Annual LID Meeting AUG 2018
Annual Meeting Minutes
Lake Pulaski Improvement District
August 21st, 2018, 7:00pm
Huikko’s Bowling Center
1207 MN-25, Buffalo, MN, 55313
| Present: | Jon Tank | Jill Murphy |
| Bill Jundt | Brooke Cebulla | |
| Tom Marr |
AGENDA:
- Welcome to the 2018 Annual Lake Pulaski LID Meeting
- Introduction
- Call meeting to order
- Approval of the minutes from the 2017 annual meeting
- Lake Weed update
- Boat Inspections/Staffing
- Current Lake Level Update/AIS Update
- Financial Update & Budget – presented by Schlenner Wenner
- New Business
- Voting Rules & LID Election
Jon Tank welcomed everyone to the 2018 annual meeting.
Jon Tank introduced everyone on the LID Board.
The meeting was called to order by Jon Tank.
Jon Tank made a motion to approve the minutes from the 2017 annual meeting. Attendees read through minutes, Jon Tank made a motion to approve the minutes, Dave Tauscher seconded, motion passed.
Lake Weed Update:
Jon Tank presented a 2018 Spring Delineation map of Curlyleaf Pondweed of Lake Pulaski. He then explained what areas were treated and why. The Lake Pulaski Improvement District contracted with Lake Restoration again this year (2018) to treat Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curlyleaf Pondweed in Lake Pulaski and Little Pulaski. This year’s application was completed per the DNR guidelines and included grant funding received from Wright County totaling $1,100.00. The Curlyleaf Pondweed treatment this was 14.5 acres at a cost of $474 per acre. We also contacted Freshwater Scientific to do the following lake surveys required in order to treat for the Curlyleaf and Eurasian Water Milfiol. The surveys along with the Point Intercept survey totaled $7,140.00 and is good for two years. There were 4 areas treated this year and that was based on recreational use, that are the busiest. The LID decided not to treat for milfoil this year.
The LID has made a lot of progress with the DNR regarding treatments. The LID will continue to work closely with them moving forward. The DNR do not have a lot of grant money to give out to help with treatments.
Griffin Park Landing:
Jon Tank discussed happenings at Griffin Park Boat Landing.
Staffing will take place from dusk til dawn from May 13th (fishing open) through the end of October.
Money budgeted in 2018 for staffing at the landing was $10,000. The city of Buffalo is matched our $10,000 and is doing the same for 2019.
A summary of watercraft inspections are as follows:
Total boats: 2,551 inspected vs. 2,183 from 2017
From Buffalo: 1,029 vs. 956 from 2017
% Out of Town: 60% from out of town (1,522 boats)
Arrive with plug in: 165 arrived with plugs in (9%)
Total finds: 260 with plants
Current lake levels/AIS Update:
Bill Jundt went through the Secchi Disk Read (water clarity):
On 7/21/18 reading was 19’-3. 2017 reading was 17’-9, and in 2016 it was 21’-6.
DNR Rules for when pumps can be turned on:
1)We cannot pump if Lake Pulaski is below 966.0
2)We cannot pump if Buffalo exceeds 915.5 and Buffalo must have outward flow to Crow River.
Ice out was May 4th, 2018.
July 3rd, 2018 we commenced pumping.
Rainy season is September, October, November, so pumping will continue.
Bill Jundt explained that the DNR did change our permit this year and it’s documented that the LID can pump at any time we reach 966.0 no matter what time of year.
Bill Jundt reported that the pumps have been running well. He personally checks them, and checks them often. Pumps are checked by divers at the beginning of each season to check for any issues.
Bill Jundt discussed Infested Waters in Wright and Hennepin Counties. He explained that 3 lakes already are infected with starry stonewort, and the effects it has on a lake are catastrophic.
A question was asked my a newer resident of the lake about how many accesses there are to the lake?
Bill answered that there are three in addition to Griffin Park:
1)A locked fence at Douglas Drive.
2) Little Pulaski has a private access, but not gated.
3)West Pulaski, but he has never seen anyone use it, although people could possibly access it.
Carol Busse asked what the status is on the drainage/dredging of Pulaski Pond?
Jon Tank answered that the LID has been working continuously with the City of Buffalo on this. The City is trying to work on something but the expense/cost is very high. The last bid that was received was $750,000. There have been complaints and the city wants to do something about the pond but are trying to get other estimates that are lower.
2018 Budget:
Jill Murphy/Schlenner Wenner
The PLID accountant Molly Thompson from Schlenner Wenner & Co will be re-capping 2017 and presenting 2018 numbers thus far along with a proposed upcoming budget for 2019.
Jill Murphy introduced Molly Thompson. Ms. Thompson reviewed line by line the LID budget.
- 2017 is now closed:
- Income of $117,989.98
- Expenses of $59,609.88
- Ending balance of $141,958.25
- 2018 Projection: Through June 30th, 2018
- Revenue of $59,664.64
- Expenses of $17,207.58
- Balance as of 6/30/18 $184, 415.30
- PLID is projecting an additional $50,000 in expenses for 2018 which reduces the balance to roughly $134,415. In November the LID has $58,000 of projected property tax income which puts the 2018 ending balance roughly at $192,415.00.
2019 Projection: Expenses of $69,025 + $20,000 (proposed potential AIS infestation budget sheet).
Jill Murphy discussed that two years ago it was approved to add $20,000 to the budget to protect against a potential AIS infestation such as zebra mussels or any others. The LID wanted to get approved another $20,000 over the next two years to get the LID budget to a safe projected number in the case Lake Pulaski becomes infested.
Randy Shell asked about how much it will cost per household to approve another $20,000?
Jon Tank answered that in 2019/2020 it should go down, and right now it’s about $90 based on a $500,000 home.
Alan Swanson asked why $20,000? Are we looking to reach a specific number?
Jill Murphy answered that at the end of 2020 the budget would have $80,000 specifically allocated for an infestation catastrophe. With the information that the LID has researched and collected, and with the City of Buffalo matching half, we would be okay to do something to protect the homeowners.
Carol Busse made a motion to pass the budget. Gerard Melgaard seconded, motion passed.
An amendment was made to add another $20,000 to the budget until 2020.
Carol Busse made a motion to add the $20,000, Gerard Melgaard seconded, motion passed.
VOTING:
2018 Voting: Only one vote will be cast per Lake Pulaski Improvement District household, even if there are multiple owners for that particular household. Votes will be counted by two non-LID board members.
Two LID members terms expire this year, Tom Marr and Brooke Cebulla.
Dave Tauscher, Eric Wyatt, and Brooke Cebulla were nominated.
Jon Tank made a motion for nominations to be closed, Ricki Malerich seconded, motion passed.
Steve Skallerud and Gerard Melgaard counted the votes.
New members elected are Dave Tauscher and Brooke Cebulla.
Allan Malerich made a motion to end the meeting at 8:21pm. Dave Tauscher seconded, motion passed.