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LAKE BEULAH MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
http:/www.LBMD.org
Regular Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
7:00 pm East Troy Town Hall
PDF VERSION
Following publication, the Lake Beulah Management District held its regular meeting at the East Troy Town Hall on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 7:00 pm.
Commissioners Present: Chairman David Bitter, Commissioners: Dave Skotarzak, Stan Alger, Richard Dow, Val Johnson and Rick Stacey
Absent: Commissioner Doug Dorn
Also in Attendance:
RJN Environmental Services, LLC: Robert J. Nauta, P.G.
Lisa Sweet, Administrative Service
Chairman Bitter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Item #1: Approved the Meeting Minutes September 1, 2009
Supervisor Alger made a motion to accept the minutes from September 1, 2009 as presented, Commissioner Dow seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Item #2: Treasurer’s Report- Presented by Treasurer Dick Dow
Treasurer Dow reported on the reports submitted on the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual for January through September 2009 and the Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2009.
Treasurer Dow made a few comments regarding the budget.
The Professional Services account shows a higher amount because of the boundary agreement issues. The operating budget is down because of the late start of weed harvesting so the wages are less than what was budgeted. Treasurer Dow discussed the CD accounts which hold LBMD monies. The CDs are one year terms and are gaining 1.95% interest. The second principal payment on the current loan is due by the end of the year and is reflected in the Debt Services portion of the Balance Sheet. The Weed and Water Control budget is higher than anticipated due to the lack of grant money from the DNR.
Treasurer Dow requested the following two Resolutions
Resolution #1:
Lake Beulah Management District will borrow the funds necessary until the next Annual Meeting date in August 2010. On September 1, 2009, LBMD agreed to borrow $150,000 to be repaid over 10 years at 5% interest as approved by the electors at the 2009 LBMD Annual Meeting.
Commissioner Skotarzak made the motion to approve Resolution #1, Treasurer Dow seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Resolution #2
During the 2009 Annual Meeting, it was decided that $249,350 would be budgeted for the 2010 fiscal year. The tax levy for that time period is $243,378.
Commissioner Skotarzak made the motion to approve Resolution #2, Treasurer Dow seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Stacey made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as reported by Treasurer Dick Dow. Commissioner Alger seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Item #3: Discussion and Clarification of money to Kettle Moraine Land Trust for 2 years ($2500 each year) and possibly take action on the matter.
The board discussed what was approved during the Annual Meeting in August 2009. The board agreed that one payment of $2500 will be paid to KMLT in both 2009 and 2010.
Item #4 Discussions on Hiring Hydrologist vs. RSV Engineering and possibly take action on the matter.
Chairman Bitter announced that Robert Nauta is no longer employed by RSV Engineering. However, Mr. Nauta would like to continue working with LBMD on a consulting basis. Mr. Nauta is able to provide the same services working independently and carries liability insurance for his independent practice. Mr. Nauta charges $75 per hour which is less expensive than RSV Engineering. Mr. Nauta predicts he will work 12 to 16 hours per month analyzing data.
Action Item: Chairman Bitter will send a formal request to RSV Engineering for release of all records pertaining to Lake Beulah.
Commissioner Skotarzak made the motion to hire Robert Nauta of RJN Environmental Services, LLC in lieu of RSV Engineering. Commissioner Alger seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Nauta presented LBMD with information regarding the Ground Water Management Committee in Madison which is provides assistance to lakes. The committee would like input from local lakes. Mr. Nauta feels State Representative, Scott Gunderson, would be very interested in Lake Beulah and suggested someone from the LBMD to be present at the next committee meeting on November 4, 2009 at 10:00am in room 201. Chairman Bitter made the commitment to attend the meeting. There is a copy of Mr. Nauta’s “Wisconsin Ground Water” update on file with the LBMD.
Action Item: Chairman Bitter made a request for Mr. Nauta to compose a formal proposal/response including details and graphs illustrating the current status of Lake Beulah. Mr. Nauta agreed to draft the response.
Item #5 Weed Harvest/Equipement Status Report and possibly take action on the matter:
Commissioner Alger recently had a meeting with a group from Lauderdale Lake. The following suggestions were made:
The Lauderdale Lakes group suggested repairing the current harvester and using it for a few more years. They also suggested hiring retired people to run the harvesting equipment.
