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BMLM082900-AnnualMtg BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD AUGUST 29, 2000 Approved Chairman De Angelis called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Also present were Commissioners Slocomb, Chiaverotti, Le Doux, Patterson, Salentine and Sanders, Deputy Commissioners Pilak, Schweitzer, Grunfelder and Klenz, Lake Project Coordinator Zagar, and Clerk-Treasurer Marenda. Commissioner Wichgers was absent. The Clerk-Treasurer reported the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. Commissioner Salentine moved for approval of the minutes of the annual meeting held August 30, 1999. Commissioner Sanders seconded. Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update on Islands, Fish Restocking, Boat Launch, Public Access and Carp Barrier Deputy Commissioner Pilak reported throughout the summer the DNR has been shocking the lake. It is estimated there are 15,000 northern pike, 7,300 large mouth bass and 48,000 bluegills. Walleye and perch numbers are not available at this time. There are also carp in the lake. He noted 38% of the bluegills are in the 7” range, with 8” being the current size limit on all pan fish. In response to a question as to why the size limit was so high, Mr. Pilak said that larger bluegills eat carp fry, so an 8” size limit is good. The DNR will be continuing to restock. Deputy Commissioner Pilak advised that a man-made dike was made during the restoration project. During the spring the water height on the Big Muskego Lake side and the Wind Lake side are the same, with carp coming over. With the electrified dam we can keep them back. The man-made dike that was built is in bad repair. Its purpose is to keep the carp out of the lake in the spring when the area is flooded. The DNR is trying to determine what the structure is - a dike or a dam. The repair and funding is dependent on what they determine the structure is. Our cost for repair will be about 25%. Commissioner Slocomb said a draft plan for the dike has been supplied. The DNR doesn’t have a successful plan to build a dike basically on a marsh. The draft plan shows a dike 100 ft. at base and 25 ft. on top, made of lake sediments. A test on another lake worked real well for only 18 months, so there is no final answer at this time. The land is private and the DNR has been attempting to get easements for construction and maintenance. Mr. Pilak noted the deputy commissioners have been working very closely with these people. The lake level is low because of the dike problem and the unusual rain pattern this summer. Commissioner Slocomb noted the USGS website will tell you directly the level of water at the dam, whether the gate is open or closed and contains 15 days of information. Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 2 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 29, 2000 Deputy Commissioner Pilak reported on the purple loosestrife weed problem. 300 weevils were ordered this year to combat the problem. More help is needed to increase the number of bugs. Mr. Pilak also discussed the Eurasian milfoil pilot program done in 1997 with a different weevil. The DNR put about 60,000 in Bass Bay and saw a difference in a few weeks, with about 75% eradication. The DNR thinks next the lake was overwhelmed with them and without sufficient weeds to feed on they left. Now there is again an over- abundance of Eurasian milfoil. The DNR itself is no longer involved with this program, and referred us to a private company. Spraying was done in 1998 and 1999, which is very expensive and is a temporary fix. The heavy crop is apparently due to a warmer winter and to global warming. Mr. Paul Conrardy, W156 S7977 Audrey Ct. stated he spoke with Scott Toshner of the DNR today, who thought the weevils died off because there are no shrubs around Bass Bay. A 30 ft. buffer of shrubs around the entire lake is recommended to winter the weevils. Studies have been done on Random Lake and Potters Lake with Sonar spray. His recommendation is first to identify we have a problem. He is willing to speak at a district meeting, providing the pros and cons of different types of treatments. He would be happy to work with Tom Zagar, and come up with a recommendation to get a consensus and vote at a district meeting. Mr. Pilak said he is waiting for an assessment on the lake, which is currently being done to determine the best treatment. A gentleman suggested the district’s needs be prioritized and that they be worked on one at a time - such as carp, the two types of weeds, etc., and take care of it. Mr. Pilak noted so many of the programs are out of our hands to control. Working with Enviro Science is recommended by the DNR. Mr. Zagar noted that Scott Toshner spoke at a recent conference and stated that chemical and biological alternatives need to be explored. Mr. Conrardy said someone should come in who is an expert to determine the alternatives and get a vote. Mr. Pilak noted one of the biggest complaints before the restoration project was the tremendous amount of cattails. The DNR said they would increase only for the first couple of years. Now they are dying off. NEW BUSINESS Review Restoration Projects Deputy Commissioner Pilak showed a slide presentation on the history of the lake and an