News from the Board of the
Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District
As a subscriber, you are receiving an edition of the Electronic Newsletter for the Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District (LSLID). The LSLID Board of Directors issues a periodic newsletter to provide updates on LSLID activities. Check out our website for detailed information, announcements and documents.
Message to Subscribers

To Lake Shamineau Property Owners, Neighbors and Friends:

We hope this newsletter finds you looking forward to enjoying the upcoming summer around the lake. The construction contractor has made tremendous progress on the completion of the High-Water Outlet. See below for an update on project activities, engineering tasks and project detail. This newsletter also includes updates on the AIS news, LID Schedule, and other relevant topics. Please also mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting that will be held on August 31, 2024 (more information below).
Update on High-Water
Outlet Project
Work continues on the construction of a lake outlet structure and pump house adjacent to the shoreline at the west end of the lake. For detailed updates on the project, visit the LID's website, LakeShamineauLID.org.
Key recent tasks and milestones include:
  • A contract was awarded to Landwehr Construction for construction of the High-Water Outlet and the LID hired Houston Engineering to oversee the project.
  • Temporary Financing was acquired for the project to enable construction to proceed.
  • Pipe was installed and ditches were readied along the route from the west end of lake to Ditch 41 which will take the water to the Long Prairie River.
  • The pipe work included installing a gravity flow pipe and manhole along Pulaski Road and boring along Highway 10. In addition, the pipe was bored under Co Rd 203.
  • The contractor constructed a cofferdam at the inlet area of the lake to allow for dewatering and the installation of the intake structure.
  • The pump house has been built and is mostly complete. 
  • The pump has been installed and electrical work is in process.
  • In recent weeks, the contractor has been working on turf reinforcement as well as seeding and mulching. 
  • Aztec Road has recently been resurfaced.







Project Next Steps

The next project tasks include:
  • There are a few remaining project tasks that include cleanup, electrical work, road work, and completion of the pump house. Houston Engineering is also working to resolve an issue with a small portion of the gravity pipe near Atlantic Road.  
  • It is anticipated that testing of the system will occur in July with substantial completion of the system at the end of July which will meet the original contact timeline.
  • After construction is complete, a punch list will be developed of any outstanding tasks or issues that need to be resolved by the contractor and will be completed no later than September 30th.
  • A public hearing will be held to review the final assessment and charge amounts. Each property owner will receive a mailed notice advising them of the public hearing date, and the assessment amount for their property.
  • As reported previously, the DNR is providing a Grant for the project of up to $3 Mill. The LID has been requesting, and has received, reimbursement for 50% of the construction costs through this Grant. The amount assessed and charged to each property owner will be reduced by the Grant funds.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Update

The LID recently received notice that Lake Shamineau will be receiving an AIS grant from Morrison County for 2024 in the amount of $12,550 that includes:
  • $2,800 for Vegetation Surveys,
  • $3,250 for AIS remediation which will be used for chemical treatments and scuba divers, and
  • $6,500 for the Ambassador program.
 
With the grant and 2024 budget funding, the Ambassador program is planned to continue with ambassadors at both the East and West landings on the weekends and holidays. The LID would like to extend thanks to the Ambassadors for their work. When visiting the landings, we ask that boaters be courteous and respectful to the ambassadors as they conduct their surveys and do their work.

The AIS surveys and treatments plans will be conducted as in previous years.
Lake Improvement District (LID) Schedule

LID meetings and activities coming up over the next several months include:
  • In July, a letter will be mailed to property owners advising them that nominations are open for Director seats and announcing the Annual Meeting.
  • A public hearing on the high-water project will be held on a date yet to be determined.
  • In August, there will be a mailing sent to property owners from Survey and Ballot Systems, that will include Voting Instructions and a Voting Ballot, the Candidate Information Sheet, the 2025 Budget Sheet, a letter from the LSLID Board of Directors, and a return envelope. The letter will include an announcement of the Annual Meeting and include an agenda.
  • The Annual Meeting will be held on August 31, 2024. The Annual meeting will be held online. The Scandia Valley Town Hall will be available to view the meeting and Board members will be in attendance. 
No Wake Sign








LID UPDATES

Lights at the Landings
The LID Board of Directors have been researching the installation of lighting at the boat landings. The lighting would assist boaters with the cleaning of boats for AIS as they exit the lake in the evening hours. The LID will be concentrating on the installation of motion activated lights at the DNR launch at the west end of the lake. The Board has been in contact with the DNR and other agencies to assist with funding of the lights.

Note from Morrison County
Amy Kowalzek would like to remind lake owners that shoreline restoration and/or manipulation is regulated and must be permitted. She asks that lake owners contact Land Services for assistance BEFORE beginning any work.

Voting in 2024
The LID will again be using Survey and Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the Budget and Director voting process. During the first week of August, SBS will send a separate mailing to property owners with the voting information. Note that the mailing from SBS will be the only mailing that will be sent regarding the voting process.
  • For the mailing, SBS will be using the Morrison County mailing list of eligible voters.
  • Voters will be able to either return their vote directly to SBS using the paper ballot and enclosed envelope, or they will be able to vote online.
  • There will be no in-person voting available.
  • Instructions for online voting will be included in the mailing.
  • SBS will provide the tabulation of the voting.








Lake Elevation Readings

The most recent lake elevation reading on May 24, 2024, by the DNR was 1276.11 or 1.01 feet above the Ordinary High-Water Level (OHW). With recent rains, it is anticipated that the lake elevation readings in the next weeks may be higher. While this current reading is lower than the elevation level at the same time last year, the reading is higher than the last reading in 2023 on October 20, 2023, which was .59 over the OHW.

Website Postings
A reminder that the the LID's website can be found at: LakeShamineauLID.org. You may want to keep the website in your favorites and visit it periodically for up-to-date LID information.
The website includes information and documents in the following major categories:
  •  News and Updates - Includes announcements for any new information, activities and meetings.
  • Projects - Includes periodic updates on the construction High-Water Inlet and other projects.
  •  Meeting Information - Includes calendars and procedures, as well as announcements and minutes of meetings.
  •  Finance - Includes posting of quarterly Treasurer Reports.
  •  Governance - Includes Board Committee Assignments, the Establishment Order, the LID Bylaws and other information regarding the LID.
  • Contact Information - Includes LID Board information and a form for contacting the LID.
A Message from the LID Board
The LID Board of Directors is continuing to work with Houston Engineering and the construction contractor, Landwehr, to complete the construction tasks for the High-Water Outlet. We look forward to testing the system this summer and thereafter, beginning of pumping operations.

Continue to let us know your comments and questions. We welcome your input. And don't forget to visit our website!

If you know of someone that would like to be added to our newsletter subscriber list, have them send an email to LSLIDBD@gmail.com. You may want to add this email address to your white list to ensure that you will receive future newsletters.

Thank you for your support,

Rick Rosar, Bob Ingle, Fred Comb, Patricia Tvedt, and Duane Hendricks
Lake Shamineau Improvement District Board of Directors

Cindy Kevern
LSLID Administrator and Newsletter Editor