We will meet in person at Lafayette on Tuesday, Nov. 19th. The PPCC Exec. Bod meets at 6pm; Neighbors Connect starting at 645pm and the monthly meeting starts at 7pm.

Agenda Preview

Zoom link for the meetings, third Tuesdays of the month.

Topic: Park Point Community Club Zoom

Time: Nov 19, 2024 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

        Every month on the Third Tuesdays, 36 occurrence(s)

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Photo by Paul Treuer, 11/18/2024

11/19 From Paul Treuer, Minnesota Point 50:

The materials below are from the recent, Oct. 29, 2024, Section 111 public meeting at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Conference Room in Duluth, Minnesota.  The meeting was hosted by the City of Duluth on the USACE Section 111 (CAP) Study of Minnesota Point.  The focus of this meeting included a project update by USACE and a report on the ongoing modeling studies of sediment transport by Barr Bergmann Engineering.  

October 29, 2024, 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Public Meeting Duluth Minnesota (presentation recording): Section 111 Minnesota Point Modeling of Sediment Transport

October 29, 2024, USACE Section 111 Minnesota Point, Handout Materials (Prepared by USACE)

The third Section 111 public meeting on the modeling studies is expected at the beginning of next year.  Once it is scheduled an announcement to this MP50 email list will be sent out.  

Thank you for your interest in, and support for, activities promoting the resilience of Minnesota Point. 

Paul Treuer

MP50 Program Coordinator

MP50 website

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with your Park Point neighbor Lisa M.; also see Yoga options for Wednesdays, details below. Link to flier is here.

Four Sundays, 9-10am at Lafayette Community Center
Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, and 15
(3026 Minnesota Ave. Duluth, MN)
Suggested donation: $20-$40 (four 1-hour classes) (Funds collected above covering building rental will be donated to a local food bank.)
Open to the public; bring a friend!
Email Lisa to sign up: lulu@cpinternet.com

Join teacher Lisa McKhann to begin or re-energize your mindfulness meditation practice. Over four weeks, learn the basics of “insight meditation” (based in Theravada Buddhism), how we still the mind with compassion and awareness. Each class will include a brief talk, guided meditation, and time for questions. 
Lisa McKhann is finishing a two-year training with renowned meditation teachers, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. 
She also is certified as a 200-level soma yoga instructor.

To sign up (or if you have questions), please email:
lulu@cpinternet.com

Yoga Options are here:

Four Wednesdays, 9-10am at Svalja Yoga
Nov. 20 and 27, Dec. 4 and 11
(18 N. 1st Ave. W., Duluth, MN)
Sign up at www.svalja.yoga

Click here for The November 2024 Breeze

Thank you to the Nov. 5th poll workers at Lafayette!

Link to the USACE presentation is here.

Link to questions collected for the public meetings.

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Flag Football update: Game is on for tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 22, all ages and all experience levels are welcome! 6-7pm. Players aged 7-78 are regulars this season!

Notes from the June 3 2024 USACE Public Meeting #1 on the Third Section 111 Study

Meeting agenda/notes for the 10/15 meeting meeting.

Flag Football update: Game is on for tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 22, all ages and all experience levels are welcome! 6-7pm

Envisioning Threats to Great Lakes Shorelines: Check out this video from Great Lakes Now, Detroit PBS

SEGMENT 1 | Duluth, Chicago, Detroit

Lost your glasses? A pair of prescription glasses were found on the beach at 35th. This was about two weeks ago.They are blue with sparkly areas on the bows. Contact Gretchen at 218-591-2772 to claim. Thank you!

Photos from the Edible Garden Potluck from Monday the 14th.

The Breeze of October 2024. Link to Lafayette Boardwalk Photos.

Section 111 Study: Please note this date and time on your calendar, Tuesday, 10/29, 2-4pm, check back for any changes:

The City of Duluth and USACE is hosting the second public meeting on the Minnesota Point Section 111 Study. The event will be the afternoon of Tuesday, October 29th in the Lecture Hall in the Maritime Museum Visitor Center, 600 Canal Park Drive. The updated time is from 2-4pm; the meeting will be led by the modeling contractor, Barr Bergmann, and US Army Corps Staff from the Detroit District. The focus of the meeting is presenting information and data from the modeling process which is now 50% complete. Can’t make this meeting? Scroll down for how to hear/see virtually and/or attend the meeting at Lafayette at 6pm. Link to the items from the first public meeting held on 6/3/2024.

