Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District

12/19/24 Regular Board Meeting
2024-12-19 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda
Full agenda and board packet items will be posted on this page no later than the Monday immediately preceding the meeting.

Call to Order of Regular Meeting
Setting of Meeting Agenda
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda is considered as one item of business. It consists of routine administrative items or items not requiring discussion. Items can be removed from the consent agenda at the request of the Board member, staff member, or a member of the audience. Please state which item or items you wish to remove for separate discussion.

a) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – August 22, 2024
b) Special Board Meeting Minutes – November 12, 2024
c) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2024

CLFLWD YouTube Channel (for watching past meetings)

Public Comment Opportunity on 2025 Budget & Levy
Public Open Forum
Citizen Advisory Committee Update
New Business

a) Chisago County Hazard Mitigation Plan
b) WJD-6 Wetland Enhancement Project Closeout
c) Moody Lake Capstone Project Closeout
d) Shoreline Public Relations RFP
e) Resolution Ratifying Clean Water Fund Grant Extension
f) 2024 Blue Water Science Survey Summaries
g) 2024 Aquatic Invasive Species Yearend Report

2024 AIS Program Yearend Summary (YouTube)

h) 2024 Watercraft Inspection Yearend Report
i) Yearend Accounting & Reimbursement Requests
j) 2025 Cost Share Policy
k) Grant Application Authorizations
l) Heath Ave IESF City of Wyoming Agreement

Old Business

a) 2025 Staff Work Plan
b) Biennial Professional Services RFP
c) Floodplain Vulnerability Update

Report of Staff

a) Administrator

Project Update

b) Emmons and Olivier Resources
c) Smith Partners

Report of Treasurer and Approval of Bills
Report of Officers and Managers
Summary and Approval of Board Direction
Adjourn

a) Next special board meeting – January 7, 2025, 5:30 pm (Strategic Planning Meeting)
b) Next regular board meeting – January 9, 2025, 6:30 pm

Office Holiday - Christmas Eve Day
2024-12-24
The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District office will be closed to observe this holiday.

Office Holiday - Christmas Day
2024-12-25

Office Holiday – New Year's Day 2025
2025-01-01

01/07/25 Special Board Workshop - Strategic Planning
2025-01-07 17:30 - 19:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Special Meeting
Strategic Planning Workshop
Adjourn

a) Next regular board meeting – January 9, 2025 6:30 pm

01/09/25 Regular Board Meeting
2025-01-09 18:30 - 20:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Regular Meeting
Setting of Meeting Agenda
New Business

a) Election of Officers and Liaison Appointments
b) Citizen Advisory Committee Appointments
c) Designation of Official Newspapers and Banks
d) Review Bank Signers, Viewers, and Credit Card Holders
e) District Vehicle

Old Business

a) Floodplain Vulnerability Update

Program/Project Update

a) Project Update

Summary and Approval of Board Direction
Adjourn

a) Next regular board meeting – January 23, 2025, 6:30 pm

01/14/25 CAC Meeting
2025-01-14 17:00 - 18:00

Rain Barrels 101
2025-01-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Forest Lake Area Schools Education Center, 943 9th Ave SW, Forest Lake, MN, 55025, United States
Rain barrels harvest rainwater from roofs that can then be used to water gardens, lawns and potted plants. As much as 40% of residential water is used for irrigation in the summer. Installing a rain barrel is an excellent way to reduce run-off and pollution as well as save MONEY! Learn about site selection and how to use rain barrels most efficiently. We will discuss the pros and cons of commercially available rain barrels and how to make your own. Residents within the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District may be eligible for free rain barrels. You will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

Office Holiday – Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025
2025-01-20

01/21/25 Special Board Workshop - CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
2025-01-21 17:30 - 19:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda
Full agenda and board packet items will be posted on this page at least three days preceding the meeting.

