LAKE BEULAH MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

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Following publication, the Lake Beulah Management District held its regular meeting at the East Troy Town Hall on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

Commissioners Present: Chairman David Bitter, Commissioners: Stan Alger, Doug Dorn, Richard Dow, and Rick Stacey

Absent:  Commissioner Dave Skotarzak and Commissioner Val Johnson

Also in Attendance:  8 Riparian Owners, Ray Fisher (Lake Beulah Protective Association), Bob Nauta (RJN Environmental Services) and Lisa Sweet (Administrative Services).

Chairman Bitter called the meeting to order at 6:57 pm.

Commissioner Rick Stacey made the request to discuss: Item #9- Walworth County Zoning Report on Input from Towns, Villages, and Lake Districts on Allowing Homes to be Rented for Vacation Purposes and possibly take action on the matter.

Commissioner Stacey reported Walworth County does not allow short term rentals (under 30 days) at this time.  Walworth County has sent communication to each Town, Village and Lake District asking for their opinion on the matter.  The county is expecting all correspondence to be received by the end of May and will make the determination after all opinions have been heard.  The Walworth County Zoning Committee will be discussing this issue during the regularly scheduled meeting in May and may or may not take action at that time.

LBMD is in favor changing the ordinance to allow residents to obtain Conditional Use Permits for short term rentals of their homes.

Chairman Bitter made a motion to officially support changing the ordinance to allow residents to option Conditional Use Permits for short term rentals of their homes by drafting a letter and sending it to Walworth County and the Town of East Troy, Commissioner Stan Alger seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Rick Stacey excused himself from the meeting at 7:05 pm.

Item #1:  Approve the Meeting Minutes February 25, 2010 Regular Meeting

The group reviewed the minutes and determined there were no changes to be made.

Chairman Dave Bitter made a motion to accept the minutes from February 25, 2010 meeting, Commissioner Dick Dow 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 March 2010 and the Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2010.

Treasurer Dow made a few comments on the reports.

On the Profit and Loss Statement (under Tax Revenue), LBMD received the lottery credit of $1,705 and it will be added to the budget next month.

A payment was made to the Wisconsin State Lab for the amount due.

Since the line of credit has been exhausted, Treasurer Dow has filed the papers to obtain another line of credit of $150,000 and is communicating with the bank regarding this matter.

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

Item #3: Lake Management Plan and Grant Update and possibly take action on the matter.

Mr. Bob Nauta reported on the Lake Beulah Management Plan.  Earlier in the week, Mr. Nauta emailed LBMD a draft copy of the report.  This report will be completed within the next two weeks and will meet the DNR deadline for the 5 year permit.

A copy of this report is on file with the Lake Beulah Management District and will be posted on the internet upon its completion.

The final report will be discussed at the next Lake Beulah Protective Association Meeting which is on May 15, 2010.

Commissioner Alger reported that a copy of the Aquatic Plant Management Plan is to be included with the grant application for the weed cutter.  The grant is due by May 1, 2010.  Mr. Bob Nauta stated he would finish the survey and forward to Commissioner Alger prior to May 1, 2010.

Chairperson Dow made the motion to approve the Lake Management Plan document with the necessary changes and additions. Commissioner Alger seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Nauta asked LBMD for a copy of the last Aquatic Plant Management Report.  The Lake Beulah Protective Association has a copy of this report and forward to Mr. Nauta.

Action Item: LBMD will obtain a copy of the last Aquatic Plant Management Report from the Lake Beulah Protective Association and forward to Mr. Bob Nauta.

Mr. Nauta stated that the Lake Management Plan grant expired on June 30, 2009 and therefore the DNR will not pay fees acquired after that date.  Mr. Nauta thought there may be a grant extension available to include costs acquired until December 31, 2009.

The grant which covered lake monitoring has been paid.

Item #4: Weed Harvest/Equipment Status Report and possible take action on the matter.

Commissioner Alger reported the weed harvesting crew from last year will be returning this year.  In May, Stan Alger will prepare the equipment for use.  As of this time, the cutter bar on the harvester needs some work.

