MWLA Meeting Minutes


Monday, July 11, 2011   Koller Library

 

Karen Dixon, President, called the meeting of the MWLA Board to order at 9:17 a.m.

Members present:  Karen Dixon, Marilyn Gabert, Tom Joseph, Greg Holt, Eleanor Butler, Barry Hopkins, Fred Theisen, Merry Perkins, Jim Reichert, Tom Kramer,

Members absent:   Bob Becker, Jim Banovetz

Guests:  Kevin Gauthier (DNR), Ted Ritter (Vilas County AIS Coordinator), John Hanson (MW Town Chair), Charlie Spencer ( BJ Town Chair), Bill and Karen Curran (Papoose Bay Homeowners Association), Anne Kretschmann (Discovery Center), Florence Kolson, David Janov

Approval of Agenda

Motion made by Merry, second by Jim R. to accept the agenda as presented.  Motion passed.

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Merry, second by Tom K. to accept the minutes of the June 12, 2011 meeting.  Motion passed.

Approval of Financial Report

Motion made by Greg, second by Merry to accept the financial report as presented.

Budget

The 2011-2012 budget was presented.  The Board will recommend it for adoption at the Annual Meeting on July 23.

Correspondence

6-22-11 received request for donation to student/teacher China exchange program

6-29-11 sent thank you letters to everyone (12) involved with the Fish Crib Project

6-29-11 sent thank you card to Marilyn Sharrow for $200 donation in memory of her father, Harold Balch

6-29-11 sent thank you card to Jim and Jean Volke for $50 donation ($25 to AIS, $25 to fish cribs)

6-29-11 sent thank you card to Dennis Lello for $50 donation ($25 to AIS, $25 to fish cribs)

7-6-11 sent thank you letters to Craig and Nancy Hanson (Craig’s Plumbing) for donating two $50 gift certificates for the Annual Meeting raffle.

7-6-11 sent thank you letter to Mary Sue and Gary Ruschmeyer (The Bear Bar Restaurant) for donating three articles of clothing for the Annual Meeting raffle.

Old Business

Liability Insurance for Board members – Jim Reichert did all the leg work on this issue.  He found a million dollar liability policy plus legal fees for $550 a year through being a member of WAL.  Motion by Jim R., second by Fred to go with the WAL insurance program starting October 25, 2011.

By law amendment -  Jim B. and Karen presented a draft copy of the new by-laws.  There was short discussion, a couple questions and we will have a more detailed discussion at our next meeting.

Northwoods Property Rights Coalition (NPRC) – After our motion that was passed at the last meeting, Karen asked Bob Richards for the NPRC mission statement.  Bob said they are currently working on it and will get it to us as soon as it is finished.  We can then work on a statement for our connection with NPRC.

New Business

Workshop – There will be a Lake Steward Workshop in Lac Du Flambeau on August 3 for anyone interested in attending.

Lakes Day – Karen attended the VCLA Celebrating Lakes Day on June 17.  It covered many area lake issues including the Crystal Lake smelt problem, loon migration and the building of loon platforms.

Committee Reports:

Public Communications

June Newsletter  - Newsletter and membership renewals were sent out on June 16. 

Renewal reminders - A renewal reminder will be sent out after the annual meeting as many people will likely renew their membership at the annual meeting.

Annual Meeting publicity – Karen sent a press release to FYI Northwoods, Lakeland Times, WXPR, WRJO/WERN, Channel 12, and sent out a notice with the MW Chamber Newsletter on 7-5-11. Flyers were passed around for board members to take and put up around town.

Community Outreach

4th of July – The MWLA and AIS booths and trout pond were again a huge success.  There were sales of $889 on t-shirts, donations of $36 towards AIS and $22 towards fish cribs.

Annual Meeting – Set up will be on Saturday, July 23 at 10:00 am.  Karen has found 4 people to work the check-in table.  Fred will take care of all the food, beer and wine (buying, preparation and serving).  Marilyn will take care of all the paper products, table covers, and raffle items, and tickets.

Water Ecology and Safety

Papoose Bay and Rest Lake Management Plan Grant:

All of the guests at today’s meeting came to discuss this issue.  Bill Curran gave a brief history of the Papoose Bay.  There was then lengthy discussion on the grant application that is due August 1.  Kevin Gauthier and Ted Ritter were very helpful in helping us through this process. Kevin informed us that the state has cut their funding from 75% to 67%, so we will need a plan to come up with more money.

Motion by Fred, second by Merry to ask Onterra to proceed with the grant application, but with the understanding that we need it by July 28 with the new numbers that reflect our 33% costs rather than the original cost of 25%.  Motion passed.

Island Lake Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP) – Ted Ritter and Anne Kretschmann were out on Island Lake and mapped all the known CLP areas.  Rice Creek is choked with CLP and there are also three other spots that have CLP; one by the island just off the channel on Island Lake, one by the mouth of the Manitowish River and one in the Island/Spider Lake channel.  The last spot is of great concern with the amount of traffic through the channel and the risk of spreading CLP though the entire chain.  Again there was lengthy discussion on how to handle this problem.  Kevin said the state has Rapid Response funds which is emergency money with the DNR for new discovery AIS.  We will look into this fund to help us battle the CLP.  The Town Board of Boulder Junction along with the Town Board of Manitowish Waters will work closely with us. Charlie Spencer (BJ) said he will work on an ordinance to prohibit motorized water craft from entering Wild Rice Creek during peak growing periods.

Government Relations

Plan Commission and Town Board – Discussion at the last Town Board meeting included the sign at the end of the road to the transfer station, more docks at Koller Park, clean up at Little Star Park, and fireworks.  The next Town Board meeting is July 12.

Rest Lake Dam – There is no news with the operating order for the dam at this time.  There is a new operating agreement for the Manitowish Chain Defense Fund.  They have formed an executive committee comprised of Eleanor Butler, John Hanson, Jim Reichert and John McGraw.

New electronically-managed gates are being installed at the dam for more accuracy in managing the water flow.  The installation has been delayed because the crane platform was sliding away.

Administrative

MW Alliance – The MW Alliance had their annual meeting and party last week.  Karen attended and gave a short talk on Curly Leaf Pondweed.

Elections – Bob Stowers is the new nominee for the open position on the MWLA Board. Karen will contact Bob.

Next Meeting 

The MWLA will meet on Monday, July 25 at 12:00 noon, at the library for the purpose of discussing and finalizing the Rest Lake Management Plan Grant application before the August 1 deadline. 

Motion by Fred second by Greg to adjourn the meeting at 12:37 p.m. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Gabert, Secretary