4. Log House Committee Minutes 10-28-14 DRAFTOctober 28, 2014
A meeting of the Log House Landing Improvements Committee was held on the above date.
The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. The following were present: City Council member Sally
Swanson; Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District members Kristin Tuenge and Steve
Kronmiller; Planning Commission members Christine Maefsky and Steve Philippi; St. Croix River
Association member Don Hansen; and appointed members Ray Burris, Pam Plowman Smith,
and David Hebert. Staff: City Engineer Ryan Goodman and Public Works Director Tim Kieffer.
How to access the paperless meeting packet and the link to download the files was discussed.
It was debated if paper packets would be available if requested.
The Electronic Communication Guidelines between members were explained. Members were
informed not to talk or e-mail multiple committee members because of Open Meeting Laws.
Members were asked to send correspondence to City Administrator Handt.
Kristin Tuenge nominated Christine Maefsky to be Committee Chair. Steve Kronmiller
seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-0.
Members took turns talking about objectives, concerns, and goals. Maefsky stated an objective
should be to study ways to improve water quality and environmental design that is in line with
the Comprehensive Plan. Hebert commented it is the duty of the committee to make a
recommendation to the Council. Concerns included water quality, storm water erosion, fiscal
responsibility, ecological character of the neighborhood, community input, view shed, road
width, and parking. Goals that were mentioned were to improve water quality, limit erosion,
restore Gilbertson Creek, and keep the rural and rustic character.
Plowman Smith suggested looking at the project as three distinct areas. One is from Quinnell to
the railroad tracks. The second is from the railroad track to the landing. The final section was
the landing itself. She also suggested looking at the design elements. This included best
management practices (BMPs), surface, slope, width, path, speed and water bumps, parking,
boat ramp options, berms, and bank reinforcements.
The Committee reviewed topics for future discussion from a list provided by Plowman Smith.
Concerns for discussion are as follows:
Erosion and water quality
Scandia Comprehensive Plan (Maefsky will provide information)
Green Step City (Swanson will provide information)
Viewshed (Maefsky will provide information)
The St. Croix River Association and National Park Service submissions
The Department of Natural Resources recommendations (would need a variance from
the DNR and MNDOT if the grant proposal changes.)
Past plan designs (should be addressed later in the process.)
Protecting the environment and history of the site
Parking
Safety
Maintenance
Cost
Grant revisions
Other funding sources
Topics thought to be resolved are as follows:
Community involvement (consensus was that the committee was serving as the
community)
Usage (committee thought August statistics were not enough for a baseline.)
City amenities (should be left up to the Council.)
Liability issues (has already been resolved)
Plowman Smith requested more sediment load data from the Watershed.
There were differences between members on sediments loads and the health of Gilbertson
Creek.
The Committee asked if erosion could be controlled with a gravel road. Goodman explained
controlling water velocity or road surface were the only ways to control erosion. Philippi and
Tuenge requested both options be explored at the next meeting.
Maefsky offered to set next meeting’s agenda and to give out assignments.
There was discussion about whether another person could take the place of an absent
committee member. It was clarified that all the members were appointed and other people
could not substitute.
Future meetings were set for November 3, 13, 19, and December 4 at 7:00 p.m. In addition, a
site visit was scheduled for November 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Maefsky, seconded by Swanson, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 9 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Kieffer
Director of Public Works