RLAA Board Meeting                                                                                               April 8, 2008

Start at 7:00 pm

Agenda

Meeting called to order at 7:10 by President Chuck Berger

Directors present: Chuck Berger, Steve Cady, George Schneider, Eric Lind, Molly Kridel, Jim Kridel, Rick Stulac, Joni Stulac, Jami Stromberg, Tom Dechmann, Wade Quale, Nika Rybinski

Directors absent: Mark Mitchell (temporarily out of state), Matthew Coumbe

Guest Present: James Johnson from Freshwater Scientific Services

Rice Lake/Elm Creek Update (James Johnson)

Elm Creek Impaired waters update

Since Elm Creek has been declared an Impaired Water by the state, it is only a matter of time before Rice Lake is also recognized likewise.

Creek impact on Rice Lake

Elm Creek is a large source for phosphorous introduced into Rice Lake

Nutrients

Ideally would like to knock down nutrient levels, which lead to phosphorous production

Overall water quality

Would be much better with plant growth, which in turn will knock down algae levels

Other

James suggested setting up Carp Exclosures, which would consist of fenced off areas in the lake where Carp are removed to help determine if plants will grow. Since Rice Lake is low in plant growth (native and non-native), we need to increase this to reduce algae. Plants will absorb the nutrients which contribute to algae blooms.

Lake Management Plan update

Projects for 2008

Aquatic Plant Survey ($3,000) - Steve McComas

Fish Survey ($5,000) - Steve McComas

Barley Straw in test area to reduce Algae growth ($1,100) - Steve McComas

Nutrient Release in Sediment Study ($3,000) - James Johnson

Monitor Storm Water Pond effectiveness ($1,000) - James Johnson

James may support the volunteers measuring the sediment and help analyze data

Volunteers to work with City Engineering to insure ponds to specifications

Storm Water Inflow Monitoring (city paid) - James Johnson

Temperature and Water Level Monitoring (city paid) - James Johnson

Copper Sulfate Treatment (+$8,200) - Only if absolutely necessary

Sentiment is that this treatment is short-lived "band-aid" that is costly. Do we want to keep doing this each year?

Planning for Annual Association Meeting in May

Location

Angeno's in Maple Grove (off Elm Creek Blvd)

Date/Time

Tuesday, May 6

Buffet style (salad, pizza, bread, pop) begins at 6:15

Meeting begins at 7:00

Meeting Agenda

Being written by George Schneider to be approved by Board

Guest Speakers?

Steve McComas has agreed to present an Rice Lake update

Steve usually receives a fee of about $100 for speaking engagements

Should we some Sub-Committees to spread the workload around the Board of Directors?

Financial

Media Relations - Help publicize RLAA to local residents and government

Jami Stromberg volunteered to be on this new committee

Fisheries

Environment

Recreational

Lake Cleanup day?

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22 (http://ww2.earthday.net/)

City of Maple Grove will do their Curbside Pickup on Saturday, April 28.

Molly Kridel to check if there is a unified cleanup event and how RLAA can participate

Dues Collections

If we cannot force residents to pay dues, how can we encourage them?

We need to increase dues to cover our costs. We have been spending more than taking in the past several years.

Molly K. recommended increasing lakeshore owners from $100 to $125

Board approved unanimously

Wade Q. recommended increasing lake view owners from $50 to $60

Board approved unanimously

Need to insure if they use the lake, the pay their dues

Molly K's idea about a sign at boat launch only for RLAA Paying Members

Chuck will check with Dick (ramp owner) to see if he will allow us to put up a sign reminding that the launch is only for dues paying members.

Eric will work on getting a sign designed and implemented (with Dick's approval)

Other ideas?

Send annual dues notices to the Government entities who own lakeshore property. Maybe charge $500 per entity?

Joni Stulac to check on which entities should be billed

Officer Positions

Should we elect these positions each year?

President

Chuck Berger chose to resign after serving many years in both the Vice President and later President capacity

Eric Lind was nominated and elected

Secretary

George Schneider to stay on

Treasurer

Steve Cady chose to resign after many years of service to RLAA. His dedication and service will be missed.

Rick Stulac was nominated and elected

Other?

RLAA Newsletter

Should we do one to be included in Dues/Meeting notice?

Didn't really address this issue in the meeting

Can this be part of the Media Relations sub-committee?

Summer Party

Yes, conduct one earlier this year before school is out

May 31 (1st Saturday after Memorial Day) selected

Mention at the Annual Meeting and have a flyer available (Molly K.?)

Board Member Term expirations in 2008

Jami Stromberg

Mark Mitchell (would like to serve again)

Matthew Coumbe

Tom Dechmann

Other Business

Meeting adjourned at 9:40