_08182026-2761
City of Oconomowoc · Waukesha County · meeting of Aug 18, 2026 · Minutes
Open the original document More from City of Oconomowoc
Text
Extracted automatically from the original. Tables and formatting may not survive; the original document is authoritative.
S:\Committees - Commissions\Fowler Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District\Minutes\2026\FLPRD Min 8-18-26.doc
ANNUAL MEETING AND BUDGET HEARING FOR FOWLER LAKE PROTECTION
AND REHABILITATION DISTRICT
August 18, 2026
Mayor Rosek gave an information on the Fowler Lake District meeting procedures and opened the Public
Hearing for the Lake Management District #2 Fowler Lake 2027 Proposed Budget at 7:02 PM.
Finance Director Steve Hatton reviewed the 2027 proposed Budget from the published notice, indicating the
levy would be for the parcels in the district, and explained the weed harvester, transport, and barge funds are
being set aside for that capital replacement. Hatton added that there is $15,000 for a 10-year study regarding
the Aquatic Plan Management and the goose roundup.
Joe Trovero 226 E. Pleasant, spoke about the weed collection and muskrat damage increasing and it being a
trying year with the invasive weed species smothering the natural fish habitat. He said it is the worst year he
has seen and they need to be aggressive and address it.
Gunar Gruenke, 629 N. Lake Road, agreed it was their worst year. He also thought there might be adjustments
they could make to the cutter to collect more and indicated 14 muskrats were captured.
Laura Rowe, 306 E. Pleasant, offered her scientific knowledge of the invasive species and spread. She said in
1995 the weeds were sprayed. The impacts are that the lake is unsightly with milfoil choking out habitat,
displacing native plants and blocking recreation. It lowers property values and there is too much to rake out,
even making Fowler Park area unswimmable. She wanted to explore chemical means within 20ft of the
shoreline. She also spoke about the muskrat being dangerous to pets and damaging rip rap and shorelines.
Joe Gossi, 517 E. Grove Street, asked about money set aside for the harvester. Jason Herzog, Public Works
Director, indicated it was a 10 yr. replacement cycle.
Mr. Gossi read Paul Renard’s comments. Mr. Renard wrote that the lake is a tremendous resource for the city
and the increasing presence of EWM is making the lake activities more difficult, and significantly less enjoyable
with the weeds a serious problem. He asked the Common Council to request a current study be performed by
aquatic-management professionals to assess the current conditions, and if deemed appropriate, develop a
plan to address it. He indicated being in favor of herbicide treatment if recommended by the professionals
with Fowler Lake a substantial recreational asset to the community.
The Public Hearing closed at 7:18 PM.
Mayor Rosek called the Fowler Lake Annual Meeting to order immediately following the Public Hearing and
announced that any elector and/or property owner in the Fowler Lake District may participate in the meeting.
The Clerk confirmed that appropriate notice was given.
Roll Call: Commissioners Jungwirth, Rosek, Aultman Kloth, Ellis, Spiegelberg, and Welch
Staff Present: Mayor Rosek, Kozlik, Frye, Herzog, Lam, Hatton, Steinke, Timm and Gallo
Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Ellis to approve the minutes of the August 19, 2025 Fowler Lake
Annual Meeting as written; second by Spiegelberg. Voice vote carried.
Staff Reports: Herzog said 1995 was the last time it was treated and there might be more advantageous in
specific areas with milfoil. The evaluation was done in 2017 and in 2022. The report itself will evaluate
samples and note the aggressiveness of it. He felt the pace and consistency of the removal has stayed the
same and they have one full-time cutter plus other support getting weeds from piers. He addressed the wings
on the equipment and other considerations. The Mayor asked if there are additional treatments they can do
Fowler Lake Annual Meeting
S:\Committees - Commissions\Fowler Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District\Minutes\2026\FLPRD Min 8-18-26.doc
and when they engage that consultant is there a recommendation from the sampling and Herzog said they
would get details on that in the report and Herzog said trappers can be hired out for the muskrat problem.
Jack Thomas, 515 E. Grove Street, said the State of Wisconsin used to pay for pelts. He also spoke about
chemical treatments and the need to proceed with something.
Kowieski asked about the muskrat control and entering onto private property to collect them. Gunar Gruenke
asked if they have the cutter all the way down where they can put it and he said the problem weeds are the
grasses and the Pewaukee lake people clean up around the piers and clean. The Mayor said a portion of this is
paid out of the city budget levy and they would need to investigate that.
Joe Trovero also talked about duck mites and bites and there is a health aspect to weed collection.
Dennis Pinkner, 315 Greenland, said the past two years the weed cutter person would pick up his weeds when
he pushed them out and that did not happen this year. He also said the milfoil is taller and catches all the
weeds on his end.
Gunar Gruenke added that the city has a beautiful boardwalk and parks along the lake and should bear some
cost.
Adoption of 2027 Budget: Motion by Joe Trovero to adopt the 2027 Budget in the amount of $50,100; second
by Laura Rowe. Voice vote carried.
Set Tax Levy for 2026: Motion by Joe Trovero to approve the 2026 Tax Levy of $44,965 for the Fowler Lake
Protection and Rehabilitation District; second by Laura Rowe. Voice vote carried.
Set Meeting Date for 2027: Motion by Ellis to set the 2026 Fowler Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District
public hearing and meeting for August 17, 2027 (the Third Tuesday); second by Aultman Kloth. Voice vote
carried.
Spiegelberg asked about APM and if there is a decision on the muskrat population do they need to come back
and the Mayor said they would do a budget amendment for DPW after they investigate costs.
Motion by Joe Trovero to adjourn; second by Laura Rowe. Voice vote carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:28
PM.
Gina Kozlik, City Clerk
Source: City of Oconomowoc website. First collected Oct 7, 2026.