Comprehensive Plan, Public Meeting Summary, 8/6/07

Summary
Chair Paul Kiner opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.  He asked everyone to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  Ben Van Tassel of ARDC then presented the plan’s recommendations to the audience of 30 people.  After the plan was presented, he opened the meeting to comments and questions, which are listed below.  Van Tassel stated the Planning Committee would meet to discuss the comments before finalizing the plan and forwarding it to the Town Board.

1. Is the trail plan proposed to be multi-modal
1. Response (Planning Committee): Non-motorized only
2. To whom should the concern about houseboat graywater be communicated?
1. Response (Planning Committee): Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Voyageurs National Park (VNP)
3. Houseboat hot tubs and chlorine dumping are also an issue, particularly in shallow bays where the water is not diluted as quickly.  Wildlife and marine organisms could be affected.
4. I am glad houseboats are being addressed by the township.
1. Response (VNP): VNP is working with a graduate student that is doing a study on the effects of houseboats graywater practices.  VNP will inform the public about the results as soon as they are available.
5. Funding was once allotted for widening all the shoulders on County roads in the Town.  What happened to it?
1. Response (ARDC): Federal funding was allotted for the short portion that was done, but not for remaining sections.
6. The Lake Association’s signage is confusing to some visitors and doesn’t assist with wayfinding to businesses and other facilities.
1. Response (Audience): The map in the Association brochure is very effective
2. Response (Planning Committee): Perhaps a vehicle pull-off with a big map and numbering system is needed.
3. Response (Audience): Put a map in your confirmation letters.
4. Response (Audience): The customer will not bring it with them.
5. Response (Audience): Some people will never be able to read signs.
7. On the Curve going towards the Visitor’s Center there is a cautionary speed sign recommending 30 mph, but there isn’t a speed limit sign after that.  Coming back from the Visitor’s Center there is a sign saying 30 mph.  What is the speed limit going towards the Visitor’s Center?  It should be lower than 50 mph.
1. Response (Planning Committee): It is unknown…the Town will check into it.
2. Response (Audience): Speeds should be lowered to 45 mph on the entire loop.  Enforcement is needed.
8. What is the zip code issue that is mentioned in the plan?
1. Response (Planning Committee): The Town has a Koochiching County zip code, but is in St. Louis County.  This has caused much confusion when filling out grant applications and other government paperwork.  This has resulted in some serious situations, such as the flooding/sandbag incident a few years ago.
9. Regarding housing, young people, and jobs.  There is nothing the Town can do.  Hiring for government work is all done by Civil Service practices. 
1. Response (ARDC): The Town can assist the development of targeted housing to encourage government workers to live in the Town
2. Response (Planning Committee): Governments could give preference to hiring a local person if they are as qualified as the other candidates. 
10. Recommendations R12 and R13 are redundant and not needed.
1. Response (Planning Committee): Possibly, we will discuss them further.
11. The Plan is missing elements regarding how the Town can promote itself.  Festivals and other promotions are needed.
1. Response (Audience): Agreed.  The Town is unknown in other parts of the State.
2. Response (Audience): VNP needs to be promoted as an asset.
3. Response (Audience): For some reason, people don’t come back for a second visit.
4. Response (Audience): Ellsworth Rock Gardens are the only place the Park promotes.
12. The Plan needs more action for Economic Development.  The Town needs to be a recruiter.
1. Response (Planning Committee): The Town doesn’t have the staff for recruitment, but remains very open to commercial development that fits into the community.
13. The Plan needs just one objective-to build a thriving tourist community.  It needs some invigorating businesses, such as a restaurant overlooking the lake. 
14. 65% percent of the taxes paid in the Town are from seasonal residents.
15. VNP needs to better communicate with citizens.
1. Response (VNP): The Park is developing a bulletin system.
16. Better mobile phone service is needed.
1. Response (Audience): A new tower is going up soon.
2. Response (Planning Committee): Mobile phones are an important safety item since the Park doesn’t monitor radios after 5pm.  A safety plan for the Town is needed.
17. Kayak and Canoe safety is a concern.  Canoeists need to be educated on safety issues, particularly on narrow motor routes.
1. Response (Audience): Education is needed for both canoeists and motor-boaters.
2. Response (Audience): Canoeists and Kayakers are an important economic opportunity.
3. Response (Audience): The idea that canoeists and kayakers are unsafe may only be a perception.  There are few to no accidents each year.
18. The Town needs to be more aware of development permits being applied for in the Town and needs to be active in enforcing rulings.
1. Response (ARDC): It is a noted issue, but a difficult one.  It would be very costly for the Town to take over the zoning duties. 
19. Ness Road is too narrow, particularly since there is a boat landing on the end of it. 
1. Response (Planning Committee): It is narrow due to physical limitations that would be costly to remedy.
20. What kinds of trails are being considered in the Town?  It would be nice to have some interpretation on them.  Perhaps the Park could put out a trails guide.
1. Response (Planning Committee): Hiking and biking trails are being considered.

Chair Kiner adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.