LITTLE GREEN LAKE PROTECTION & REHABILITATION DISTRICT

ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 13, 2009

Proper notice for this meeting was mailed to all members (which included a State of the Lake letter recapping of all the projects completed or in progress during the year), published in the Markesan Regional Reporter and posted at the Markesan Library, two public places in the Town of Green Lake and our website.

Present were Chairman Gregg Cygnar, Treasurer Chuck Merlin and Secretary Renée Braun. Paul Rosenfelt, LGLP&RD Attorney, Mike Stoddard, Green Lake County Representative and Tom Zick, The Town of Green Lake Representative were present.  Representative Joan Ballweg attended to familiarized herself with the lake issues. There were 52 guests.

Cygnar called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. He introduced Atty. Paul Rosenfelt and said that he would help us follow the Rules of Roberts throughout the meeting. Cygnar reiterated information from the State of the Lake letter that was sent to the residents a month before the meeting.  He invited members to comment on their wants and needs for the lake during the meeting.

AGENDA – Cygnar requested the additions of (c.) Harvesting schedule and (d.) Change year end to December 31st under Status Report of Current District Projects.  Motion by Tom Zick/Mike Stoddard to except the agenda with additions.  Motion passed.

MINUTES – Motion by Steve Thurk/Tom Bartz to except the minutes from May 26, 2007.  Motion passed.

FINANCIAL REPORT OF 2008-2009 – Cygnar presented the report and stated that our budgeted income is $16,000 over this year due to a grant.  Legal fees were $4,000 below budget because we did not incur them and no seminars were attended.  Harvest time was lower last year because we had a successful herbicide treatment. We will rely on the same budget as last year.  Steve Thurk asked about the high cost of the garbage pick up.  Merlin stated that even though the trash goes to the local land fill it is separated and then sent to the Berlin land fill adding the extra cost.  Cgynar said he would check our contract at time of renewal.  Motion by Tom Otto/Mike Smoot to accept the 2009-2010 financial report. Motion passed.

ELECTION OF COMMISSIONER –Cygnar explained that Braun’s commission was up for nomination and that Renée Braun was the only one who had submitted the required nomination papers.  Karen Sachs made a verbal nomination for Braun from the floor.  No second was required.  Motion by Tom Zick/Todd Schulz to wave the written ballot.  Motion passed.  There was a unanimous verbal vote to re-elect Braun as a commissioner.  Braun thanked everyone for their vote.

RETENTION PONDS – Cygnar explained that there was much hard work and inner strength regarding the planning and permit accruement for the retention pond dam.  Paul Gunderson from the Green Lake County Land Use department stated that the construction will begin next week.  Our grants run out in September.  He expects completion of the project in September. When asked about the benefit to homeowners. Gunderson stated that a special drain pipe being installed will take the small storms and that 75% of all runoff sediment will be prevented from going into the lake.  Cygnar went on to say that the other retention ponds around the lake have significantly improved the lakes quality.  Al Goetz expressed concern regarding the re-zoning of his property thereby causing the necessity of getting flood insurance. Cygnar explained that the district would reimburse the home owner if the dam would breach and cause structural damage to a building in the flood shadow.  Gunderson said that we will check if our older ponds need to be drugged out. Residents requested that the pond information and pictures would be but on the website.

BOAT LANDINGS – Cygnar said that the “do not litter” signs are up and requested that people take their garbage with them and not leave it on the ice or shore. He said that the litter is most noticeable during the ice fishing season.  

HARVESTING SCHEDULE – Cygnar said that the schedule will be on the website.  The harvesting treatment has been cut by one half this year.  Ted Johnson from the DNR would like us to form a committee to work with the DNR to study the lake and plan a water management plan.  He explained that community involvement is extremely important if we want any future grant money.  Dick Schneider, Todd Schulz and David Chrorest offered their time to work on the committee. Cygnar explained that Lake Puckaway and Fox Lake are going through the same situation and we can watch them and learn from their experience.  Discussion ensued.

Cygnar introduced Chip Lovell from the Department of Agriculture.  Lovell explained that their one effort to scare off the Cormorants was a success.  He told the members that they should put wires on top of shore stations and rounded caps on posts to prevent birds from landing.

CHANGE YEAR END -   Cygnar explained that our fiscal year end does not coincide with the calendar year end. He said we could still have our annual meeting in spring or summer. Motion by Ross Graham/Richard McCormick to change our fiscal year end to December 31st. and have our annual meeting sometime in May.  Motion passed

FERTILIZATION OF YOUR LAWN – Cygnar announced that the State will be passing a law next year to ban phosphorus from lawn fertilizers.  He encouraged members not to fertilize their lawns or if they must only use zero phosphorus fertilizer.

FIRE WORKS – Richard McCormick thanked the board for the passed fire works donation to the Lions club.  He announced that the fire works display will be on July 4th at dusk.  There will be a food vender and music at the park, before and after the fire works display.  The Chicken dinner will be on Saturday afternoon this year. McCormick explained that the Lions are blocking off the swimming area at the Solders and Sailors Park so that boaters can not get near the swimmers.  Motion by Mike Ross/Tom Otto to donate $1,500.00 towards the fire works this year.  Motion passed.

PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR THE 2008-2009 BUDGET YEAR  - Continuation of the herbicide treatment. Cygnar will apply for a herbicide grant for next year.  He stated that the proposed budget is the same as last year.  Motion by Tom Bartz/Karen Sachs to except the proposed budget for 2008-2009.  Motion passed.

OTHER BUSINESS – Cygnar acknowledged Mike Ross for his effort on working with the District.  He also thanked the board for their work.

Motion by Chuck Merlin/Tom Otto to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 am.  Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted by:

Renee Braun

Secretary