Rice Lake Area Association, Inc

Rice Lake Area Association, Inc.

2006 Annual Meeting Minutes

April 26, 2006

Meeting was h= eld in the semi-private meeting room at Angeno's Resta= urant in Maple Grove. Called to order by President Chuck Berger at 7:20 p.m. after an informal bu= ffet dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.

Board Memb= ers present: Chuck Berger, Steve Cady, George Schneider, Tom Dechma= nn, Wade Quale, Rich Von Lehe, Nika Rybinski, Eric Lind., = Jami Stromberg. A quorum was met (9 of 14 direc= tors).

22 RLAA house= holds were represented (including Board Members) at the meeting in general attendance.

Kent Kiewatt representing the Friends of Elm Creek (FOEC) = was also present at the meeting to present what FOEC is and how they would inte= ract with RLAA.

Introductions

Introductions= were done by the Board Members to the members, due to the many new faces in the audience.

Presidents Report

Chuck Berger = gave a report on activities during the past year, including Curlyleaf Pondweed, Aerator and Algae Treatment updates and membership number concerns.

<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Curlyleaf Pondweed (CL= P): The drawdown conducte= d in 2004-2005 seemed to have a good impact on the reduced growth of CLP last season. Very little CLP was detected in the lake in 2005 and we are hoping = for a similar effect in the 2006 season. No plant surveys have been done on the lake since last fall, so we don’t know what the winter growth rate has been yet (since CLP does start growth during the winter and peaks by the en= d of May). The key will be seeing what comes up by the end of May this season to determine if treatments will be necessary. The most cost effective method of CLP treatment for Rice Lake continues to b= e the drawdown. If the Board determines a drawdown to be necessary in 2006-2007, = we will ask for approval from the lakeshore owners and pursue with the appropr= iate authorities (DNR and City of M= aple Grove). Valid plant surveys will be necessary to support a drawdown request (these will be discussed and voted on later in t= he meeting by the Board members).

<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Aerator Update:= The aerator was not r= un during the 2005-2006 winter, since a drawdown was not conducted and the DNR informed RLAA it was not necessary. The DNR did require that RLAA purchase = and run a 2^nd aerator in the future, whenever low oxygen levels deem= it necessary (typically when a drawdown is done).

<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Algae Treatments: Algae resurfaced in 2= 005 for the 2^nd season in a row. A bloom of floating blue-green algae (known as "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae"), became a prob= lem beginning in mid-June. Efforts were made by the Board to gain approval for herbicide treatment with Copper Sulfate, which required getting at least 50= % of the lakeshore residents to approve, then the DNR needed to OK a permit, and finally a contractor would apply the Copper Sulfate. A petition was drafted= and the Board members went door-to-door to get signatures. Many of the residents were not available or responding to our calls, but we were able to gain eno= ugh support for the DNR to grant the permit in July 13th. By July 18th, the contractor (Lake Restoration in Rogers, MN) was applying the first of 3 applic= ations to the lake (had to be done in smaller doses due to low O2 levels and lake depth). The applications had to be spaced apart by at least 1 week each, so= the final application was not completed until August 2^nd. There was a noticeable difference in water quality (smell and visibility) after the application. Unfortunately, the treatment is only good for each bloom and n= ot for an entire season. We will need to be able to respond and act more quick= ly if future treatments are to be conducted.

<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>RLAA Membership: We need to grow the membership to help pay for the various treatments that we need to apply to = our lake. In 2005, we paid almost twice as much as we brought in. Dues payments= for 2006 have been increased from $60 to $100 for Lakeshore residents; $40 to $= 50 for Lakeview residents. We also need to increase the number of contributors, which now consist of less then 35% of those who qualify in either category.=

Treasurers Report

Treasurer Ste= ve Cady discussed the 2005 Income and Balance statements to all those in attendance. For the first time in several years, the association's savings = account had to be tapped to pay for the algae treatment done in 2005. Also, the amo= unt collected in dues was down by $500. We are hoping the increase in dues rate= s, plus getting more members, will better enable us to support the lake and its needs.

Treasurer's Report (Steve Cady, Treasu= rer)

Income Statement

1-1-05= thru 12-31-05

INCOME

RLAII incom= e

bank interest

$ 64.90

Dues

$3,400.00

MG reimbursement

$2,500.00

TOTAL INCOME

$5,964= .90

EXPENSES

       &nbs= p;       RLAII expense:

