Loading...
BMLM20030828AnnualMtg BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING AND BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING HELD AUGUST 28, 2003 Approved (Note – this meeting was held immediately following the Open House and Presentation of the Draft of the Lake Management Plan). Chairman Slocomb called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM. Also present were Commissioners Salentine, Buckmaster, Patterson and Damaske, Deputy Commissioners Larry Schweitzer, Tom Kies, Steve Wojnowski and Greg Burmeister, Conservation Coordinator Zagar, and Clerk-Treasurer Marenda. Commissioners Petfalski, Madden and Schroeder were absent. Approximately 47 district residents were present. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Secretary reported the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. Chairman Slocomb stated the Public Hearing on the Budget would be held as part of the meeting as discussions will be held on some spending issues on projects. Questions will be accepted as they come up on any of the particular issues. Tom Kies moved for approval of the minutes of the annual meeting held August 28, 2002. Dave De Angelis seconded. Motion carried. PERSONAL APPEARANCE – DNR REPRESENTATIVES DNR personnel present were: Randy Schumacher, Heidi Bunk, Sue Beyler, Steve Gospodarek and Paul Cunningham. Chairman Slocomb stated the DNR representatives will be available to answer any questions after the presentation by Tom Zagar. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update of Islands, Fish Restocking Boat Launch, Public Access, Carp Barrier and Dike Tom Zagar, the City Conservation Coordinator, reported vegetation doing very well on the islands. Beetles to control purple loosestrife did a great job on the southernmost island. Sue Beyler, DNR Fisheries Biologist reported they are stocking about 5,000-10,000 northern pike fingerlings each year. Tom said there is nothing new to report on the Boxhorn launch which has been in operation for about a year. Heidi Bunk responded to a question asked about making the boat launch deeper, saying it needed to be looked at from an environmental aspect. The City would need to submit an application. Tom said it could be looked into. To date we’re just maintaining it and if it’s ever reconstructed we’ll need to improve it. A gentleman recommended more signage to identify the launch site. It was noted that the fees paid to launch are collected for the maintenance of the launch. Larry Schweitzer asked if fees could also be collected from snowmobilers using the launch site. Could there be a parking fee instead of a launching fee because if you have a boat trailer you have to pay but if you have a snowmobile trailer you don’t. Larry Schweitzer moved to recommend to the Common Council to establish parking or lake access fees at Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 2 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 28, 2003 the various public access sites. Tom Kies seconded. Motion carried unanimously. A gentleman suggested members of the district pay a one-time parking fee. Chairman Slocomb noted you can’t discriminate from one class of people to another. It was also noted that you can currently obtain an annual sticker. Tom Zagar noted the Carp Barrier and Dike were discussed during the Open House. NEW BUSINESS Discuss Draft of Lake Management Plan Chairman Slocomb thanked Tom Zagar for his presentation at the Open House. He commented there were a lot of questions and answers. Tom said the Plan is at about the 80% stage, and he asked for feedback on issues with the plan. Tom Kies asked how to institute a newsletter. Tom Zagar said it’s been done in the past. He’d like to see one on a semi-annual basis to keep everyone informed. Dave De Angelis asked when the final draft is completed will it be voted on by the membership or by the Board of Commissioners. Tom Zagar advised Chairman Slocomb prefers it to be put to a vote of the people. He anticipates completion this fall. Review Restoration Projects (Purple Loosestrife control; Osprey stocking) These were discussed previously during the open house. Tom noted three wild osprey spent the summer here prior to the seven fledglings brought in this year. Tom gave credit for this project to Bill Stout of the Ornithology Association. Tom Zagar said purple loosestrife is a pretty plant but very invasive. Beetles that feed on the plants are raised by members of the District. Discuss Chemical Weed Treatment Tom Zagar stated there was nuisance Eurasian Milfoil in Bass Bay this year. It took three treatments and the Bay is in good shape now. A gentleman stated he lived just west of the Aud Mar and said even with the three treatments its very thick and can’t get in or out from the beach 100 ft. out. Tom said he would take a look at it as he suspected the weeds in that area are not Eurasian Milfoil. Heidi Bunk said you are allowed to hand rake a 30 ft. lineal foot area out into the lake for nuisance control. Leonard Pilak noted he rakes his shoreline area and it works well. It should be considered an extension of the lawn. Tom Zagar said a question came up at a deputy commissioner meeting if staff or Lake District members could be trained to provide the weed treatment. The answer is yes, someone could be certified. However, there’s an investment in the equipment to distribute the chemicals and skill needed to do it. Jean La Fratta suggested instead of spending the $14,000 to hire someone that we do it ourselves. Tom commented there are problems with that as well. Now we hire a company which has insurance. This opens up a new ballgame and we would have to study a lot of issues. Larry Schweitzer suggested the deputy commissioners review the suggestions at their next meeting. Jean La Fratta asked that bids be obtained again for a vendor if hiring will continue. Discuss Weed Harvester Operation Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 3 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 28, 2003 Deputy Commissioner Steve Wojnowski reported a few people used it during the spring. The water is too low now to run it. Currently it’s used only on the Big Lake for dead floating cattails. Harvesting can’t be done on Bass Bay without a new harvester, manpower and a higher maintenance expense budget. Commissioner Salentine noted that if the Little Muskego Lake District buys a new harvester they may have one for sale. Chairman Slocomb stated the harvester wasn’t purchased for the purpose of cutting. DNR evaluation is required of the type of vegetation, and if it is naturally occurring vegetation you’re able to cut very little. If there is enough interest in cutting, the Deputy Commissioners can look at it. If the interest is coming from Bass Bay, we’d be