Minnesota Point 50 and PPCC will host a debrief and summary after the public meeting from 6-730pm upstairs at Lafayette. If you were unable to attend the work day meeting, stop by for the latest updates.

Join virtually: Details here to hear the 10/29 2-4pm presentation and see the slides, there is no camera in the room; the meeting will be recorded.

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Co-op Owners, please vote here and consider supporting Minnesota Point 50!

The projects are delayed, details below from City Engineering. Neighbors expressed concerns and asked questions about the safety precautions due to large holes in the street, speeding trucks and the reason for the extended timeline:

“Work has been prolonged due to discovering the elevations of many utilities underground.  This has forced us to reevaluate the design due to conflicts and make appropriate adjustments.  JMF should be back to work near your home within 1-2 weeks, closer to the latter.  A pipe will be installed crossing Minnesota Ave at 32^nd Street connecting to another catch basin which will ultimately outfall to the bay.  Jackhammering is to be expected when they commence work again here.

Jackhammering is in-fact necessary to complete the work.  Under the bituminous surface of Minnesota Ave is a layer of 7-inches of concrete.  To remove this concrete it was saw cut and as you’ve witnessed, hammered out for removal.

It is City policy that work does not take place between the hours of 9pm-7am.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any further questions.

Jacob Oetterer | Senior Engineering Technician | City of Duluth | 411 West 1^st St, Room 240,  Duluth, MN 55802 | 218-730-5077 |  joetterer@duluthmn.gov“

9/23 The boardwalk at Lafayette is underway and you may see equipment on the beach for this project. The estimated date of completion is Oct. 11.

We had a request to share this plea with Park Pointers who use the channel behind Hearding Island, see below. We discussed this at the meeting on 9/17. Behind this marina, there is bay access for the public. Access the space from the chain link gate next to the apartments off of the circle adjacent to the entry to the marina. Sadly the brown and white access signs were taken down so it may not be clear on where to go. We have asked City Planning for support to get the signage back. See photo below for guidance.

“Hi, my name is Derin Van Loon, and I’m a member at Sand Point Yacht Club.

My apologies for the late notice, but I am hoping that for your meeting tonight you might consider adding an agenda item at the request of the S.P.Y.C., regarding a dredging project we are about to undertake this fall.

As many you are aware, the Corps of Engineers was tasked with maintaining the water channel between Hearding Island and the mainland when it was officially developed. Over the years, they have not, and Sand Point has maintained this channel at our own expense, with occasional donations.

As all Park Pointers know, keeping this channel open greatly aids in the water mvement behind Hearding island, creating a healthier environment for all, and we also know many Park Pointers, fisherman, pontoons, powerboats, sailboats, jet skiers, kayakers, etc. enjoy the use of this channel regularly.

If you could make the Park Point community aware of this project, please let them know we would appreciate any contributions (large or small) to help with the dredging cost. 

Please contact Dean Baltes, our current treasurer, at Sand Point. His number is 218.348.9439.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.”

At the meeting on 9/17, we asked the City how we might collaborate on projects (signage, erosion mitigation, education) in Pontliana Woods, the wooded area off of 17th Street and Minnesota Ave, also accessible from St. Louis Ave near the Bayshore Nursing Home. The City of Duluth worked with St. Louis County and obtained the land as part of a land exchange. From 2019:”Residents have been crusading to preserve this three acre parcel of land from development since 1994. Over 200 Duluth residents signed a 2012 petition to save Pontliana Woods Wetlands. In 2015, the City Council, Dept. of Parks and Recreation, and Park Point Community Club all passed resolutions to establish  Pontliana Woods Wetlands as a City of Duluth Park.  The results of the 2016 environmental assessment conducted by the City of Duluth prove Pontliana Woods Wetlands meets Wetlands criteria. Additionally, in meetings with Councilor Westerlund and Jim Filby Williams, in 2017, we had been assured that the Pontliana Woods Wetlands would be included in the St. Louis River Estuary preservation plan.” 

As of the meeting on 9/17, there are not plans and residents asked to be involved in the future. Minnesota Point 50 & partners may take a closer look at needs at this location. Thank you to Jim Filby Williams, Director of Property, Parks and Libraries, and City & County staff members for seeing this transaction through and protecting this bayside green space in the estuary.

