Yahara Lakes Association, Ltd.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 11, 2019 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
The Yahara Lakes Association Board of Directors held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 11th, 2019, in the Verex Building (150 E. Gilman Street) Yahara Conference room.
The following members and advisors were present: Dick Adler, Stuart Allbaugh, Roy Carter, Caroline Fribance, Carol Gillen, Allan Levin, Eric Olson, Dick Pearson, Nancy Peckham, Jerry Rekowski, Dan Schultz, Dave Silverberg, Joe Tisserand, Sal Troia, Eric Vieth, and Brenda Matthias
Members and advisors not present: Eric Englund, Bill Fitzpatrick, Annette Hellmer, and James Tye
11:30 a.m. Call to Order: President, Sal Troia, called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
11:32 a.m. Allen Levin made a motion to move the July 11th Board meeting to the American Family building on East Washington. The Board will decide after that meeting if all of the Board meetings will be moved to AmFam or will remain at the Verex Building. Joe Tisserand seconded the motion. Motion passed.
11:45 a.m. CLA partnership/Joint Letter Discussion:
• Sal Troia & Dick Pearson to meet with James Tye to determine their flexibility in greatly expanding our exposure in the joint mailing. If it makes sense as the meeting progresses Sal will ask about obtaining the mailing list that CLA created for the March 2019 joint mailing for which we are paying our share.
12:15 p.m. Sal Troia President Items:
• In light of Nancy Peckham’s withdrawal to take on the role of YLA President next year, Sal Troia is seeking a replacement for the role.
• As of March 11th 261 members have not renewed in 2019. The approximate unpaid membership dues equals $11,170 ($188 members x $40 + 73 members x $50). A membership renewal email blast will be sent shortly and postcards will be mailed to members that do not provide email addresses to us.
12:25 p.m. February and March Minutes:
• Dan Schultz made a motion to accept the February 14, 2019 meeting minutes. Joe Tisserand seconded the motion. Motion passed.
• Dan Schultz made a motion to accept the March 14, 2019 meeting minutes. Joe Tisserand seconded the motion. Motion passed.
12:30 p.m. Dan Schultz provided the Treasurer’s report:
• Dan Schultz reported that expenses are in line and the association is in a good spot financially. The one concern is the number of members that have not yet renewed.
• Sal Troia also reported that an annual fee of $459 ($38 per month) was paid for an email and event marketing platform - Constant Contact.
• Joe Tisserand made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Budget report. Dick Person seconded the motion. Motion passed.
12:40 p.m. Marketing & Communications Committee – Nancy Peckham
Nancy Peckham noted the new website is complete and a Facebook page has been created.
Carol Gillen is currently gathering articles for the May newsletter with a deadline of April 22nd to submit the articles.
A new policy was established to change the password on the board area secure page now and at the beginning of each year with the change in board members for security purposes.
With the new website – when someone registers for new or renewal membership an auto-reply email will be atomically sent to “welcome” and/or “thank you” along with receipt.
New process for reviewing email blasts was announced. Every board member is on a board committee so all board members will have the opportunity to send an email blast but they will do it through their board committee chair working with the rest of the committee. If the committee chair would like to have the marketing and communications committee do a final review, they have the option to do so. The committee chair will send the final email blast to Brenda to distribute.
12:50 p.m. Lake Levels & Flow Committee – Dan Schultz
• The Lake Level and Flow committee met April 6th to discuss the final recommendations of the Lake Level Task force.
• Dan Schultz reported that John Reimer of Dane County Land and Water resources department has indicated that the County staff is currently working on gathering permits to begin dredging in the most critical areas this year and are working on the project to fortify the Tenney Park locks so it can support lake level of to the 100 year flood level. John indicated they are using funds that were in the current budget but do not have the funds to dredge the entire river. It is believed they county will be able to use funds from the current budget to fund the study of the various pumping alternatives.
• The committee expects the county is going to bring the future funding requirements for dredging, pumping and other flood initiatives through the normal fall budget process through Lakes and Watershed and on to the County Board. It doesn’t appear that the recommendations from the Lake Level Task force will be going through Lakes and Watershed for further approval and/or modifications. They will, however, receive periodic progress reports.
• The committee discussed the Final Recommendations of the Lake Level Task Force. Overall the committee strongly supported the recommendation in the report and commended the task force and technical group for their work. We support the dredging project, the pumping study, continued aggressive aquatic plan harvesting, of making improvement to the Tenney Dam to allow it hold water to the 100 year flood level and the effort to strengthen stormwater and infiltration practices.
• There were a few items of concern in the report -
o The statement under the pumping section to “reject routes that would negatively impact the Waubesa Wetlands/conservation easements” is too strong and might lead the study group to not consider possible approaches or routes that would have minimal impact on the wetlands. The committee felt “be sensitive to routes that would negatively impact the Waubesa Wetlands” would reflect a better approach.
o The statement under the Lake Levels section directing the county to implement any tools available to lower lake levels to seasonal minimum levels might leave certain areas of the lakes exposed to low water issues. After discussion about the varying impact of lakes levels, high or low, on a particular property owner the committee expressed support for leaving the decision-making authority with the county. It appears that the last sentence of the task force report gives the county authority to manage any given lake so as not to create flooding or other unintended consequences.
o The section of the task force recommendation to “incorporate the recommendations of the 7/12/12 peer review as applicable” could have unintended consequences. It was felt that there should be a specific discussion of the recommendations included in the peer review and a specific identification of the peer review recommendation that will be implemented.
o The funding mechanisms that were included in the report as there has been no specific discussion on any of these items.
12:55 p.m. Membership Promotion & Interest Committee – Jerry Rekowski
• The Lake Level Listening Session are on hold until we have new information to share.
• At YLA President’s request Jerry Rekowski has obtained insurance quotes for General Liability, Fidelity Insurance, Directors and Officers insurance, Employment Practices Insurance. Caroline Fribance is doing research to determine what Federal and or State immunity exists for the General Liability exposure and the Directors and Officers liability.
1:10 p.m. Events Committee – Dick Adler & Joe Tisserand
• The Annual Dinner will be Tuesday, June 18 at Blackhawk Country Club.
• Joe Tisserand reminded all board members to begin soliciting door prizes and raffle items.
• A Thank You note will be sent for all donations. As door prizes and raffle items are secured, email Brenda with the contact info and item description.
• Joe Tisserand made a motion to award the “Public Official of the Year Award” to John Reimer. Dan Schultz seconded the motion. Motion passed.
• Will invite Joe Parisi, Dane County Executive, to be the guest speaker at the Annual Dinner.
• Joe Tisserand received an $800 donation in honor of the late William E. von Rutenberg to continue the YLA mission.
1:15 p.m. Legislative & Legal Committee – Caroline Fribance
• Caroline and her committee are meeting with an attorney to discuss the option of converting the organizations status from a 501(c)4 to a 501(c)3 or retain the 501(c)4 and create a 501(c)3 to take advantage of raising money through donations that are deductible. They hope to have additional information at the next board meeting.
1:20 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting date is May 9th, 2019 at Verex Buliding.