Call to Order of Special Meeting
Strategic Planning Workshop

a) Manager Schmaltz CLFLWD Priority Areas from 10 year Plan Jan 2025
b) July Budget Workshop – July 13, 2023 Regular Board Meeting
c) 2024-09-30 Strategic Plan Staff Meeting Summary

Adjourn

a) Next regular board meeting – January 23, 2025 6:30 pm
b) Next special board meeting – February 4, 2025, 5:30 pm

01/23/25 Regular Board Meeting
2025-01-23 18:30 - 20:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Regular Meeting
Setting of Meeting Agenda
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda is considered as one item of business. It consists of routine administrative items or items not requiring discussion. Items can be removed from the consent agenda at the request of the Board member, staff member, or a member of the audience. Please state which item or items you wish to remove for separate discussion.

a) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2024
b) Special Board Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2024
c) Special Board Meeting Minutes – December 17, 2024
d) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2024

CLFLWD YouTube Channel (for watching past meetings)

Public Hearing: Heath Iron Enhanced Sand Filter Project Ordering

EOR presentation

Public Open Forum
Citizen Advisory Committee Update
New Business

a) FY25 Clean Water Fund Grant Agreement (updated 01/24/25)
b) Heath Iron Enhanced Sand Filter Project Ordering & Engineering
c) Heath Iron Enhanced Sand Filter Acquisition
d) 2025 Blue Water Science Service Agreement
e) 2024 Yearend Education & Outreach Summary
f) 2025 Education & Outreach Implementation Plan

Old Business

a) 2024 Aquatic Invasive Species Report

YouTube Video (please watch prior to meeting)

b) 2024 Watercraft Inspection Report

YouTube Video (please watch prior to meeting)

c) Blue Water Science Yearend Reports
d) Floodplain Vulnerability Modeling Report
e) District Vehicle
f) 2025 Cost-Share Policy
g) Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership Work Plan Leverage (updated 01/24/25)

Report of Staff

a) Administrator
b) Emmons and Olivier Resources
c) Smith Partners

Report of Treasurer and Approval of Bills (updated 01/24/25)
Report of Officers and Managers
Summary and Approval of Board Direction
Adjourn

a) Special board meeting – January 28, 2025, 6:00 pm
b) Special board meeting – February 4, 2025, 5:30 pm
c) Next regular board meeting – February 13, 2025, 6:30 pm

01/28/25 Special Board Meeting - Administrator's Performance Review
2025-01-28 18:00 - 21:00
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Special Meeting
Administrator Performance Review [may convene in closed session]
Adjourn

a) Next special board meeting – February 4, 2025, 5:30 pm
b) Next regular board meeting – February 13, 2025, 6:30 pm

Backyard Habitat
2025-01-30 18:30 - 19:30
It’s all about the birds and bees…and butterflies. Learn how to attract more pollinators and songbirds to your backyard by making some simple changes. We will discuss various species of pollinators and what perennial plants will have them buzzing to your backyard. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications and several door prizes from local plant specialists will be given away.

02/04/25 Special Board Workshop - CANCELED
2025-02-04 17:30 - 19:30
This meeting has been rescheduled to February 11, 2025 at 5:30pm.

Native Plants for Small Spaces and Containers
2025-02-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake, MN, 55025, United States
Small spaces don’t need to limit your gardening possibilities! Do you have a small garden space, patio, or containers and want to add color, texture, and plants? Don’t overlook using native plants that attract birds, bees, and butterflies. We will look at using some smaller and better-behaved native perennials in your garden spaces. Participants will receive an informational folder and a native plant book, and several gift certificates from local nurseries will be given away as door prizes.

Watershed Connections: Carp Management for Water Quality
2025-02-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Forest Lake Senior Community Center, 767 4th St SW, Forest Lake, MN, 55025
Event Flyer
Open Meeting Notice
The ecological effects of carp on the environments which they invade are negative and numerous. They can include decreased native aquatic vegetation, increased turbidity, increased nutrients, increased algae blooms, and an overall decrease of fish and wildlife diversity. The science of carp management has significantly changed since 2010. The ability to quantify carp populations, track carp movement, and reduce abundance can be a major tool in improving water quality and overall lake health. WSB has been a leader in the field of invasive fish management and specifically carp management.
This FREE workshop will be held at the Forest Lake Senior Community Center starting at 5:30 p.m. The workshop includes an hour presentation, a box supper, and time for open discussion after the presentation. Please RSVP before Friday, January 31st for this workshop, so we have an accurate headcount for food and seating.
To register, please contact the CLFLWD at 651-395-5850 or by email.

