03-068CITY OF SHOREWOOD
Hennepin County, Minnesota
is RESOLUTION NO. 03 - 068
A RESOLUTION STATING THE POSITION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
REGARDING LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
ON LAKE MINNETONKA
WHEREAS, Lake Minnetonka is the largest lake in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, and is a natural
and recreational resource used by residents throughout the region and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Lake Minnetonka is one of the most intensively used lakes by boaters, and thus results in
the need to provide a high level of law enforcement activity; and
WHEREAS, through the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD), the fourteen cities around
Lake Minnetonka and Hennepin County have participated financially in a pilot program to
evaluate whether additional patrol — the equivalent of two full-time deputy positions during
the boating season — would result in better compliance with laws and a better experience
for persons using the lake; and
WHEREAS, many cities, including the City of Shorewood, informed the LMCD that their financial
participation would be limited to the pilot program, as they were willing to pay to
• determine whether additional patrol would have positive effects; and
WHEREAS, data from such sources as citations issued and boat user satisfaction surveys indicate that
the additional law enforcement activity has had positive effects; and
WHEREAS, the death that occurred on July 4, 2003, on the north side of Big Island demonstrates that
the additional level of law enforcement activity should not be reduced; and
WHEREAS, the Water Patrol of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office has ultimate responsibility for
law enforcement in Lake Minnetonka,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shorewood request
Hennepin County to fund fully the additional level of law enforcement that has been
proven effective on Lake Minnetonka,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council state its expectation that Hennepin County
Sheriff will allocate resources and ensure that this level of enforcement is performed in
2004 and subsequent years, as it is the responsibility of the Hennepin County Sheriff and
not the cities abutting Lake Minnetonka to perform law enforcement activities on it.
Adopted this 11 th day of August, 2003
• At4act•