Following publication, the Lake Beulah Management District held a regular meeting at the East Troy Town Hall on, Tuesday, May 24, 2011.

Commissioners Present: President David Bitter, Commissioners: David Skotarzak, Val Johnson, Dick Dow, Stan Alger and Rick Stacey

Not present: Doug Dorn (excused)

Also Present: Lisa Sweet (Administrative Services)

Riparian Owners as noted on the Sign in Log.

President Bitter called the meeting to order at 6:58 pm.

As noted above.

Item #2 Approve Meeting Minutes of April 19 2011

There was a brief discussion regarding the minutes from meeting on April 19, 2011.

Commissioner David Skotarzak made the motion to approve the April 19, 2011 meeting minutes as  presented.  Commissioner Dick Dow seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Item #3 Reports:

1. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Dow reported on the reports submitted on the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual and Balance Sheet through the end of April 2011 and Balance Sheet as of April 31, 2011.

Treasurer Dow reported the proposed budget is behind due to outstanding attorney bills.  The  attorney will be sending a bill which should balance out the budget.

Treasurer Dow reported the new weed harvester will require remaining payment since only half  was paid upon ordering.  Dow will transfer the funds when the bill becomes due.  Dow would like to have further discussions with Commissioner Stan Alger regarding the remaining payments.

Commissioner Stan Alger made the motion to approve the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual January 2011- April 2011 and Balance Sheet as of April 30, 2011.  Commissioner Skotarzak seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

b.) Weed Harvesting, Commissioner Alger

Commissioner Alger reported the estimated delivery date of the new harvester is May 31, 2011.    Upon delivery of the harvester, Commissioner Alger will make an application with the DNR for additional grand money.

The DNR has agreed to increase the current grant amount by 1.5%.

Commissioner Alger stated Stewart Alger has been working on the equipment which was stored in the shed all winter.  The old harvester required new wheels (replacement parts).

c.) Town of East Troy, Commissioner Dorn

Commissioner Dorn was not present to report.  President Dave Bitter commented on the last Town of East Troy meeting he attended.  There is concern on the town’s behalf regarding relaxed regulations on phosphorus in lakes.  Barb Church, Town Representative, asked LBMD to write a letter to David Craig (Gunderson’s replacement).

Action Item:  President Bitter will compose a letter on behalf of LBMD.

Barb Church commented on the conservatory on Army Lake.  The Army Lake Camp Director has expressed concerns regarding negative aquatic plants near the camp’s beach area.  LBMD asked Bob Nauta to assess the situation and report back to LBMD.

d.) Walworth County, Commissioner Stacey

Commissioner Stacey had nothing to report on behalf of Walworth County.

e) Well #7, Attorney Laing, Bob Nauta

Bob Nauta provided the group with a handout illustrating the water levels pertaining to Well #7.  Mr. Nauta reported the charts show a downward water level trend.  The village of East Troy will receive a copy of this report.  The pumping continues to remain the same- half to 1/3 of what was approved.  The well is pumping about 6 hours per day, but was approved for 12 hours per day.

4. Communications:

There were no communications to discuss.

5. Old Business:

a). Well #7 Discussion and possible action required as recommended by our legal counsel or other  consultants.   Attorney Laing was not present at this meeting.

b.) District Boundaries Status Update and possible final action to present issue to the Walworth County Board.  President Bitter stated he left a message for the attorney and is waiting to hear of   the hearing date.

c.) Update and delivery timing for new weed harvester and increase in DNR grand money for this  purchase.  Commissioner Alger reported on this earlier in the meeting.  See notes.

d.) Update on groundwater and water quality monitoring programs: new USGS water sampling and laboratory testing contracts.  LBMD has asked Mr. Nauta to scale back on the data to be reported. The group has agreed to keep the current lab during the law suit.  The group expressed concern  regarding a contract- since one has not been signed with USGS.  Mr. Nauta will follow up with   LBMD regarding a contact at USGS for a new contract.

Mr. Bob Nauta excused himself from the meeting at 7:30 pm.

