February 16, 2010 BCLA Minutes
Present were: Ken Warner, Bob Walstrom, Gale Jones and Sanford Smith.

The meeting was called to order by Ken Warner. Minutes from the November 24, 2009 meeting and the January 19, 2010 meeting were approved. There was no treasurer's report.

We decided to table the election of a vice president until more members were present.

We discussed the Big Lake Business Expo scheduled for March 7 from 11a-3p. We need people to set up on March 6 from 3-4:30, three people to be at the booth on Sunday, and people to take down the display. Sanford offered to help with the set up and has hand outs available. He reported the city has donated a season pass to Lakeside Park as a prize for a drawing Bob Eddy is checking on getting PFD's for another prize and Bob Walstrom will check with Russell's on the Lake to see about a gift certificate for another prize.

Sanford has a sample of a three-year permission slip that will be available at the Expo. The DNR requires permission from lakeshore owners each year (rather than every three years), so the form will allow people to sign three forms that the BLCLA can then send to the DNR each year. Ken will forward the permission slip to board members to get their approval and/or comments.

Sanford is working with Mike Goebel on a form to be used at Lakeside Park during the summer to tally vehicle use at the park.

Sanford reported that the fees charged by RMB for water analysis of Big Lake and Lake Mitchell will be the same as last year. He also reported that the DNR is holding hearings on aquatic plant permit fees in Little Falls on 2/24 and in Plymouth on 2/25.

Discussion about June 19 Pollinator Day with the SCSWD was tabled until the next meeting.

The next meeting will be March 16 at 7pm at the city works bldg.

Gale Jones

BLCLA BOARD MEETING 01/19/2010 AT PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING 7PM

Members present Ken Warner, Bob Eddy, Sanford Smith, Gale Jones, Bob Walstrom, Director of Public Works Mike Goebel, City Council Representative Duane Langsdorf, and Scot Chapman

Minutes
Minutes from the 11/24/2009 meeting will be reviewed and approved at our next board meeting 2/16/2010.

Treasurer's Report
Good news we have a few new members, bad news there are some existing members that have not renewed yet. The report was approved.

Officers
Officers for this year thus far:

Ken Warner - President
Bob Eddy - Treasurer
Scot Chapman- Secretary

Vice President position will be voted on next meeting.

Grants
Mike Goebel noted we need permission from lake lot owners every year for the vegetation grant. Do we ask permission just from the treated areas or from the whole area? It was noted that the signatures do not hold up the grant but they will hold up the treatment. The board felt we need to get all shoreline signatures. Sanford mentioned that predated permission slips 5 years out would work and he would coordinate working up the forms. Sanford will try and have a consent form by next meeting for signatures. There was additional discussion regarding the use of technology to ID lots on the lakes.

Business Expo
Ken noted the Business Expo is 03/07/2010 this year. It was felt that we did get good exposure last year. The fees for non members are $295.00, for members $175.00. Bob Eddy motioned we return to the Expo this year. Motion passed. Bob Eddy will check and see if we can get in as a volunteer organization for the fee of $125.00. Mike noted he has put in for an Educational Grant that covers the cost of the business expo.

Sanford
There was discussion surrounding the Lakeside Park Data. It was felt official boats and others should be counted. Sanford will work up the changes and get them to Mike.

Pollinator Day program - Sherburne water and soil will talk about soil, lakes, and insects. Mark Baseletti has asked that we man a booth on Saturday June 19th.

Sanford mentioned he needs help with water analysis samples. Bob Walstrom and Ken, both offered to help.

The PCA lake monitoring program would like a member to do water clarity measurements on Lake Mitchell this year. Ken and Bob W. offered to do Lake Mitchell. Sanford will handle Big Lake.

Sanford felt we needed to review our lakeshore property owners survey and resend as it will help provide direction as to what type of actions the board should be taking. Sanford will bring in a sample of our last survey.

It was noted that we should put a monthly article in the local newspaper to keep people informed. Scot did check with the Environmental Educator and it is free of charge, public service subsidized by Sherburne County. Has a smaller distribution then the local paper.
Boat Inspections

It was felt that more boat inspections would increase awareness of invasive aquatic plants and Zebra Mussels. There was a short discussion on developing a possible contingent plan for the Zebra Mussel. Mike has applied for 200 additional hours for boat inspections. In the grant we would pay for half at 12.00/hour.

Miscellaneous
Ken will check on getting the website updated. There was discussion regarding e-mails on the website and how they should be handled.

It was decided we would meet again 02/16/2010 at 7pm at the Public Works building. Ken made a motion to adjourn, Sanford seconded.


Submitted by,

Scot Chapman

BLCLA Board meeting Nov 24, 2009

Jim Ridgeway called the meeting to order @ 7:00 pm. Members present Ken Warner, Duane Langsdorf, Scott Chapman, Jim Ridgeway, Bob Eddy, Jane Ramunno. Also present Mike Goebel.

Bob Eddy made a motion to approve Sept 29th minutes, Ken seconded.

