Meeting ID: 840 5515 2958 Passcode: 991820 One tap mobile +19294362866,,84055152958#,,,,*991820# US (New York) +13017158592,,84055152958#,,,,*991820# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 840 5515 2958 Passcode: 991820
On the agenda:
May 8 2022: Smelt Parade- back after two year hiatus, support requested, sponsorships requested.
PP Youth Program 2022 -Exec. bod approved working budget to get program started and staffed, will look at enrollment next month and adjust and appropriate funds as needed. As in years past, the use of upper Lafayette will be important to the 2022 program’s quality and success
PP Art Fair- the 50th this year! Find out how you might be involved. More new artists and sponsorships this year! Thank you! A grant from Essentia is also in the works.
Updates from MP50, Paul Treuer on the Section 111 Study Charrette held last week- Next steps?
Tree planting initiative
Traffic Safety Update
Cruise Ship Impacts- Pros and Cons and what do we know?
Items referenced in The Breeze will be posted here, thank you to Jim Gruba and Tony Dierckins for the Park Point history pieces and the supporting documentation.
By Dawn Buck on Dec 13, 2021 | In Uncategorized | Comments Off on PPCC Meeting on 2/15 via Zoom
2/15 7pm Traffic Safety: One Year Debrief with Chief Tusken via Zoom & then PPCC meeting
The PPCC will host a Zoom meeting on February 15 at 7 pm to review the Traffic Safety efforts of the past year. Joining the Zoom meeting will be Chief Mike Tusken, Deputy Chief Steven Stracek, and Lt. Chad Nagorski. A short PPCC meeting will be held after the traffic safety presentation.
Traffic safety efforts of the past year: Successes and Challenges
o DPD Comments
o PP Residents Comments
General Discussion:
o What else can PP residents do to help with traffic safety?
o How can we encourage residents to volunteer for the Neighborhood Watch?
o What information from the DPD would help document community impact to encourage continued efforts?
o Additional ideas for long-term traffic safety control.
City of Duluth Coastal Resilience Study; Public Meeting, Feb. 16, 7:00 PM, Zoom
This study is part of a $258,000 FEMA grant the City received to find solutions to shoreline collapse on the the North Shore from Brighton Beach to Knife River. The study will also evaluate the bayside of the Park Point Recreation Area and determine mitigation options for storm surge-related flooding and erosion. Funding will pay for the areas of interest to be studied while determining solutions with the help of consultants. It will set the City and its partners up to apply for funding that would assist in implementing the study’s outcomes.
Skating update: The building hours for warming are posted below via link, everyone is welcome!
Sunday Feb. 6th Noon to 3pm at the Lafayette Rink; come and skate or just hang out by the fire ring and enjoy the moment and cook a marshmallow or maybe a hot dog. Updates due to conditions will be posted on the Postcard sign and on the website. It’s been a joy to see skaters on the rink and sledders on the hills at the park.
If you can help with flooding, call Mark 218-340-6453
To sign up to host the lower level for skating warmup, email the Club’s president: parkpointcc@gmail.com.
MN Point Resiliency 2/7 via Zoom
Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, Public Zoom Meeting on Minnesota Point Resilience Planning with two speakers:
Diane Desotelle, Natural Resources Coordinator, City of Duluth, will answer questions about the City’s recently developed Minnesota Point 50-year Resiliency Planning Process. This document outlines the process by which the City of Duluth will lead Minnesota Point’s long term resiliency planning efforts. Please read and bring your questions and a copy of the planning document to the zoom meeting to discuss.
Nicholas Zager, Chief, Planning Office, USACE Detroit District
PPCC Agenda notes: Updates on Snow Emergency Parking, Lafayette skating rink, tree planting donations, 50th Art Fair in June, Traffic Safety, Section 111 Study & USACE Clean Up meeting on Thursday.
Thursday, 11/18, Virtual Presentations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & City of Duluth regarding the upcoming public meeting related to the completion of the 2021 Minnesota Point Beach nourishment, maintenance dredging, beach cleanup, and the congressionally funded Section 111 program: the meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, November 18 at 5pm. To join the meeting, please visit our Live Meetings page at https://duluthmn.gov/live-meeting/, click on “Parks & Recreation Public Meetings” link, and click the “Join Now” button.
Katie Bennett, Project Technician, City of Duluth – Parks & Recreation
Take our community survey at polco.us/duluthparks2021 to help shape the future of Duluth parks and recreation opportunities!
The application submitted for the MN Point project seems to be incomplete. Note the omission of the sections on loadings; this is directly related to the PPCC’s recommendation that state water quality standards are met.
