Ann Lake Watershed Alliance Meeting Outcomes July 10, 2021

ALWA Identity Statement: Concerned citizens using civic governance as an approach to policy making that produces the sustainable civic infrastructure needed to govern for the common good.

ALWA Purpose Statement: To develop the civic imagination and organize the civic capacity and infrastructure needed to partner with local government and restore the waters of Ann Lake to the MPCA standards for nutrients and to protect and preserve the water quality of the Ann Lake watershed.

Civic Standards:

1. All those impacted by the problem are stakeholders and help define the problem in light of civic principles and the realities of their situation.
2. All stakeholders are accountable for contributing resources (leadership/time, knowledge, constituencies and dollars) to solve the problem.
3. All stakeholders are engaged in decision-making and policy-making that contributes to the common good.
4. All stakeholders implement policies grounded in civic principles in the places where they have the authority to act.

The following people were present (8) Margot Kohl, Betty Jo Williams, Walt Smith, Sharon Smith, Jeff Hamme, Tommy Lind, Richard Anderson, Ray Penwarden 

NOTE: Before the meeting started some members shared notification, they received regarding a public hearing for the HWY 47 Subdivision.  See the below Correspondence section for more information.

Jeff started the meeting at 10:00.

Agenda, additions for today’s meeting and June outcomes: Jeff added to the Good to the Order part of today’s meeting: AIS and COLA financials.   Correction to our June Outcomes, Correspondence section statement: “Jeff reported Ray attended the Ann Lake Township meeting and it was proposed to treat Falcon St with Magnesium Chloride to stabilize and control dust.  It was shared the treatment can runoff into the lake and Ray wants to know if there are others against treating the dust, he is not in favor of treating, if you are not in favor please get a hold of Ray or get in touch of the township to share your opinion”  Ray provided a correction to the above statement.  He said one of his neighbors, Dan James was the person seeking feedback about the road treatment and he had passed a flyer around.    The additions and changes were accepted.

Treasurer’s Report:  Ray presented the Treasurers report and accepted the role to serve as Treasurer for another term.   The treasurers report was approved as presented.

Correspondence: Jeff encouraged all to check out emails he’s forwarded us about research updates and the legislature funding for AIS, Aquatic Invasive Species.  He also passed around a letter from Conservation MN as ALWA supports their efforts, we are members. 

Boulder Estates Subdivision:  Some of our neighbors shared they have received letters from the County about a teleconference, Public Hearing on Monday July 26 2021 at 7 pm regarding the preliminary plat for “Boulder Estates Subdivision” on HWY 47 adjacent to McBees.  

More info about the meeting can be found here:

https://www.kanabeccounty.org/departments/environmental_services/planning_commission.php

Meeting accessed via call-in Phone number 1-408-418-9388 Meeting ID (access code): 146 470 4548

Civic Organizing: Sharon is asking for help to get out the word to be involved with ALWA.  She has distributed ALWA flyers and floating key holders to her neighbors and to the neighborhoods on the north side of the lake.  She and Margot will continue distributing along the south end and everyone is encouraged to invite friends and neighbors to our meetings.

Old Business: Fundraising.  Since there were not enough members present, the group could not vote to start planning for Labor Day Bingo, but we discussed the topic and hope Bingo can start back up.  We will discuss this again at the August meeting.   

New Business:    Curly Leaf was discussed.  The group confirmed the water looks good for Curly Leaf by the boat launch but around the corner towards HWY 47 there appears to be quite a bit. Jeff commented that that could be because that area was not part of the new delineation we had done this year. With this being the last year for our 5-year plan we need to decide if we will create a new plan to treat for Curley Leaf for another 5 years. We will be discussing it further during future meetings.   

Good to the Order:

Lake Data.  This summer water samples have been sent in for analysis and results were shared:

Phosphorous: May, 42.9 mcg/l    June, 58.8 mcg/l (MPCA standard -60mcg/l)

Chlorophyl A:  May, 5.0mcg/l      June, 53.0mcg/l (MPCA standard – 20mcg/l)

Sechi Disc:        May, 2.0 feet                 June, 1.5 feet (MPCA standard – 1 meter )

Jeff has sent the Zebra Mussel samples in but doesn’t have the results yet.     

Rich shared some interesting information from a Star Tribune Newspaper article in May about the U of MN in St Cloud recovering phosphorous from wastewater stream.  There was some discussion about the Forest Shores Rd Cartway improvement and new road construction across from Ann Lake Rd at Hwy 47. 

Jeff:  The Kanabec Co AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) COLA (Coalition of Lake Associations) is still receiving  funds from the state to be used for the prevention of the spread of AIS. Ann Lake currently has about $12,000 in that account. The AIS COLA will have a booth at The Kanabec Co Fair July 29^th through August 1, Jeff encouraged members to sign up to help in the booth.

Evaluation:  Sharon gave the meeting a 5 plus.

The $.50 drawing:  went to Betty Jo Williams.

Incentive Drawing:  $25.00 would have gone to Brian Roeder

The meeting was adjourned at 10:50.