July 15, 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes

  2023 Annual Meeting

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE BLACKWATER LAKE ASSOC.

          July 15, 2023

The Annual meeting of the members of the Blackwater Lake Association, hereinafter referred to as “BLA”, was held on the above date at 9:00 a.m. at Woodrow Town Hall. 52 members were present including board members, Lloyd Thielmann, Carolyn Dindorf, Dodi Sletten, Barbie Laughlin, Becky Seemann, Tim Marr, Scott Agre, and Shannon Klundt.  Brian Roos and Rick Zbikowski were also present as board members elect. 

                                                         Call to Order

Lloyd Thielmann, Board chair called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. with an opening statement welcoming the members back after a hiatus of no annual meeting last year due to Covid-19 precautions. He thanked the members, the board and committees, and the volunteers and encouraged members to serve our great lake by serving on our board and by volunteering.  He also noted that anything that is brought to the board’s attention is discussed at the board meetings. He encouraged members to join MLR (Minnesota Lakes and Rivers) who are our advocates with the MN legislature to protect our waters. He also talked about high powered boat owner and asked the owners to be aware of where they are on the lake and where they are from a distance perspective to children, other boats, the shoreline, and wild life habitat. He mentioned the email that went out to members about boat etiquette that was published by the DNR.   

Becky Seemann presented a Blackwater Lake photo collage and wall hanging to Lloyd for all the numerous years he has the volunteered at various board positions and as our chairman – led the BLA association board. Many many thanks Lloyd!!

         Approval of Agenda

The agenda was distributed prior to the meeting via Blackwater Blurb and email and copies were also available at the meeting. Lloyd asked the floor if there were any additions to the agenda. There were no additions from the floor and upon motion duly made and seconded, the agenda was unanimously approved.  

                 Approval of Prior Minutes

The minutes of the 2021 annual meeting were posted on the BLA website and were made available at the meeting by Secretary, Dodi Sletten.  Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes were unanimously approved.

              Guest Speakers

Lloyd introduced our guest speaker – Jeff Woodford – Cass County Environmental Services Director – who spoke about septic systems rules and care. He educated the members on setbacks, depth requirements for the drain field, the types and sizes of septic systems based on number of bedrooms, requirements for a new build and the aging of septic systems in existing properties. He also spoke to the inspection process when selling your property or when adding an addition. He recommended that all septic systems be pumped every 2 -3 years in the spring. Too much toilet bowl cleaner, toxic products, grease, or medicines can damage the bacteria in the system and cause damage long term to the septic system. He also recommended spacing out washing clothes, toilet bowl cleaning, and other heavy septic use to different days of the week.  Staying off mound systems is highly recommended. Planting vegetation is not harmful but avoid planting trees on the system as deep roots could make their way into the system at any point. Members asked a number of questions including outdoor shower use, how to determine a failing system and if a homeowner can replace a septic with a new one in the existing space.  Jeff provided brochures covering what he talked about and his contact information and encouraged members to contact him on any questions or future planning for their property.     

Lloyd introduced Becky Seemann who spoke about ‘Say No to One Use Plastics’. Becky educated the   members on the state of the state initially based on an article she read in a 2018 National Geographic Magazine titled ‘Planet or Plastics’ which then formed the base of her knowledge and education on the use of plastics.  She informed the members that only 5-10% of plastics are actually recycled and that China is no longer taking our plastics for recycling. She presented some pictures of large landfill dumps with stockpiles of plastic waste. She talked of the dangers to marine and wildlife. She also noted that unlike the US, Europeans use other reusable bags and other non-plastic methods when going to shop or market. Becky presented alternatives for existing plastic packaged product containers including laundry soap, household cleaners, dish soap, toilet bowl cleaners, and compostable zip bags. She recommended carrying eating utensils and  a stainless steel straw to save on plastics use at restaurants as well as you own carry out container for leftovers.  Becky was available to answer questions after the meeting.     

          Treasurer’s Report

Outgoing Treasurer Linda Burns provided the Treasurers report which Lloyd presented on the highlights and summary  for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. The beginning balance at the start of July 1st 2022 was $4,105.97 in the General Fund including $790 in walleye stocking donations. The current balance in the General Fund as of June 30, 2023 is at $7,336.12 with $3,235 of that designated for the walleye fund. All expenses have been taken care of in this balance. The Lake Protection Fund had a balance of $11,886.42 at the start of July 1, 2022 and as of June 30th, 2023 has a balance of $15,222.26. Lloyd gave a brief history of past expenses including bog removal at a cost of $17,000 and noted the board will be looking to put some of the lake protection funds into CD’s.

 Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Treasurers Report was unanimously approved.

Auditor’s Report

Brian Roos completed an audit of the books and reported all was in balance.

                                                            In Remembrance

A moment of silence was held in remembrance of friends who are no longer with us.  Fred Nutz, Loretta Fredricks, Gary Ginder, Lou Branca, Tom Tiemens, John Ward, Court Lechert, and Claus Peukert were remembered.

         Committee Reports

  1. 4th of July Parade: There were 10 watercraft that participated in this year’s boat parade. The rainy weather factored into the low number of boats in the parade. The Gardell family won with a hockey rink theme.
  2. Beaver Control: Lloyd Thielmann reported that our beaver control contractor has done a very thorough job. He reported the removal of 26 beavers from May 1-July1st. The dam is being allowed to be built back up again to maintain water levels but will be treated again in the fall.  
  3. Lake Water Quality Report: Jim Sletten talked about the process he goes through to test the water and to get the clarity readings. He noted that we use RMB labs to test and track the results.  He had physical copies of the trends for anyone who was interested in seeing the results and also told the members of the RNB site they could access and look at the trends at any time. He reported that overall the lake looks to be in good shape with no significant changes. He also mentioned an interesting fact he learned from our DNR representative that clear lakes warm up faster than cloudy or dirty water lakes. The sun penetrates clear lake faster and warms to the bottom.
  4. Membership report: Lloyd reported a total of 114 members or the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Previous membership years were at 131, 117,138,142. Lloyd asked members to talk with their neighbors and encourage them to become a members of the lake association.
  5. Fishing Committee report: Lloyd reported that the Walleye fish stocking fund is close to $5,000. He also noted the plan was to purchase fish to stock this year but were unable to do obtain fish. 
  6. Seedlings Report: Pat McKee reported this year’s seedlings program had 18 households who took advantage of the program. With a budget of $400, she purchases the seedlings from Cass County Soil and Conservation District. She indicated that many who participate are repeat customers. She also noted that the stock is getting limited and smaller in size while experiencing a 30% increase in price. She also reported that some orders are not picked up which is a cost to the lake association. After deliberation and vote from the board, it was decided to end the seedlings programs but will provide a link to the Cass County Soil and Conservation District on the BLA website.     
  7.  AIS and Boat cleaning tools: Carolyn spoke about the AIS volunteers and early detection process and    asked anyone who is volunteering to stand and be recognized. She presented a map of the lake with the areas and current volunteers who look for signs of invasive species and noted that there was a need for a new volunteer in zone 4.  Kelly and Pam Gothier volunteered to cover that area. Carolyn will work with them to educate them on what to look for and noted she had a kit in her car to for their use. Carolyn talked to what we currently have in the lake including Rusty Crayfish, and Chinese and Banded Mystery snails. She talked about the invasive species that are damaging to lakes including Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Milfoil, and Starry Stonewort. She mentioned a native aquatic plant-Chara- that we have in our lake that can be a nuisance but is not invasive.  

    Lloyd reported that the board had voted to purchase boat cleaning tools with the assistance of funding from ACCL. They were installed last week at the Blackwater boat launch and a second set will be installed at the Lake Haven boat launch. The tools include a grabber, plug wrench, brush and an aqua weed stick for the use of boaters before leaving the launch. Lloyd noted that not many boaters have been seen using the tools and asked for anyone who might want to volunteer to be at the boat launch to help educate folks on how to use them.

Board of Directors Election

  1. The board of directors nominated the following for election. 
  2. Shannon Klundt (Chairperson-3 year term)
  3. Brian Roos (Treasurer-3 year term)
  4. Tim Marr (Director-2 year term)
  5. Scott Agre (Director 2 year term)
  6. Rick Zbikowski (Director at large-1 year term)

A motion was duly made and seconded, the nominations were closed as there were none from the floor and the slate of directors nominated by the Board of directors was elected by unanimous acclimation.

     Cabin Coffee

  1.  Lloyd spoke about the Cabin coffee he and Terry hosted and they had a great turnout of 24 lake     owners and a very enjoyable time. The next cabin coffee is at Doug and Taimi Lieperts on August 11th.       

There being no further business to come before it, upon motion duly made and seconded, the               meeting was unanimously adjourned at 11:56 a.m.

Dated as of the date first written above.

____________________________________

Dodi Sletten, Secretary