Esmann Island Owner’s Association
Board Meeting
August 26, 2017
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 8:01 am by President Terry Denner.
Board members present: Terry Denner, Tom Reimer, Chad Williams, Tony Reyerson, Bruce Copeland, Bob Buhrow. Absent: Jane Ertl Also present were Helen Schwietert (Treasurer) Laurie Helling (Secretary)
Members Present: Tom Nagel, Linda Lampe, Dave & Mary Koopman, Don Niosi, Doug Hintzman, Chris Miller, Teri Denner, Cindy Miller, Steve Lampe, Kari Winders, Larry Gaul, Wayne Jensen.
Minutes:
- Motion made to approve the board minutes of 7-15-17 meeting by Tony Reyerson. 2nd by Buhrow. All approved. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
- 1 Delinquent Assessment-Letter will be sent to owner after meeting for immediate payment.
- Motion made by Bruce Copeland to approve Treasurer’s report. 2nd by Chad Williams. All approved. Motion carried.
Bills:
- Bills Presented: Utilities, Lawn Mowing, AC repair/maintenance assoc. office, taxes, new office laptop.
- A big thank you to Doug Hintzman for picking out the new laptop and adding necessary updated office programs.
- Tom Reimer made motion to approve bills, 2nd by Chad Williams. Motion carried.
Building Permits:
- Lot 144 & 153 Permit submitted for new house structure. Roger & Jodi Weiss 488 River View. Approved Pending DNR & county permits.
- Burco-Permit submitted for garage on Lot 23 across from his home. Approved Pending DNR Permits.
- Checking on completed projects and current progress with open permits.
- Brodigan DNR & County permits received.
Property Ownership Changes:
- Tom Pittman Lot 57, 360 Second Ave, from Advantage Development (Keune)
- Andy Phelps, Lots 307 & 27, 361 River View Rd, from Connie Schneider.
- Jeff Zearley, Lot 266, 425 Hickory Rd, from Chip Flory
- Chip Flory, Lot 281, 404 Timberlane Rd, from Dennis & Mary Ream
Road Report:
- Board will fix the pothole on side of road coming onto island before Abel driveway.
- Road is in good shape over all. May have an inspector from the surfacing company check it in the future.
Boat Storage Committee: Don Niosi asks that all trailers be out of the Island Shed by September 23rd. Boats already on list for winter storage can start moving in after Sept. 23. The shed is at capacity at this time. If you wish to be placed on a waiting list, please contact Don Niosi, 364 River View.
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.
- HUGE THANK YOU to many island members, friends and family who helped with the pond clean-up efforts so far! Especially member Kevin Perrinjaquet for his generous time, large machinery to dredge, move dirt and open up the beach area! At the minimum, $20K+ has been donated in time, machinery, materials! Teamwork makes the dream work!
- Tether Ball pole and Volleyball net are installed.
- Cart Path cleared and graveled over to the beach area!
- Kari has checked into all organic enzymes for the water to address the algae, while we still research solar vs electric aerators. Solar was preferable but in the winter even 48 hrs of no sun could shut the aerator down so discussion held on running/trenching electricity to the pond area
- CAN REDEMPTION FUND: The can collection area is set up by the Assoc. shed. CANS only, no plastic or glass. All the funds collected from cans collected will be donated to Pond Fund. We will get $12 per full bag. **Again, if possible, empty completely or even rinse. Thanks!
Old Business:
- North Ramp-.
- Terry Denner has received the approved forms back from Corps of Engineers. Just waiting on DNR.
- Bids received bids from Friedlein and Vondehaar,
- Discussion held on the bids and making sure they were comparable in what we want and what they are bidding. Friedlein has until following Friday-Sept. 1 to resubmit bid.
- Repair work wouldn’t take place until mid-late September at earliest.
- Winning bid & timeline of repairs will be discussed at September board meeting.
- Storage Unit Building-
- Initial bids brought in to the board are extremely high. This is somewhat expected given the time of year.
- Building, concrete etc. all higher than what board would want to even consider.
- This discussion will be tabled as board will continue to pursue lower bids throughout the next few months.
- Discussion held on possibly sending an extra mailing to keep members informed or adding separate sheet with next year’s annual meeting mailer on status. (2018)
- Nothing will be approved without membership input and votes at such time when needed.
- Larry Gaul, member, brought to the attention of the board, several older pole buildings at the Clayton County Fairgrounds which are available for free. Must dismantle etc.
- Initial bids brought in to the board are extremely high. This is somewhat expected given the time of year.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Discussion was held on where to hold the funds raised for the Pond and various volunteer projects.
- Decision to open a separate bank account for Esmann Island where can funds and donations collected can be kept. It will be called Esmann Rec Fund.
- Doug Hintzman made suggestion to keep it as Esmann Island Association DBA Esmann Rec Fund.
- $100 check donation was dropped off at the meeting for the fund.
- Kari Winders, Teri Denner, and Cindy Miller will monitor the donations and funds. Itemized funds, donations & expenditures will be kept for treasurer.
- It was brought to the board’s attention by Bill Allyn of a bad tree on front between his property and Neylen lot. It was damaged in the storms earlier this summer and perhaps should be taken down. Board members will go look at tree, locate pins and see if it’s on common ground.
- Don Niosi voiced his concerns on the Clayton County Property tax increases again this year.
- Last year we saw one increase and this year is the bigger hit. Driven partially by school referendum and also properties on both islands, when purchased, existing structures are razed and brand new houses built are factored into “property value”.
- You are able to plead your case to Clayton County but you need to have specific examples of comparables in hand. No guarantees they will lower your property taxes, but you can certainly try.
- Tom Nagel asked if anyone knew what the county plans were for the highway and especially the road coming on to the island. Last year there was a proposal for bike trails, cart path etc, but there is no state/county budget money to complete that this year. However, someone said they are supposed to resurface when finished.
Next Board Meeting will be September 16, 2017 at 8:00 am.
Motion made by Terry Denner to adjourn at 9:07, 2nd by Bob Buhrow. Motion approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Helling, Secretary