Item #5: Septic Status Report and Possibly take action on the matter.

Chairman Bitter stated septic pumping will start again in May.  This is the last year of the contract with the current pumping outfit.

Action Item:  At the next LBMD meeting, Commissioner Stacey will report on the state of the county’s septic pumping take over.

Item #6 Boundary Issue Status Report and Subcommittee Discussion and possibly take action on the matter:

Resident John Stoss of New Deal Drive, reported on the outcome of the meeting with residents.  Mr. Stoss stated there were two meetings with New Deal residents.  Commissioner Dow attended each meeting.  Mr. Stoss stated residents are concerned with two issues: (1) Choice of becoming part of the LBMD (2) Choice of septic pumper.

Mr. Stoss stated that after several discussions with residents of New Deal, the group as a whole does not want to be a part of Lake Beulah Management District.

Mrs. Stoss stated he would offer the use of his parking lot for weed removal.

There was a group discussion regarding weed cutting in the area.  According to the DNR, a waterway may be cut in areas such as these. However, the weed cutter cannot cut below one foot off the ground.  There was discussion regarding Milfoil in the area.  If Milfoil is an issue in this area, LBMD would need to request a permit from the DNR to chemically treat milfoil.

Commissioner Alger commented on the state of Milfoil in Lake Beulah.  He stated according to the DNR, the growth of Milfoil has leveled off at this point and chemically treating is not necessary at this time.  Mr. Bob Nauta will be including comments about the state of Milfoil in Lake Beulah in his Aquatic Plant Management Report.

Chairman Bitter would like to keep this agenda item on the list for the next meeting to continue discussions.

Action Item: Chairman Bitter would like to have “Discussion of Milfoil Growth” added to the next meeting agenda for group discussion.

Item #7: Increase of Boat Launch Fee for LBMD use for Protection Costs of Lake Beulah

Chairman Dave Bitter reported the DNR has set a limit of $10.25 per boat launch.  Lake Beulah is currently at $10 per launch.  As of this time, this may not be changed.  Commissioner Dow stated the DNR does have grant money available for a pressure washer, but the DNR will not allow for someone to be paid to wash the boats.  The boat owner would be responsible for washing their boat prior to launching.

Item #8: Discuss Appointing a Legislative Committee for Work on SB620 and AB844 and possibly take action on the matter.

Mr. Bob Nauta commented on the proposed bills.  The first bill discussed pertains to ground water management and who has control when it comes to water usage.  The second bill applies to high capacity wells and the process in which they are built.  The bill suggests applicants must provide public notice of construction and anyone may challenge it.

The group agreed it may be best to meet with other Lake Districts to discuss these topics.

Action Item:  Chairperson Bitter suggested a subcommittee be formed. He asked all board members to gather a list of potential committee members. This list of names will be discussed during the next LBMD meeting.

Item #9: This item was discussed at the beginning of the meeting (Zoning Report from Commissioner Rick Stacey)

Item #10: Status Report on Well #7 and possibly take action on the matter.

Attorney Dean P. Laing is excused and not present at this meeting since there is nothing to report on the state of the law suits.

Mr. Bob Nauta presented the board with handouts illustrating the water usage from Well #7.  Mr.Nauta commented that at this time, the well is using a lot less water than approved for.

Item #11: Commissioner/Public Comments:

There were no commissioner or public comments.

Item#12: Determine Next Regular Meeting:

The group confirmed the next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the East Troy Town Hall.

Item #13: Adjourn Open Session to convene in Closed Session, pursuant to Wis. Stats 19.85 (1) (e) & (g)  Legal council was absent.

Chairman Bitter moved to adjourn the regular meeting, Commissioner Dow seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. With no further business, Chairman Bitter adjourned to the closed session at 7:59 pm in accordance as stated above.

Item #14: Re-convene to Open Session to consider and act upon any matters discussed in Closed Session.

The board returned to open session at 8:30 pm.

Item #15: Adjourn

Chairman Bitter made the motion to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Alger seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:31 pm.