2. Adoption of Agenda: Matt Pachi moved and Ed Brodsky seconded that the agenda be adopted as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

3. Report of the President: Tom Olson read a copy of the report he had prepared which detailed the efforts of the Association during the past year. (A copy is available on the Association Website.) He also read a letter from Steve McComas, Consultant for the Lake Management Planning Grant, complimenting Van Vliet Lake Association on its professionalism and its efforts in this endeavor. (A copy of this is also available on the website.)

4. Treasurer’s Report: Nancy Frank reported that the balance in the Association Account as of August 14, 2004, was $3182.20. This represented 42 households. The balance in the Lake Management Planning Grant was $4,200.00

A motion was made by Matt Pachi to accept the report. George Kupfer seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

5. Van Vliet Hemlocks: Tom Olson added to the information given in his President’s Report on the status of the Lake Association’s efforts to preserve the land referred to as the "Van Vliet Hemlocks." This is land bordering both Van Vliet and Averill Lakes and is controlled by the State Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Tom has been in regular contact with both that group and the Department of Natural Resources to encourage the permanent preservation of those lands and to voice the association’s support for doing so. A committee has been appointed to work on this project and is co-chaired by Jill Wilm and Steve Frank. George Kupfer is also on the committee.

A motion was made by George Kupfer and seconded by Paul Specht that the Van Vliet Lake Association support efforts to permanently preserve the land referred to as the Van Vliet Hemlocks. The motion carried unanimously.

6. Potential Rezoning: Jill Wilm read a report prepared by Jeff Burke concerning potential rezoning of property surrounding Van Vliet Lake. (A copy of this report in available on the website.) Wildcat Lake and Oxbow Lake have already done the rezoning. Several questions were mentioned, e.g., whether it could rezoned again, what "skip zoning" all entailed, and what the feelings were of the people on the above mentioned lakes where rezoning has occurred. It was suggested that there was a need for more information and/or education before proceeding with anything.

A motion was made by Sharon Specht and seconded by Matt Pachi that the Association continue to look into the issue. It was suggested that a committee work with the Board. The motion carried unanimously. Volunteers willing to work on such a committee with the Board were Matt Pachi, Paul and Sharon Specht, Barb Novak, Kathy Sprester, Doug Schwanz, and Barbara Olson.

7. New Business:

a. Contribution to PA System in Presque Isle: A communication had been received from Kim Bowler requesting that the Lake Association contribute $400 for the new PA system in Presque Isle. Tom said that the Board had previously stated that it didn’t feel contributing to area organizations was appropriate and in line with the Association Mission Statement.

Steve Smithson moved and Matt Pachi seconded to disapprove the request for funds. The motion carried unanimously. A hat was passed for voluntary contributions to the PA system. Tom will write to Kim Bowler telling her of the denial of the request and the reasons for doing so, and he will send the voluntary contributions to the Chamber of Commerce.

Jill Wilm moved and Paul Specht seconded that the Board form a policy for handling requests for contributions for purposes appearing beyond the scope of the Association’s Mission Statement. The motion carried unanimously.

b. Absentee Ballots: George Kupfer reported for Don Trimble that Don would like to see the Association look into the Bylaws for the possibility of accepting absentee ballots.

Jill Wilm moved and Steve Smithson seconded that the Board study the issue and report to the membership on the possibility of amending the Bylaws. The motion was amended by Barb Novak and seconded by Steve Smithson to include members of the Association as well as Board members in this study group. The motion carried unanimously and was referred to the Board.

c. Date of Annual Meeting: Tom reminded people that the date of the Annual Meeting was set later this year instead of on the customary weekend nearest the 4th of July for two reasons: First, to allow for more time for data gathering between the June 5th general informational meeting on the planning grant and the Annual Meeting, and Second, because several people had stated in the past that the weekend nearest the 4th of July was sometimes difficult to attend. (Bylaws state that the Annual Meeting be held within 75 days of the 4th of July.)

It was agreed that it be left up to the Board when to set the date for the Annual Meeting depending on the issues. It was also agreed that the Annual Meeting be held at the Presque Isle Community Center as a first choice, and at the Discovery Center as a second choice.

8. Update on the Lake Management Plan: Steve Smithson, chair of the committee, gave a comprehensive report on the progress thus far on the Lake Association Planning Grant. He described the project in general, explained the activities which had been undertaken, showed pictures of the workdays, displayed and discussed the results of the survey sent to all members, and told of the plans for the immediate future. He said that when the final report is received from the consultant, the Association can then begin to determine its future direction.

George Kupfer reported that the committee had also applied for a grant to purchase a dissolved oxygen meter.

Members of the Association expressed their appreciation to Steve and the committee for their hard work and accomplishments on this project.

Pat Goggins, representative from the Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Department, was present and commended Van Vliet Lake Association for its work on the Planning Grant. He also described activities sponsored by the DNR, distributed a packet of information, and told of grant availability.

9. Board Elections: Up for election this year were the terms of President, Vice President, and two At-Large Board Members.

Paul Specht moved and Matt Pachi seconded that a unanimous ballot be cast for the President and the At-Large Members, being that those positions were uncontested. The motion carried.

In the election for Vice President, Jill Wilm defeated Barb Novak by a vote of 25 to 6.

Matt Pachi made closing comments strongly supporting the leadership of the Association and urging that we continue to conduct our business in the most efficient and expeditious manner.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Sprester,
Association Secretary