Updates

Board Members Present: Meeting called to order at 8:07 am by President Terry Denner. Board members present: Tom Reimer, Bruce Copeland, Bob Buhrow, Chip Flory  Absent:  Jane Ertl Root, Tony Reyerson. Also present were Helen Schwietert (Treasurer) Laurie Helling (Secretary)

Members present:   Teri Nelson-Denner, Doug Hintzman

Minutes: Reading of Minutes of 10-20-18 were waived. Motion made by Terry Denner to approve the board minutes.  2^nd by Tom Reimer.  All approved. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

Per Treasurer: Helen handed out the Balance Sheet and Revenues/Expenses YTD. Terry informed Board of the CD rolling over. Motion made by Chip Flory to approve Treasurers Report. 2^nd by  Bob Buhrow All approved. Motion passed.

Bills Presented:  Alliant Energy, Tax Prep, Snow Removal, Bi-County Disposal, Meuser Lumber. Terry Denner made motion to approve bills, Chip Flory 2^nd.  All in favor.  Motion carried. NOTE–Board has not yet been reimbursed by the Pond Fund for the Shelter cost. Will revisit at May meeting.

Building Permits:   

• Discussion on two permits that are completed and need inspection. Contact building committee members.
• Discussion on Building Permits not being open-ended time limit.
  • 1 year time frame to get projects started, otherwise permit will be returned and will need to be resubmitted to the board.
  • Those in the file over 1 year old with no activity will be returned to member.

Property Ownership Changes: None at this time

Road Report:

• Discussion of clean up needed on back road once flood waters have receded. Doug Hintzman volunteered to inquire about a power broom. Possibly a future date for cleanup.
• Low spots of the road do need addressing in the fall.
• Discussion regarding a couple members needing to repair road due to new construction near their lots.
• Terry Denner will be contacting the Company that seals the roads and try to book a date late in the summer, early fall for patching, repairs, and appointments for driveway approaches. 
  • Members wishing a driveway approach would need to sign up for service.

Boat Storage Committee:   Nothing new to report at this time.  

Ramp Committee:     Nothing to report at this time. **Will need to check over once river level recedes.

Pond Committee:    

• Discussion on needing one or more Pond Clean-Up Days once water levels recede.
• PLEASE NOTE:  POND FUND/CAN DROP-OFF & REDEMPTION
  • PLEASE ONLY DROP OFF CANS and use the CLEAR Plastic Bags!!
    • Too many have plastic and glass, even some trash!
    • Thank you from the members who have to collect, sort and haul the cans for collection!

OLD BUSINESS:

• (See above Treasurer’s Report) Pond Fund Reimbursement to Association. There is no issue with direct reimbursement from pond fund as long as it is noted in QuickBooks ledger. 
• NEW SIGNAGE:  New signage has arrived for both boat ramps, parking area, pond and playground area. New Speed Limit Signs

NEW BUSINESS:

• GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOW: 
  • Discussion held on the mess created at the Garbage Dumpster in place due to high water and road embargo.
  • Appears several members cleaned out sheds etc. before water levels rose causing an overflow of the dumpster.
  • Bi-County Disposal worker has been more than accommodating in removing the trash from the island.
  • Will present some ideas and alternative options at the Annual Meeting in June.
    • Possibly a smaller truck for road pick up during embargo. Bob Buhrow will check.
    • Different location for Dumpster?
    • Resurrect the Island Clean Up Day with a special large item pickup arrangement.

• POTENTIAL FLOOD DAMAGE to PROPERTY:
  • Discussion on process for Members with Structural Damage Due to Flooding
  • IMPORTANT! Member/Owners MUST NOTIFY Board Member or Building Committee member if there is damage to address.
    • Provide brief written description of what was damaged and what needs to be repaired/replaced.
    • $500 Road Deposit for potential road repair needed
    • Once repairs are completed, contact building committee or Board Member to do a quick inspection and sign off.

• BOARD ELECTIONS Upcoming Annual Meeting
  • President (3 yr) Open
  • Board Member (1 yr) Open
  • Board Member (3 yr) Open

• IF ANY MEMBERS ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE BOARD:
  • We will NEED NOMINATIONS BY NEXT BOARD MEETING MAY 18^TH
  • Please contact any Board Member and/or Secretary Laurie Helling for nomination form.  (contact info below)
  • 25 Member signatures are required for new candidates on the form.

Next Board Meeting is MAY 18, 2019 at 8:00 am

Terry Denner asked for motion to adjourn. Motion made by Chip Flory.  2^nd by Tom Reimer  Motion approved.  Adjourned at 9:05 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurie Helling Secretary

Lahelling24@gmail.com

Hi everyone! Well, it appears we are on our way to a second, even higher crest next week. The recent rains coupled with northern snow melt is headed our way. Please keep checking the forecasts and river gauges as they are changing and updating several times a day! As of this last check it is still holding at 20.4 ft by Thursday into Friday! Count on the Island Road closing again next week as it surpasses the 19 ft. mark.
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=arx&gage=gtti4

Board President Terry Denner spoke to Alliant Energy this morning. They will NOT shut the power off on Esmann unless water level would reach above 23 ft. Again, the crest on Thursday is forecast at 19.4 ft.

REMINDER–Standard flooding safety rules from Alliant. Hoping we don’t get quite that inundated, however, good common sense info even after waters recede. Please– Be safe…Not sorry.

-Unplug electric appliances if they are expected to be under water.
-Shut off the valves to gas appliances if they are expected to be under water.
-Don’t walk through a flooded home or building until gas and electric service are disconnected. Even a small amount of water on the floor of your basement can put you at risk for electrocution.
-Never handle electric appliances or any other electric equipment, such as a circuit breaker, with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
-Make sure generators used for water removal are outside and vented properly. Keep their power cords out of water.
-Avoid walking in flooded backyards if water is touching utility equipment like ground-mounted transformers.
-Standing water can snuff out pilot lights on hot water heaters and furnaces. If this occurs, natural gas may collect in your home, creating the risk of an explosion.

Helpful information from Patti at the Clayton County Health & Zoning about flooded septic systems and private wells. This may come in handy if this is your first experience with flooding at your cabin and/or a good refresher to others!

As many of you probably already know from following the Esmann Facebook page or from friends, the Island Road was closed this morning by Clayton County EMS. The river level is still forecast to crest at 19.4 ft on Thursday!
Here is a video from KWWL news this evening:
https://kwwl.com/news/2019/04/02/people-evacuate-abel-and-essman-island-because-of-flooding/

ESMANN MEMBERS ALERT!!
Board President Terry Denner spoke to Clayton County EMS. They expect to CLOSE dike road with access to islands this Wednesday! As of now, power is not to be shut off. Alliant has said before they would not shut power off; it is supposed to be on a home by home basis with a 24 hr notice. However, IF power goes off on the island and Alliant can’t get there then all bets off. Please be careful.

Hi everyone. We have been getting messages from concerned island members about the road to the island.
Historically, 19 feet is the level that will cover the dike road onto the island. That is a county road and the county make the call on the closure. We do not. To our knowledge no one will receive a call.when the road will be closing. Today’s forecast is showing 19 ft for this coming Thursday April 4th. Please take this under advisement, especially if you are on the riverfront or live year round on the island. The forecast is changing rapidly so please check the NOAA site frequently/daily. Thank you!
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php…

https://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/2019NHA.html