Posted: 5/15/02

Clear Lake project to begin June 3

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The shoreline along Clear Lake will be changing in the next few weeks. Sherri Buss, of Bonestroo and Associates came before the Forest Lake City Council Monday and said the Clear Lake shoreline stabilization project is set to begin Monday, June 3.

The project is a collaboration of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Rice Creek Watershed District, Clear Lake Association and Marine Corps Reserves, as well as the city.

The watershed district is contributing $29,350 and the DNR is kicking in about $10,000 for the project. Clear Lake Association has dedicated up to $7000 and the Marine Corps Reserves and the city public works employees will be providing labor.

Buss said the project will utilize bioengineering and crib walls to maintain the shore line. Plants, shade trees and boulders will be added, as well as additional parking. She said there will be about five designated fishing areas.

Eureka Avenue will be closed during construction, which should take about a week, Buss said.

Signage

Responding to appeals of the sign ordinance, the city council granted no leniency to business owners wanting to market themselves with signage.

ìI think we need to let it (sign ordinance) take its course,î Mayor Ray Daninger said. ìI think we need to support our staff on this.î

However, since Blacksmithís Auto Body is in the former township, it does not fall under the new city ordinance at this time.

Kandi Auto Sales and Leisure Time Recreation were directed to remove signs and comply with the ordinance.

Regatta

The council approved a waterfest for June 1 on First Lake, near Lakeside Memorial Park.

The event includes windsurf racing and windsurfing lessons, equipment demonstrations and live music in the gazebo.

Sunday, June 2 is the alternate date in the event there is no wind on June 1.

Water

Carl Graff, who lives on Clear Lake Shores and Clear Lake Beach area, came to the council meeting with a jug of water and a handful of paper cups.

ìWe have a problem with our water,î Graff said. ìWe canít drink it.î

He said his water is not drinkable and, along with a handful of neighbors, requested a cost estimate for city water.

ìWe donít want you to bring water in yet. Just tell us how much it is going to cost us,î he said.

Administrator Chip Robinson said some numbers on the project could be generated by the next meeting. There are about 60 households affected by the possible watermain.

Smoking

Debby Feist, president of the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce asked the council to sign an ordinance she said would save the city time and money.

She said smoking bans (for bars and restaurants) have been dividing communities such as Cloquet. The resolution, passed by the city 3-2, leaves that decision up to the state.

ìWhether youíre for it or not, this will tie up your time,î Feist said.

Councilman Terry Smith agreed it was a state issue.

However, Councilwoman Judy Bull said if residents wanted the council to address an issue, then they should.

ìIf local citizens want to request this of restaurants itís up to them,î Bull said. ìI think it should be a local issue.î

Councilman Tom Lynch told Bull they were on opposite sides of the fence and said he would ìdo everything I could to put it back to the state.î

Castlewood

The city and Mike Olson of Castlewood reached a management agreement.

The new agreement calls for a management fee derived from a percentage of green fees. Castlewood will pay the city 10 percent of green fees collected in a given year. Of that, the city will put 15 percent toward coarse improvements.

Task force

The city appointed members to the Community Recreation Task Force.

Representing the city will be Chip Robinson and Planner Doug Borglund. Other members include Ray Daninger, Debby Feist, Dick Damchick, Rick Ashbach, Alan Bakke, Dan Poepard, Karen Morehead, Lynn Steenblock and Beth Ahlgren.

Dedication

The Hopkins Area Jaycees will be dedicating a new week harvester fo the city this sunday. A ceremony and community picnic is scheduled for 12:30-2 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Lakeside Memorial Park. The public is invited.

The Jaycees donated a Model HM-620-S from Aquarius Systems, valued at $100,000.

Meetings

The Forest Lake City Council regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month in the city council chambers.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the council will next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 28. Due to sign appeals, the meeting is scheduled to start a half hour earlier than the standard time.

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