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Birch Lake Improvement District
2013 Annual Report
Birch Lake
is a shallow, suburban lake with an area of 123 acres. It is considered to be one of the healthiest
lakes within the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO). Concerns over maintaining this quality led
lake property owners to petition the City of White Bear Lake to form the Birch
Lake Improvement District (BLID) in 2006.
The following is a report of BLID activities during 2012 – 2013.
The
Sustainable Lake Management Plan (SLMP) developed in conjunction with VLAWMO
and Blue Water Science, continues to be used by the BLID board as a strategic
planning tool. It is invaluable in maintaining a long term
focus on lake quality issues. All
actions of the board relate to specific sections of this plan.
2013 was a
banner year for Birch Lake. Spring rains
and cooler than normal temperatures resulted in near record water levels. The lake continues to be very clear with
limited nuisance vegetation. Wild life,
especially the eagles, continues to flourish and to be enjoyed by the numerous
residents and visitors who walk the lake path on a daily basis. The lake walk has been made much safer by
Ramsey County’s construction of a rumble strip along the Otter Lake
walkway. The north shore restoration
area is also flourishing with the first planting yielding some dramatic
blooms. The restoration site bench,
located on the new concrete pad supplied by the Public Works Department, is a
much used stopping point for lake walkers.
In addition, new home construction and the influx of younger resident
members point to the continued health of this historic area of White Bear Lake.
During
2012-2013 the following activites were carried out by the BLID board:
1. Annual lake clean up occurred on May 4, 2013. 16 residents participated.
2. BLID members continue to participate in
VLAWMO Citizen’s Water Monitoring Program.
This involves taking biweekly lake water samples and making secchi disk
and lake level readings.
3. BLID continues to operate an aerator
during the winter months. This helps to
maintain sufficient dissolved oxygen in the lake water to prevent fish kills.
4. As a follow up to the 2011 fish survey, 1000
crappies were stocked in the lake. The
fish survey was a critical component of the SLMP to maintain the health of
Birch Lake. Because of this and previous
restocking programs, the lake is beginning to be known for its trophy catches!
5. The harvester was operated over a two
week period in August to remove nuisance vegetation. Approximately 15 loads of vegetation were removed
to the county compost site.
6. In order to enhance communication to
district members, the newsletter publication was changed to quarterly schedule
and offered an electronic format.
7. Blue Water Science conducted an
aquatic plant survey in early September, 2013. This is a follow up to the 2007
survey and also a part of the SLMP. The results will be an indication of the
extent of the Eurasian milfoil problem.
8. In conjunction with the City of White
Bear Lake Finance Department, a financial review was conducted on BLID
finances. No areas of concern were
identified.
9. A capital reserve fund was
established to cover equipment replacement.
10.BLID provided comments to the
Variance Board on the impact of the Lande property development. Recommendations were made to increase native
plant usage in landscaping, reduce impervious surfaces, limit wetland damage
during construction and to limit off shore visibility of over head lighting.
11. The board has discussed the invasive
species problem and how it relates to Birch Lake. There will be a heavy emphasis on this issue
in future board communications.
12.
Following the annual meeting,
Board elections were held. Dale Bacon was elected to Chairman; Ryan Hoops, Vice
Chair; Tom Merritt, Treasurer; and Steve Laliberte, Secretary. Jim Grisim, member at large.
The seventh
annual BLID meeting was held on June 19, 2013 in the White Bear Lake City Hall,
with Chairman Dale Bacon presiding. The
annual meeting was attended by 16 persons representing 15 of the 62 units.
Jim Grisim
and Steve Laliberte were elected for 3 year terms. Steve replaces Rod Kreuser who chose not to
run for another term.
After a
review of current year activities and plans, the following budget was approved
by the membership. A per property levy
of $155 was approved.
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Approved Birch Lake Improvement District Budget
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For January 1 - December 31, 2014
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FIXED COSTS
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$ 4,300.00
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Aerator
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NSP
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Administration
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Admi. Secretary
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BLID Insurance
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Lake Imp. / Blue Water
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Easement Payment
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Trailer License
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Truck & Trailer Insurance
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WEED CONTROL
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$ 8,460.00
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Harvester Repairs
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Harvester Fuel
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Harvester Permit
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Subcontractor to harvest weeds
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Truck Rental
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Trailer repair
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Miscellaneous
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Special Projects
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$ 1,000.00
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Fish Stocking
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TOTAL 2014 BUDGET
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$ 13,760.00
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CASH RESERVE USED
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$4,260.00
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TOTAL LEVY AMOUNT
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$ 9,500.00
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PER PROPERTY
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$ 155.00
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The dates of
the required scheduled quarterly Board meetings for 2013-2014 are as follows:
November 7, 2013
February 6, 2014
June 5, 2014
September 18, 2014
November 6, 2014
The 2014
annual BLID meeting date will be Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
Submitted by
the Birch Lake Improvement District Board
Dale Bacon,Chairman