The September Breeze is here.

Questions collected for City partners; a representative from the City will be at the meeting on Tuesday:

Road configuration changes at the end in the Park  due to erosion bayside and rising waters, believe there is a grant for this project. Status, timeline and what is the plan? Where will the new road go? How might the project affect art fair, Duluth Superior Sailing, beach house access etc?

Pontliana Woods, this was a land swap deal with the County, please share vision and needs for this property on the bayside, 17th,  south of Bayshore Nursing home. Signage, trails, shoreline erosion etc 

Boat Club Site on the bay, 13th where the Yacht Club has the socials after the Wednesday races. Fun event there with a band a few weeks back! City’s ideas/vision on use of this property. I have spoken with members of the DBC on ideas, brainstorming, and collaboration. Who from the City will be working with the partners?

Lafayette Boardwalk, timeline and fall and winter bathroom hours. (They are year round facilities per the grant)

Signage at 8th & South Lake Ave  to mark the beach access &  portage to the bay at that street. We have met with city councilor, police, parks and rec and have asked for signage at that location beginning in 2019. The Ojibwe name for little portage has been suggested at that location, “Onigamiinsing.”  

Recreation Lane art project to promote the no parking status in this lane. Parking issues persist as the signage is inadequate. Maybe next year? How to promote the riding etiquette in this lane and really stop the parking on the lake side in the summer? More promotion, add to the Fire Department sign re. no fires and speed limit reminder? Also,  attached physical cones were a possibility for traffic calming at problematic areas. Maybe next year? 

Beach Sand/Snow Fence project- ongoing and who do folks call if the fence is damaged and needs repair? Here is a link to photos of the fencing installation by Park Pointers and the City’s Parks and Recreation Crew on 9/10 and 9/12.  Is there going to be a second fence line parallel to the first one? Will there be an overlapping fence covering the gap in the fence gap at 8th Street? A lot of sand blows at that location. More photos of the blowing sand issues from the bridge to 12th Street.

Agenda:

Call to Order, 7:00pm

Welcome and Welcome Back! 

2024 Annual Membership accepted throughout the year

Presentation and action on the minutes of the previous meeting as printed in The Breeze, last meeting was August 20.

Presentation and action on the treasurer’s report: Update and report from treasurer, Mary Treuer, Exec Bod reporting.

Reading of communications received:

Report of the Committees, Standing and Ad hoc

• Executive Committee
• Youth- New parents; thank you Britta DeSutter for assisting with the transition and for keeping Camp Lafayette on track & thriving over the past several summers!

• Art Fair- Carla Tamburro- was the 52nd this year! Next June tentative dates are June 28,29 2025.
• Breeze- Alan Dartanyan
• Environmental- Dick Gould
• Hospitality – Diane Gould
• Sunshine- Pam Griggs
• Rummage Sale, Deb Strange, Friday June 13th and Saturday June 14th 2025
• Program- Dave Poulin
• Watch- All of us- what are you seeing

• High Water & Erosion- Hamilton Smith

• Traffic Safety- Pat Sterner: Jeremy O’Connor, is our community officer, he has been in the Community Policing Unit for several years,JOconnor@duluthmn.gov

• Minnesota Point 50 (MP50) 501c3, Paul Treuer, MP50 is a community- based organization for learning, planning and taking action to build coastal resilience for MN Point. Board members are Pat Sterner, Dawn Buck, Brian Ruggle, Charlene Roise, Dan Ross, Paul Treuer, Jessica Boehland, Brittany Prim, Gary Glass, Dave Poulin
• Mission: We lead strategic actions with a diverse group of partners to   ensure the   ecological, cultural, and economic resilience of Minnesota Point.

Vision: Minnesota Point, a dynamic and fragile ecosystem and community, sustains its land, water, wildlife, infrastructure, and people for generations to come. 

Discussion and action on unfinished business plus updates:

• Reminder: Internet at Lafayette, bring your library card
• Blowing Sand, City of Duluth Project , on the list of questions for three items.
• Lafayette Boardwalk: Fall start of the project reports Parks and Rec., on the questions list
• St. Andrew’s hosted  Neighborhood Night Out on August 6, 2024
• Storm drain work 32nd, 37th, anywhere else? City contact is Brad Scott, bscott@duluthmn.gov “Yes – the project should be starting next week with the little bit of work near 32^nd and will continue after Labor Day with work at 37^th.” 

