Barnes Lake Management District

BARNES LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 08, 2022 6:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. 6 PM – Introductions and Agenda Review Committee Members: Gary Bodeutsch (Chair), Linnea Madison (Vice-Chair), Lalani Shelton, Jody Keys, Rusty Weaver, Judith Loft, Tom Sparks, Dave Kangiser (Water Resources Specialist), Dan Smith (Water Resources and Sustainability Director). Guest: Mayor Debbie Sullivan, Tom Oliva, Jolt News Excused: Dana Day, Kathy Peterson 3. Approval of Minute a. May 11, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting Member Weaver motioned to accept the minutes as written. Vice-Chair Madison seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 4. Mayor Sullivan introduction Mayor Debbie Sullivan was an honored guest at the BLMD Steering Committee Meeting. She commended the BLMD for the work they have done. She introduced herself and talked about her roots and upbringing in Montana. She continued to describe her professional career as a real estate appraiser and business owner and later worked in public service later in her career. 5. Public Comment Jolt News was present to observe 6. Member Comment LMD Member Tom Oliva spoke regarding property lines that extend into the lake. Most shoreline owners have property that is covered by water. Some residents have expressed interest in re-drawing property lines to exclude property that is under water for tax purposes. Member Oliva recently spoke with County Assessor about this issue. He would like to pursue re-drawing property lines for the property he currently owns. There is a property owner whose property is 1 June 8, 2022 Barnes Lake Management District Steering Committee Meeting Minutes  100% underwater, but would like to keep their underwater property in case the lake conditions change and the property becomes dry land. Member Peterson had her property reassessed four-five years ago. The City does not have jurisdiction on re-drawing property boundaries. 7. Lake Management a. NWAES Update (Dorling) Lily pads are emerging and currently in the window of time for treatment. A steering committee member asked if glyphosate is safe to use for treatment of lily pads. Director Smith responded that there is a risk to use chemical treatments. ECY has issued BLMD and the City a permit to use chemical treatments with conditions. A question was raised about lake access at Member Day’s property. Can NWAES access the lake from the property? Contractor Dorling has not stated that he has limited access, so he can most likely still use the access at Member Day’s property. b. Lake Levels (Kangiser) Specialist Kangiser reviewed lake level data. The lake is higher than it was last year at this time. The flexible leveler that regulates the lake level is still moving water to the overflow facility at Lark St. Specialist Kangiser displayed a graph that included daily rainfall data to visually correlate rainfall events with lake levels. There was a strong correlation with significant rainfall events and lake level rise. The data also suggests that a prolonged wet period steadily increases lake levels. c. Water Quality Monitoring (Kangiser) The May water quality sampling event was successful and lab results were received for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus. Nutrient levels were within normal ranges. (TN = 0.51 mg/L; TP = .037 mg/L). Lake temperature and dissolved oxygen were relatively homogenous throughout the water column, which is rare for the bottom of the lake. The bottom of the lake is usually much colder and anoxic (lacks dissolved oxygen). 8. General Business a. 2022 Work Plan (Smith) Director Smith reviewed the work plan. No revisions were noted. b. 2022 Budget (Smith) Director Smith reviewed the budget. There was no significant activity to report. c. Barnes Lake Assessment Fee Increase Update (Smith) 2 June 8, 2022 Barnes Lake Management District Steering Committee Meeting Minutes  City Council passed the recommended assessment fee increase. Specialist Kangiser will work on an informational mailer to send with assessment increase notices. d. 2023-2024 Budget Goal Review (Smith) Director Smith reviewed 2023-2024 Budget Goals document. There was discussion about a new format to engage residents on the website – a Story Map was suggested by Specialist Kangiser. A story map is an interactive web based tool used to inform and engage a target audience. This topic may warrant further discussion in the future. e. Lake Walkabout date The Lake Walk About is scheduled for September 14 @ 6:00 PM and will start at the Barnes Lake Condominiums. The next regular steering committee meeting is scheduled for September 21 @ 6:00 PM at City Hall or Zoom. July 1 the City will be under full operation at City Hall. Public meetings will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual formats, but providing an option to view public meetings in person is a state requirement for compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. f. Discussion about response to assessment appeal A discussion was initiated about properties that are considered lakefront, but whose property lines do not extend to the waterline or into the lake. This is a broader topic that will require a subject matter expert from the County Assessor’s Office. Categorization of properties are not being re-evaluated at this time. The charter will be renewed in 2035 and property assessments can be re-evaluated at that time. Director Smith can draft a response and have it reviewed by the City’s Legal Team and BLMD Chair. 9. Adjourn at 7:56 PM September 21 – Next regular meeting agenda items:  Guest Speaker from County Assessor’s Office  Walk-about recap  Spring Pre-Treatment Video (YouTube)  Regular Business  Steering Committee Reappointments and Vacancies January 12 February 16 March 2 March 9 March 17 (PW May 11 (Listening Committee) Session) June 7 (Council) June 8 September 14– September 21 November 9 (walk about) 3 June 8, 2022 Barnes Lake Management District Steering Committee Meeting Minutes