      Aerator depreciation

$688.00

Algae treatment

$5,642.00

Bank charge

$25.00=

Drawdown

$2,026.72

Management plan

$1,875.00

Miscellaneous

$407.64

Postmaster

$148.00

Printing

$63.95

TOTAL RLAII expense

TOTAL EXPENSES

$10,87= 6.31

T= OTAL INCOME LESS EXPENSES

= -4,911.41

Balance Sheet

Thru 1= 2-31-05

ASSETS

Cash and= Bank Accounts

RLAAI checking

$4,237.70

RLAAI Savings

$9,938.90

TOTAL Cash and Bank Accounts

       &nbs= p;           14,176.60

Other As= sets

RLAAI Aerator

688.00

RLAAI Weed Rakes

0.00

TOTAL Other Assets

       &nbs= p;                688.00

<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>TOTAL Assets

       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           14,864.60

LIABILITIES & EQUITY<= /p>

LIABILITIES=

0.00

TOTAL OVERAL

       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;         14,864.60

Election of Directors

Terms expired= this year for 4 members (Jim Malone, Roger Olson, Bob Cremers and Wade Quale). B= ob and Roger chose not to seek reelection and Wade and Jim (in absentia) asked= to be retained for another 3-year term. Also, 4 residents volunteered to be serve as Directors on the Board for 3-year terms effec= tive 2006-2009:

·      =    Jim Kridel (14056 95^th Avenue North)

·      =    Molly Kridel (14056 95^th Avenue North)

·      =    Rick Stulac (13870 95^th Avenue North)

·      =    Joni Stulac(13870 95^th Avenue North)

Current Board of Directors includes:<= /span>

Chuck Berger (preside= nt)    Steve Cady (Treasurer)<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'>       George Schneider (Secretary)   &nbs= p;        Wade Quale      &n= bsp;   Eric Lind

Rich Von Lehe        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; Nika Rybinski      = ;            &n= bsp;    Tom Dechmann &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;         Jami Stromberg &= nbsp;   Mark Mitchell

Matthew Coumbe        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           Jim Kridel &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;    Molly Kridel &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =    Rick Stulac &nb= sp;          Joni Stulac

NOTE: There is no restriction on more than one family member being on the RLAA Board of Directors.

Friends of Elm Creek (FOEC) Upd= ate by Kent Kiewatt

Kent is the chairman/director of FOEC, which is a non-profit organization focused on preserving the Elm Creek Corridor, which extends along Elm Creek from its origination in Medina through the southwest corner of Maple Grove. This ent= ire area is presently eligible for residential development; FOEC would like to = see the cities affected update their comprehensive plans to allow this area to = be categorized as parkland and maintain an environmentally friendly buffer zon= e of 150' on either side of the creek. This will serve a two-fold purpose: 1) Preserve natural environment; and 2) Provide opportunity to create a scenic recreational trail connecting Elm Creek Park Reserve with points south of <= st1:City w:st=3D"on">Plymouth.

RLAA can help= by endorsing this plan concept and spreading the word to citizens. In turn, we= can all let our city council members know of our desire to retain this area as parkland and not develop it for residential housing.

A motion was = made from the floor to endorse the FOEC concept plan and a vote was conducted by= the Board/Members. The motion to endorse the FOEC concept plan was passed unanimously.

Lake= Management Plan Update

George Schnei= der provided a brief history of the Rice Lake Management Plan and where it is at today:

City had a plan for each of the Maple Grove lakes, but this plan e= xpired in 2003 and the city chose not to continue it.

RLAA hired a consultant in 2005, Jim Storland, from Environmental Lake Management Consultants, Inc. Jim wrote up a pl= an (similar to the City version) and made recommendations on what action = to take.

Revenue sourc= es to pay for the plan come from the RLAA funds plus valid Lake Improvement Proje= ct (LIP) funding granted by the City of Maple Grove (through the Lake Quality Commission). =

Projects in 200= 5-2006:

Aquatic Plant Management surveys=

Required by DNR to authorize weed treatmen= ts (drawdown, chemical, etc.)

City of Maple Grove no longer paying for surveys by Blue W= ater Science (Steve McComas)

2005 surveys conducted by Jim Storland did not meet DNR expectations

2006 survey proposal by Blue Water Science= for bid of $2,800.

DNR has already endorsed this survey prop= osal as meeting their standards

Motion made at this meeting to accept the= Blue Water Science plan as proposed

APPROVED - RLAA Board voted unanimously to hire Blue Water Science to conduct = 2006 surveys

Curlyleaf Pondweed control

Drawdown continues to be most cost effecti= ve method.

This year's dues statements have sign-off = for pre-approval of drawdown request if Board recommends it.

Algae control

If another herbicide treatment is recommen= ded by Board in 2006, show support by checking off the pre-approval box for chemical treatment in 2006 on the dues statement.
Alternative algae control methods - Cornme= al and/or Barley Straw. This has been tried in local small lakes/ponds w= ith success to curtail the bloom of floating algae.

Gerald Wichmann (9351 Dallas Lane N.) Discussed how he has seen Barley Straw alone do the trick for stream= s in South Africa<= /st1:place> hotel resorts. He suggested we pursue that avenue by putting in some bales of straw by points of entry into the lake (creek, Fish Lake, major storm drains?) = to see the effect. Cost should be relatively low and would be a great alternative to later chemical application if it works.