JMF is the Contractor. 

There are no assessments for any property owners – this work is paid for out of the City’s stormwater fund.”

Discussion and action on new business:

Motion to adjourn

August 2024: City Park Maintenance folks have been out getting the sand dune fencing/barrier placement started. There are 66 rolls of fencing that need to be placed. It is relatively straightforward and many hands will make light work indeed.

Volunteer opportunities will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Folks can meet on the beach near 8^th Street South. Park Maintenance staff will be there to guide and support the project, and provide supplies. Dates will be:

• Tuesday, September 10
• Thursday, September 12
• Tuesday, September 17
• Thursday, September 19 (if needed)

The September Breeze is here.

Minnesota Point 50 Website Launch with Video! The website has information, contains a professional video about MP50 efforts, and contains a Donate button. We’re official and we thank you for your continued support!

Hi Neighbors, Here is what is happening with the storm drain projects on Park Point. This is a note from the contractor. Thank you and please drive slowly and safely! The City contact is Brad Scott, bscott@duluthmn.gov

Work is starting today at the 32nd St location, with additional work scheduled later this week in front of 3917 S Lake Ave. Excavation and pipe installation at both locations should be completed by the end of this week. Next week, we’ll move on to concrete pouring, paving, and restoration. Both sites are expected to be fully restored by Labor Day. After Labor Day, we’ll begin work at the 37th St crossing, which is estimated to take 3-4 weeks to complete.

Ryan Ostrofsky

Project Manager/ Estimator

JMF Construction, INC. 

3613 Martin Rd. 

Duluth, MN 55803

Office: 218-525-1701

Fax:218-525-1754

Cell: 218-390-1173

WWW.JMFCONSTRUCTION.NET

The Breeze of Park Point, August edition is here. Agenda/notes here.

Cool video from the Canal after the air show.

Check out the new website for Minnesota Point 50, aka MP50 & the work continues. Please join us!

National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, St. Andrews By The Lake is hosting a neighborhood gathering and celebration! See you there from 5-7pm, great food and music too!

PPCC will hold its July meeting on Tuesday, 7/16, at Lafayette, upstairs. Neighbors gather at 645 and the meeting starts at 7pm. Hope we will see you there! Agenda here.

Photos and videos from the Sky Harbor Ribbon Cutting on July 10

Link to Baby’s Breath Workshop on June 25; photos here & many thanks to Rebecca Holmstrom, Plant Ecologist/ Botanist | Minnesota Biological Survey, Ecological and Water Resources. Besides digging up the invasive bb, we identified native plants in the dunes.

• The Park Point 5-Miler is scheduled for July 18! It will start at 6:30pm as always, and we will again have a small post-race shindig near the Beach House with a beer & cider garden, food trucks, and music. All are welcome!  Course is same as always.
• Traffic Advisory & schedule details will be same as 2023:
  • 5:30 PM – Free Kids Races (14 & under) at the Point, near the Beach House
  • 6:00 PM – Minnesota Ave south of 22nd St closes to traffic
  • 6:30 PM – 5 Mile run start
  • 6:40 PM – 2 Mile walk start
  • 7:05 PM – Estimated final participant reaches turnaround (2328 Minnesota Ave). DPD begins to gradually allow local traffic (moving slowly) as the race sweep vehicle (behind final participant) moves back toward the park.
  • 7:45 PM – Minnesota Ave fully open to traffic
• We will also place advance traffic signage again on Sunday/Monday of the event week again at the S-Curve and just inside the Park area
• Tables and water access from the Lafayette Community Center for our water station needed, volunteers will be needed to facilitate.
• Event on the S-curve to remind residents and visitors

Lose you radio? Found on the beach at 10th by neighbors in that area. Contact parkpointcc@gmail.com if this is yours. Scroll down to see the keys found around marathon time.

From Duluth Chamber on Ribbon Cutting on July 10:

“Congratulations to our friends and members at the Duluth International Airport on the grand opening of their beautiful new terminal and snow removal equipment building at Duluth-Sky Harbor Airport. The Duluth Area Chamber was proud and honored to be part of the program and ribbon cutting to help celebrate the $2.66M+ investment in our community. The improved airport facilities will also bolster Duluth’s strong tourism infrastructure with new patio space, which will be open to the public. A recent Minnesota Department of Transportation Economic Impact Study on Sky Harbor Airport showed its annual impacts include providing 52 jobs, influencing economic activity of around $5.1M of economic activity, and generating about $200K in state and local tax revenue. 

