Mitchell parks board adopts $500 one-time fee for long-term dock storage; approves donated shelter and swim-instructor contract

At its August meeting the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board approved a one-time $500 permit fee to allow private docks and lifts to be stored on select park property while a lake restoration project is underway, board members said. The board also approved the donation and construction of a small open-sided shelter at the Sportsman's Club boat landing, contingent on city building-inspector approval, and approved a contract template to allow private instructors to teach one-on-one swim lessons at city facilities.

The $500 fee covers storage on city parkland from the soonest permitted start date (noted in the draft permit as Sept. 15) through the date the lake reaches one foot below the spillway after restoration work and subsequent refilling — a period staff said could span roughly two to two-and-a-half years. Staff presented the board with two fee options (a recurring monthly charge or a one-time seasonal/long-term fee) and recommended a one-time fee to reduce recurring billing workload for city staff.

Why it matters: the decision affects lakefront property owners who must store docks and lifts while the lake is drained and rebuilt, and it creates a revenue stream the board said will go toward lake-improvement costs. Board discussion weighed the administrative burden of monthly billing, local contractor rates for hauling and storing docks, and the desire not to undercut private vendors providing storage services.

Board members and staff described the practical details the permit would include. The draft permit in discussion would allow placement on specified asphalt parking lots and designated gravel lots at Sandy Beach and Sportsman's Club, and set May 15 as the latest spring deadline for removal in a year when the lake is again usable. Staff warned the lake refill schedule is not guaranteed and told members the project will require two working seasons, so storage could extend beyond two years in some scenarios.

Staff reported a range of contractor rates in the region: one local contractor quoted about $20 per month for storage, while another vendor in a nearby city quoted about $35 per month. The board said the one-time $500 fee was comparable to two years of private monthly charges and preferred the one-time approach to avoid placing recurring invoicing on parks staff.

Other items approved or discussed at the meeting included: the swearing-in of new board member Ed Goff; elections of officers (Luke as board president, Dennis as vice president and Bryce as secretary-treasurer); approval of the agenda, minutes from July and financial reports; and the board-setting of its next meeting for Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Swore in Ed Goff as a member of the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board (ceremonial oath). Outcome: administered. - Elected Luke as board president, Dennis as vice president and Bryce as secretary-treasurer. Outcome: elected by voice vote. - Approved agenda, July minutes and financial reports. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Adopted a one-time $500 fee for long-term dock/lift storage on select park properties while lake restoration is underway. Outcome: motion carried by voice vote; motion author initially proposed alternative fees and withdrew before the final motion. - Approved acceptance and construction of a donated small open-sided shelter at Sportsman's Club Boat Landing, contingent on city building-inspector approval. Outcome: approved by motion. - Approved a contract template allowing independent instructors to provide private swim lessons at city facilities (instructors must follow facility-rental rules and the lesson recipient must have an active membership or pay daily fee). Outcome: approved by motion.

Board members and staff emphasized administrative limits and practicalities rather than altering park policy. Staff noted the city will require contractor or owner coordination for physically transporting docks to the storage sites, and that the parks office does not plan to provide moving equipment. The board also reiterated that revenues from the dock-storage permit will be directed to lake improvement work, not to unrelated city programs.

The board approved the donation of a roughly 10-by-12 (or 10-by-14) open-sided shelter to be sited on a small peninsula at the Sportsman's Club parking area; donors were identified as John and Linda McLeod. The board approved the donation on the condition the city's building inspector signs off on plans and site work; staff said final plans would be brought back for review.

The board set its next regular meeting for Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m.

Sources: meeting proceedings of the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board (audio/transcript).