Avian Committee Meeting — Minutes

Avian Committee Minutes Tuesday, July 14, 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 Alderperson Linda Frame. Jill Rodriguez was excused, Victoria Ross has resigned Others present: David Winger 3. Approval of minutes from June 9, 2026 Motion: Leonard 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: No new report 6. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Policy and Ordinance Initiatives: a. Exterior Lighting Standards/Dark Sky Ordinance Ross, our lead person on the Dark Sky Ordinance has resigned. McConnell agreed to talk with her about our next steps to further this ordinance. b. Climate related topics pertaining to birds. No discussion at this time 7. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Annual Events and Initiatives: a. Swift Night Out: Date is Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Geneva Lake Museum. McConnell reported that the Swift Working Group in Wisconsin wants to help publicize our event. Happ will work on publicity and flyers. McConnell suggested an historic site plaque for the Museum on next month’s agenda. b. Avian Educational Activities: Discussed the need to provide more public education for our very successful Purple Martin houses 8. Discussion/Recommendation regarding Projects and Partnerships: a. Hotel Birding Backpacks: Baker House has requested a birding backpack. Agreed to ask Rodriguez to contact them b. Purple Martin/Kestrel houses: Purple Martins - Leonard updated activity in our Martin houses - and reported full houses and a very successful program. She requested we add an item on next month’s agenda regarding earmarking money for two more Martin houses in our budget next year. Kestrel House –Public Works installed the base post; Larry and Kelley Happ worked with Kevin Dickey of the Lakeland Audubon Society to install the new house. c. Native Plant Project at Hillmoor: A variety of ninety specially selected and donated native plants were dug into our prepared garden plot at Hillmoor They look very healthy. 9. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Happ, seconded by Leonard Voice vote carried at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted Kelley Happ Secretary, Avian Committee