Congratulations and thank you to all involved in this project from the local congressional delegation who helped secure federal funding, local labor and other community partners (including several Duluth Area Chamber members such as Gardner Builders, SEH – Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., AG O’Brien, The Jamar Company, VEIT, Northland Constructors and more) and all involved in this impressive project. 

It was an exciting event on another perfect Duluth day. Our member, Love Creamery, even provided free ice cream. Congratulations and thank you to the Duluth International Airport staff and Board for their leadership, partnership and continued investment in Duluth, our thriving regional aviation sector and local economy! See stories in the Duluth News Tribune and on WDIO, Northern News Now and Fox21.”

The July Breeze has the details on the Ribbon Cutting at Sky Harbor on July 10 and the Ice Cream Social and Music at St. Andrews on Thursday, July 11. The Duluth Rowing Club will hold its regatta this Saturday, July 13 starting at 8am.

Park Point Art Fair Website

6/18 PPCC Meeting; 6:45pm social, 7:00pm meeting~ upcoming invasive workshop on 6/25, details hereHope to see you Tuesday evening! June 2024 Breeze is here.

Agenda Notes & Updates and read important details here:

Debrief Rummage Sale

Check in on Camp Lafayette, PPCC’s summer kids program

6/25: Baby’s Breath workshop: Meet near the airport parking area on Tuesday June 25 at 9:00am (with a backup plan of June 26^th at 1:00pm if weather is bad on Tuesday), here is a planting guide for MN Point, here is a guide to invasive Baby’s Breath, another study on Baby’s Breath in the Michigan Dunes is here.  Please bring copies of the handout on invasive Baby’s Breath (if you have one, they will also be available at the workshop) and digging tools, gloves, clippers etc. And of course, be prepared to work around poison ivy. Questions? Rebecca Holmstrom,Plant Ecologist/ Botanist | Minnesota Biological Survey, Ecological and Water Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,Phone: 218-302-3247, Email: rebecca.holmstrom@state.mn.usmndnr.gov

Art Fair Needs, call Diane Gould to volunteer for June 29, 30

Sky Harbor Terminal Ribbon Cutting, Wed. July 10th, 1pm

Traffic Safety Efforts Update

MPPS Update

Grandma’s Marathon & Park Point 5-Miler – Thursday July 18, 2024; Thank you to Greg Haapala, Race Director for sending these details!

Volunteer Opportunities and Details are here, see below:

Grandma’s Marathon Weekend – June 20-22, 2024

• Here is a link to our digital Weekend Guide that provides detail on all aspects of the event and can answer many questions: https://www.flipsnack.com/gmasbizplan/24-gm-weekend-guide/full-view.html 
• Attached is one individual map from the Guide that may be useful to PP residents. It shows the area from Bayfront Park to Canal Park & the Lift Bridge, including the race day traffic detour to/from the Point.

We are still in need of volunteers in many areas and over a variety of days, Thurs-Sun! If anyone has interest, please let me know or feel free to browse volunteer opportunities here: https://grandmasmarathon.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=80875

• The Park Point 5-Miler is scheduled for July 18, and we hope to have another great year! It will start at 6:30pm as always, and we will again have a small post-race shindig near the Beach House with a beer & cider garden, food trucks, and music. All are welcome!  Course is same as always.
• Traffic Advisory & schedule details will be same as 2023:
  • 5:30 PM – Free Kids Races (14 & under) at the Point, near the Beach House
  • 6:00 PM – Minnesota Ave south of 22nd St closes to traffic
  • 6:30 PM – 5 Mile run start
  • 6:40 PM – 2 Mile walk start
  • 7:05 PM – Estimated final participant reaches turnaround (2328 Minnesota Ave). DPD begins to gradually allow local traffic (moving slowly) as the race sweep vehicle (behind final participant) moves back toward the park.
  • 7:45 PM – Minnesota Ave fully open to traffic
• We will also place advance traffic signage again on Sunday/Monday of the event week again at the S-Curve and just inside the Park area
• Tables and water access from the Lafayette Community Center for our water station needed, volunteers will be needed to facilitate.
• Event on the S-curve to remind residents and visitors

