Avian Committee Meeting — Agenda Packet

October 13, 2026 Avian Committee Agenda 1 City of Lake Geneva, 626 Geneva St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-262.248.3673-www.cityoflakegeneva.gov Avian Committee Agenda Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - 6:00 PM Lake Geneva City Hall; Conference Room 2A (2nd Floor) Members: President: Sarah McConnell Beverly Leonard, Jill Rodriguez, Karen Gallo, Kelley Happ 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of the minutes from September 9, 2026 4. Comments from the public limited to 5 minutes, limited to items on this agenda 5. Discussion/Review Financial Reports and 2027 Operating Budget 6. Discussion/Recommendation regarding plaque for the Geneva Lake Museum relating to Swift Night Out Annual Event 7. Discussion/Action regarding revisiting the Avian Meeting Schedule 8. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Bird City Application 9. Discussion/Recommendations regarding Annual Events and Initiatives a. Swift Night Out - Wrap up report b. Avian Educational Activities – World Migratory Bird Day c. Participation in the Christmas Parade of Trees at the Geneva Lake Museum 10. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Projects and Partnerships a. Hotel Birding Backpacks b. Purple Martin/Kestrel Houses c. Native plant project at Hillmoor 11. Adjournment A quorum of the Council may be present; however, no official Council action will be taken. Requests from persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the City Clerk’s office in advance so that the appropriate accommodations can be made. Page 1 of 3 Avian Committee Minutes Tuesday, September 8, 2026 6 p.m. Lake Geneva City Hall; Conference Room 2A Members: President – Sarah McConnell, Secretary – Kelley Happ Jill Rodriguez, and Karen Gallo and Beverly Leonard 1. Call to Order: 6:05 p.m. by Sarah McConnell 2. Roll Call. The following members were present: Sarah McConnell, Kelley Happ, Karen Gallo and Jill Rodriguez. Beverly Leonard was excused. 3. Approval of minutes from August 11, 2026 Motion: Rodriguez moved to accept the minutes, second by Gallo Voice Vote: Minutes approved 4. Comments from the Public: There were no public comments 5, 6. Review Financial Reports/Discussion Recommendation regarding 2027 Operating Budget Rodriguez presented a draft of the 2027 budget proposal, based on discussions last month of the committee’s needs and priorities, which included two additional Purple Martin houses for our growing bird population. Motion: Rodriguez moved that the Avian committee approve the proposed budget. Second by McConnell Voice Vote: Approved unanimously Action: Rodriguez will forward the Avian Committee’s 2027 proposed budget to the comptroller 7. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Policy and Ordinance Initiatives a. Exterior Lighting and Dark Sky Initiatives. See item 8b b. Climate related topics pertaining to birds. No discussion at this time 8. Discussion/Recommendations regarding Annual Events and Initiatives: a. Swift Night Out: Plans are set for Swift Night Out, Sept. 10 at the Geneva Lake Museum b. Avian Educational Activities Brief discussion about potential activities in May, including the importance of continuing with our Dark Skies education, possibly including this in World Migratory Bird Day plans. Happ will reach out to Geneva Lake Conservancy about their bird walk at Bromley Woods c. Participation in the Christmas Parade of Trees. Rodriguez reported that she sent in the application to participate in the Christmas Parade of Trees event at the Geneva Lake Museum 9. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Projects and Partnerships: a. Hotel Birding Backpacks: b. Purple Martin/ Kestrel houses: Purple Martins - Gallo updated activity at our Martin houses, including Phase 1 cleaning completed. The next step is power washing, then prepping the houses for spring. She also reported that we need to replace several of the interior boxes which are worn out and broken. Maintenance/repair items are included in the 2027 proposed budget. Kestrel House – Installed and waiting for a nesting family next spring. c. Native Plant Grant Project Report: Plants are looking great. Grateful for the rains, which means no more carrying water to the site. McConnell installed wire cages around some plants to keep deer from feeding. 9. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Happ, second by Rodriguez Voice vote carried at 6:45 p.m. Page 2 of 3 Respectfully submitted Kelley Happ Secretary, Avian Committee Page 3 of 3