September Meeting Minutes

Jim called the meeting to order at 7:15.

Minutes from the July meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s report was given and approved.  Checking and savings are $4005.94.

Secchi disc on September 15^th was 4 feet and water temperature was 72 degrees.

Average water clarity was 6 feet.  Sandy Frump commented, there were really no weeds this year.  There were very little filamentous algae and it came later in the season.  Over all we had a good season .

Theresa gave the following report on the September Wright County COLA meeting.

The meeting was on September 13^th at the Ney Memorial Park Reserve.   The COLA is now in its second year as of August 16^th.  Next year’s dues of $25 are now due and bills will be sent out soon.  The current balance in our account is $1900.  We have applied for tax exempt status on 501C3 and are awaiting approval.  The primary focus of the COLA at this time is Invasive species control and legislation.  We have contributed to funding for billboard signs and boat dry-time cards containing information about controlling invasive species.  We are looking for additional donations for this type of advertising from Lake Associations or individuals.

With our primary focus on controlling and preventing invasive species, we are focusing on legislation.  Currently, Legacy Funds by law cannot be used to help control invasive species.   We will be lobbing politicians and inviting them to meeting to address concerns for Minnesota lakes.  The cost of electronic gates at public accesses was listed as follows. Site…$30,000, Station gate…$30,000, Equipment…$20,000, and Education and personal…$50,000. Multiply this by the number of lakes!!!!  DNR has stated they must provide free and easy access to lakes by Minnesota State Constitution.  The COLA wants to look at cost of prevention versus cost of eradication and tourism dollars lost if lakes are unusable.  Christmas Lake was able to install gates because the access is owned by the city.

Don Peterson the COLA’s President is looking for help with the web site and newsletter with regular scheduled events and quarterly meetings.  He reported on the random check the DNR is doing for plugs pulled on boats, which they are giving fines this year.  From the beginning of the season to the end there was no improvement with compliance.  They issued fines to 30% of the boats check in the spring and that remained the same percentage in the fall.

DNR has added an employee, Kris to process permits for lake treatments.  Audrey with DNR Fisheries has been doing them is the past. The additional employee will help lakes that do their own lake treatment get permits processed quicker.

Paul Zabinski from French Lake reported on activities from The Water Task Force.  They are working on getting fines through the PCA for pollution offenders around lakes.  Currently just a naughty letter is sent to the offender.

Joe Jacobs will be applying for Legacy Funds in December and will send information to Lake Associations on the COLA list in February 2013 to apply to receive up to $25,000.  This will be for rain gardens, bank restoration and the like.  Joe is applying for $150,000.

Don will send out information from the State COLA meeting held on September 24.  Don also would like suggestion for meetings.  What are lake concerns, topics and speakers we are interested in.

Jim reported on the new can recycling process.  We did not have enough cans for a pick-up so Jim brought them to Buffalo.  We collected 80 pounds at .50 cents a pound for $40 received. Please collect your aluminum cans, Jim will send out an email for the next collection date.

The picnic was well attended; Julie said it was fun receiving medals for competing in the Olympic contests. 

Bill will organize the sand delivery will Miller Trucking again this winter.

Andy was voted in to chair the Winter Picnic Committee by unanimous consent.

Bill also mentioned Joyce was performing at the Three Crows in Delano on October 19^th. It is a free performance, Bill will send out information.

Meeting adjourned at 7:52.

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