Avian Committee Meeting — Minutes

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. 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