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Following publication, the Lake Beulah Management District held its regular meeting at the East Troy Town Hall on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

Commissioners Present: Chairman David Bitter, Commissioners: Dave Skotarzak, Stan Alger, Richard Dow, Val Johnson, and Rick Stacey

Absent:  Commissioner Douglas Dorn, RJN Environ- Robert Nauta, P.G. (excused)

Also in Attendance:  2 Riparian Owners, Ray Fisher, Protective Association, Lisa Sweet, Administrative Services

Chairman Bitter called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.

Item #1:  Approve the Meeting Minutes November 17, 2010 Regular Meeting

Commissioner Stan Alger made a motion to accept the minutes from November 17, 2010 with the one change presented, Commissioner Dave Skotarzak seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Item #2: Treasurer’s Report- Presented by Treasurer Dick Dow

Treasurer Dow reported on the reports submitted on the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual through January 2010 and the Balance Sheet as of January 31, 2010.

Treasurer Dow made a few comments regarding the actual year to date vs. full year budget.

As of this time, all property tax revenues received through January have been paid.  Total revenues received of $166,152 are 68% of the total year tax levy of $243,378.

Treasurer Dow commented on the Well Defense Fund.  Attorney fees projected through March of $30,143 are 32% of the annual budget for this fund.

Our last line of credit has been depleted. The group agreed that Mr. Dow should negotiate the $150,000 additional line of credit agreement that was approved by our electors with the Citizen’s Bank of Mukwonago for Board approval.

Commissioner Skotarzak made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as reported by Treasurer Dick Dow.  Commissioner Alger seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Item #3: Weed Harvest/Equipment Status Report and possibly take action on this matter:

Commissioner Alger reported that he is expecting the quote for the 7 foot bar weed cutter and trailer very soon.  Commissioner Alger will be requesting the grant papers from the DNR.  The papers need to be completed and submitted by the end of March 2010.  Once the grant has been submitted, Commissioner Alger will order the new machine.  The machine will be delivered in 2011.

Item #4 Septic Status Report/Boundary Issue Discussions and possibly take action on this matter.

Chairman Bitter reported there are a few items to consider in regards to the boundary agreement discussion.

1. The group has to consider which residents should be placed in the LBMD and which residents should not be in the LBMD.  RSV did a study and came to the conclusion that all of the Beulah Park homes are deeded have rights to Lake Beulah.

Action Item: Chairman Bitter will have RSV send LBMD a letter summarizing the study which was done on the Beulah Park Area.

1. After speaking with the attorney, Chairman Bitter was told that tax payers cannot be charged different mill rates on their tax bills.  However, residents can be charged different fees for the services which are provided.

There was a group discussion on whether or not a subcommittee should be formed.  The group decided not to make a decision at this time, but to add this topic to the agenda for the next meeting.

There was a group discussion regarding the property owners of New Deal Drive becoming part of the Lake Beulah Management District.  There was group discussion concerning weed control of this area.

Action Item: Commissioner Dow will contact the owner of Fred’s Tap to start discussions with the residents on New Deal Drive.

Commissioner Skotarzak would like to see a legal document or letter from the attorney explaining that charging a “fee for service” on the tax levy is legal.  This document should be provided for the Lake Beulah Management District Annual Meeting in August 2010.

The group had discussions regarding other ways to create funds for protecting and maintaining Lake Beulah.  Chairman Bitter will explore the option of increasing the boat launch fee for protection of the lake.  The first step is to have discussions with the Town of East Troy.  The group agreed to make a request to have this topic be added to the town agenda in April.

Action Item: Chairperson Bitter will contact the town to start discussions regarding increasing the boat launch fee for lake protection.

Commissioner Skotarzak made the motion to request that the town of East Troy to investigate the possibility of adding a Lake Protection Fee to the boat launch.  Chairman Bitter will contact the town to have this item added to the agenda in April.   Commissioner Dow seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

#5 Status Report on Well #7 and possible take action on the matter.

Attorney Dean P. Laing is excused and not present at this meeting since there is nothing to report.

Oral arguments will take place soon and LBMD will receive the outcome of the oral arguments via email in 30 to 60 days.

The group agreed to update the website with the lawsuit status as soon as a decision was made.

Item #6 Commissioner/Public Comments:

Ray Fisher from the Lake Protective Association reported on the status of Purple Loosestrife in and on Lake Beulah.  The DNR has provided a free permit/grant to a Lake Beulah resident to manage the Purple Loosestrife in her area of the lake.  There is a specific beetle that attacks this evasive species only.  Once the plant is under control, the beetles will die.

Ray asked the board to consider their position on the removal of evasive species from Lake Beulah.  There was a group discussion regarding concerns of evasive species.

Ray also asked the group to encourage the Town of East Troy to budget money for gypsy months.  There was budget money for spray treatments last year.  There is no budget money for spray treatments this year.  If there is a warm, dry spring, there will be a gypsy month outbreak.  The Protective Association included a newsletter regarding gypsy months in their most recent dues billing.

The next Lake Protective Association meeting is May 22, 2010.  Commissioner Dow requested that this group ask for volunteers to collect water for water monitoring.  Ray agreed and will proceed.

Commissioner Dow gave an update regarding the status of the double billing from the WI State Lab of Hygiene.  LBMD will probably have to pay the $4,219 past due amount but we will request a $1,800 refund from the DNR.  There was confusion as to the timing of the water analysis and payment covered by the grant.  Bill Rose of the USGS and Bob Nauta have recommended an alternate, less costly analytical lab for future water analyses.

Action Item: Commissioner Dow will ask the labs for competitive quotes.

Jerry Peterson from the Kettle Moraine Land Trust sent a letter to the LBMD stating his appreciation for the $2500 donation.  Jerry requested a meeting with the LBMD to discuss the status of the land trust.

Action Item: Commissioner Johnson will have Jerry Peterson send his proposal and discussion points for the next meeting via e-mail.

Commissioner Dow stated the group received a letter from the Wisconsin Association of Lakes requesting a donation and to renew LBMD membership.  Last year a donation of $100 was made.  The group agreed this item should be added the agenda of the next regular meeting.

Action Item: Commissioner Johnson will add the following to the agenda of the next regular LBMD meeting:  WI Association of Lakes possible donation/membership renewal

Commissioner Dow reported that resident Audrey Green sent the group information on a possible grant for monitoring exotics or equipment for ground water monitoring.  Since the grant amount is considerably low, the group agreed to not file the request for grant money at this time.

Commissioner Stacey reported on an issue that came up during last month’s Walworth County Zoning Meeting.  The county has sent a letter to all towns, villages and lake districts within the county asking for input on vacation home rentals.  It seems that with the slow economy, residents are in favor of allowing homes to be rented for vacation purposes.  Commissioner Stacey will give the group an update at the next regular meeting.

Item #7:  Determine Date of Next Regular Meeting

The group confirmed the next regular meeting will be on April 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the East Troy Town Hall.

Adjourn Open Session to convene in Closed Session, pursuant to Wis. Stats 19.85 (1) (e) & (g) to confer with legal counsel.

Chairperson Bitter moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Adjourn Open Session to convene in Closed Session, pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1) & (g) to allow District Commissioners to confer with legal counsel and deliberate regarding water well litigation strategy.

Since there was no legal counsel representation at the meeting, there was no Closed Session.

Commissioner Alger made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Commissioner Stacey seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.