JAN 6-MAY 28, 2020

January 6th, 2020 - I present the petition to the city council, question the traffic study, and look right at Councilman Terrell as I share what I was accused of.  He sent me a message that night and that is all addressed in the previous update.

February 6th, 2020 - I stopped in at Mankato Motorsports to pick up some parts and asked to speak with someone in management.  Given that I mention them in the petition (to say they are NOT affiliated with this project) I wanted to touch base with them to be, well, transparent and upfront.

February 28, 2020 - Mankato Free Press article about the EAW and public comments being accepted.  In this article the developer hopes to close on the property in May, with construction hopefully starting in summer.

A local real estate agent shares to the Eagle Lake Community group page "Hey Eagle Lake - Who is ready for the RACE TRACK to come to town ?  Ground will be broken this spring!!!!"  When I questioned this person about where they received this info they commented that it happened in a meeting that morning.  They then deleted their post and privately messaged me to say that they did so.  I again asked about the meeting and no answer.

​

March 1, 2020 – Public comment period for Environmental Assessment Worksheet begins

March 2, 2020 - I am made aware of a counter petition to support the project.

City council meeting that is well attended.  Once again, it was pretty clear there are individuals who don't understand (or refuse to believe) the events that will be held at this facility. There was a reference to a large track in Wisconsin and it's just not the same thing.  It was called a "good, clean commercial project for the community". There were comments from some who like the idea, but stated that there WILL be noise.

​

April 1, 2020 – Public comment period for EAW ends.

April 6th, 2020 - City council meeting via GoToMeeting were it's noted that comments were received and passed on to the developer and then a third-party reviewer.

​

April 20, 2020 - Planning commission meeting via GoToMeeting  It is hear where additional condos and a 10 foot wall (on top of a 10 foot berm) are considered for noise mitigation.

April 30, 2020 - Special city council meeting where additional time is requested to acquire more information before making the decision on the EIS.  Items requiring more information include, but were not limited to, project description, noise mitigation, land use, stormwater management, and fish and wildlife.  It is also noted that "work has continued with track and condo design, club house design and menu design". 

May 4th, 2020 - City council meeting via "GoMeeting".  Given information in the Findings of Fact, comments are given about concern with the developer and city monitoring the noise through a "Sound Committee".

May 18th, 2020 - Planning commission meeting via GoToMeeting. Discussion about the Shoreland Ordinance (mention of cottages, stairways).

May 27th, 2020 - 6pm. Residents are given 221 pages of the Findings of Fact to see if our concerns were addressed before the decision is made to go forward with or forgo and EIS.

May 28th, 2020 - Special city council meeting via GoToMeeting. Land has been sited for "industrial".  From Matt Lassonde: Traffic study had no significant concerns (a new one? When?), wetlands are degraded, suggestion of a "Sound Committee" (3 residents, one city council or staff member, and one member of the track).  Note that berm and (new) wall will help with noise.  3rd party reviewer found no significant environmental impacts.  Alex Wolenski (Track Management Consultant with Gyver Consulting) states the developer has been proactive by addressing concerns prior to the track being built.  Decibels meters will be set up within the facility to help determine when sound outside the track would be an issue.  Claims that the changes were made because of the comments.

​

Comments note that changes were made, information was missing and the EAW should be redone.  Discussion over the X-Bow not being a street legal vehicle in the US.  How will the hotel and entertainment center being removed affect the sound?  How is any of this aesthetically pleasing?  "Seasonal living units" were still being mentioned (supposed "error").  Residents were given inadequate time to view these changes.  Question was raised as to why a positive resolution wasn't included in the Findings of Fact?  

​

Mayor Auringer expressed concerned and wasn't sure what an EIS would look like. Councilman Steinberg felt the lakes designate status should be investigated more.  Councilman Ries says the DNR found no issues with the EAW (FALSE) and feels this is a delay tactic.  Councilman Terrell feels the "sound committee" can handle the noise and Councilman Short is putting weight in the third party reviewer's findings (but it does not mean he doesn't have concerns).

They vote to not do the EIS.