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Call to order
by President Jeff Burke at10:10am.
Attendees:
Bill & Diane Schroeder, Mike Czarny, Roni Jacobsen, Ken Alix, Grace
Alix, Doug & Jane Schwanz, George & Pat Kupfer, Frank Bradley, Dick
& Carol Novak, Paul Specht, Sharon Specht, Jill Wilm, Steve Frank,
Linda Smithson, Steve Smithson, John Fagan, Dona Fagan, Robert
Stewart, Esther S., Tom Olson, Barbara Olson, Ed Brodsky, Jeff
Burke, Jorja Burke. Guests: Carolyn Scholl, Vilas County Conservationist and Brandon Feasel, U. of
Notre Dame, Ph.D. Candidate.
Motion to approve
agenda
by Jane S., 2nd by George K. Carried.
Motion to approve
08.18.07 minutes
as corrected by Mike C., 2nd by Jill W. (Correction: Add Paul &
Sharon Specht to attendee list)
Elections:
President: Jeff Burke; Secretary: Jorja Burke; 2 Board Members @
Large: George Kupfer & Mike Czarny.
George and Mike introduced
themselves. Motion by Tom Olson, 2nd by Linda Smithson for
unanimous ballot - motion carried.
Treasurer’s
Report:
Paul distributed account activity information,
reminding attendees to fill out forms for 2008 membership if they
have not already done so. Final grant installment of $225.oo
received from DNR. 25 households have paid 2008 membership dues.
Expenses included dues for Association membership in the WI
Association of Lakes and Vilas County Lakes Association and mailing
expenses for absentee ballot/candidate nomination information per
bylaws. Copy of report is on file. Motion to accept Treasurer’s
report by Steve Smithson, 2nd by Ed Brodsky.
Jill would like to hear from folks
w/changes of addresses for mailing information.
An overview of the
following issues presented by Jeff:
Old Business:
Weed & water levels/survey results:
The destruction of
beaver dams and trapping and the impact on area lakes. An ordinance
preventing setting traps within a specified number of feet from the
road to Annabelle Lake was recently approved by the Town Board.
Pertinent to the removal of beaver habitat on the PI
River, permission was given to post information referring to the WI
State statute governing destruction of wildlife habitat by DNR
representative in Woodruff.
Weed removal:
Each lakefront property owner may clear 30 feet around dock, by
hand, without permit. Mechanical removal of vegetation requires a
permit. Applying for a permit requires a DNR approved Aquatic Plant
Management Plan. Next step: Putting in place an APMP.
Survey Results:
28 members and 2 nonmembers responded to request for input. An
e-mail to members whose addresses are available and posting on the
website invited members to respond. Roni reported that a 25 to 5
ratio responded that “yes, there’s a problem” & “yes, we need plant
management.” Some comments from responders were read and a copy of
all responses was available for attendees to peruse.
New Business:
PITLC Grant:
The PI Town Lakes Committee has applied for and received grant
funding on behalf of 17 lakes in PI. Van Vliet is one of the lakes
receiving grant monies. Northern Environmental will conduct the
survey this summer. Steve Frank asks if plan addresses excess
weeds. Mike clarified the process of setting the stage for
discussions with DNR re excess native plant management with an APMP
as the first step.
The APMP process
& what it can do for Van Vliet Lake: Since 2005 when VVLA
completed their plant study with Blue Water Environmental, the DNR’s
requirements for an APMP has expanded to include GPS locators. The
new plant survey, incorporating the required GPS info, will begin
this summer. The preliminary may be available in October for review
by PITLC and designated VVLA Board members. By Jan/Feb 2009,
hardcopy may be available. Discussion ensued:
Steve F. asked if
NE would tailor the report to highlight issues specific to VVL.
