Also on agenda are lake aeration and work on the Mountain Lake Trail
Members of the Lake Commission looked at its future at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 9. Discussion began about concerns brought up regarding the purpose of the Lake Commission and if it is still a viable commission.
It was suggested that community work days be scheduled on a regular basis. Volunteers would be recruited to help with lake and park projects. Examples of such projects include maintaining the island trail, buckthorn removal, watering and weeding flower beds and pots and picking up litter. Stephen Funk of the Mountain Lake/Odin/Ormsby Sportsmen’s Club (and agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Mountain Lake Public High School) suggested the possibility of some of the ag students helping with some of the projects.
Mountain Lake City Clerk/Administrator Wendy Meyer will ask city employees what projects they will be responsible for and what projects might have to be eliminated – such as the swimming beach – or taken over by the Lake Commission, volunteers or other groups like the Sportsmen’s Club of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Meeting guest Cheryl Hiebert suggested having a sand volleyball court, grill and picnic tables at the lake in lieu of a swimming beach.
Aeration system is prepped
Lake Commission members Jay Schied and Jim Peterson have completed the prep work for the aeration system.
In addition, the new blower has arrived and the Sportsmen’s Club will reimburse the City of Mountain Lake when the bill arrives.
The aeration system will run from December 1, 2015 to March 30, 2016.
The “thin ice” decals have arrived and Radtke Welding is working on the blanks.
Work done on the Mountain Lake Trail
Schied has cleared four red cedar trees on the northwest side of the lake in order to make the blind curve safer. He also cut trees and cleared brush at Heppner’s Point to help with visibility around that blind curve.
The decision was made to place blind curve warning signs by Heppner’s Point and at the bottom of the hill on 560th Avenue. The stop sign at the bottom of the hill on 560th Avenue was stolen and the Mountain Lake City Crew will remove the post.
Michael Watkins of the Boy Scouts has moved the identification post closer to the east approach of the overlook as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Crack sealing has been completed on the trail.
Peterson raised the idea of a root barrier. Schied had checked at Blue Valley Sod and Landscaping, but there was nothing applicable in stock. Peterson and another Lake Commission member, Jean Haberman, will research “root barriers.”
Lake Commission members looked at proposed Mountain Lake Trail maps and made a few suggestions on final changes. These changes include:
+ Move the trailhead icon (T) closer to the actual placement of the trailhead.
+ Mark the scenic point loop with a dotted line.
+ Add Minnesota State Highway #60.
+ Change the wording for identification markers #2 and #7.
+ Remove the swimming beach icon.
In other business
+ Matt Anderson has resigned from the Lake Commission.
+ Schied mentioned that controlling poison ivy on the island is the responsibility of the DNRN.
+ It was clarified that the pit toilet by the boat launch belongs to the DNR, however, maintenance is being done by the city crew.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.