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Lake Minnetonka Conservation District warns of water‑patrol funding shortfall and safety gaps
Summary
Michael Kirkwood, Minnetrista's LMCD representative, told the council Save the Lake Fund donations have fallen to about $30,000 while two extra water‑patrol deputies cost roughly $95,000 a year; he urged discussion of more stable funding and highlighted rental‑boat safety and wake/prop‑wash studies.
Michael Kirkwood, Minnetrista’s representative on the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District board, asked the City Council on Oct. 21 to consider LMCD’s public‑safety concerns and funding gap for lake patrols. "We were looking at trying to find $95,000 to support 2 additional water patrol officers on the lake," Kirkwood said, noting donations for the Save the Lake Fund have dropped to about $30,000 this year.
Kirkwood said the Save the Lake Fund historically underwrote equipment and personnel enhancements (for example, temporary deputies on the lake). He said the donation model is unreliable and that the LMCD is exploring asking member cities to consider a modest assessment to restore consistent coverage. He estimated that an assessment contribution from Minnetrista would add roughly $5,000–$6,000 to the city's current assessment roll, but said no final decision has been made.
Safety concerns raised: Kirkwood described problems with commercial boat‑for‑hire operators and rental jet‑skis launching from some locations without completing safety inspections or operator training. He said LMCD staff and the water patrol have been working on new licensing and inspection requirements for rental operations and encouraged residents who live on the lake to review electrical‑safety guidance posted by the LMCD after a local safety presentation.
LMCD also noted wake/prop‑wash research underway (University of Minnesota Saint Anthony Falls Research Center) and described a 350‑foot setback rule adopted two years earlier; Kirkwood said enforcement is challenging but the rule remains available to protect sensitive shoreline areas.
Council members asked about volunteer deputization for water patrol duties; Kirkwood said volunteers exist but cannot issue citations and recommended discussing the idea with the sheriff's water patrol. The LMCD representative said he will continue outreach and that the board may run another donations campaign while considering more stable funding options.
Kirkwood closed by pointing council members to the LMCD website for safety resources and licensing information. The council thanked him for the update; no formal action was taken.