2.Analysis of alternatives to project design that avoid or minimize degradation (This does not include the Preferred Alternative discussed below)
Describe your analysis of at least two prudent and feasible alternative project designs that would avoid or minimize degradation and avoid or minimize net increases in loading of pollutants or other causes of degradation to surface water (such as wetlands, lakes, stream, etc.). The analysis of each alternative must include a description of how impacts to surface waters are avoided and/or minimized; information on any design considerations and constraints; expected performance, construction, operation, and maintenance costs; and reliability for each alternative. Minn. R. 7050.0280, subp. 2
Preferred alternative project design Describe the analysis of your preferred alternative project design that avoids or minimizes net increases in loading of pollutants or other causes of degradation. The analysis must include a description of how impacts to surface waters are avoided and/or minimized; information on any design considerations and constraints; expected performance, construction, operation, and maintenance costs; and reliability for each alternative. In addition, the analysis must verify that the preferred alternative is the least degrading prudent and feasible alternative for surface water. Minn. R. 7050.0280, subp.2
4.Water quality parameters of concern List the water quality parameters of concern for the project. Examples: Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Mercury (Hg), Temperature, PCBs, etc.
10. Loading and degradation to surface waters For all surface waters where physical alterations are proposed, describe all anticipated net increases in loading and other causes of degradation expected in each surface water when your preferred alternative project design is fully implemented. Example 1: Filling of a wetland that causes another wetland to backup and inundate, (the inundated wetland can be on or off the project site).Example 2: A discharge from the project site that increases flow to another surface water on or off the project site. Example 3: Impervious surface increases in a subwatershed to the extent water quality becomes degraded.
By Dawn Buck on Sep 12, 2021 | In Uncategorized | Comments Off on September 21 Meeting- Zoom
Social Zoom gathering at 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, September 21. Link for the meeting was emailed out and it posted below. Agenda link below.
D. Buck & PPCC Executive Board are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: PPCC September 2021 meeting Time: Sep 21, 2021 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting
Duluth Monitor by John Ramos May 2020; good photos of the erosion and starvation of sand on the south end of MN Point. PPCC Volunteers have been seeking on long term solutions for decades.
July PPCC Elections at Lafayette
Lafayette, 6:30pm for Socializing and set up; 7pm Meeting and Elections
Mark your calendars for National Night Out on Tuesday 8/3 at Lafayette from 5-7pm. Brats and lemonade will be provided, please bring a salad or picnic fare to share & bring a lawn chair. Meet the DPD officers who are helping with our Traffic Safety program, meet new neighbors and reconnect after a long and challenging year!
July 15th 50th Park Point 5-Miler & Best Beach Websites Details here:
Health & Safety note: Please be conscientious of your neighbors and the community during the event; anyone who is feeling sick or has Covid-19 like symptoms needs to stay home from the race and the cheering activities. Masks are encouraged for anyone who is not vaccinated.
Road Closures / Event timeline
With restrictions eased, we will be back to a fairly normal schedule for the event, including road closures. Plan is as follows:
o 6:00 PM – Minnesota Ave south of 22nd St closes to traffic
o 6:30 PM – 5 Mile run start
o 6:40 PM – 2 Mile walk start
o 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.
o 7:45 PM – Minnesota Ave fully open to traffic
· Lafayette Park
We will again have a water station a Lafayette Square Park. We’re debating using the hose connection for water or pouring from leftover bottles we have from the marathon. Water at Lafayette might be procured.
· Volunteers
We are always glad for volunteers on the racecourse for this event, to direct and cheer runners/walkers, and ensure the safety of all. Residents on the racecourse could be the perfect volunteers for this event, as they are able to volunteer from their own driveways! If anyone from the PP Community Club or other residents might be interested, please direct them our way.
Finally, we’re hoping to celebrate the 50th edition of the Park Point 5-Miler by having some activities for folks to hang out at the Point after the race – we’ll share more info on that as it is solidified, but the PP community would be encouraged to come join in!
Tues. 6 /15, 6:30 pm set up and social time at Lafayette, inside upstairs. Masks recommended for unvaccinated attendees.
7:00pm meeting
Guests:
Matthew Stewart, C.M., ACE,Airport Planner,Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., Ongoing Master Plan project at Sky Harbor, project website is updated with project materials and can be found here: https://skyharbor.duluthairport.com/projects/
At-Large City Councilor Terese Tomanek
Communications & Articles – please send items of interest to share
Dog walkers- please leash your canine companions! Also- special notice on Piping Plover nesting in June and July on the beach past Sky Harbor Airport-leash your dogs during the nesting season- citations may be written for violations during this season!
