2009 Annual Meeting Minutes
Subject to final approval at the Waupaca Chain O’Lakes Association Annual Meeting in 2010
Waupaca Chain O’Lakes Association
Annual Meeting, June 27, 2009
Marden Center, WI Veterans Home, King WI
Quorum.
A quorum was present and all participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Welcome.
President Rick Hammen welcomed those present, introduced the board member. and asked the neighborhood chairpersons to stand and be recognized.
Representative Kevin Petersen.
Rep. Petersen addressed the group about the following issues:
Act 9 - bans the sale of fertilizer containing phosphorus and was signed by Governor Doyle.
AB 281 - bans phosphorus in cleaning products, excluding commercial cleaners. As of July 1, 2010 there will be a Federal ban on phosphorus in cleaning products.
SB 12 - prohibits a person from operating a motorboat, other than a personal watercraft, at a speed in excess of slow-no-wake within 100 feet of the shoreline of any lake. It does provide for towns to adopt a local ordinance that provides an exemption from the 100 feet. However, if Dayton and Farmington opt out, these towns are responsible for enforcement. This bill passed both the Senate and the Assembly and will be signed by the Governor.
AB 83 - provides for disabled persons to get fishing licenses at a reduced fee. This bill passed the Assembly.
Petersen briefly discussed the state budget. Items affecting Chain property owners include property taxes. Property taxes will increase $309 per median value home of $169,000. When selling a house, the capital gains exclusion from state tax will drop from 60% to 30%. The rate on capital gains will be indexed to income.
2008 Annual Membership Meeting Minutes.
Executive Secretary Kay Ellis presented the minutes. Approval was moved, seconded and passed.
Executive Secretary’s Report.
Newsletter Committee - Kay Ellis extended a thank you to the chairpersons for communicating with neighbors and for delivering directories. Retiring are Ed and Lois Fischer (16 yrs), Al and Joanne Schlatter (29) and Diane Studley (13). Bob and Marilyn Olson, Dave and Karen Schlatter and Lynda Thompson have volunteered for these neighborhoods.
Membership - The number as of today is 624. Membership as of the annual meeting last year was 643. Anyone who has not paid dues this year may give checks to Bob Kessler or to Kay after the meeting. Kay thanked all who sent information and dues by the deadline April 10, especially those with changes as the directory information goes to the printer within a week of the deadline. If anyone has not received a directory, please talk with Kay after the meeting.
Newsletter - Kay thanked the Newsletter committee members, Rick Hammen, Dave Johnson, Margie Metzger and Bob Ellis for all of their efforts.
Nominating - Jack Fulcher, Steve Huhta, Scott Panzenhagen, Bob Underberg and Carl Webber were nominated and approved the the 3 year term 2009-2012.
Signs - Last fall the sign committee spent 37 hours on changes and replacements. This spring 26 hours were spent installing 23 sign changes, and reinstalling the three signs on Norris Lane. Four name changes plus complete new signs for 5 new roads on the Chain involving 22 names and numbers are still to be completed. The County changed the rules on multiple-home driveways and changed some fire numbers to meet their Emergency Management coordinates. If there are sign questions, please check with Bob Ellis or John Hebbring after the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report.
Bob Kessler presented the Annual Treasurer’s Report, which was audited by Sue Benzschawel, and the Proposed Budget for 2009-2010. A motion to approve both reports was done by a majority vote.
DNR Report.
Ted Johnson spoke about the critical habitat areas on the Chain. The DNR did a study of the entire Chain and that report was provided at the meeting and will be available on the Association website. Ted stated that habitats provide a picture in time for future studies of changes. The information will be used to make more informed decisions in the coming years. These studies will provide a regulatory purvue over projects. These habitats will be looked at again in 3-5 years.
Boat Landing Volunteers.
Tim Rau, Chairman of the Clean Boats, Cleans Waters program on the Chain, said the potential threats to the lakes are VHS disease and zebra mussels. Water chemistry and habitats affect the amount of zebra mussels. Education has shown that this monitoring program does work. August is still open and volunteers are needed. Members should sign up with Tim after the meeting. Tim also said that No Parking signs are posted on Cleghorn Road and W. Miner Drive.
Chain Logo Merchandise.
Rick Hammen announced that there was a new logo boat flag available, available in several colors, as well as the clothing and hat items. Members could purchase items after the meeting from a member of the Logo Committee.
History Committee Booklet.
Bob Kessler thanked the booklet committee, Sarah Kruger, Mary Ann Well, David Hathaway, Ron Reynolds and Dick Stadtmueller for all their efforts in getting the booklet published.
Bob also introduced local artist Laura Geyer, who designed and donated the booklet cover.
Upcoming Events.
Rick announced upcoming events: Association Boat Show and Parade, July 11; Lake District Annual Meeting, August 1; and first Association Food Drive, September 5. Marge Goerman, who conceived the food drive idea, spoke briefly about the need for volunteers.
Association Survey Report.
Rick reported that 494 surveys had been received. Copies of the survey results were available for members and will be posted on the website. Rick said the Association board would be looking at the comments and preparing information in response. One of the key issues was water quality. Water quality tests are being done this summer by the Lake District on Long, Columbia, Round and Rainbow. Rick also reported that the Association website has received 3,000 visits and 10,000 views.