Commissioner Alger presented several options for the group to consider and discuss:
Option #1: Use budgeted money to buy a smaller weed cutter to fit on the front of a boat and continue to maintain the current weed cutter.
Option #2: In addition to the current cutter, purchase another machine with a 7 or 8 foot cutter.
Option #3: Purchase a new larger machine- 10 foot bar.
Commissioner Alger was told the group should keep the following items in mind while considering the options: The large bar (10 foot) machines may be hard to maneuver. The smaller blades (7 to 8 feet) are easier to control in the wind and waves. There are always homeowner complaints regarding the weed harvesting or lack of. One transporter would be sufficient when running two weed harvesters.
Action Item: Commissioner Alger with talk with Brooke from the DNR regarding the Harvesting Permit and where weeds can be harvested on the lake- specifically New Deal Avenue, the channel by the Yacht Club, and Goat Island.
The grant for purchasing a new harvester needs to be applied for by May of 2010. The grant needs to be very specific and a statement of financial stability needs to be included.
Commissioner Alger would like group input on when the weed cutting should stop. He stated it is always a gray area.
Commissioner Dow stated that the harvester storage shed electricity and phone is normally placed on “vacation” status by mid October to reduce these costs during the winter months. However, the Supervisor has the option to continue working as he determines necessary.
Item #6 Septic Status Report/Boundary Issue Discussions and possibly take action on the matter:
Chairman Bitter reported the septic pumping is almost finished. Chairman Bitter asked Commissioner Stacey to present a report at the next meeting regarding the county’s position on septic pumping. There was discussion regarding Fred’s Tap and whether it has a holding tank or a septic tank. Commissioner Stacey will talk to Walworth County regarding this matter.
Chairman Bitter provided handouts with addresses of potential LBMD members. Chairman Bitter would like to adopt a clear definition on what it means to be part of the LBMD.
Joe Klarkowski, Town of East Troy Board Member, asked several questions about the definition of the district and reported on a few discussions he has had with residents regarding this matter. Mr. Klarkowski also asked for a definition of the LBMD and questioned the value or benefit.
Item #7 Status Report of Well #7 and possible take action on this matter:
Mr. Nauta reported that John Janson, Village of East Troy Consultant, moved to Florida and there is a new person reviewing the data downloads. Mr. Nauta met with Mr. Janson’s replacement. Chairman Bitter will follow up with Attorney Laing regarding the legal proceedings.
Item #8 Commissioner/Public Comments:
Commissioner Dow stated that he is concerned about the high fees and over-billing from the WI. State Laboratory of Hygiene. This lab must be used for the analyses of quarterly lake water samples collected by USGS as required under the DNR Water Quality Monitoring Grant LPL1231-08. The lab has billed LBMD $347 for services through September despite having received $9,628 from the DNR Grant for services from April 2008 through December 2009. The Board agreed that Commissioner Dow should withhold payment of the invoice and write a letter to the lab requesting an explanation for this over billing. He has also requested that Mr. Nauta and USGS recommend another lab for all future water sample analysis.
Item #9 Determine Date of Next Regular Meeting and Discussion of Proposed Future Meetings:
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the East Troy Town Hall. There will not be a meeting in December. There will be a meeting on February 25, 2010.
Item #10 Adjourn Open Session to convene in Closed Session, pursuant to Wis. Stats 19.85 (1) (e) & (g) to confer with legal counsel.
Commissioner Dorn moved to adjourn the regular meeting, Commissioner Alger seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The open session ended at 7:47 pm
Adjourn Open Session to convene in Closed Session, pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1) & (g) to allow District Commissioners to confer with legal counsel and deliberate regarding water well litigation strategy.
Commissioner Skotarzak made a motion to adjourn closed session, Commissioner Alger seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Closed Session adjourned at 9:05.
Item #11 Re-convene to Open Session to consider and act upon any matters discussed in Closed Session. The board returned to open session at 9:06 pm.
Commissioner Alger made a motion to request by letter payment of $28,202.50 from DeWitt Ross and Stevens in settlement of LBMD issues. Commissioner Dow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Action Item: Chairman Bitter will send the letter to DeWitt Ross and Stevens within the next few days.
Chairman Bitter made a motion to adjourn the open session. Commissioner Alger seconded and the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Sweet, Administrative Services |