Action Item: RLAA Board will pursue getting more information on Barley S= traw as an algae deterrent and see how it can be applied in Rice Lake.

Possible Projec= ts in 2006:

Plant Inventory

What types of plants do we have in the lak= e? Are the natives making a comeback?

It was observed that not as many natives = in 2005 as in the past, but CLP was not present at all

Will natives eventually come back to regu= lar density levels?

Solar Bee aeration

Jerry Yunger (= 8615 Glacier Lane N.) mentioned something about this experimental aeration unit powered by = the sun. It was used in Lake Minnetonka to= help reduce algae growth. Did it work?

Action Item: Tom Dechmann of RLAA will do s= ome research on the Solar Bee and report back to the Board.

Lake= Quality Commission (LQC) Update

LQC commissioner George Schneider, who is the Rice Lake representative, gave a brief summary of activities during the past 12 month= s.

LQC is made up of 12 members, 1 from each o= f the 7 lakes and 5 at-large members. They are responsible for maintaining t= he links between the lake associations and the city. Members of the LQC a= re considered quasi-government employees.

George Schneider<= /st1:PersonName> is the Rice Lake commissioner

Completed projects in 2005

Participated in Joint Meeting with Maple Grove = City Council and Boards/Commissions
Fluridone treatment applied to Weaver Lake with hopes of reducing CLP in April
Letter to local lawn fertilizer retailers = sent to remind them of No Phosphorus law
Discussed changes to Swimming Raft and Flo= ating Trampolines ordinance
Native buffer strip completed at West Arbor Lake
Submitted LIP requests to City Council for $26,525 funding to cover $50,573 in June
Tour of Pike Lake in July
Tour of Fish Lake in August
Timber Creek Wetland Mitigation tour<= /o:p>

Completed projects in 2006

Water Oriented Accessory structure setback= s - Discussed and made recommendations to City Council to allow more leni= ency in hardship cases for storage near shorelines (February)
State of the Lakes report by Steve McComas (March)

Weaver Lake had very good water quality after 1^=
st year fluridone treatment
Rice Lake CLP population was down - was that resul= t of 2^nd year from drawdown?=

Visit the LQC at:
http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/board= s_commissions/commitee_info_pages/lake_quality_commission.htm

Fishing Update

A brief fishing updat= e was given by Director Wade Quale.

Largemouth bass and northern taken on lake = last year, as well as perch. Sunfish and crappies present in the creek. Bullheads and carp continue to be a nuisance throughout the lake.=
Question: How much damage to phosphorous distribution and water clarity do carp create?

We don't know at this time, but hope to le= arn more from Dr. Peter Sorenson, a biologist from the University of Minnesota who has worked with RLAA in the past.

Other 2006 Projects

Tree Planting project= (Rice Lake Reforestation Project) being undertaken by City of Maple Grove Parks Department along with the Three Rivers Park District. The planting will occ= ur on the far west corner of Rice Lake, near the area= where Elm Creek enters. The planting will be done by volunteers and members of th= e 2 organizations in mid-May. RLAA has volunteered to provide some help for one Saturday in late May/early June to mulch the new tree plantings. The work should take up to 3 hours of time. A signup sheet was passed at the meeting= and 10 members have signed up so far. The exact date for the mulch work will be communicated as soon as the City completes the actual planting and lines up= the mulch delivery.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjou= rned at 9:10. Numerous attendees stayed after the meeting to socialize.<= /span>

	Income Statement
	1-1-05= thru 12-31-05
INCOME
	RLAII incom= e
	bank interest	$ 64.90
	Dues	$3,400.00
	MG reimbursement	$2,500.00
	TOTAL INCOME	$5,964= .90
EXPENSES
	&nbs= p; RLAII expense:
	Aerator depreciation	$688.00
	Algae treatment	$5,642.00
	Bank charge	$25.00=
	Drawdown	$2,026.72
	Management plan	$1,875.00
	Miscellaneous	$407.64
	Postmaster	$148.00
	Printing	$63.95
	TOTAL RLAII expense
	TOTAL EXPENSES	$10,87= 6.31
	T= OTAL INCOME LESS EXPENSES	= -4,911.41

	Balance Sheet
	Thru 1= 2-31-05
ASSETS
	Cash and= Bank Accounts
	RLAAI checking	$4,237.70
	RLAAI Savings	$9,938.90
	TOTAL Cash and Bank Accounts	&nbs= p; 14,176.60
	Other As= sets
	RLAAI Aerator	688.00
	RLAAI Weed Rakes	0.00
	TOTAL Other Assets	&nbs= p; 688.00
	<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>TOTAL Assets	&nbs= p; &= nbsp; 14,864.60
LIABILITIES & EQUITY<= /p>
	LIABILITIES=	0.00
	TOTAL OVERAL	&nbs= p; &= nbsp; 14,864.60