Top Twenty Native Plants
2025-02-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Forest Lake Area Schools Education Center, 943 9th Ave SW, Forest Lake, MN, 55025, United States
Learn how to put down some roots and use native plants in your landscaping and flower gardens. We will identify some of our favorite no-fail natives for a wide variety of soils, shade levels and overall hardiness. These are the rough, tumble, aggressive and easy to find native plants. Also learn some easy ways to integrate native plants into your current landscaping or start a whole new project. You will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

02/11/25 Special Board Workshop – Strategic Planning
2025-02-11 17:30 - 19:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Special Meeting
Strategic Planning Workshop

Vision, Mission, Values
Plan Priorities – Manager Schmaltz
Plan Priorities – Manager Bakke
Strategic Plan – Manager Anderson
Plan Priorities by Manager Toavs
Strategic Plan Staff Meeting Summary

Flood Resiliency Community Engagement

Flood Resiliency Planning Process
Community Workshop Presentation Slides

Adjourn

a) Next regular board meeting – February 13, 2025 6:30 pm

02/12/25 Floodplain Vulnerability Assessment Community Engagement Workshop
2025-02-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Forest Lake Area High School, 6101 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN, 55025, United States
A quorum of the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District Board of Managers is anticipated at the Floodplain Vulnerability Assessment Community Engagement Workshop.
Special Meeting Notice

02/13/25 Regular Board Meeting
2025-02-13 18:30 - 20:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Regular Meeting
Setting of Meeting Agenda
New Business

a) Stearns County Shoreland Presentation
b) Washington County Cooperative Weed Management Area
c) North Shore Circle Park Agreement
d) 2025 Forest Lake Cooperative Aquatic Invasive Species Agreement
e) MN Watersheds Delegate Appointments

Old Business

a) 2024 Education & Outreach Yearend Summary

YouTube Video

b) 2025 Education & Outreach Implementation Plan

YouTube Video

c) Heath Iron Enhanced Sand Filter Acquisition Budget Transfer

Program/Project Update

a) Project Update
b) Operations & Maintenance Program Update

YouTube Video

Summary and Approval of Board Direction
Adjourn

a) Next regular board meeting – February 27, 2025, 6:30 pm

Office Holiday - Presidents Day 2025
2025-02-17

02/18/25 CAC Meeting
2025-02-18 17:00 - 18:00

Top Twenty Tough Native Plants
2025-02-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Chisago Lakes High School, 29400 Olinda Trail, Lindstrom, MN, United States
Learn how to put down some roots and use native plants in your landscaping, flower gardens, and everywhere else. We will help identify some of our favorite no-fail natives for a wide variety of soils, shade levels, and overall hardiness. These are the rough, tumble, aggressive, and easy to find native plants. Also learn some easy ways to integrate native plants into your current landscaping, or start a whole new project. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

Watershed Connections: Changing Climate Trends and Local Impacts
2025-02-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Forest Lake Senior Community Center, 767 4th St SW, Forest Lake, MN, 55025
Kenny Blumenfeld is a Minnesota DNR climatologist who has been fascinated by storms and weather extremes his whole life, and who enjoys helping Minnesotans understand their weather and climate. He will discuss long-term, ongoing, and projected climate trends, along with recent weather and climate extremes in the region. The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake area has become warmer on average, particularly during the winter, and also has become more humid and wetter, even when accounting for recent drought. Projections indicate the area will keep getting warmer and wetter on average, with even greater extremes of winter warmth, humid summertime heat, and precipitation than have yet been observed.
This FREE workshop will be held at the Forest Lake Senior Community Center (767 4th St SW, Forest Lake, MN 55025) starting at 5:30 p.m. The workshop includes an hour presentation, a box supper, and time for open discussion after the presentation.
Please RSVP before Friday, February 21st for this workshop, so we have an accurate headcount for food and seating. To register, please contact the CLFLWD at 651-395-5850 or by email.
Event Flyer
OPEN MEETING NOTICE

