MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORK SESSION MEETING OF

THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT

BOARD OF MANAGERS

July 29, 2010

CALL TO ORDER

The special workshop meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers was called to order by President Jim Calkins at 6:50 p.m. at the District offices, 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, Minnesota. 

MANAGERS PRESENT

 James Calkins, Pamela Blixt, Brian Shekleton, Richard Miller, Lee Keeley, Jeff Casale and Mike Klingelhutz.

MANAGERS ABSENT

None.

OTHERS PRESENT

David Mandt, District Operations Manager; Julie Westerlund, Education/Communications Manager; Michael Panzer, District Consulting Engineer; Louis Smith, District Counsel.

APPROVAL OF AGEND

President Calkins noted the addition of planning for a Personnel Committee meeting of whole on August 9 as Item 5 on the agenda, and a report on the status of zebra mussels in Lake Minnetonka as Item 6

Communications/Education Program Audit

Mr. John Himle and Mr. Chuck Tombarge appeared before the Board of Managers.  They reviewed the findings and recommendations of the program audit, and then focused on key strategic options for the consideration of the Board of Managers, reflecting primarily a choice between pursuing broad awareness of the District and its programs and activities, or a more narrowly focused program to concentrate on specific initiatives or objectives.

Following discussion, Mr. Himle outlined his recommendations for next steps, including an analysis of critical audiences for the District; development of a matrix to highlight assessment of specific communications and education programs; and several options for larger initiatives for the District’s consideration.  Mr. Himle said that he would be working with Ms. Westerlund and Mr. Evenson to develop this information and would be prepared to report back to the Board of Managers next month. 

The Managers thanked Mr. Himle and Mr. Tombarge for their work.

Board Constituency Relations

The managers discussed a proposed document entitled “2010 MCWD Board Liaisons.”    It was moved by Manager Klingelhutz, seconded by Manager Miller, to adopt the proposed Board Liaisons. 

Manager Shekleton moved to strike the Liaisons identified for County Commissioners, and then withdrew this motion. 

Upon vote, the motion carried by a vote of 4-3, with Managers Calkins, Blixt, and Keeley voting against the motion.

 

It was moved by Manager Miller, seconded by Manager Shekleton, to reconsider this action.  Upon vote, the motion to reconsider carried, with Managers Klingelhutz and Casale voting against the motion, and Managers Shekleton and Miller abstaining.

It was moved by Manager Calkins, seconded by Manager Shekleton, to request that the staff pull the minutes of all discussions of Board Liaisons.  Upon vote, the motion carried by a vote of 6-1, with Manager Klingelhutz opposed.

It was moved by Manager Klingelhutz to table the discussion of Board Liaisons for one year.  The motion failed for lack of a second.

It was moved by Manager Calkins, seconded by Manager Shekleton, to table further consideration of Board Liaisons until the staff report of the minutes of past discussions is provided to the Board of Managers.  Upon vote, the motion carried by a vote of 5-2, with Managers Klingelhutz and Casale voting against the motion.

Manager Casale left at this point in the meeting (11:05 p.m.).

Personnel Committee of the Whole

Managers Shekleton and Calkins reported on planning for the District Administrator’s evaluation scheduled for August 9 at a meeting of the Personnel Committee of the Whole.  Manager Shekleton and Calkins indicated that they had requested Mr. Smith to serve as a facilitator of the meeting in order to allow all managers to participate fully in the discussion.  Mr. Smith stated that it was important to hear from all of the managers on this matter, and that he wanted to assure that the role of counsel to advise on legal and procedural matters was fully addressed.   Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Shekleton, seconded by Manager Miller, to request that Mr. Smith serve as facilitator of the meeting on August 9, and obtain additional counsel to attend the meeting if necessary.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Zebra Mussels Update

Mr. Mandt reported that following the DNR’s discovery of zebra mussels in Lake Minnetonka, a meeting will be held next week with concerned agencies to review this situation and develop further recommendations.  Mr. Mandt noted that Dr. Singh would have a report on zebra mussel habitat suitability in Lake Minnetonka in the very near future.  Plans for a summit meeting are currently on hold pending further discussion on next steps in light of the discovery of zebra mussels in the lake. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the special meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Keeley, Secretary