Rice Lake Area Association, Inc.

2006 Annual Meeting Minutes

April 26, 2006

Meeting was held in the semi-private meeting room at Angeno's Restaurant in Maple Grove. Called to order by President Chuck Berger at 7:20 p.m. after an informal buffet dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.

Board Members present: Chuck Berger, Steve Cady, George Schneider, Tom Dechmann, Wade Quale, Rich Von Lehe, Nika Rybinski, Eric Lind., Jami Stromberg. A quorum was met (9 of 14 directors).

22 RLAA households 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 interact 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.

Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP): The drawdown conducted 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 end 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 be 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 appropriate authorities (DNR and City of Maple Grove). Valid plant surveys will be necessary to support a drawdown request (these will be discussed and voted on later in the meeting by the Board members).

Aerator Update: The aerator was not run 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 2nd aerator in the future, whenever low oxygen levels deem it necessary (typically when a drawdown is done).

Algae Treatments: Algae resurfaced in 2005 for the 2nd season in a row. A bloom of floating blue-green algae (known as "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae"), became a problem 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 enough 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 applications 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 2nd. There was a noticeable difference in water quality (smell and visibility) after the application. Unfortunately, the treatment is only good for each bloom and not for an entire season. We will need to be able to respond and act more quickly if future treatments are to be conducted.

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 Steve 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 amount collected in dues was down by $500. We are hoping the increase in dues rates, plus getting more members, will better enable us to support the lake and its needs.

Treasurer's Report (Steve Cady, Treasurer)

Income Statement

1-1-05 thru 12-31-05

INCOME

RLAII income

bank interest

$ 64.90

Dues

$3,400.00

MG reimbursement

$2,500.00

TOTAL INCOME

$5,964.90

EXPENSES

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

$10,876.31

TOTAL INCOME LESS EXPENSES

-4,911.41

Balance Sheet

Thru 12-31-05

ASSETS

Cash and Bank Accounts

RLAAI checking

$4,237.70

RLAAI Savings

$9,938.90

TOTAL Cash and Bank Accounts

14,176.60

Other Assets

RLAAI Aerator

688.00

RLAAI Weed Rakes

0.00

TOTAL Other Assets

688.00

TOTAL Assets

14,864.60

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

LIABILITIES

0.00

TOTAL OVERAL

14,864.60

Election of Directors

Terms expired this year for 4 members (Jim Malone, Roger Olson, Bob Cremers and Wade Quale). Bob 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 effective 2006-2009:

·         Jim Kridel (14056 95th Avenue North)

·         Molly Kridel (14056 95th Avenue North)

·         Rick Stulac (13870 95th Avenue North)

·         Joni Stulac(13870 95th Avenue North)

Current Board of Directors includes:

Chuck Berger (president)    Steve Cady (Treasurer)       George Schneider (Secretary)            Wade Quale          Eric Lind

Rich Von Lehe                      Nika Rybinski                       Tom Dechmann                                    Jami Stromberg     Mark Mitchell

Matthew Coumbe                                Jim Kridel                               Molly Kridel                                          Rick Stulac            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) Update 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 entire 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 zone 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 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 Schneider 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 expired 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 plan (similar to the City version) and made recommendations on what action to take.

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

Projects in 2005-2006:

Aquatic Plant Management surveys

Required by DNR to authorize weed treatments (drawdown, chemical, etc.)

City of Maple Grove no longer paying for surveys by Blue Water 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 proposal 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 effective 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 recommended 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 - Cornmeal and/or Barley Straw. This has been tried in local small lakes/ponds with 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 streams in South Africa 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 Straw as an algae deterrent and see how it can be applied in Rice Lake.

Possible Projects in 2006:

Plant Inventory

What types of plants do we have in the lake? 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 regular 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 some 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 months.

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

George Schneider 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 Floating 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

Completed projects in 2006

Water Oriented Accessory structure setbacks - Discussed and made recommendations to City Council to allow more leniency 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 1st year fluridone treatment

Rice Lake CLP population was down - was that result of 2nd year from drawdown?

Visit the LQC at:

http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/boards_commissions/commitee_info_pages/lake_quality_commission.htm

Fishing Update

A brief fishing update 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 learn 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 occur 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 the 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 adjourned at 9:10. Numerous attendees stayed after the meeting to socialize.