2002.08.14 Parks Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks Commission Meeting 8-14-02 Minutes Page 1 of 3 Hugo, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Open Space Commission Meeting August 14, 2002 6:30 p.m. Oneka Room — City Hall Meeting Chair: Robyn LaCasse Minutes By: Laurie McRostie Present: Kitty Cheesebrow, Robyn LaCasse, Jennifer May, Bunny Peterson, David Strub, Tom Weidt, Bronwen Kleissler, Chuck Haas, John Rask, Laurie McRostie. Absent: Pete Pedersen Copies To: Commission Members, Michele Lindau- Community Development Assistant, John Rask - Community Development Director, Mike Ericson - City Administrator Bruce Bernin A. Mr. Bernin spoke to the Commission about aerating Oneka Lake. He built a very sound case for continuing to support a fish population in Oneka Lake. 1. A large fish kill the winter of 1999-2000 eliminated most of the fish in the lake. He shared pictures of the beach covered with large northems and other fish. 2. The eagles no longer fish in Oneka Lake because the fish supply died. 3. Minnows have been observed in the lake and so have some sunfish, and this indicates that a fish population would thrive if the lake were not allowed to freeze all the way to the bottom. 4. The loons returned and bred on the lake. They need fish to survive. B. Another success story has been the eradication of purple loosestrife. The DNR released beetles, a biological control, in the area and they have almost eliminated the plant. C. The DNR has not been responsive to requests to aerate the lake. The City did not receive funding for an aerator last year. The grant application was denied by a 3-2 vote. This is a political issue at the DNR and the various interests feel that either Oneka Lake is a fishing lake or it is a natural resource lake that supports waterfowl habitat and hunting. D. There are three options for the City to consider 1. Stock the lake with fish. 2. Aerate the lake and let the population return on its own. 3. Stock the fish and aerate the lake. E. The Commission agrees that research should be done on the cost to restock the fish and finding a supplier for the fish. The DNR is a contact for this kind of information. They will also tell the City what kind of fish should be stocked. A permit to aerate the lake will also be applied for. F. Since this is such a political issue at the DNR it was also recommended that our local legislators, and those running for office, be asked what their opinion is on Oneka Lake and whether they support a fishing or hunting lake on Oneka Lake. We want to know what their positions will be after election. G. Kitty Cheesebrow will do research on the aerator application and stocking fish in the lake. II. Trees on the Bernin Property A. Mr. Bernin is letting some of the evergreens he has pruned as Christmas trees go to a natural form. http://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/Parks_Recreation/minutes/8142002.htm 9/19/2007