Updates

To Esmann Island Members:

This summer, residents have recently reported an increase in skunk/ raccoon families being near/around homes.  The board has sent out memos and reminders about garbage being placed in cans with secure lids or hung up high, in hopes of curtailing some of the nighttime activities by these animals. The Board reached out to the DNR for any input/assistance in managing this issue.

Please see reply below from Michael Griffin, DNR office.

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On Esmann Island you are surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge.  It is one of the greatest places to live in the United States.  I know you know this as well.  There are sometimes conflicts with being in that area between wildlife and residents.

I think your memo will go a long way to helping with the problem.  Skunks and raccoons will “den” in garden sheds and under old foundations.  Raccoons will forage for any easy meal.

• Curtailing outside feeding of cats and dogs will also help.
• Containers for garbage to making it harder for these wildlife groups to access garbage will also help.

Skunks eat a lot of grubs in yards. The June bugs you have become accustomed to in the summer hatch from a grub in your yard.  Skunks are very adept at digging these out and eating them.

• Treating a yard for grubs will discourage skunks from digging in a yard because you are eliminating the food source.
• Cleaning up around out buildings and plugging holes will discourage them from “denning” in those areas.

I have attached a list of Nuisance Wildlife professionals who can be contacted to trap and remove nuisance Wildlife.

I have also included the local Conservation Officers on this email.  They are Burt Walters and Jerry Farmer.

I would encourage the Cabin owners Association to contact local trappers during the upcoming season to allow access to the Island and harvest raccoons and skunks during the trapping season which begins November 7.

If an animal is causing concern for health or safety to a home owner he or she may dispatch that animal and dispose of the carcass but may not keep it.  The home owner should contact the Local Conservation Officer to let them know.  Burt Walters’s phone is 563 880 0108, Jerry Farmer’s phone is 563 880 0422.

Mike Griffin

MICHAEL K GRIFFIN  Mississippi River Wildlife Biologist

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

P 563 872 5700 |C 563 357 1736 | Michael.Griffin@dnr.iowa.gov

206 Rose St. | Bellevue IA 52031

It’s that time of year again.  Due to frost going out we are closing roads to heavy equipment, large trucks, etc. to protect the roads.  We will post when it is OK to allow these once soil stabilizes.

Garbage dumpster will be in the same location at the Island’s south end as in prior years.  There will be no garbage pick up at individual residences.

Thanks for your help in maintaining our roads.

Let’s  hope for a nice spring.

**NOTICE**

ESMANN ISLAND CLEAN -UP DAY

MONDAY OCTOBER 13, 2014

Please have all items at curbside by 7:00 A.M.

WE WILL NOT PICK UP:

batteries      tires      corrugated cardboard

lawn trimmings or yard waste      fertilizers

wet paint      oil      toxic materials      poisons         

TV’s or appliances

bricks      cement chunks      or blocks.

Demolition, construction, and reconstruction will be handled at the discretion of

HAWKEYE SANITATION, INC.

800-858-1138

Last months minutes said next  Board meeting was to be 9/13/14 that was incorrect.

Next meeting will be Saturday 9/20/14 at 8:00am

REMINDER— 

The River Park Cruisers are sponsoring their annual car cruise in Guttenberg this weekend.  By early afternoon the downtown area will be filled with cars of all makes and models. 

Also, the Shepherd Gallery and Creativity Center will have music in the courtyard and a car artist who will do portraits of cars. 

Finally, Saturday will be the last day to sign up for the $40 gift certificate available for island residents.  Stop in and see the gallery and creativity center.  It is a great place to spend time on a cool or rainy weekend (or weekday).   

Just tell them your are an island resident and you can sign up with your phone number.  The drawing will be on Monday, Sept 15 and the winner will be notified by phone. 

Read all about the center on the website… www.guttenbergcreativitycenter.com

Thanks To Tom and Cindy Lynch for the reminder

From: Janet Ott [mailto:jott@claytoncountyia.gov] Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 8:23 AM To: dave_wagneracct@msn.com Subject: FW: flood wall repairs and porches

Dave,

After our phone conversation yesterday, I sent an email to Asia asking about the sea wall repairs.  Below is her response.  As I stated, I think everyone who has property on the island needs to contact the DNR before any project is started.

I also double checked about porches.  Yes they too may need permits.

From Asia – The screening the deck/porch does need a permit as it increases the floor space of the building. If foot print increases by 25% then it will require a permit. The best is to just apply for the permit.

I’d appreciate it if you could pass this information on to all of the owners out there. Those doing riprap work need to see if they have a permit which allows maintenance. If they do not have any permit they need to apply for one ideally before they start the project.  In the case of some that are already done, it will have to be after the fact, but one is needed.

Thanks for your help with this.

Janet

Just one more reminder that crossing work is set to start Tomorrow. Here is schedule.

lsland  Road-Replacement of Railroad Track Crossing Schedule

Starting the week of July 7th Monday: 7:00 AM-to 5:00 PM, L-1/2 of the crossing will be open all day Tuesday: 7:00 to 2:00 PM COMPLETELY CLOSED

One lane open after 2:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM to Noon CLOSED Thursday: 8:00 AM to Noon CLOSED

Noon Open for use Friday: Open as usual if weather does not delay schedule

Reminder: with the smooth surface remember to Stop and Look for trains at the crossing.

Emergency lnformation: Call 911

Should an ambulance be needed call 91L. A vehicle on the river side will take the medic across to enable patient care. The railroad crew will place a temporary crossing for the emergency vehicle if needed. The emergency vehicle will then proceed to the patient.

There will be a fire truck on the island side.

lsland Road-Replacement of Railroad Track Crossing Schedule

Starting the week of July 7th Monday: 7:00 AM-to 5:00 PM, L1/2 of the crossing will be open. All day Tuesday: 7:00 to 2:00 PM COMPLETELY CLOSED

One lane open after 2:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM to Noon CLOSED. Thursday: 8:00 AM to Noon CLOSED

Noon Open for use Friday: Open as usual if weather does not delay schedule

Reminder: with the smooth surface remember to Stop and Look for trains at the crossing.

Emergency lnformation: Call 911

Should an ambulance be needed call 91L. A vehicle on the river side will take the medic across to enable patient care. The railroad crew will place a temporary crossing for the emergency vehicle if needed. The emergency vehicle will then proceed to the patient.

There will be a fire truck on the island side.

Esmann Island Owner’s Association

Special Board Meeting

5/17/14

Board Members Present: Dave Wagner called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with Ken Brandel, Don Niosi, Jim McGuire, Terry Lubbers, and Doug Hintzman in attendance.

Motion by Terry Lubbers, 2^nd by Doug Hintzman to recommend approval to the membership the road repairs and sealcoating bid of Blacktop Service Company for a sum of $78,316.42. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Wagner, President

Esmann Island Owner’s Association

Our thanks to Kathy Davis for coming up with some great ideas for the new sign. Here are a few of the Boards favorites. Please give us your feedback.