Questions about the beavers on Hearding Island? Contact:

Chris Balzer, DNR Area Wildlife Manager, Phone: 218-878-5665, Email: christian.balzer@state.mn.us From Chris re. beavers on private land: “If damage is occurring on private land, the land owners would have fairly broad leeway to remove the beavers causing damage. A nuisance trapper could be brought in to help in this situation, but they are private contractors and charge a fee for their efforts. If you need some info regarding nuisance trappers feel free to give me a call at the below number. Another way to protect trees on private land is to loosely wrap the base of the tree with 3 ft. high chicken wire or hardware cloth. This wire is enough to discourage the beaver from cutting those trees. This it typically only practical if a smaller number of trees are at risk. Feel free to reach out if you have additional questions. Thanks!”

On public land: ” If the tree cutting is only occurring on the Wildlife Management Area, we would not consider this a concern. Beaver are part of the natural ecosystem and cutting trees is part of what they do. Since it is a Wildlife Management Area, we like to let the wildlife do their thing. It is a little strange that they are cutting conifer trees as they would typically target aspen, birch, and willow. However, we still do not have any concerns with this activity on the WMA.”

Art Opening & Display At Sky Harbor Airport 6/15:Sky Harbor Airport is celebrating the opening of its new terminal with an art exhibit featuring fiber artist and Park Point resident, Natalija Walbridge. She creates fabric collages using layering techniques to mimic the interplay of light and color in nature, often depicting wildlife in their habitats with vibrant colors. The public is invited to the opening event on Saturday, June 15th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with refreshments, including gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, provided. The exhibit will be on display until July 15th, with the terminal open weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and during the Park Point Art Fair weekend, June 29, 30.

Natalija Walbridge, Artist & Graphic Designer, 218-213-3958
Website: 

https://www.dock-5.com

Here is the latest update from the City of Duluth on how to manage the fine grain sand that is blowing off of the beach from the bridge to the S -Curve, link here.

Minnesota Point Section 111 Study Update Meeting Monday, 6/3, 1-3pm, City Hall, Room 430 followed by debrief and sharing of information at Lafayette at 6pm. Refreshments provided by PPCC.

The City of Duluth is hosting the Minnesota Point Section 111 Study public update meeting Monday, June 3, from 1-3 PM CST in Duluth City Hall, Lakeside Room (430).  A primary focus will be information about the modeling study that has recently started with Barr/Bergmann Engineering. Consider attending in person if possible, use the online meet option or attend the 6pm session at Lafayette. Thank you for engaging on this very important issue. Questions collected so far are here. Scroll down for Teams Link.

Residents will be participating in the evaluation and selection of actions based on the results of this study. 

June 3 2024 Public Meeting Agenda is here

Two background documents are attached, a recent presentation by Dr. John Swenson on sediment transport on the north end of Minnesota Point, and a recent presentation (4/10) by Captain Sam Briscoe on the status and updated timeline of the Section 111 Study.  Contact Paul Treuer if you have questions about the Study or would like to pose a question to the USACE or City ahead of the meeting so they can prepare comments that address your concerns.  paultreuer@gmail.com Everyone is welcome to join the Debrief at Lafayette at 6pm on Monday 6/3.

Dr. John Swenson on sediment transport on the north end of Minnesota Point; slides here.

Captain Sam Briscoe on the status and updated timeline of the Section 111 Study; slides here.

In person attendance is requested; however, a virtual connection through Teams will be available.  This meeting is being hosted and recorded by the City of Duluth. Link is here:

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The follow up and debrief meeting is set for 6pm at Lafayette on the evening of June 3rd 

Purpose: Sharing of the information from the 1-3 meeting and informal discussion. Refreshments, facilitation by the PPCC. 

Tentative Baby’s Breath Invasive Plant Removal Workshop, link to DNR information: Watch for confirmation of times on June 25, 26: Morning of the 25^th with the afternoon of 26^th as a backup time in case of rain. Pdf is here.

Link to Sand Blowing meeting, thank you to neighbor Larry M for capturing this video

Tuesday, May 21 PPCC Meeting, visit with neighbors starting at 645, meeting starts at 7pm. Club Elections will be held, two year terms for the Officers and the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees. Agenda notes here.