Perennial Pocket Plantings
2025-02-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd N, Forest Lake, MN, 55025, United States
A native wildflower garden will attract beautiful butterflies and bees to your yard and help pollinators stay healthy. You can plant a garden anywhere from the tiniest corner of your city lot to an open prairie setting and about anything in between. We will cover it all, from weeds to seeds and from start to bountiful blooms. We will even “walk” through a project from scratch to bountiful blooms. Participants will receive an informational folder and a native plant book, and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

Many MN Milkweeds
2025-02-27 18:30 - 19:30
We have over a dozen milkweeds that are native to Minnesota. Let’s chat about the wide variety of these great pollinator plants! Some are wildly popular and very common growing in gardens and local sceneries. We will also discuss where to buy milkweed plants and seed, plus how and where to add these pollinator magnets to your landscapes. Participants will receive an informational folder full of great publications and several door prizes from local plant specialists will be given away.

02/27/25 Regular Board Meeting
2025-02-27 18:30 - 20:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Regular Meeting
Setting of Meeting Agenda
Consent Agenda: The consent agenda is considered as one item of business. It consists of routine administrative items or items not requiring discussion. Items can be removed from the consent agenda at the request of the Board member, staff member, or a member of the audience. Please state which item or items you wish to remove for separate discussion.

a) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – November 21, 2024
b) Special Board Meeting Minutes – January 7, 2025
c) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – January 9, 2025
d) Regular Board Meeting Minutes – January 23, 2025
e) Special Board Meeting Minutes – January 28, 2025
CLFLWD YouTube Channel (for watching past meetings)

Public Open Forum
Citizen Advisory Committee Update

a) Update
b) Appointment

New Business
Old Business

a) MN Watersheds Delegate Appointments
b) Forest Lake Alum Treatment Monitoring Update
c) North Shore Trail Road Reconstruction Project

Report of Staff

a) Administrator
b) Emmons and Olivier Resources
c) Smith Partners

Report of Treasurer and Approval of Bills
Report of Officers and Managers
Summary and Approval of Board Direction
Adjourn

a) Next special board meeting – March 4, 2025, 5:30 pm
b) Next regular board meeting – March 13, 2025, 6:30 pm

Rain Barrels 101
2025-03-03 18:30 - 19:30 | Chisago Lakes High School, 29400 Olinda Trail, Lindstrom, MN, United States
Rain barrels harvest rainwater from roofs and other structures that can then be used to water gardens, lawns, and potted plants. Installing a rain barrel is an excellent way to reduce run-off and pollution as well as save MONEY! As much as 40% of residential water is used for irrigation in the summer. Participants will learn the ins and outs of rain barrels, site selection, and other tips to use rain barrels most efficiently. We will also talk about the pros and cons of many of the commercially available rain barrels and how to make your own. Residents within the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District may be eligible for free rain barrels….join us to learn more. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.

03/04/25 Special Board Workshop – Strategic Planning
2025-03-04 17:30 - 19:30
Remote Attendance Instructions:
Click here to join the zoom meeting online or dial by phone: 301-715-8592. Meeting ID: 822 7754 9006
Meeting Notice & Agenda

Call to Order of Special Meeting
Strategic Planning Workshop
Adjourn

Next regular board meeting – March 13, 2025 6:30 pm

Shoreline Restoration and Maintenance
2025-03-06 18:30 - 19:30 | Chisago Lakes High School, 29400 Olinda Trail, Lindstrom, MN, United States
Are you losing ground? Is your shoreline eroding, unsightly or seem to be a goose magnet? Did the excessive rains last year take a toll? Is the ice pushing up a new ridge every year? Learn how to improve water quality, reduce erosion and beautify your property using native plants, simple installation techniques and smart planning for easier long-term maintenance. Participants will receive a free native plant book and there will be several gift certificates from local nurseries given away as door prizes.
