Meeting called to order by President Ronie Jacobsen @ 9:30 a.m. Attending:  Ken Alix, Jeff Burke,  Jorja Burke, Mike Czarny, Ronie Jacobsen, George Kupfer, Pat Kupfer, Dick Novak, Dick’s Son, Barbara Novak, Tom Olson, Barbara Olson, Bill Schroeder, Diane Schroeder, Paul Specht, Sharon Specht, Jim Sprester and Kathy Sprester,

1.     Approval of minutes from 2010 annual meeting, Motion by Tom, 2^nd George.  Approved.

2.     Treasurer’s report:  Paul Specht distributed report.  Current membership is 51 individuals (32 households). Motion to accept treasurer’s report by Jeff, 2^nd by Sharon.  Motion passed.
 

3.     Project updates
 

a.     Aquatic Plant Management Plan:

Points covered by Mike: 

•       Primary Focus of the study was for AIS

•       No surprises - No aquatic invasive plants were found during the aquatic plant survey in 2008.

•       Unapproved APMP DRAFT on VVLA website as PDF.  Hardcopy available once approved.

•       VVLA Board to maintain interactions with PITLC

•       Individual Questions – please contact a VVLA Board member

o    Tom commented on boats travelling at full-throttle between Olson point and Novak Island and the increased traffic on Van Vliet:  13 boats on Friday.

o    Discussion ensued re Kathy Sprester’s question about the increase of the weed population in the lake. Jim suggested a group affected by weed growth to discuss further and approach the DNR.  Jeff said that with an approved APMP document from the DNR, application for a weed removal permit is back in the purview of the landowner. George posed the question as to what actions we would take to limit its spread if an AIS is detected in our lake.  Jeff answered:  PITLC’s response would be “apply to the DNR” for a grant to battle AIS.  With the approved APMP, Van Vliet Lake Association may apply.  Wholesale weed removal may open us up to an AIS, per Paul.  George mentioned potential for problem during spearing when boats are traveling from lake to lake unchecked.  PITLC is already talking about the 5-year update.  Tom commented on potential harvesting as an issue that reoccurs repeatedly.  Past discussions about should we, could we, and might we, do something was discussed again. Those affected with great numbers of plant growth and those interested in harvesting, must have an individual who would take the lead. 

o    Ronie proposes a nuisance navigation topic be on the agenda for a board meeting in July 2011. 

o    Jorja mentioned both the 5-year update of the APMP (Water Management Plan, also) is already being explored 

b.    Friends of the Van Vliet Hemlocks:  Overview presented by Tom Olson.

Additional comments by Paul Specht.  Ronie will attach power point to this file.

c.     Boat landing:  Ronie gave an overview of what is being done at the landing.
 

                                          i.    Native plants:  The VVL beautification committee consisting of Nancy Frank, Barb Olson, Jill Wilm and Ronie Jacobsen (Steve Frank supervised) planted native species at the boat landing site.  Quita Sheehan of Vilas Cty.  Land & Water Conservation advised which plant species to use.  Ronie asked if folks visiting the landing would get the watering can stored next to the Frank’s house and water the newly planted materials.
 

                                         ii.    Knapweed spraying – by DNR
 

                                        iii.    Kiosk signage – Ronie spoke to posting a sign on the Kiosk similar to those at Oxbow and Papoose Lakes.  She explained the background of posting rules set up by Ted Ritter.  A map may be purchased from Vilas County for $35; printing could be done digitally on plastic, with a $200 charge for a map designer.  A motion was made by Paul, 2^nd by Jeff, to ask the VVLA board to look into options for no-wake signage for marking sensitive areas on the lake and explore costs of producing a sign 24 x 24 up to $400.  Discussion ensued:  Spoke to fact that sign is informational only and has nothing to do with law.  Tom suggested copies of map go to the resort to distribute to guests.   Sharon suggested expanding the map to include Van Vliet Hemlocks area.  Mike would like signs standardized with PITLC.  Ken thinks a sign should be posted. Barbara Novak wants to include info that boaters must have a life jacket that fits you – not just any old jacket.  Motion carried.

On a related matter, Paul suggests installing a buoy in the middle of the shallows @ the Averill and Van Vliet waterway – which would require permission from DNR and from the town.   Jim would like to include lake depths on map. George commented there would have to be multiple buoys.  Sharon commented on the loss of loons on Nancy’s Island and how a buoy off the landing may help with loss prevention.  Jeff would endorse special signage specifying “No wake when leaving landing” and also mentioned that the more calls made to Town Constable Howie Meyer, the more coverage of the lake. 

4.     Future plans  (Ronie Jacobsen)

a.     Please sign up for shifts as Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers.

b.    August 27 hemlocks hike and picnic, tentative w/Naturalist John Bates.  Depends on interest, please sign up.

c.     Winter dinner #2 - TBD

5.     Election of Officers:  Motion by Jeff, 2^nd by George to elect the following as officers in the Van Vliet Lake Association:  Jill Wilm as Vice President, Paul Specht as Treasurer and Tom Olson as a Board Member At Large.  Motion carried.

      Ronie explained that our bylaws require slate of candidates to be set 30 days before meeting and a position remaining open may be filled by appointment by the Board.

a.     Candidate must have been a VVLA member last year to be on board.

b.    Email and paper mail was used to solicit candidates

c.     Open position is now a board appointment

6.     Additional Comments and Questions: 

a.     Baseball caps are available through the sporting goods store in Boulder Junction.  Contact Jeff if you wish to order VVLA cap/caps and he will place the order. 

b.    A motion was made by Barb Novak to change the VVLA bylaws to read “annual meeting to be held in the township of Presque Isle” in place of the phrase “in the vicinity of Van Vliet Lake.  After a short discussion of whether or not the location of the PI Town Hall was in the vicinity of Van Vliet Lake, it was determined to be so and the motion died for lack of a second.

7.     Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.  Picnic to follow.

Respectfully submitted,

Jorja Burke, Secretary

Unapproved Minutes