Ms. Melissa Blankenship, EPA Region V; Ms. Sarah Strommen MPCA Commissioner; Lt. Col. Katalenich, USACE Detroit
Note: PPCC Recommendation #4 for 2021 “Dredged materials considered for continued beach nourishment will undergo detailed analysis for suitability before they are placed on the beach. The USACE’s sediment sampling plan must demonstrate state water quality standards for Lake Superior will not be exceeded. During the application of new beach materials in 2021, the City of Duluth and PPCC will request MPCA require constant monitoring of the lake and discharged materials for the presence of any harmful components. If harmful components are found in the discharge, the USACE will take steps to remove or treat them.”
PPCC has asked the City of Duluth to provide assurances and data to show that these standards will be met. Calculations based on the USACE’s samples and data indicate that materials placed in 2020 on the beach near the bridge do not align with the Club’s recommendation as stated above. Unfortunately, “historical” trash from the harbor bottom- metal cans, glass and plastics were inadvertently shredded and placed on the beach during the beach nourishment processes in 2019 & 2020. While learning more on how this occurred, sediment data from the USACE was reviewed by a water quality expert. The PPCC, City Administrators and City Councilor Randorf were apprised of the concerns revealed by the data and the negative implications for Lake Superior and its ecosystems. In 2019, the PPCC requested help from the City of Duluth as the beach, infrastructure, and homes along the very north end were in peril due to erosion processes, rising waters and strong storm surges. The City requested that the Corps. of Engineers (USACE) move their nourishment operation to the north end of Park Point to help with that crisis area. The USACE was in the early phase of a 5 year permitted process of depositing 1,000,000 cubic yards of dredged materials into Lake Superior starting at the south end. The alarming appearance of beach sharps has raised numerous concerns from Park Pointers and other individuals and organizations:
The Minnesota Conservation Federation, Brad Gausman, Executive Director
The Save Lake Superior Association, Lori Andresen, President
Clean Water Action, Deanna White, Minnesota State Director
The National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Office, Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships
The North Shore Surfrider Foundation, Bob Pokorney, President
Grant Merritt, Former Executive Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Willis Mattison, Former Regional Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Subsequently, the City of Duluth has requested another Section 111 study to determine the level of the USACE’s responsibility for damage caused by the construction of the canals at both ends of MN Point.
Clean-up on the beach:
Found near 12th Street BeachFound near 12th Street Beach
While on the beach-pay attention!
The second most common cause of death in children, drowning usually occurs due to an adult not paying attention and missing the signs. As drowning is hard to spot, it is important to know the signs and always stay aware.
They cannot call for help: People drowning will not be able to call out for help as they are taking in water and struggling to breathe in oxygen.
They cannot wave for help: People drowning will be using their arms to attempt to push themselves out of the water but will be unable to wave them above their head.
They will remain upright: People drowning will remain upright in the water without showing signs of kicking for up to 60 seconds before going underwater.
They will have glassy eyes: People drowning will be unable to focus and may have their eyes closed.
Their face will be hard to see: People drowning may not be visible due to being in and out of the water, causing hair to cover their face.
They will be hidden by the water: People drowning may have his/her head tilted backwards or forwards as his/her mouth will be at water level
They will be quiet: People drowning may be quieter than normal as they can no longer speak. It is best to find out why immediately.
They may not seem in distress: People drowning may already be unconscious and therefore not moving at all. It is important to ask if they are okay and get them out of the water if they do not respond.
Redlining Map in 1932- Check out Park Point from this link! Zoom in on Duluth
PP Technical Advisors Gary Glass & Willis Mattison will be presenting information on lake impacts, water quality, history & regulations re. discharging into Lake Superior; contaminants & hazards from in water, beach placement of harbor dredge spoils; Brad Gausman, Executive Director, MN Conservation Federation will share perspectives of the Coalition
Coalition’s Organizations and Individuals: The Minnesota Conservation Federation, Brad Gausman, Executive Director The Save Lake Superior Association, Lori Andresen, President Clean Water Action, Deanna White Minnesota State Director; The National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Office, Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships; The North Shore Surfrider Foundation, Bob Pokorney, President Grant Merritt, Former Executive Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Willis Mattison, Former Regional Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Q & A and community discussion to follow. See you there! All are welcome to attend!
Information & letters, links to research, studies, articles etc.- fyi
Letter to the City April 6, 2021 Re. Beach Nourishment Recommendations
Director Filby- Williams, Park Pointers take great pride in providing active and vigilant stewardship of Lake Superior and its shores; we look to community leaders to join us in these efforts.
The Club’s Erosion and High Water Committee sought guidance and support from City leadership in 2019 to address the erosion of the very busy beach from south of the shipping canal to 13th St. The City’s effective collaboration and planning with the USACE led to the completion of the 2020 beach restoration project.