The Breeze, May 2024 edition is here.

Presentation from the St. Louis County Assessor’s Office, April 24, 2024. Valuations, Taxes, Consolidation of Parcels. Anne Sims, Mary Garness, Ryan Sauve, Cory Leinwander, County Commissioner Annie Harala.

Note from the assessor: An additional note for resident’s consideration before consolidation, while consolidation can assist the assessor’s office with the process of valuation and can make it easier to understand EMV notices, residents should also consider their long-term land/property use plans before making this change. 

Councilors and Concerned Residents,

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your concerns about the City’s response to the problem of windblown sand accumulation on the north end, lake side, of Minnesota Point, from the Lift Bridge to the 12^th Street beach access.

Beach restoration projects on the north end of Minnesota Point completed in 2021 at the behest of beachfront residents have inadvertently contributed to the accumulation of windblown sand on adjoining public and private properties.

Beachfront property owners between the Life Bridge and 12th have asked the City to give them a place to dump the sand that has accumulated thus far and help them to prevent further accumulation in the future. In lieu of City action to date, some adjoining property owners have placed sand fencing on the City-owned beach, and/or moved significant volumes of sand onto the City-owned beach, without required permits.

Staff met with impacted property owners on April 22 to present our plan and solicit feedback. Revised on the basis of public input, the current plan has several elements:

1. City to provide beachfront residents with a place on the City owned beach to dump sand. The City is working with DNR to secure permission for beachfront property owners to place sand on that portion of the City beach within 10-to-15-feet of the recently surveyed and staked public/private property boundary. Beachfront property owners will receive a letter within the next two weeks notifying them of when and where they may place sand under this initial authorization. Later in the summer, the City hopes to acquire another DNR permit that would allow beachfront property owners to place sand on the beach closer to the lake (further from the public/private property boundary). The City will send beachfront property owners a separate letter when this opportunity is available. DNR regulations prohibit removal, damage, or alteration of beach or dune grasses in the course of moving sand.
2. City to obtain after-the-fact authorization for recent sand movement projects undertaken by private property owners without permits between the Lift Bridge and the 12th St beach access between March 1^st 2023 and March 1^st 2024. Fines for this activity have been waived by the DNR. The City will secure a single after-the-fact permit and pay the associated fee. Property owners who moved sand onto that portion of the beach closer to the lake for which DNR has regulatory responsibility will be expected to provide information about the unpermitted work they performed. With this cooperation, beachfront property owners who performed unpermitted work on City property will not incur DNR permit fees. Impacted beachfront property owners will be notified via letter in about a month when the after-the-fact permit has been secured.
3. City installation of sand fence on the beach from the Lift Bridge to the 12^th Street beach access.  After the City secures the necessary DNR permit, the City will work with the Park Point Community Club, beachfront property owners, and DNR to plan and implement a system of sand fencing designed to reduce the transport of windblown sand onto adjoining private properties and the sidewalk and street beyond and to contribute to the restoration of protective beach dunes. The City will hold a meeting with impacted property owners before commencing installation. The meeting is expected to take place within the next one-to-two months.
4. City restoration of the 8^th and 12^th Street beach accesses. The City has completed restoration of the 12^th Street access where windblown sand had rendered that designated wheelchair-accessible access effectively inaccessible to many. The City is permitted to cause incidental damage to the dunes and dune grass in the course of maintaining the 12^th Street access. Some residents have raised important concerns about the magnitude of the damage to the dunes and dune grass. The City’s task at 12^th Street is to balance the tension between our legal responsibility to maintain wheelchair access to the beach and our legal responsibility to minimize harm to dunes and dune grass. Different arms of DNR are charged with overseeing our compliance with each mandate. City staff have initiated consultation with DNR to solicit their input on how they would like us to strike that balance at beach accesses in the future. Restoration of the more primitive – not wheelchair-accessible – 8^th Street beach access is expected to be undertaken within the next one to two months, after the City obtains the necessary permits.
5. Spring 2025: Planting of new beach grasses. One year after sand fencing installation, new dunes will have been created by windblown sand and we will plant new beach grass plugs to solidify dunes and help to limit windblown sand onto public and private property.

Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns that I can help to address.

Sincerely Yours,

Jim Filby Williams

Property, Parks, and Libraries Department Director

City of Duluth

Millie is home, 547am Saturday June 1!