ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting             L.D. Fargo Library

Minutes, April 14, 2004

SPECIAL NOTICE

MEETING OF MAY 12 WILL BE HELD IN ROOM 239 OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING

Present:  Johanna Chworowsky, Pete Ebbott, Larry Everson, Stan Smoniewski, Milt Strauss,

Meeting called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Johanna.

Secretary’s Report

            Minutes of the February 11, 2004, meeting were approved.  There was no meeting in March.

Treasurer’s Report

            Treasurer’s report not available but there was little financial activity in the last month.

Committee Reports

            Lake Regulations:  Johanna reported that she had received an email via the RLIA website from a person who was interested in knowing if there was any process by which horsepower of motors and thereby speed, could be regulated.

            Rock Lake Joint Committee:  Pete reported that it looks like the Lake Management Grant would be approved.  Patricia has suggested that a variety of groups be represented in discussions relative to the Lake Management Plan. e.g. fishermen, water skiers, businessmen, canoeists, sailors, etc. The Joint Committee will also recommend to the town that only electric motors be allowed on Mud Lake.

            Adopt-a-Lake:  Stan said that the date of the lake and millpond cleanup is still to be determined.  He will contact school teachers to help determine that date and will email that information to all concerned.

            Making Waves:  It was suggested that other newsletters such as WAL and DNR might have articles that could be excerpted and reprinted in Making Waves.  An article featuring use of lawn fertilizers might be timely.

Old Business

            501(c)3:  The application for recognition from the IRS that RLIA be considered a 501(c)3

corporation was submitted on February 27 and as of this date RLIA has received no acknowledgement although it is understood that this time interval is not unusual.  A question was asked about donations being eligible as a charitable deduction in the same calendar year but before 501(c)3 approval.  

            Status of SUV Recovery:  DNR warden Dave Walz informed RLIA that the Jefferson County Dive Team plans to make the recovery sometime this month.  The family of the deceased man still wants the gun which is in the vehicle.  Question was asked about who gets the vehicle.  Johanna reported that about $400 was collected to defray cost of recovery through an appeal in the Leader.  It was suggested that RLIA be advised of the cost of recovery before considering its own contribution.

            Further discussion concerned methods to restrict cars and trucks to daylight hours only.  In the same context, it was asked how snowmobile operation might be restricted to a certain distance from shore similar to how boats are now regulated.  Snowmobiles traveling at high speeds are posing a hazard to people and equipment near shore.  Can they be made to operate at a distance at least 100 feet from shore and can markers be placed to mark that distance.

            Educational Presentations:  It was suggested that educational presentations be tied to the long-range plan and that they include a separate meeting with new property owners on an annual basis, perhaps during the winter.

New Business

            Membership Mailing:  A mailing should be made as soon as possible and Johanna will coordinate.  Within the mailing should be an announcement that the Long-Range Plan is in the works and with an additional note that lists points of contact for interested parties such as the RLIA website, email address and newspaper articles.  RLIA will also take an ad in the June issue of the Leader to take advantage of the increased distribution.

            Change of Meeting Location:  Due to potential conflicts with the use of the Library meeting room, it was moved (Milt) seconded (Larry) and carried to secure a meeting room at the Municipal Building.  As a qualified civic organization we are able to use a room without charge.  Milt will make arrangements.  It was suggested that the meeting location be noted in the RLIA website and, before the May meeting, in the Leader.

            T-shirts:  It was decided not to reorder t-shirts at this time. 

            WAL Convention:  Johanna, Stan, Pete and Patricia will be attending the convention in Green Bay, April 15-17, and discussed coordinating attendance at seminars of special interest to RLIA.   

Adjournment

            Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

Next Meeting

            Next meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M.on May 12, 2004, in Room 239 of the Municipal Building.

Submitted by:  Milt Strauss   

                      Secretary