Open Discussion.
There were a few general questions about lake issues that were answered by members of the board.
Adjournment.
It was moved, seconded and passed that the meeting be adjourned.
Kay Ellis
Acting Secretary
2008 Annual Meeting Minutes
Waupaca Chain O’Lakes Association
Annual Meeting, June 28, 2008
Marden Center, Wisconsin Veterans Home, King, WI
QUORUM. A quorum was present and all participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
WELCOME. President Jack Fulcher welcomed those present and introduced the board members
REMEMBERANCE OF KEN HURLBUT, JERRY KNOEPFEL AND HARRY THOMS. Bob Ellis spoke about the contribution of Ken, Jerry and Harry to the Association and a moment of silence was observed in their memories.
REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN PETERSEN. Rep. Petersen addressed the group about three issues relating to the Chain: piers, boat registration fees and invasive species control.
1 - Petersen stated that he worked with several state groups on pier regulations. Basically all existing piers 300 sq ft or smaller are grandfathered. There are different regulations for commercial piers and those already permitted.
2 - Boat registration fees have been increased. Boats under 16’ will cost $19.00, 16’ - 26’ will be $28.00, 26’- 40’ will be $52.00. This is an average increase of 16%. The additional funds will be used for water patrol and cost-sharing invasive species grants. Peterson informed us that requests for education and inspection grants no longer have to be from a government entity.
3 - To aid in the control of aquatic invasive species (AIS), an Ambassador’s Program has been developed. This Program provides for DNR wardens to visit public boat landings to conduct AIS public education and to enforce AIS regulations. There are new fines for invasive species offenses and for clean up expenditures, and stricter highway regulations for boat trailers.
2007 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES. President Fulcher presented the minutes. Approval was moved, seconded and passed.
NEW FOUNDATION. The Board of Directors of the Association has approved funding the organizational costs for a Chain O' Lakes Foundation. This Foundation will be a separate entity, which will be qualified under IRS Code Section 501 (c)(3), to receive tax-deductible contributions for the long-term benefit of the Chain O'Lakes and the immediately adjoining area. Carl Webber, our Secretary, contributed his time to incorporate a Wisconsin not-for-profit corporation, and the Board retained Gary Janssen to file the necessary forms with the IRS. The Board expects that this Foundation will be completed in time for a full report at the next Annual Meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT. Bob Kessler presented the Treasurer’s report from 2007-2008 and the proposed budget for 2008-2009. Both were moved, seconded and passed by a majority vote. Bob thanked Susan Benzschawel for doing the audit.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S REPORT. Kay Ellis thanked the Newsletter Committee members Bob Ellis, Dave Johnson and Kathy Weiand for all their efforts. She said extra copies of newsletters were available. She also thanked the Neighborhood Chairpersons. Moe Dupuis retired after sixteen years and Dan and Bonnie Krenke will represent that Taylor Lake neighborhood. Membership presently is 643, compared to 650 at last year’s annual meeting. Kay thanked those who met the membership deadline. Based on the Association master list, Kay reported that 34 states are represented by Chain property owners. 74 Percent are Wisconsin residents; 14% are Illinois residents; and 12% represent the remaining 32 states.
Kay said the Sign Committee ordered about 25 changes that will be done as soon as these changes are printed. She reminded us that the Lake District annual meeting would be on Saturday, August 2, 9 AM, at Marden Center. She announced that Camp Onaway was celebrating 100 years and members were invited to a Camp celebration on Friday, July 11 or Friday, August 15.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE AND ELECTION. Kay Ellis reported that the Nominating Committee proposed the following members for election or re-election for 2008-2011: Dick Conover, Kay Ellis, John Hebbring, Margie Metzger, Gary Prell and Barry Tomaras. No additional nominees were proposed. These members were unanimously elected.
WATER PATROL. Officer Jerry Poltrock reported that last summer there was one accidental drowning. He said that most Chain violations are related to personal flotation, registration, safety and major equipment. He reminded us that not having the correct number of personal flotation devices is a fine of $186. Jerry said that drinking is a major problem on the Chain. Those who witness drinking or safety problems are encouraged to call the Water Patrol. A good witness should provide descriptions of both the driver and the boat and, if possible, a boat registration number.
BOAT LANDING VOLUNTEERS. Tim Rau thanked those who volunteered and those who are signed up to volunteers. He said that volunteers have logged 132 hours so far and that there are still some volunteer spots to be filled. Boat activity at the landings is down from last year.
HISTORY COMMITTEE PROJECT. Michelle De Godt presented a new DVD on Chain Boats, Past and Present. She thanked those who contributed pictures for this project. Bob Kessler said that Chain histories would be accepted until August 1. The information will be printed by Waupaca Publishing and will be available at the annual meeting next year.
OPEN DISCUSSION. Dave Johnson and Scott Panzenhagen displayed Chain logo items for sale and showed us the new silhouette logo. Jack Fulcher thanked Barry Tomaras for organizing the Boat Show and Parade. Jack also reminded us to be courteous of the Veterans Home pontoon boats out on the lakes.
ADJOURNMENT. It was moved, seconded and passed that the meeting be adjourned.
Kay Ellis
Acting Secretary
2007
Annual Meeting Minutes