Flooding, closing of Lake Ave & the bridge and “shelter in place” orders during storm surges will (hopefully) be temporarily & partially managed because of the dredge spoils placed on the beach. Water levels and storm surge durations are variables to watch. The dredge spoils from the harbor were advertised to Park Pointers as being a clean, safe and healthy temporary solution. We believed this to be true. After taking a much closer look and digging into the history and the science, serious concerns have arisen.
I read in the DNT that Duluth (per Mayor Larson) would be seeking to become the “greenest city in the country.” Placing dredged materials from the harbor into on-land containment sites for treatment and reuse is an appropriate course of action in a “green city. Using clean, zero-polluting materials and/or materials from Lake Superior are appropriate solutions for the restoration of shorelines and beaches of Lake Superior in a “green city.”
After the shredded cans and shards were identified as coming along with the spoils during the USACE’s project and conducting additional research (based on the January 12th presentations set up by the PP EHWC), the Club made this recommendation, below. We changed the Club’s recommendations to provide clear guidance on the Club’s need to protect Lake Superior. We hoped that City leadership would agree with this position and seek alternate short term solutions as we requested in recent communications.
Regarding the proposed USACE’s 2021 beach nourishment project, Park Point Community Club clarified the language in their recommendations:
Dredged materials considered for continued beach nourishment will undergo detailed analysis for suitability before they are placed on the beach. The USACE’s sediment sampling plan must demonstrate state water quality standards for Lake Superior will not be exceeded. During the application of new beach materials in 2021, the City of Duluth and PPCC will request MPCA require constant monitoring of the lake and discharged materials for the presence of any harmful components. If harmful components are found in the discharge, the USACE will take steps to remove or treat them.
The Club is asking the City to accept nothing less from the USACE than full compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act, MPCA statutes, and state water quality standards for Lake Superior- just as these laws apply to any other discharger.
We are wondering how the USACE will be demonstrating that their methods will meet this recommendation?
How will the data which verifies that this recommendation is followed be shared with the City and the community?
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the Club’s recommendations, requests and questions. Kind regards & take care,
Dawn Buck,President
Resources, continued:
“It’s easy to spot bias in other people, especially those with whom we disagree. But it’s not so easy to recognize our own biases. Psychologist Emily Pronin says it’s partly because of our brain architecture. This week on Hidden Brain, we explore what Pronin calls the introspection illusion.” The Double Standard on Hidden Brain,NPR
Public Meeting on Beach Clean Up & Beach Nourishment 2021
The City of Duluth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other partners will host a public meeting to provide information and answer questions about two upcoming projects: the survey and cleanup of can debris from the 2020 beach nourishment project, and the new project slated to happen later this year. At the completion of the presentations, we will open it up to questions and answers from the community.
The meeting took place on April 14 form 11:30 a.m. – 1:00p.m.
By Dawn Buck on Mar 22, 2021 | In Uncategorized | Comments Off on PP Neighborhood Watch Orientation March 29, 6pm
Neighborhood Watch Orientation for next Monday, March 29 at 6 pm, Lt. Chad Nagorski will join us to go over procedures and best practices. Email Pat Sterner if you would like to join the ZOOM meeting patsterner20@gmail.com
Contact Pat Sterner or Rory Strange to find out more on PP Neighborhood Watch
Here are the details on using the clearinghouse email to report traffic and safety issues and concerns on Park Point:
If you see an emergency, a crime in progress or suspicious activity, call 911. Thank you.
Watch your speed- DPD has pledged to help us slow down the traffic and will be enforcing the 30mph speed limit.
The Park Point Traffic Safety (PPTS) Clearinghouse has been established to gather and compile information about traffic safety concerns that will be communicated in a systematized way to Duluth Police Department Chief of Police Mike Tusken for use and action by his team.
Information sent to the PPTS Clearinghouse should address traffic safety only, including but not limited to: Excessive speeding (date/time/location/make-model of vehicle) Distracted driving (cell phone use, other) Dangerous driving (tailgating, passing over the double yellow line or in the pedestrian lane) Drag Racing
When able, please include the license plate number (and state), of speeding vehicle with description of the vehicle, date, time and location noted. Terms and Conditions for submitting information to the PP Traffic Safety Clearinghouse 1. Information provided to the PP Traffic Safety Clearinghouse will not be private; it will be shared with the Duluth Police Department. 2. Messages must be concise with specific information especially when reporting an incident (date, time, location, what happened). Messages longer than 3 paragraphs will not be accepted. 3. Messages with attachments will not be accepted. 4. Messages must contain the sender’s name and email address.
Administrator for the PP Traffic Safety Clearinghouse: Pat Sterner
We thank Lt. Chad Nagorski and Chief Mike Tusken and the entire DPD for their continued support.
October 2020 accident, vehicle passing on Park Point, rear ended another vehicle then rolled onto the sidewalk, 34th MN Ave.
