Esmann Island Owner’s Association
Board Meeting
July 15, 2017
Board Members Present: Meeting called to order at 8:02 am by Terry Denner. Board members present: Jane Ertl, Tom Reimer, Chad Williams, Tony Reyerson, Bruce Copeland, and Bob Buhrow . Also present were Helen Schwietert (Treasurer) Laurie Helling (Secretary)
Members Present: Henry “Bud” Martens, Buddy Martens, Ken Root, Dottie Reimer, Cristy Huber, Teri Denner, Gail Scheer, Anthony Lumetta, Doug Hintzman, Kari Winders, Chris Miller, Cindy Miller.
Minutes:
- Jane Ertl made a note of a typo in her email address in last minutes. Amended.
- Motion by Jane Ertl to approve board minutes of 6-24-17, 2nd by Tony Reyerson. All approved. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
- Jane Ertl asked for clarification on the road surfacing and phases as to how it’s broken out in the monthly report. Explanation was given by current board.
- Motion made by Tony Reyerson to approve Treasurer’s report. 2nd by Chad Williams. All approved. Motion carried.
Bills:
- Bills Presented: Utilities, Lawn Mowing
- Treasurer Helen Schwietert informed the board she is working with the Insurance company to change the billing cycle from Feb/Feb to Aug/Aug. It would make more sense since she and more board members are around instead of the winter. Helen will continue to work with them on realigning the billing cycle. Possibly need to prorate and have a temp bill/binder fee.
- Tom Reimer made motion to approve, 2nd by Chad Williams. Motion carried.
Building Permits:
- Dan Brodigan Permit- DNR approval was sent to board. Permit & Road Deposit checks in order.
- Checking on completed projects and current progress with open permits.
- Helling- Lot 170 moving Free Standing Carport from Lot 172. Subject to setbacks. Permit check submitted. Approved.
- Permit checks were gathered for Earl Burkle project.
Property Ownership Changes:
- Brandon Horn purchased 423 Timberlane from Marcia Hall
- Lot 27 & 307—Doug Hintzman informed the board an old lien against the property has been released and cleared, so a pending sale can proceed. Handed in paperwork to be filed in Association office.
Road Report:
- Nothing new to report except Board will fix the pothole on side of road coming onto island before Abel driveway.
Boat Storage Committee: Nothing to report at this time
Ramp Committee: See updated discussion points under Old Business
Beautification Committee: Nothing new to report
Pond Committee: Kari Winders was present to update Board members on Pond Clean Up efforts.
- Guttenberg Fire Dept. was contacted to locate underwater pipe used as pump in case of fire emergency.
- Alliant Energy & other utilities were also contacted for locates on underground lines running through the common grounds.
- MEMBERS NOTE: SATURDAY JULY 22nd 8:00 am POND CLEAN UP!! **POSTPONED
- Looking for Volunteers to help the Pond Committee take care of some weed clean up, landscaping, raking algae from the pond edges, trimming trees etc.
- Please dress appropriately (**there is some poison oak in the woods around the pond), bring gloves, rakes, and a Can-Do Spirit!
- Island member Kevin Perrinjaquet is bringing a backhoe to dredge out a couple areas and level out some sand and bank areas.
- Terry Denner had called the Decorah Hatchery to ask about fish to help keep the grass and algae down but the Hatchery said there is no fish that will “clean it”. It’s river water and there will always be algae.
- Terry also said they discussed an aerator (solar) and once that process is started you must keep doing it all the time. You can’t just start it and stop it periodically.
- Other options still be explored are possible chemical shocking treatment, but nothing would be done without consulting hatchery and DNR.
- The Winders ViceBox July 4th Concert raised roughly $400 to for the Pond Committee Fund. Donations can always be made at any time to Kari Winders or a Board Member to give to Kari.
- This money would be earmarked for a solar aerator. Kari will be doing some comparative research on types, cost, longevity, service etc. and bring info back to the board.
- There is another dock to be donated to the pond. Thank You!
- Island member present at meeting, Buddy Martens brought up a important topic. He is very familiar with aerated lakes/ponds near his home in Illinois. In the winter, members are used to the pond freezing over with ice thick enough to support ice fishing, HOWEVER, an aerator will significantly thin out the ice in a wider radius around it! It may look fine but will be too thin to support weight safely. Buddy mentioned at their ponds, they’ve collected all kinds of old but in good shape ladders which are placed around the pond, just in case of a needed rescue. He said there should be at least one long *as long as you can find extension ladder with another rope attached to end—it can then be slid over to the person in the water so they can grab on and the rescuers can stay a good distance back from thin ice to pull them out of the water and back to safe area. Just a great idea to keep in mind for the winter no matter what the conditions are.
- With that said some discussion held on potential liability and to make sure all of that is covered under our common grounds policy.
Old Business:
- North Ramp-.
- Terry Denner has filed all the papers and forms with the DNR.
- Bids received bids from Friedlein and Vondehaar, Willie chose to “no quote.”
- Discussion held on the two bids and if we needed a 3rd.
- Board members will really scour the two bids, make sure both are comparable in options and services.
- Before next meeting, decide which are options are necessary and which ones may not be necessary. Present those options at next meeting.
- Repair work wouldn’t take place until September at earliest.
- Jane Ertl proposed a motion to continue detailed discussion on 2 bids received and not pursue a 3rd bid at this time. Tony Reyerson 2nd, all approved. Motion passed.
- . Storage Unit Building
- Board members reaching out to Clayton County Assessors researching taxes on various size buildings—including 60 X 120
- One point brought up at annual meeting was a building would probably have to be raised above flood plain. Patti Ruff at Clayton County suggested contacting Asia Azam at DNR to confirm. Terry will contact Asia Azam.
- Discussion held on timeline, getting solid bids, from contractors etc.
- Terry Denner had made some initial inquiries on lumber and cement.
- Suggestion from the members present on contacting the Amish for a bid.
- Tony Reyerson offered to make some inquiries on various rough bids for 4 or 6 sub-contractors. Chris Miller said he’d give Tony names/contacts if needed.
- Island Member/Owner: Buddy Marten asked the board to speak on behalf of him and his father Bud Marten (both of Lot 71) regarding the possible storage unit building proposal.
- Terry Denner gave Buddy the floor.
- Bud told the board his family has been coming to the island since the 1950’s and have one of (if not) the smallest lot on the island. 50 ft X 50 ft. Very little room on either side to next property. They have had to have boats sit in the yard as well as other belongings because they do not have any storage.
- Bud then read a prepared letter. http://esmannisland.com/martens-letter/
- Board thanked the Martens for attending and voicing their personal thoughts and ideas. (**SEE LAST PAGE for copy of letter)
- Discussion on Bud’s proposed idea and will be taken under consideration as this proposal progresses.
- Terry asked for a motion to pursue bids and gathering necessary information.
- Motion made by Tom Reimer to pursue bids and information related to a storage building, 2nd by Chad Williams. All approved. Motion passed.
- Tony Reyerson made a motion to form a Storage Building Committee. 2nd by Jane Ertl. All approved. Motion passed.
- Discussion tabled until next meeting and more information gathered.
NEW BUSINESS:
- New Computer for Association
- Discussion held on updating the Association computer and Windows/Office Suite. Current programs are very old versions and not compatible with newer personal laptop used by secretary.
- Updating Microsoft Office Suite will streamline the secretary and treasurer’s job functions and be in synch with other operating systems.
- No internet service will be added to building at this time.
- Terry Denner asked for a motion. Tony Reyerson made a motion to proceed and purchase a new laptop and MicroSoft Office Suite/QuickBooks, not to exceed $1000.
- Doug Hintzman volunteered to make the purchase for the Association.
- Can Collection for Pond Fund
- Terry Denner brought up the idea of having an island can collection site in order to raise extra funds for the Pond committee.
- Discussion on where to place collection site.
- A chain link dog kennel fence will be placed outside next to the Association Building. A container with appropriate bags will be placed next to it. Cans need to be in the bags provided, preferably emptied completely. No grocery bags etc.
- The bags of collected cans will be taken to redemption center by board members or specified volunteers at least once a month.
- Absolutely no glass.
- Teri Denner will make signage for the Can Collection designated area.
- NOTE: Next Board Meeting will be a week later in August due to conflicts by several board members.Next Board Meeting will be August 26th at 8:00 am.Motion made by Terry Denner to adjourn at 9:30, 2nd by Bruce Copeland. Motion approved.Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Helling Secretary
**Marten Letter: