Lake Puckaway Protection &
Rehabilitation District
2020 Annual Meeting and Budget
Presentation
Village
of Marquette- Pavilion-outside
127
E. 4th St.
Marquette,
Wisconsin 53947
August
29, 2020 - 9:00 A.M.
Unapproved Minutes
Chairman Kurt McCulloch
opened meeting 9:05 AM
1. Open
meeting law certification ch 33.30 (1) posted in 3
places, put in the Markesan Reporter on two occasions and annual reports sent
to 1020 households in the district according to the tax rolls.
2. Roll
Call was taken; present Kurt McCulloch, James Johnson, Jeff Kimber,
Roger
Swanke, Willie Stalker, Gary Wilson, Bob Schweer
3. Approval
of the agenda, Paul Gettelman moved that the agenda remain as published with
Jeff Kimber as a second. Motion
carried unanimously
4. Jeff
Kimber, secretary, summarized minutes from the June 1, 2019 annual meeting,
Paul Gettelman moved to approve the minutes as posted on the LPPRD web site and
posted in three areas in the district, Larry Loeffler second the motion, Motion carried unanimously
5. James
Johnson, treasurer, summarized the financial report outlining account balances,
Checking-$60,114.22
Hatchery
and Buoy checking account-$6,886.15
Money Market Account-$125,037.64
Certificates of Deposit-$112,961.82
Total Funds-$304,999.83
Johnson also pointed out that several volunteers paid
out money to complete and repair the Tern Rafts this summer and were
reimbursed. He thanked them for all their help and dedication.
Paul Gettelman made a point of information, stating
that the Fish Hatchery account should remain separate because several people
had made donation specifically for the hatchery and that account should not be
included in the general fund.
Johnson concurred and made a note of it.
Chairman McCulloch asked for motion to approve the treasurer’s
report, a motion was made by Ron Triemstra to approve the treasurer’s report,
Paul Gettelman second the motion. Motion
carried unanimously.
6. Chairman McCulloch’s-Report
Princeton Dam
completed, training on operation of the gates has yet to be completed because
of COVID -19. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completely funded the
project. None of our tax levy was used.
We can now can turn our attention to the Dredge Bank
Project which we have received some grant money in March of this year. We also
have commitments from Ducks Unlimited for $90,000 and the DNR for $200,000.
The DNR money
comes with a stipulation that the district contributing 25% to the project
approximately $50,000. We must also must have a wind study done to outline the
turbidity of the water in the east and west basins. The dredge bank project is
a continuation of the bank to the east.
Derek Kavanaugh
from Green Lake County Land Conservation has been a tremendous help with the
study and obtaining the grant.
This is going to
be a great project for the lake but what is different about this project is we
don’t get the money from the DNR until project is completed. So in each grant
after we submit the bills we will be reimbursed.
Ducks Unlimited is
doing the paperwork because they have lots of experience in this area.
The bank will be
extended to the east with fabric put down along with rock. The new bank will
not be continuous because the DNR has stated that it will trap nutrients and
alga if we don’t have water flow. We will have a 3 to 1 or 2 to 1 fabric to
rock ratio.
The installation
of the dredge bank extension will occur during summer water levels.
The bank will not
extend above the water level and will be marked by buoys. The first phase will
be 1200 foot extension of the current bank to the east, rock 15 by 20 inches
will be installed along with fabric. Bids for the project are projected for
this fall.
We will be able to
proceed to phase two of the project while completing phase one. If we
contribute more money to these projects we can possibly receive grater funding.
We will need an
additional $14,700 for a plant study and $110,000 for phase one of the project.
Chainman McCulloch
opened the floor for public comment;
Jill Wortman asked
about the access roads that may be built for the project and will there be
public access?
A.
Derek Kavanaugh from Green Lake County
Land Conservation replied there are three different options and weather plays a
part in it. Building a road or ice bridge on Haystack Point and truck the
material out onto the ice is one option, building a road or ice bridge on the
north shore and truck the material out onto the ice is another option and the
last option is to barge the material out onto the lake from Marquette Village
launch DNR parking lot onto the lake. Rock must be stock piled before these
events can occur.
Brian Zimmerman asked what the cost comparison was
between barging and building ice roads?
A. Derek
Kavanaugh from Green Lake County Land Conservation replied it is approximately
$1.89 per ton more
Jill Wortman asked if land owners were going to be
paid for the use of their property?
A. Derek
Kavanaugh from Green Lake County Land Conservation replied that as of now no
payment was discussed.
Brian Zimmerman asked about increasing the
participation amount how that would figure into the two phase project?
A.
Chairman McCulloch replied Uncertain.
Maybe reimbursed. Derek Kavanaugh replied that he thought it would be
reimbursable. He also replied he would rather put money into rock rather than
ice roads.
Nancy Plenner
asked if the money for this project will come from the money we have on hand?
A. Chairman
McCulloch replied the money has already been budgeted.
Sandy Stansell asked what does the break water
accomplish?
A. Derek
Kavanaugh from Green Lake County Land Conservation replied it will help stop
the turbidly from the wave action and promote weed growth.
Sandy Stansell commented about the weed growth on the
west and north end of the lake. It’s terrible, People having a hard time
getting their boats off their lifts. What can we do about these weeds?
A. Derek Kavanaugh from Green Lake County Land
Conservation replied plant growth is high because of the continuous high water.
If we stop the turbidity and promote emergent plants not the weeds that are
growing on that end of the lake we will be much better off than the weeds we have
growing now. The high water and wave action has decreased the emergent plants
that we need in the lake. No sand has been added to the dredge bank since some
time in the 1980’s.
Norman Welch asked what can we do about weed growth on
the west end? He believes they are
coming from Buffalo Lake. How do we stop it?
A. Chairman
McCulloch replied not sure I am not a professional. We will document it and try
to get an answer.
Sally Fitgoli commented that there are bogs coming
from down river from Buffalo Lake and every day we hear people running into
heavy weeds fouling their engines. Shoreline and piers are being damaged we
need someone to check these things out. I I purchased
a resort near the Good Olde Days area and something has got to be done.
A. Chairman
McCullough answered that we need a study to document this and we will try and
do something.
Brian Zimmerman commented that the grant money could
be used for the plant study and that may help.
Chairman McCulloch commented that the
Fish hatchery has not done real well the last three
years because of high water and COVID -19 pandemic. The buoy markers were put
in by a group of volunteers. We may lose some light off the top of a few of
them but the young guys were able to get them in Okay. Randy Schmidt stated
that the weeds on the west end and in the river have become a problem and just
cleaning the off buoys is a real chore. Bob from Tuck A Way and some young men
should be thanked for their efforts installing the buoys and Randy for maintaining
the buoys in the river.
The tern raft project is going well. Rafts were
updated this spring and summer. There have been 102 terns tagged and we have
the largest population of terns in the state. Because of the project and its
success possibly more grant money could come our way for future projects.
I had planned on a special meeting to update everyone
on the grants that the district had applied for and to have a discussion about
issue that were brought up in prior meetings but because of the COVID virus
there can only be a small number of people allowed at one time it in a
building, becomes a problem because who
do you allow to come to a meeting, where do we meet because the village will
not allow us in to have a large meeting.
The budget issues that are before us are a $14,700
dollar for a weed study and $110,000 dollars for 1012 feet of dredge bank
extension to the east from the extension dredge bank.
Treasure
Johnson stated there was an error in the financial report where the anticipated
donation for 2020 was listed as 2029 also the interest should not be safety
deposit. Johnson also stated the tax levy should remain the same as listed in
the hand out.
Chairman McCulloch stated that the shallow water group
has met for training because of COVID 19 and because we have our own volunteers
for water quality monitoring there have been no training for them either.
Chairman McCulloch stated that because of donation
from Ducks Unlimited and the DNR we may not use all our grant money and may
have to return some of it. We will need $60,000 dollars for the dredge bank
project.
Motion to adopt report made by Ron Triemstra a second
by Willie Stalker
Motion carried unanimously
Derek Kavanaugh from Green Lake County Land Conservation
stated we need to look at long term issues of weeds and the problem the lake is
having with weeds on the west and north shore but weed growth is very important
to water quality.
Election
of one Commissioner
Roger Swanke term is coming to an end. His term was
from 2017-2020
Chairman McCulloch -I will open the floor for
nominations; are there any nominations for commissioner?
Larry Loeffler was recognized by the chair he
nominated Roger Swanke for commissioner. Is there a second? The chair recognized Bill Hunter who second
the nomination of Roger Swanke and Roger
Swanke was placed into nomination
There chair asked if there was any other
nomination? Richard Pergande was
recognized by the chair he nominated Jason Schlinger for commissioner. Is
there a second? The chair recognized Randy Schmidt who second the nomination of
Jason Schlinger and Jason Schlinger was
placed into nomination.
The chair asked if there were any other nominations?
There were no other nominations ballots were passed out when attendees signed
the attendance sheet for the meeting.
The chair asked both candidates for a brief summary of
their qualifications.
Jason Schlinger was first to speak; he stated he was
from Edgerton, Wisconsin but recently bought property on the south shore. He
has asked the commissioners how he can help the district. He has seen the lake
change over the past few years and is deeply concerned. He likes pheasant
hunting and other outdoor sports activities. He has worked for the Janesville,
Wisconsin parks department and has a degree. His father was a game warden and
has passed away.
Commissioner Roger Swanke was last to speak; he stated
he was deeply concerned about the proposed draw down that was in the lake
management plan and has been very outspoken about it. He has tried to speak
about it at meetings but was not given the floor. He stated if you think there
is trouble with weeds now if the water is drown down you will have a lot more.
The choice is up to you.
The chair stated that voting would occur with the
blank card attached to the hand out sheet. Put the initials or name of the
person you are voting for on the card.
Chair called for a break while votes were counted. 10:00
AM
Chairman McCulloch called the meeting to order after
the break 10:08 AM
Commissioner Kimber announced the results;
Jason
Schlinger 37-- Roger Swanke 19
Commissioner Kimber asked for a motion to approve the
nomination of Jason Schlinger for commissioner term 2020 to 2023 -Mark Motra moved to approve the nomination Faye Pergande second
motion.
Motion
was passed unanimously.
Jason Schlinger was seated as commissioner
term 2020-2023
Chairman McCulloch asked for nominations for the
position of Chairman of the Lake District board of commissioners.
Commissioner Kimber nominated Kurt McCulloch as
Chairman and Commissioner Stalker second the nomination, no other nominations
were made
Commissioner
McCulloch was seated as the Chairman.
Chairman McCulloch asked for nominations for the
position of Treasure of the Lake District and board of commissioners.
Chairman McCulloch nominated James Johnson as
treasurer and Commissioner Stalker second the nomination, no other nominations
were made
Commissioner
Johnson was seated as the Treasurer.
Chairman McCulloch asked for nominations for the
position of Secretary of the Lake District and board of commissioners.
Commissioner Stalker nominated Jeff Kimber as
secretary and Commissioner Johnson second the nomination, no other nominations
were made
Commissioner
Kimber was seated as the Secretary.
Chairman McCulloch addressed the topics of weeds, the
shallow water study group and trying to get something started as soon as
possible.
Tom Bratz had a question concerning access roads and
the hauling of material for the dredge bank on Fox Court on the north shore. He
stated the roads are not built for that amount of tonnage and this issue needs
to be noted in the minutes.
Chairman McCulloch stated he didn’t know what the
meeting schedule will be in the future.
Commissioner Kimber made a motion to adjourn Commissioner
Wilson second the motion. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 AM