Avian Committee Meeting — Agenda Packet

September 8, 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, September 8, 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 August 11, 2026 4. Comments from the public limited to 5 minutes, limited to items on this agenda 5. Review Financial Reports 6. Discussion/Recommendation regarding 2027 Operating Budget 7. Discussion/Recommendations regarding Policy and Ordinance Initiatives a. Exterior Lighting Standards and Dark Sky Ordinance Educational Opportunities b. Climate related topics pertaining to birds 8. Discussion/Recommendations regarding Annual Events and Initiatives a. Swift Night Out b. Avian Educational Activities c. Participation in the Christmas Parade of Trees at the Geneva Lake Museum 9. Discussion/Recommendations regarding Projects and Partnerships a. Hotel Birding Backpacks b. Purple Martin and Kestrel Houses c. Native plant project at Hillmoor 10. 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 5 Avian Committee Minutes Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 6 p.m. Lake Geneva City Hall; Conference Room 2A Members: President – Sarah McConnell, Secretary – Kelley Happ Jill Rodriguez, Beverly Leonard, Karen Gallo, and Alderperson Linda Frame 1. Call to Order: 6:05 p.m. by Sarah McConnell 2. Roll Call. The following members were present: Sarah McConnell, Kelley Happ, Beverly Leonard, Karen Gallo and Jill Rodriguez. Alderperson Frame was absent. Others present: David Winger 3. Approval of minutes from July 14, 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. Review Financial Reports Budget timeline: Avian 2027 Budget proposal is due to city clerk by September 8. On September 22 department heads will meet for review. Discussion: A suggestion was made to create a plaque for Geneva Lake Museum celebrating their participation in Swift Night Out. Rodriguez will prepare the 2027 budget proposal for the Sept. 8 deadline. The group talked about what the rest of the money in 2026 Operating would be spent on. Winger will get quotes for a bronze plaque to be mounted on the outside façade of the building; Rodriguez will contact Ken Etten about possible funding from the Historic Preservation Committee 6. Discussion/Recommendation regarding funding for additional Purple Martin houses in the 2027 budget Discussion about the success of the Martin houses and the need for more nesting holes: we had more than 80 fledglings this year, many of which will return next spring to find housing. Motion: Happ moved to include a request for $4000 for 2 additional Purple Martin houses in the 2027 budget proposal. Second by Gallo Vote: Unanimously approved 7. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Policy and Ordinance Initiatives a. Exterior Lighting and Dark Sky Initiatives Discussed the need to proceed with community education on the topic of Dark Skies. Rodriguez suggested that the Avian Committee focus on Dark Skies and the importance to birds, plants and humans as part of our Migratory Bird Day activities. We will provide information to the Building Department to include in their educational materials. b. Climate related topics pertaining to birds. No discussion at this time 8. Discussion/Recommendation Regarding Annual Events a. Swift Night Out: Plans are set for Swift Night Out, Sept. 10 at the Geneva Lake Museum Happ will prepare and order rack cards, yard signs and flyers and send publicity about the event to local and avian-related outlets. b. Christmas Parade of Trees. The Avian Committee agreed to participate in the Parade of Trees at the Geneva Lake Museum again this year. We will use our cardinal decorations. As a not-for-profit, we are not required to pay $100 to participate. Page 2 of 5 9. Projects and Partnerships Reports a. Hotel Birding Backpacks Baker House has requested a birding backpack. Rodriguez will contact them. Happ will contact Maxwell Mansion to see if they are interested in participating. b. Purple Martin/ Kestrel houses 1. Purple Martins - Leonard updated activity in our Martin houses - and reported full houses and a very successful program. Birds have already begun their migration and are gone along our lakefront. 2. Kestrel House – Installed and waiting for a nesting family next spring. c. Native Plant Grant McConnell sent a report about our native plant collaboration to Wisconsin Bird City and it was featured on their web page. 10. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Rodriguez, second by Happ Voice vote carried at 7:20 p.m. Next Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday, September 8 at 6 pm in Conference Room 2 A. Respectfully submitted Kelley Happ Secretary, Avian Committee Page 3 of 5 CITY OF LAKE GENEVA Finance Worksheet - Budget vs Actual PY-Avian Committee Page: 1 Period: 08/26 Sep 01, 2026 12:53PM 2025-25 2025-25 Variance % of Prior year Prior year Current year Budget Account Number Account Title Actual Budget GENERAL FUND MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUS 11-70-00-47300 AVIAN DONATIONS .00 250.00 250.00 .00 Total MISCELLANEOUS: .00 250.00 250.00 .00 MISCELLANEOUS 11-70-00-57800 AVIAN COMMITTEE EXPENSES 3,191.31 4,100.00 908.69 77.84 Total MISCELLANEOUS: 3,191.31 4,100.00 908.69 77.84 Total MISCELLANEOUS: 3,191.31 4,350.00 1,158.69 73.36 GENERAL FUND Revenue Total: .00 250.00 250.00 .00 GENERAL FUND Expenditure Total: 3,191.31 4,100.00 908.69 77.84 Net Total GENERAL FUND: 3,191.31- 3,850.00- 658.69- 82.89 Net Grand Totals: 3,191.31- 3,850.00- 658.69- 82.89 Page 4 of 5 CITY OF LAKE GENEVA Detail Ledger - Avian Committee Page: 1 Period: 08/26 - 08/26 Sep 01, 2026 12:56PM Reference Account Debit Credit Date Journal Number Payee or Description Number Amount Amount Balance AVIAN DONATIONS 07/31/2026 (07/26) Balance 11-70-00-47300 .00 08/31/2026 (08/26) Period Totals and Balance .00 * .00 * .00 YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual .00 Total .00 YTD Budget -250.00 Unearned 250.00 AVIAN COMMITTEE EXPENSES 07/31/2026 (07/26) Balance 11-70-00-57800 2,092.74 08/26/2026 AP 726 COPIES & PRINTS PLUS LLC 208.00 **Desc: CORAPLAS SIGNS,STAKES,RACK CARDS 08/31/2026 (08/26) Period Totals and Balance 208.00 * .00 * 2,300.74 YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual 2,300.74 Total 2,300.74 YTD Budget 3,500.00 Unexpended 1,199.26 AVIAN COMMITTEE DONATION EXP 07/31/2026 (07/26) Balance 11-70-00-57810 .00 08/31/2026 (08/26) Period Totals and Balance .00 * .00 * .00 YTD Encumbrance .00 YTD Actual .00 Total .00 YTD Budget .00 Unexpended .00 Number of Transactions: 1 Number of Accounts: 3 Debit Credit Proof Total GENERAL FUND: 208.00 .00 208.00 Number of Transactions: 1 Number of Accounts: 3 Debit Credit Proof Grand Totals: 208.00 .00 208.00 Page 5 of 5