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BMLM20110823-Annual BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION AND Unapproved REHABILITATION DISTRICT MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD AUGUST 23, 2011 Mayor Chiaverotti chaired the meeting and called it to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were Commissioners Fiedler, Schaumberg, Soltysiak, Werner, Borgman, Harenda and Snead, and Deputy Commissioners Larry Schweitzer, Leonard Pilak, Gregory Burmeister, and Dennis Paulson, Conservation Coordinator Tom Zagar, Finance and Administraton Director Sharon Mueller, and Deputy Clerk Jill Blenski. Several District residents were also present. The Deputy Clerk stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2012 BUDGET Finance and Administration Director Sharon Mueller reviewed the proposed 2012 budget using a PowerPoint presentation. She noted the following:  Revenues - No increase is proposed for Public Charges for Services because of the positive 2010 results and healthy reserves of the District. Unfortunately interest earnings have continued to decline.  Expenditures - A slight increase of .6% is proposed, which is due to personnel cost adjustments. All the other accounts have remained the same.  Changes in Fund Balance - The Conservation Fund should reach $100,000 by year end 2012. There will be $50,000 still remaining for unreserved funds for future obligations, or potentially more as expenditures typically come in less than anticipated. Ms. Mueller stated that the District could decide to move more of the Unreserved Fund Balance to the Conservation Fund. In addition, there may be future projects, such as weed control, that could be paid for from the Unreserved Fund Balance. Mr. Zagar noted that the Unreserved Fund Balance is high because this year no chemical weed control was done yet. Last year, very little was done so over the last two years, a reserve was built up. No major projects are planned at this time. The public hearing was closed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING HELD AUGUST 24, 2010 Leonard Pilak moved to approve the August 24, 2010 minutes. Dennis Paulson seconded; motion carried. DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT REGARDING STATUS OF LAKE Deputy Commissioner Burmeister presented the following:  Lake has been shallow. There has been some impact on fishing, and certainly a lot of impact on both emergent and submergent plants.  On Sunday, he surveyed the number of boats on the lake and counted 138 between the Big Lake and Bass Bay. Of that number, 29 were pontoon boats.  The extreme heat did cause a killoff of Northern Pike. BML/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 2 Minutes of Annual Meeting - 8/23/2011 Mr. Tim Kantak, Holz Drive, questioned the number of boats reported by Mr. Burmeister. Mr. Burmeister clarified that 19 boats were out fishing. Many of the boats were at docks, piers, etc. Mr. Burmeister noted that the 138 boats he counted somehow found their way to the water and were being used at some point. PERSONAL APPEARANCES - DNR REPRESENTATIVE Mr. Ben Heussner, Waukesha County Fisheries Biologist, was present.  He thanked everyone who supported the drawdown. It is really important to continue to improve the water quality.  The DNR has seen positive results of the drawdown. The focus was to establish better aquatic plant densities and also maintain emergent aquatic plants.  The native aquatic plants have come along nicely as a result. The Eurasion Water Milfoil is down and the Northern Water Milfoil has increased.  Overall the fishing has been good. A considerable amount of Northern Pike were lost. There are a certain number that will die every year due to natural mortality. He stated the population will bounce back and on top of that the DNR has a higher priority for stocking of Big Muskego Lake now.  The key to the drawdown was to preserve the long-term health of the lake. Question from the audience: When will the next drawdown be needed? Mr. Heussner: Mother Nature controls much of this. Question from the audience: Will there be a winterkill as a result of the low lake level? Mr. Heussner: That is a possibility; the conditions will be monitored. Mr. Zagar commented that the dam has been completely closed since June 25. The USGS website indicates water levels. There is also a rain gauge. He encouraged those present to view the website. We only had one rain event of two inches that occurred at the end of June. The other rain events have been small. The lake should fill with normal fall precipitation. NEW BUSINESS Report on 2011 Water Level Manipulation  Mr. Zagar stated Mr. Heussner addressed this earlier. He understands this has been a hardship for many property owners who have not been able to navigate their boats on the lake.  Mike Wehr stated he lives on Bass Bay. His ability to use the lake for recreational purposes was restricted because of the draw down. He does not believe all the riparian owners had a voice regarding the draw down.  Mr. Zagar responded that the Lake District is a governmental body; the commissioners represent the district members. In addition, the riparian owners elect deputy commissioners who take direction from the commissioners. There is a process for decisions that are made. BML/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 3 Minutes of Annual Meeting - 8/23/2011  He believes adequate notice was given to the property owners. One of the main issues is that the extremely dry summer has not allowed the water level to increase.  Mr. Heussner stated that the dry conditions actually promote the health of the lake. He acknowledged the sacrifice made by many of the riparian owners during this time, but the short-term drawbacks will benefit the lake in the future. Review 2010 Audit and Approve Engagement Letter for 2011 Audit Finance and Administration Director Mueller stated overall the District did very well. The Statement of Activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 reflects a $13,000 increase in net assets. Net Assets at year end were $135,348. Of which, $90,000 is designated for the Land Conservancy Fund. Ms. Mueller requested approval of the Baker Tilly engagement letter to conduct the 2011 audit, which reflects a zero increase due to staff preparing the financial statements in house. Leonard Pilak moved to approve. Larry Schweitzer seconded; motion carried. Adopt 2012 Budget as Presented Leonard Pilak moved for adoption. Dennis Paulson seconded; motion carried. Selection of 2012 Quarterly and Annual Meeting Dates Dennis Paulson moved to approve the following dates for the 2012 quarterly meetings: January 24, March 27, June 26 and October 23 and to approve August 28 for the date for the annual meeting. Larry Schweitzer seconded; motion carried. Election of Deputy Commissioners The following nominations were made for the 2011-2012 Deputy Commissioners: Greg Burmeister nominated Tom Kies Jim May nominated Mike Wehr Leonard Pilak nominated Dennis Paulson Larry Schweitzer nominated Greg Burmeister Dennis Paulson nominated Leonard Pilak Greg Burmeister nominated Larry Schweitzer Paper ballots were distributed with instructions to vote for no more than five. Mayor Chiaverotti announced the five candidates that received the most votes: Tom Kies Dennis Paulson Greg Burmeister Leonard Pilak Larry Schweitzer The Mayor thanked all those who were nominated. BML/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District Page 4 Minutes of Annual Meeting - 8/23/2011 COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Werner stated he believes the Lake District will benefit from this year’s drawdown. The Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners make decisions that are in the best interest of the lake. Commissioner Fiedler acknowledged the issues taking place in his area: low lake level, construction on Durham Drive, the hot, dry weather. He expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices made by the riparian owners, but believes the situation will be much better next summer. ADJOURNMENT Leonard Pilak moved to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Larry Schweitzer seconded; motion carried. Minutes taken and transcribed by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk