Alpine Lake Annual Meeting — Minutes

1 August 23, 2025 Lake Alpine Park Pavilion (combined with picnic afterwards) ANNUAL Meeting 10:00 am PRESENT: Chris Schroeder (Chairman) Michael Baranowski John Manion (Secretary) Eric Trater Amy Miller (Interim Treasurer) GUESTS: Approximately 68 Lake Alpine Residents • Chris Schroeder called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. • Pledge of Allegiance • Statement of Public Posting – The Annual meeting notification was in the Fall Newsletter that was mailed via the USPS early August. John and Sherri M. posted copies at the outlots. • Approval of Agenda – Motion by John Manion, seconded by Michael Baranowski. Approved. • Secretary’s Report – John Manion read a recap of the 6/7/2025 Informational Meeting. • Committee Reports o Sunshine Committee – Eunie Ripp had nothing to report on. o Lake Testing – MarySue Braun said they did the August testing yesterday and the water temperature was around 75 degrees, similar to previous years. • Annual Audit – Amy Miller reported that an audit took place on 8/02/2025. Ingrid Kundinger, Sherri Manion, and Geri Butler reviewed the financial transactions, debits/credits, checks written and other accounting information for the past year. All transactions were acceptable and determined a successful audit. Motion to approve the audit made by Jason Kundinger, seconded by Michael B. Approved. • Treasurer’s Report o One question was asked: Has anyone ever audited the budget? The rolling forward numbers do not appear to be correct from previous years. Plus, year-to-date numbers are not our true balance? Member sees a $40,000 discrepancy. Amy agreed the numbers on the budget sheet are off now because transfers in/out of investment pool are not reflected in the balance sheet because of a timing issue. o Amy offered to send out a balance sheet to anyone who wants to see it and offered to talk to anyone with questions about the report. o Member thanked Amy for her service on the board as it is ending shortly. o Amy mentioned the intention of reducing the lake treatment budget by $5,000 but later determined it was best not to do that. o Motion made by John M. to not reduce the lake treatment budget by $5,000, seconded by Chris S. Approved. o Motion to approved the Treasurers Report made by Sherri M. seconded by Eric T. Approved. • 2026 Annual Budget o After reviewing the investment pool report with Mary Sue B., it was apparent the balance was dropping because expenditures had surpassed income for several years running. Yearly deficits are increasing and in her opinion District dues will have to increase just to meet current spending alone. Even more if there are approved special projects. o Chris noted that the board will be asking to use up to $20,000 from the investment pool to begin the process of building a silt trap on the lake. He then said it is not our intention to increase district dues this coming year as the project is long-term and we can wait a little longer. He understands that people’s budgets are tight. o Member asked how much the silt trap will cost? Phase 0 & 1 will be budgeted for $20,000, Phase 2 will be $59,000, Phase 3 & 4 are to be determined. All these costs would be incurred before the silt trap is 2 actually built. She believes it will cost more than $100,000 before the silt trap is built. And is this trap just to stop us from dredging at the inlet? And then the DNR may not even approve the project. She has been on the lake for 30 years and believes it is in great shape. She wonders if members are willing to see their dues rise substantially in the coming years to pay for this? She thinks the dues would rise to $350 per year. o Chris believes the total cost to build the silt trap would be about $100,000. He noted that we will be applying for available grants to offset the cost. The DNR, Waushara County, and the Town of Marion. o If we spend the $20,000 now and the project is not approved, is the money gone? Chris said yes, it is. o Are there any numbers to validate cost savings from reducing dredging frequency? No amount has been established. o Motion to approve the 2026 budget made by Joan M., seconded by Michael B. Approved. • OLD BUSINESS Lake Management Plan o No update on the status of the new plan. We are still operating under the old plan. o Jason believes the plan status does not affect the grant application process. Outlot Maintenance / Boat Registration o Trees have been removed on the outlots. o The Hillcrest outlot has dead branches and Michael said these are scheduled to be cut. o Lakeview outlot #2 has deep ruts and is in need of repair. o Boat registration participation has been excellent. • NEW BUSINESS Election of board commissioners (Chairperson and Treasurer) o Chris is up for re-election as Board Chairman. Jason K. nominated Chris to remain as Chairman, seconded by Michael B. Approved. o Amy is stepping down as Treasurer. Geri Butler has offered to step into this role. Michael B. made a motion to accept this nomination, seconded by Chris S. Approved. Focus group update o Sam Cason gave a long presentation on the merits of the silt trap as well as other opportunities to clean up the lake. He explained it is a multi-faceted process and will have to be studied to determine how to do it. It will have varying degrees of effectiveness depending on what part of the lake is being addressed. o He explained the difference between sediment and muck. A sit trap is a great way to prevent sediment from entering the lake but has little impact on muck. o A possible classification to a fish farm could reduce the DNR oversight and permit restrictions on the lake but there are other impacts to this change as well. o He reviewed methods for reducing weeds and algae. o Did individuals using private treatment have a good or bad experience? Most agreed it helped. There may be future signups. Ginny Schroeder may coordinate this. o One member noted that the weed cutting really made a positive difference this year. o Ken Forsell spoke about the silt trap project and his contacts have concurred that putting one in will help the lake. Working with a private contractor is our best bet to get the project completed, especially in getting DNR approval. o Ken has spoken before the Town of Marion, and other entities, about getting financial support and he is confident we will receive some. Sam Jensen is our county contact for the project. o We will submit a grant application for the DNR by September 15. o Does GEI guarantee they will submit the application by September 15? Yes, they do. o Does a proposal need to be made today? Yes, otherwise we lose another year waiting. o Have we paid GEI anything yet? No, but we are unlikely to get any further help without entering into a contract. o What is the estimated long-term dredging savings? We do not know this but dredging is much more expensive than draining the silt trap. o What does the $20,000 funding request cover? It covers the grant cost hand walk it through the DNR process and leftover money will be used for Phase 1. o Ginny spoke of all the available sources of funding. She said the DNR will give us $10,000 just for the planning of the project. She urged the need for a study to determine the best way to reduce muck. She encouraged other ways to fundraise also. 3 o Chris noted we cannot determine how much this project will cost as we do not know the construction costs, unknown costs, nor do we know if we will receive any grants to help offset these costs? The initial $20,000 is to start the process. We do not have to spend it but we will need it to get going. o The board represents the members and will follow their guidance. People need to speak out with their questions. It was noted that we could spend the $20,000 and not get approval to build the silt trap. That is a possibility and the money would be gone. o MarySue B. made a motion to approve the $20,000 to initiate the silt trap project. Ernie Janusz seconded. Motion Approved Unanimously. • Goose egg remediation for 2026 o Clyde spoke and said he submitted his annual report to the DNR. o He did a good job eradicating the island of eggs but properties that did not give approval for egg spraying seem to have held quite a few nests. He needs help in signing up these properties as about 2/3 of the lake still has nests. o Please encourage your neighbors to sign up for egg removal. • Annual volunteer dinner o Dinner is now scheduled for Monday, October 13 at the Silvercryst Supper Club in Wautoma. o Send an email to John Manion or sign up today to attend. • Public comment o Chris began the meeting by saying no disruptive talk will be allowed and people must remain respectful of others comments. Public comments to be limited to 3 minutes. The meeting will be halted if thing were to get out of control. o Member asked if we have an overpopulation of turtles on the lake? We don’t know? o Verizon internet is $30/mo. for 5 gigabytes. Call them for service. o Why don’t we have a kiosk at the county park to help fund the project? Because the county owns the park, not us. o ATT put a cell tower in Wautoma with 5G internet for $47/mo. They buy out your current contract. o Joan M. reminded everyone about abiding by No-Wake compliance. Can we put in a buoy? No, the County would have to do that. • MOTION to Adjourn made by Chris S., seconded by John M at 11:45am.