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BMLM20080825.annual BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD AUGUST 25, 2008 Approved: 08/24/2009 Mayor Johnson chaired the meeting and called it to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were: Commissioners Fiedler, Schaefer, Schneider, Werner, Borgman, Pavelko and Snead, and Deputy Commissioners Larry Schweitzer, Leonard Pilak, Tom Kies, Gregory Burmeister, and Dennis Paulson. Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar, Deputy Clerk Jill Blenski, Finance Department Supervisor Sharon Mueller, and several District residents were also present. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy Clerk reported the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2009 BUDGET Finance Department Supervisor Sharon Mueller reviewed the 2009 proposed budget using a PowerPoint presentation. She noted the following:  Revenues reflect a slight decrease because of the reduction in interest earnings.  Expenditures are proposed to be reduced by approximately $2,800 or 7.5%. The decrease is related to the reduction in Future Project costs.  $5,000 will continue to be transferred to the Land Conservancy Reserve fund as in prior years. The balance in that fund is projected to be $85,000 by the end of 2009. The Unreserved Fund Balance is projected to be $22,140.  Ms. Mueller reviewed a graph depicting Revenues vs. Expenditures for 2005 to 2009. She also reviewed a graph that showed Designated and Undesignated Fund Balance for 2005 to 2009. Mr. Kies asked if funding was available to complete the fish barrier project. Mr. Zagar stated that the District’s financial obligation for the barrier has been fulfilled. The public hearing portion of the meeting was closed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD AUGUST 27, 2007 Tom Kies moved to approve the August 27, 2007 minutes. Leonard Pilak seconded; motion carried. DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT/UPDATE (Update on Loosestrife Control, Fish and Wildlife Population, Chemical Treatment, and Big Muskego Lake Wildlife Area Land Acquisition by the DNR, and Other Projects) Mr. Zagar used a PowerPoint presentation for the update. BML/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 2 Minutes of Annual Meeting - 8/25/2008 Wildlife  The bald eagles returned to nest this year, but were not successful. They can still be seen around the lake.  The osprey did rear two young. They were banded by Bill Stout, an independent researcher. Water Levels  The peak was 13.2 ft. just after the June rains. The minimum right now is 11.2 ft., which is just below the dam crest. The high water level caused some damage. The City’s Public Works Department did a considerable amount of work to rectify the damage. Fish  There was a partial winter kill of fish last winter. However, there are good numbers of fish in the lake. Water Quality  Monitoring done by the City. This year, the planktonic algae was high on Bass Bay, which affects aquatic plant growth. There was less need for chemical treatment. Land Acquisition by the DNR  Nothing new to report. The DNR is still pursuing some acquisitions, which may be finalized in the future. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discuss Entering the USDA Program for Control of Nuisance Canada Geese on Properties Adjacent to Bass Bay and Big Muskego Lake Mr. Pilak stated Canadian geese have become a problem. The USDA has a program that can deter and/or eliminate the geese. Some of the deterrents work on a short- term basis. Once the geese discover that the deterrents are not threatening, they return. There is a program that takes samples of some of the geese and tests them. If the geese are found to be contaminant free, the following year they are collected and sent to a processing plant. The meat is donated to a food pantry. The testing process is about $1,800. There is a possibility that the testing and herd control could be done in the same year. Once the birds are tested, the results are valid for several years unless conditions drastically change. Mr. Pilak noted the geese were not a major problem this year; that has not been the case in years past. The processing fee is about $7.50/bird, which will be paid for by the Lake District. A gentleman in the audience asked why the birds had to be processed and donated. Why couldn’t they just be eradicated? Mr. Pilak responded that the eradication is balanced by the fact that the geese are not being wasted because of the food pantry donation. Larry Schweitzer moved that the initial testing should be done at a cost of $1,800. Dennis Paulson seconded. Mr. Kies stated input from residents around the lake would be solicited to determine the areas of highest concentration. Motion carried. BML/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 3 Minutes of Annual Meeting - 8/25/2008 2. Discuss Restoration Project for City Land in Bass Bay Tributary Watershed Mr. Zagar stated there is $3,000 in the 2009 budget for the restoration of City land along the Sandy Beach Tributary. The tributary goes through Moorland Park and the Candlewood Subdivision and empties into Bass Bay. Most of the land is in wetlands or floodplain. The funds would be spent on seeding costs for vegetation that would be better suited for runoff. Mr. Zagar displayed the area on a map. The existing vegetation consists of weedy plants. The budgeted money would seed about one fourth of the area (approximately six acres). Other funding could be solicited through grants, or use of City Conservation money. 3. Review 2007 Audit and Approve Engagement Letter for 2008 Audit Ms. Mueller stated the 2007 Audit was conducted by Virchow, Krause. The net change in fund balance resulting in an increase of $11,821 was due to the cancellation of the basin project. Of the District’s total net assets of $107,240, $75,000 is designated for land conservancy with the remainder to fund the 2008 operating budget and any other future obligations. Virchow Krause has presented an engagement letter to perform the 2008 audit at a cost not to exceed $1,100, which has been budgeted. 4. Adopt 2009 Budget Leonard Pilak moved for adoption. Tom Kies seconded; motion carried. 5. Section of 2009 Quarterly and Annual Meeting Dates Tom Kies moved to approve the following dates for the 2009 quarterly meetings: January 27, March 24, June 23 and October 27 and to approve August 24 as the date for the annual meeting. Leonard Pilak seconded; motion carried. 6. Election of Deputy Commissioners Leonard Pilak, Tom Kies, Larry Schweitzer, Greg Burmeister, and Dennis Paulson were nominated for the five Deputy Commissioner positions. There were no other nominations. Tom Kies moved to close the nominations and accept nominees as the Deputy Commissioners. Greg Burmeister seconded; motion carried. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT Leonard Pilak moved to adjourn at 7:41 p.m. Tom Kies seconded; motion carried. Jill Blenski, CMC Deputy Clerk