Jeff responded, “Yes, after discussion with NE & DNR representatives
at a PITLC presentation and because we already have the part of the
work completed with our 2005 plan, Van Vliet’s concerns re excessive
native plants may be incorporated into the APMP.” George reminded
us that plant study should be ongoing - a work in process. Paul
reiterated that individuals looking for weed permits would require
that a lake’s APMP must be in place and that we should be aware that
the DNR is generally opposed to weed cutting but won’t necessarily
prevent cutting. Mike agrees and cites past conversations w/DNR
personnel. Sharon feels that in addition to dealing with invasives
and excessive native plant growth, the survey allows for cooperation
between Lake Associations. Jeff talks about importance of teamwork
between Lake Associations. Tom requests that Roni post PITLC
meetings to website. Ed Brodsky asked if a water quality survey has
been considered? Jeff said that Vilas County has septic records and
the VVLA website shows if individuals are on the county list. He
noted that if your name is not on the list & you want to get on the
county system there is some cost involved for testing. Steve F.
spoke to conductivity tests of in years past - Steve S. said those
tests were not necessarily inclusive and other factors must also be
considered. Nutrient loading from shoreline development and
fertilizing was discussed. Mike said it’s been proven that septic
systems add to the nutrification of lakes.
VVLA Cost
Share: 10% of 25%, which equals $187.83 for, approved APMP.
Jorja requested the VVLA send a letter to PITLC for their efforts on
our behalf. Motion by George, 2nd by Roni to compose the letter.
Carried. Jill will write the letter.
Carolyn Scholl, Vilas County
Conservationist, presented a program featuring shoreland
stewardship and included information about water levels, maintaining
buffer zones and the impact of nutrients on our lake. Carolyn may
be reached at 715-479-3747 and invites your questions re shoreland
stewardship.
Website Info: Check with
Roni
PI Rearing Ponds Survey:
Jorja presented information re the rearing ponds, which were
returned to PI by the DNR in 2008. The PI Park and Recreation
Committee is conducting hearings July 14 @ 7pm and July 19 @ 11:00am
as a forum for public input. Residents and visitors may also
respond to the question “What are your ideas for development of the
rearing pond area?” by accessing the PI town website @
www.pi.us .
Northwest Lakes Conference:
Roni attended. In addition to the keynote speaker’s address,
Impacts of Climate Change on Lakes and Streams, she attended
sessions on Beautiful Shoreline Buffers, Communication That Works
and Aquatic Plant Management Planning; a Primer. Her notes are on
file and will be posted to the website.
Other: Jill commented about
ordinances, which had been but are no longer posted. People
recreating on Van Vliet Lake have been observed abusing it by
several residents. The constable will become involved as
necessary. Motion by Ed Brodsky, 2nd by Paul Specht for the board
to pursue permanent posting of water ordinances. The installation
of a metal information sign, in addition to posted kiosk
information, was suggested. Linda S. amended the motion to include
a $300 cap to purchase and install such a sign, 2nd by Steve S.
Motion carried. In the meantime, Jill will post boat, wave runner
and 200” no wake ordinances at the VVLA boat landing.
Steve F. addressed occurrences at
the VVLA boat landing including downed & dead trees and aggressive
pruning and removal by DNR within a buffer zone. Recently, Paul
Bruggink gave permission to cut two large hemlocks. Negotiations for
cooperation between the DNR and adjacent landowner did take place
prior to the construction of this boat landing and Steve is
concerned about the destruction of this “buffer zone” between his
property and the DNR boat landing. In the spirit of “Dead tree -
leave it be” he would like to see someone on the VVLA board
contacted by the DNR for discussion before trees are removed within
“buffer zone” at the landing site. Several lake residents stop by
frequently to pick up refuse and keep an eye on the site. It was
also noted that some of the pines the DNR planted along the drive to
create a shield for the adjacent property have died and that several
small pines were pushed down during winter when winter plowing
occurred to created access to the lake.
Barbara Olson advised that Mr. Jim
Rottman passed away several days ago. She has Marge’s address. It
was also noted that Rita Andrew recently passed away. Jill will
send cards for VVLA.
A board member delivered a letter
from a member unable to attend. It was available for attendees to
peruse. Copy on file.
VVLA Annual
Meeting 2009:
The majority of members present thought early July is a suitable
time for our meeting.
It was announced that a picnic
would be held at the pavilion following the meeting. Members and
guests were invited to attend.
Adjournment:
Motion by George, 2nd by Roni @ 12:15pm. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jorja Burke, Secretary
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