looking at significant costs to operate just on the Bay. Commissioner Salentine noted on-lake fees are $225 and off-lake $49 on the Little Lake. This issue will have to be included in the Lake Management Plan and recommendations as to methods included. Heidi Bunk said with harvesting in very shallow water it will be difficult to get all the floaters and keep them from re-rooting. You have to look at each option logistically and need the right tool for the job. There are many different types of harvesters. It would have to be specifically designed for the lake. Tom Zagar noted it would seriously increase the Lake District fees. Report on Attachment to District by Homes by Towne of Big Muskego Estates LLC Chairman Slocomb reported that earlier this year Towne Realty petitioned the Lake District to have their new subdivision attached to the Lake District. That petition was presented to the Board of Commissioners and they voted to attach the property. Ultimately there will be 88 homes in that area and all will be off-lake parcels. There are two ways to attach, one is by petition of the property owner and the other is a long involved process. All this subdivision will be directly draining into Big Muskego Lake. Deputy Commissioner Larry Schweitzer noted the Deputy Commissioners discussed this and he asked if this couldn’t hurt the district. Chairman Slocomb noted it hasn’t hurt the Little Lake District. Mr. Schweitzer suggested so many off-lake properties could vote against things we want to do with our lake. Deputy Commissioner Greg Burmeister asked if there are going to be other parcels that want to divert their water into our lake. Chairman Slocomb said it’s a rational basis to be included because of direct discharge into the lake. We can’t force someone to be in the district if they chose not to. A gentleman asked if these subdivisions are going to cause a problem with the water quality in time. Tom Zagar responded this subdivision will flow to a detention pond which will then release to Big Muskego Lake. Discuss Future Projects – Review BML/BB Lake District Boundaries and Potential Attachments/Detachments Chairman Slocomb stated this is a project he assumed was going to be happening this winter, and it seems like the deputies did a fair amount of work last year. He expects some type of policy to come out. There’s quite a bit of land around the Big Lake that’s going to get developed and that issue needs to be looked at. Review Big Muskego Lake Wildlife Area – Land Acquisition by DNR Tom Zagar reported he had nothing new. The DNR is looking at a couple other lands they are close to purchasing. The State owns three properties around the lake, two Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 4 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 28, 2003 along Parker Rd. and one on Boxhorn. Ten acres of prairie were planted and one acre wetland. Resolution #BML-1-2003 – Resolution to Amend By-Laws of the Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District (Article V, Section 5, No. 3) Chairman Slocomb stated currently the By-laws state all vouchers over $500 must be approved by the Board of Commissioners which typically meets four times a year. Vouchers under $500 can be authorized for approval by the Chairman or Finance Director. This resolution increases that amount to $1,000. Tom Kies moved to adopt Resolution #BML-1-2003. Leonard Pilak seconded; motion carried unanimously. Review 2002 Audit and Approve Engagement Letter for 2003 Audit Treasurer Dawn Gunderson presented a summary of the financial report for 2002 as audited by Virchow Krause. The District did receive a clean audit. The proposed audit agreement for 2003 is $700, which is a not-to-exceed amount. Special auditing time would be required if grants become involved. A gentleman felt the fee was excessive for such a small audit. Larry Schweitzer moved to approve Engagement Letter for 2003 Audit for Virchow Krause. Tom Kies seconded; motion carried with one voting “no”. Approved Amendment to 2003 Budget No amendment required. Resolution #BML-2-2003 – Resolution to Commit $50,000 to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for Dike Reconstruction Chairman Slocomb stated if this is approved tonight it will commit $50,000 to the DNR and authorize him to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. The total cost of the project is estimated at $200,000 with four entities contributing $50,000. For the north half, DNR Fish and BML District; and for the south half, DNR Wildlife (State Duck Stamp) and Ducks Unlimited. The north half will be completed first. Tom Kies moved to adopt Resolution #BML-2-2003. John Wiederhold seconded; motion carried unanimously. Adopt 2004 Budget Treasurer Dawn Gunderson presented the proposed budget for 2004 in the amount of $76,707, noting the lake district special charges to fund the budget would continue at $80.00 a year for the 167 on-lake properties and $35.00 a year for the 267 off-lake properties. A budget amendment is needed due to the passage of Reso. #BML-2-2003 committing $50,000 for dike reconstruction as only $45,000 was proposed. Leonard Pilak moved to approve the budget. Tom Kies seconded. Tom Kies moved to amend the budget to increase Future Projects by $5,000 to $65,000 and reduce Land Conservancy by $5,000 to $-0-. Greg Burmeister seconded; motion carried. Selection of 2004 Quarterly and Annual Meeting Dates The dates of 1/27, 3/23, 6/22, and10/26 for the Board of Commissioners quarterly meetings and Monday, 8/30/04 for the Annual Meeting were selected. Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 5 Minutes of Annual Meeting Held August 28, 2003 Election of Deputy Commissioners The following nominations were submitted for deputy commissioner: Larry Schweitzer Leonard Pilak Gregory Burmeister Steve Wojnowski Tom Kies Tom Kies moved to close nominations and accept nominees as the Deputy Commissioners. John Wiederhold seconded; motion carried. VOUCHER APPROVAL - None COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Leonard Pilak noted he had a 6-year old freezer used to store fish to feed the osprey to be sold. Secretary Jean Marenda stated that delinquent notices will be mailed to property owners who have not paid their annual fee giving them notice that if not paid by st November 1, 12% interest will be added and the past due amount plus the penalty will be added to their tax bill. She also reported that the Board of Commissioners changed the billing date from the fall to the spring, so the 2004 bills will be mailed in May, 2004, instead of November, 2003. ADJOURNMENT Sally Slocomb moved to adjourn at 9:30 PM. Tom Kies seconded; motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Jean K. Marenda Secretary S:CityHall:BML:BMLM20030828AnnualMtg.doc