposed to a no - wake zone. He stated he personally knocked on his neighbors' doors and found that, out of 40 homes, less than 10 were opposed to a no -wake zone. He noted out of those 10, four are water skiers. Therefore, he believed the majority of the homeowners on Peltier Lake support a no -wake zone. He noted during the March 4th Association meeting the majority of the members stated they favored a no - wake zone, however, they were concerned about the southern • oundary line of the zone. He indicated the first choice of the Association members was for the no -w. •ne to begin at the bog poles, while the second choice was for the zone to begin 150 feet south of t The resident urged the City Council to listen to the people statements with data, and to follow their conscience and of the people want. ve spoken and can backup their ecision based on what the majority Nancy Bowring, 7608 Peltier Lake Drive, support d a -wake zone, regardless of where it begins. She felt the island deserves protection and agr • '�,, boating activity around the island has increased in recent years. Although she ackn dged that the reason the herons have abandoned the island is not known for certain, she felt th t been reached when something must be done. She noted the entire west side of the nop ` ion of the lake is a park preserve with limited vehicle access and she would support 1 • `$' n: any boating in the northern portion of the lake. However, as a compromise she wo up •F• rt a o -wake zone and recommended consideration of either alternative recommen•.. by An• ounty. She did not believe a no -wake zone as proposed would adversely affect the pres nce most home buyers would buy on a lake just to be on a lake and not base their decisi • on "here no -wake zones exist. Joan Galli, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Specialist, stated the Nongame Wildlife program has monitored the Peltier Lake island heronry since 1989 and, during 2000 and 2001, the colony was abandoned during the nesting season and most birds failed to nest successfully. She indicated in January 2002 a task force of natural resource personnel concerned about the Peltier Lake island heronry met to discuss management considerations for the future of the heronry. A review of the circumstances of these abandonments, as well an analysis of the scientific literature, has prompted recommendations for a buffer zone and slow, no -wake zone designation on a portion of the lake to protect the heronry and other significant natural resources on the island and the northern portion of the lake. Ms. Galli indicated, from a natural resource perspective, the initial location for the placement of the no -wake zone boundary proposed by the task force was a line south of the island and extending east 15