6. New Business:

a). Discussion and approval of two new insurance providers through the Horton Group: Glatfelter  (public liability insurance) and Bituminous (workers compensation).  Commissioner Dow provided  handouts for the two new policies.

The current worker’s compensation policy was cancelled by the current carrier because the company decided to no longer insure municipal groups.  The policy was replaced with a different carrier- Bituminous.  There were no changes made to the contract and the premium will remain the  same.

Glatfelter, the carrier for public liability insurance, has increased the premiums on the current   coverage.  A new division of the current company will be handling this coverage.

Commissioner Alger stated coverage for the new weed harvester should be added to the insurance policy.  Commissioner Alger will obtain the serial number and communicate the necessary  information to Commissioner Dow.

Commissioner David Bitter made the motion to approve the new insurance carriers, policies and premiums. Commissioner Alger seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

b). Discussion and approval of seasonal worker’s hourly pay increases and posted descriptions of   downtime/overtime hours/pay and seasonal work.

Commissioner Alger asked Stewart (Weed Harvesting Supervisor) to write job descriptions for the weed harvesting positions (seasonal).  Alger provided a handout which included a Weed Harvesting Program outline and job descriptions for the harvesting positions- all prepared by Stewart Alger.

Action Item:  Job descriptions/titles and the Weed Harvesting Program will be added to next month’s agenda for further review.

Commissioner Alger asked the group to review a 50¢ raise for the Weed Harvesting employees and a 4% raise for the Weed Harvesting supervisor.  The group supported the raise.  President Bitter asked Commissioner Alger to report at the next meeting the current wages of all employees.

Commissioner Dick Dow made the motion to approve the pay increases for the Weed Harvesting  Employees- 50¢ for the workers, 4% for the supervisor. Commissioner Skotarzak seconded the motion  and the motion passed unanimously.

There was discussion regarding the Weed Harvesting Program, which was prepared by Stewart Alger, Weed Harvesting Supervisor, and potentially sharing it with newspapers, the LBMD website and other communication forms.

Bob Nauta agreed to review the Weed Harvesting Program.

Commissioner Alger reported he was approached by the owner of a lake clean-up service.  The business owner would like to charge residents for weed clean up and dispose the weeds in the same area as the LBMD harvester.  There was a group discussion regarding the liability of the situation.   It was stated that communication has to be very clear on what can be picked up and where it may be disposed of.

c). Discussion and approval of authorization of recurring payments for utilities and gasoline.  Commissioner Dow reported there are a few bills which are minimal but require monthly attention.  The group discussed giving Commissioner Dow authorization to establish online payment plans for recurring bills/payments under $100.  The group also discussed giving Accountant Paul Nyffeler authorization to make payments on small bills during the winter months.

Action Item:  Commissioner Dow will report back on this issue at next month’s meeting.

7. Commissioner/Public Comments:

Commissioner Stacey reported there are several cases where lake property homeowners (specifically Lake Beulah) are being fined by the county because they (homeowner/landscaping company) are not obtaining permits to do shoreline work.  There are many concerns regarding this issue.  President Bitter will communicate this concern at the next town board meeting.

Action Item:  Zoning permits pertaining to shoreline work will be added to next month’s agenda.

Jerry Tarman Ramcheck spoke briefly regarding the Beulah Bog and the Kettle Moraine Land Trust.  He specifically asked for a Lake Beulah District Member to be the point person for communications  and discussions.

President Bitter stated the Lake Protection Association discussed Well #7 at their last meeting.  There was discussion regarding employing a lobbyist.  Bitter stated he will call the WI Lakes Association to find out who the lobbyist is for ground water protection legislation.

Item #8: Determine Next Regular Meeting

The next regular meeting will be on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

Open Session ended at 7:11 pm.

Item #9: Closed Session

Entertain a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. Section 19.85(1)(g) for the purposed of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or  written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is  or is likely to become involved regarding the high capacity well litigation.  Possible action may be   taken as a result of such conferring.

Legal council was absent since there was nothing to discuss and therefore did not go into Closed Session.

Item #10:  Adjourn

With no further business, Commissioner Stan Alger made the motion to adjourn the meeting,   Commissioner David Skotarzak seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Sweet, Administrative Services