Treasures report given, Ken made motion to approve Scott seconded.

Financial - Discussed taxing for membership this will have to go through the city. Other means to get support would be city wide tax to treat lakes. Scott will look into this further.
For convenience of members minutes will be posted on the web site, 118 paid memberships, send letters then follow up with courtesy call, mailing done Dec. 15. Ask members to help by calling on others to solicit members.

January 19th @ 7:00 pm set as date to elect officers for next year, candidates are:
Treasure - Bob Eddy, President - Ken Warner, V.P. - open, Secretary - Scott Chapman

Grants; Mike G. wrote grants for Signage - 2 @ Lakeside Park , 2 @ Mitchell Lake launch and 4 on point (back to back). Additional inspections June - Sept matching grant will add hours on Fridays. Educational - public information adds Scott will check into Environmental Educator, one issue per mth. matched by state funds.

Shoreline projects 2010 - private residence west side of point. Cargill - greenway on crescent $3000 to complete

Fishing pier on Mitchell Lake- No info is posted on DNR web site, wait for update before allocating more funds. Current contributions - $10,000 recommendation to council from park board, $5000 Jaycee's, $4000 BLCLA

Greenways open to snowmobiles, per city council, Wyoming, Crescent and Hill Street

Jan. 23rd & 24th Snowmobile races - general email will be sent to members, approx. 63, to help with clean-up after race and post on web site. Ask for donation to BLCLA to go toward lake maintaince.

Motion to adjourn made by Ken seconded by Scott

April 16, 2008 BLCLA Board Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Jim Ridgeway.  Present were: Carolyn Fowler, Jim Ridgeway, Bill Jones, Gale Jones, Bob Eddy, Ken Warner, Jane Ramunno and Gayle Berthiaume. 
Secretary’s minutes were approved.  Treasurer’s report was approved subject to an amendment adding in the amount in savings.
We discussed again the need for commercial general liability insurance for officers and board members.  Motion made by Gayle & seconded  by Ken that we purchase the insurance from Klein Bank for $900.00/year. 
We reviewed the proposed treatment schedule for Big Lake & Lake Mitchell.  The survey of the lake needs to begin as soon as the ice is out so treatment can be completed by Memorial Day.  The DNR will check for locations of weed beds. 
Jane reported that  the SCORE Grant application for $1,000.00 was approved to be used to label city storm drains emptying the watershed.  We still need approval from the county for the grant.
We were informed that the Sherburne County Soil & Water Conservation  District is planning to work with the city to improve the greenways.  They are also planning to survey the lakeshore May 6, and offer suggestions to landowners on ways to improve their shoreline, and how to get discounts on  plants.
Jim reported that Cargill Corp.  has pledged $500.00 toward lake improvements, and would like to become involved  with some projects.
Approximately  70+ % of landowners have returned the forms regarding lake treatment.
Approximately 60% of Lake lawndowners are members of the association.
We discussed the payment arrangements between the City, BLCLA and PLM in regarding to timely payments for the lake treatment contract.  Bob will contact the city financial manager.
Carolyn reported that Sanford has 10 volunteers to get sample of weeds, but needs a few more.  He also needs 14 grappling hooks and ropes for the project.
We discussed a proposed  survey , and agreed to develop  one after more committee input.  Gayle suggested the survey be put on the website with a link for completing it on line.  Tentative plans were made for a committee workshop on May 8.
We received information on a workshop at the Briggs Chain of Lakes.
 
We discussed ways to create interest in the BLCLA, and discussed a possible social/informational meeting.  Bill & Jim will check with Russell’s. 
Ken & Sanford will get out information on improved fishing habitat  at the same time as the fishing opener. 
Jim emphasized the necessity of getting information into the local paper regularly.  Suggestions were:
1.  Fishing habitat  in early May
2.  Boat safety in early June (Bob)
Bill reported on rules regarding watercraft speeds, jet ski rules and law enforcement.
Gale Jones, Secretary
 

General Meeting Minutes Feb 23, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Jim Ridgeway who introduced officers and board members.

The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were approved.

Jane Ramunno reported on a successful lake clean up on Feb 2, and it was agreed to schedule another clean-up day on March 1.  She also reported on the progress of the application for a SCORE grant.

Jim reported on his meeting with representatives from the city at a city workshop.  The city has committed $10,000.00 toward the first step in treating Big Lake & Lake Mitchell. 

Carolyn Fowler reported on efforts to contact lake shore owners for permission to treat the lake in front of their property.  44 slips have not been returned to date.

There was general agreement that the focus of 2008 efforts should be a lake assessment and treatment of curly pond weed and Eurasian milfoil..  A discussion of lake treatments followed.

Jim also reported the Jaycees are interested in working with the BLCLA on fish habitat.

The business portion of the meeting was adjourned. 

Sandford Smith showed a CD on lake shore restoration.  Mark Basiletti of the Sherburne County Soil & Water Conservation District presented a program also on shore land restoration with information on financial assistance for individuals planning such a project.

Gale Jones, secretary