Page Title

Headlines

and bylines

Front Page

Feature Story

From the

Editor

Addie’s

Drawing

Letters

to the Editor

Victoria

Moments

Hook

Line & Sinker

Calendar

of Events

Click here to

Advertise

the Gazette

Return to

Home Page

Order

paper Gazette

Notes and

Quotes

The Scoop

at City Hall

COUNCIL RECOMMENDS HEAVIER OPTION

TO PROTECT LAKE MINNETONKA

Council voted 3-1 on May 13th to recommend that the LMCD adopt the more expensive 2014 budget option (Option #2) that includes $55,000 for large scale herbicide treatments on Lake Minnetonka but $10,000 less in funding for aquatic invasive species in the lake.

Those in favor: Mayor Tom O'Connor and Councilmembers Tom Strigel and Jim Crowley. Against: Councilmember Joe Pavelko. Absent: Councilmember Lani Basa. The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District is comprised of 14 cities including Victoria, all of which are taxed to cover a portion of the budget.

Option #2 means an increase of 9% in expenditures over the LMCD's 2013 levy rather than a 1.3% increase as proposed in Option #1. The recommended levy for 2014 is therefore $633,805 rather than $588,805.

Greg Nybeck, Executive Director of the LMCD, spoke to councilmembers that Monday evening. "We're talking about the 2014 budget at this time so it can be included in city budgets," he said. "We do operate off a strategic plan."

He said the plan includes mechanical harvest, herbicide treatment on three bays, watercraft inspections, permitting for special events, code enforcement, and shoreline inventory, among other things. The cost for herbicide treatment on three bays in 2012 was $103,845. He said many of those dollars are contributed by the private sector.

He said the total amount collected from the member cities in 2013 is $330,603. Under Option #2, that number increases to $385,615 in 2014. Victoria's share is calculated to be $24,916 for 2014. It was $20,526 in 2013. That means a 21.4% increase for the City of Victoria.

Asked Councilmember Jim Crowley, "What kind of progress are we making with the increasing invasive species in terms of treatment?"

"It's very expensive to do herbicide treatments," replied Mr. Nybeck, who said the LMCD will need subsidies from homeowners in the bays.

Success with milfoil? "It varies from year to year."

Said Ann Hoelscher Victoria's rep on the LMCD, "We're working with what we have. Chemical treatments are most effective right now. Private citizens, cities, and grants are our funding sources."

Asked Councilmember Crowley, "How much can we spend? Where is the decline in return?

Said Ann Hoelscher, "I don't think we can expect the LMCD to fund everything. But the lake is in our backyard. I think it's important to do something."

Asked Mayor O'Connor, "Are you able to measure success? There's got to be a measurement of some kind."

Replied Mr. Nybeck, "There will be technologies used to measure the amount of milfoil, whether it's maintained or reduced. There is no guarantee if you spend $50,000 to $60,000 on herbicide, and it may be only good for one year. As for milfoil, there's no cure for milfoil."

Asked the mayor, "How would you characterize cooperation with the DNR?"

Replied Mr. Nybeck, "The DNR will cooperate with harvesting and herbicide."

Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "Costs go up and the problem stays. Lake Minnetonka is infested. It's got everything. There's only a couple more things the lake can get. I'd be in favor of checking boats coming out, not those going in. I'd like to see things stay out of our other lakes."

Said Mr. Nybeck, "In 2012, the DNR stepped up their decontamination efforts and tried to hit the main public accesses. I think there is more of an effort to check the outgoing boats. There are over 60,000 launches annually on Lake Minnetonka, through the public accesses."

Victoria City Manager Don Uram informed councilmembers, "The LMCD funding mechanism is based on tax capacity and, with Victoria growing, Victoria's share will continue to grow."

Information from the LMCD showed that, under Option #2, the cities of Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park, and Woodland are each taxed less than $10,000 annually. Deephaven and Mound would each pay approximately the same as Victoria (around $25,000). The heaviest hitters are Minnetonka ($77,123), Orono ($66,858), Wayzata ($44,521), Shorewood ($37,498), and Minnetrista ($31,775).

"It's a challenge for me, considering that the funds aren't going to be used in Victoria," said Councilmember Crowley. The funds are not going to be used on Smithtown Bay, which is the only part of Lake Minnetonka that lies within the city limits of Victoria. However, he said, he is a boater on Lake Minnetonka.

Said Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "I can't support a 21% increase."

"The 21% increase amounts to $4,000," stated Councilmember Crowley.

Concluded Mayor O'Connor, "Up to a point we have to try something." The vote was 3-1 to recommend that the LMCD adopt its more aggressive budget.

Click here for More City Scoop.