explanation of the restoration project. Discuss Future Projects Mr. Pilak referred to the discussion on the Eurasian milfoil and purple loosestrife eradication. He also discussed the continuation of the osprey project. Discuss Water Patrol of Bass Bay and Big Muskego Lake Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 3 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 29, 2000 Mr. Pilak stated there doesn’t seem to be a lot of concern about boating traffic on Big Muskego Lake at this time. The deputy commissioners had met with University of Wisconsin and County representatives about doing surveys, etc. Have not been receiving phone calls or complaints. Parks and Recreation hasn’t had any complaints. With cattails receding and not growing as tall, visibility on the lake has improved. He asked that anyone with a problem should call one of the deputy commissioners. Review Big Muskego Lake Wildlife Area - Land Acquisition by DNR Mr. Pilak reported the DNR is looking to acquire about 3500 acres around the lake and Bass Bay to protect the lake. The DNR doesn’t have funding at this time for purchases. The proposed Lake District budget includes funds to be set aside for purchases. Mayor De Angelis stated he met with Jim Jackley of the DNR along with the Waukesha Conservation Group. The DNR will be bringing a proposal for purchase of two properties to the Council. Their stewardship funds have been spent, but there is money in the conservation land trust. 50% cost share is generally available. Mr. Pilak advised that about 240 acres have been sold to the State, and others are interested. Erosion Control in the watershed area was discussed particularly with the subdivision going in where Sandy Beach Creek crosses Woods Rd. The Mayor noted most of the run-off is from the sewer project on Woods Rd., which has taken three times as long as scheduled due to the water table in the area. The City has made every attempt to get the developer to get the run-off under control. Review 1999 Audit and Approve Engagement Letter for 2000 Audit The Mayor noted the district had received the 1999 audit for review at the last quarterly board meeting. The district did receive a clean audit. Larry Schweitzer moved to approve the engagement letter with Virchow, Krause & Company for the 2000 audit at a fee of not to exceed $625 for the General Fund and $1,000 for the Special Revenue Fund, depending on level of fund activity. Curt Klenz seconded. Motion carried. Approve Amendment to 2000 Budget No amendment proposed. Adopt 2001 Budget The proposed budget was reviewed. The proposed special charge for on-lake parcels of $80.00 and the special charge for off-lake parcels of $35.00 is the same as 2000. Curt Klenz moved to adopt the 2001 budget as submitted, keeping the special charges the same for 2001. Larry Schweitzer seconded the motion. Motion carried. Selection of 2001 Quarterly and Annual Meeting Dates It was determined the Board of Commissioner meetings will continue to be held quarterly, just prior to Common Council meetings, with a special meeting called if an issues warrants it. Mr. Pilak moved to set the Annual Meeting date for Wednesday, August 29, 2001. Commissioner Slocomb seconded. Motion carried. Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 4 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 29, 2000 Election of Deputy Commissioners The following nominations were submitted for deputy commissioner: Larry Schweitzer Andy Grunfelder Leonard Pilak (declined) Al Bing Curt Klenz Steve Oschmann (declined) Debbie Pavela (Glynn Clan) Commissioner Slocomb moved to close nominations. Leonard Pilak seconded, motion carried. Commissioner Slocomb moved to accept the slate of candidates as nominated. Leonard Pilak seconded, motion carried. VOUCHER APPROVAL No vouchers presented for approval. COMMUNICATIONS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Leonard Pilak noted that to date over 2400 people have used the lake access based on the $5.00 fees collected. He also noted four people have been lost. Lighting has been requested. Mr. Pilak felt lights are not necessary if people make note of the location of the city’s water tower and the yellow vapor lights marking the access. Commissioner Le Doux commented on the rescue service calls for lost boaters recently and recommended a sign be installed marking the access site on the channel. Mr. Pilak stated there was nothing there to nail a sign to. Commissioner Slocomb agreed that a buoy or marker would be helpful to identify the channel to the access site. Tom Zagar pointed out that effective this fall, the City’s website (www.ci.muskego.wi.us) will have a link to view lake issues. Mayor De Angelis noted that Leonard Pilak declined the nomination to serve another term as deputy commissioner. He stated that after 14 years of service, he deserves a lot of our thanks. He is passionate about the lake and really has been an asset for the district and has been a tireless proponent, for which we owe him a great deal of thanks. All joined in a round of applause for Mr. Pilak. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Pilak moved to adjourn. Mr. Bing seconded, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:14 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jean K. Marenda, CMC Clerk-Treasurer jm