ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting Lake Mills Municipal Building
Minutes, May 12, 2004
Present: Johanna Chworowsky, Patricia Cicero, Jim Cosgrove, Pete Ebbott, Stan Smoniewski, Milt Strauss, Katie Travers and Russ Wagner.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Johanna.
Secretary’s Report
Minutes of the April 14, 2004, meeting were approved as printed.
Treasurer’s Report
Katie provided information on the response to date of the membership letter mailing and the $492 cost of the mailing that is yet to be paid to Leader Printing. Total current assets as of April 30, 2004, were $6660.11. Report was accepted.
Committee Reports
Rock Lake Joint Committee: Pete reported that the committee meeting lacked a quorum but there was discussion on how to relate RLIA decisions to the long-range plan, Pete’s responsibilities as project manager and the advisability of forming a steering committee. He also reported that the city now has an ordinance that would require millpond ramp users to pay a fee and that city police would be used to pursue non-payment of fees. Pete briefed the board on the status of the so-called “Job Creation Bill”, a portion of which relates to a permitting process on lakes and streams that would be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Emergency rules are in effect now and a hearing on rules will be held at the DNR office building in Madison on May 19. Many provisions of the bill are not yet clear.
Long Range Plan: Patricia affirmed that a steering committee needs to be formed which would include representatives from lake user groups. Patricia will coordinate the committee’s monthly meetings which will deal with implementation of the Rock Lake Management Plan and she will try to help the steering committee arrive at decisions through consensus rather that by voting. The steering committee will report to RLIA who will then make decisions on allocation of the grant money when it becomes available. At its June meeting, RLIA will approve amounts already planned and also establish guidelines for special expenditures greater than a certain amount. The committee should be established by mid-June. Names should be submitted to Patricia for follow-up. Jim suggested Andrew Stiles as a possible steering committee and board member. Patricia will email Karl regarding recruitment of fishermen representatives for the committee. She also distributed copies of a draft timeline for the Rock Lake Management Plan.
Grants, Research, Studies: Regarding the grant of $7,000 for the Rock Lake Management Plan, it was suggested that a bank account be opened to receive the money. Jennifer Cosgrove would assist if asked. Patricia has started gathering material for the Lake User Survey (see Timeline item for June, 2004)
Adopt-a-Lake: Patricia suggested that scout troops be contacted to participate in a boat launching ramp patrol. This would involve washing hulls and draining water so that it doesn’t flow into the lake before launch.
Lake and millpond cleanup was set for May 17. Katie will donate bags and Jim will provide a canoe.
Old Business
501(c)3: Milt reported that additional data has been furnished to the IRS and we are now waiting for their approval.
Status of SUV Recovery: DNR warden Dave Walz will inform RLIA of further action on the SUV recovery. Checks that were sent by contributors to the recovery effort will be cashed and funds retained until costs of recovery are known.
New Business
Goose Count: Milt will coordinate the June goose count with DNR wildlife specialists.
RLIA Leader Ad: A display ad or insert will be published in the free June edition of the Leader. Jim will coordinate.
Monthly Meeting Notice: Notice of the RLIA monthly meeting will be submitted to the Leader for publication.
Self-help Water Quality Survey: The Whites will be offered the services of Kevin to assist them in their survey work.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Next Meeting
Next meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M.on June 9 in room 239 of the Municipal Building
Submitted by: Milt Strauss
Secretary