Jane Ertl Root called the meeting to order at 8:00am. Board members present were Gail Scher, Nikki Lynch, Tim Ehlers, Kevin Thie. Absent were Josh Geistkemper and Andrew Phelps. Also present were Treasurer, Cindy Lynch. To see members in attendance (a large group) ask to review the sign-in sheet for this meeting.
Minutes: Reading of the minutes from last meeting of October 16, 2021 was waived in a motion by Tim and seconded by Kevin and unanimous vote of the Board. Motion so passed.
REPORTS
Treasurer: Treasurer Helen Schwietert has resigned effective November 30, 2021 The Board thanks Helen again for her years of service to our Association, In her place, Cindy Lynch has been hired to take over the treasurer position as well as doing secretarial duties.
- Laurie Helling will continue the very important duties of social media. We thank Laurie for all of her work as well and look forward to working with her in making our information transparent & available to our membership.
- Because Cindy has just started this position no formal report was presented but Jane confirme balances as of 4/29/22 at Fidelity Bank as follows: $125K CD and $ 10K regular checking balance
- Dave Wagner will provide a 2021 financial report for review at the annual meeting. Dave continues to provide services as our tax accountant as well as advising us on capital expenditures
that should be depreciated.
Bills:No Bills presented at this time.
Building permits:
- Phillip Hildebrand, 431 Timberlane, APPROVED
- NOTE: We have no information or building permit on concrete pad located on 2nd Ave. We will reach out to the owner of record.
- Tim Leiss at 348 RVR asked about process for demo. He will provide $500 road deposit fee, which will be returned if no road damage occurs.
- Building committee members request copies of completed projects for their final review and records. The committee will verify completion before checks are returned to owners.
Property Changes:
- Pittman to Hildebrand, 431 Timberlane
- Phelps to Lumetta, 363 River View Road
- Bart Flickinger to Bret & Cora Flickinger 354 3rd Ave
- Horn to Reyerson, 423 Timberlane
- Baumgartner to Plagge, 421 White Oak
- Cletus Davis to Scott Davis, 418 Hickory
- Buhrow to Sorenson, 415 River View Road
- Brown to Buhrow, 346 River View Road
There was some discussion as to how the board is informed of ownership changes. It was noted that the Clayton County Assessor would be aware of these transactions. Cindy volunteered to see if some more formal action can be initiated to make sure our membership information is updated in a more timely & efficient manner.
Boat Storage: Don Niosi has done a great job of keeping up with the boat storage and collecting fees amounting to $3423 for 2021. All boats should be removed by mid-June. Don will begin storing trailers after annual meeting. Lime was spread on the floor last Fall. Ken Root will organize volunteers to help pressure wash the inside of the building, tentative scheduled for June 23. Please contact Ken if you are interested in helping.
Pond & Rec Committee: Cindy Miller has asked to be removed from the Rec Board. We thank Cindy for all her work and regretfully accept her resignation. Kari Winders and Mrs. Teri Denner remain on the committee and will be looking for one or more residents willing to join them.
Kari said most of the big projects are complete and only maintenance remains, which she reminded the board, does require funding.
Discussion was held on the Can Donation project, presently managed by Stacy and Jeff Zearley. Various redemption alternatives were discussed. All members and board present acknowledge the benefit to our community from this project. We want it to continue but there has been “disgusting abuse” of the area as a dumping ground for garbage. As the Zearley’s were not present, more information may be shared at our annual meeting
Island Beautification/Landscaping Committee: (See Old Business)
OLD BUSINESS:
Flag Poles: Gail Scherr reported on the flag pole project. The flag poles are in place and we have an American flag and an Iowa flag ready to go. The lighting is not in place and Gail has run into some road blocks.
Pat? has volunteered to help expedite this and Scott Kainz (electrician on the island) has also offered his services. It was mentioned that a solar light may be the answer. Further discussion will be held if the electrical hook up doesn’t work.
We have an Esmann Island flag ideas submitted on the website. We plan to add this item to the ballot for voting at the annual meeting.
- Alliant/Mi-Tech project: Representatives were here on Saturday, April 30 to answer questions at this well attended meeting. They have prepared Question/Answer document that will be added to the website.
- Esmann metal detector: Don Niosi successfully located our lost metal detector. This is available for Exman residents, as needed. Please contact a Board member.
- Move boat dock to the old ramp Tom Nagel and Dale Hoffman will relocate our boat dock on the old ramp. The goal is to make it more easily accessible and open up additional beach area. Tony Reyerson will contact Jeff Freidlein about adding additional rock to the bottom of the new boat ramp. Tom Nagel will get cost information to the board.
ROAD: Kevin asked about the road and recalled that the company was to come back this spring to sweep and take care of the extra rock on the road. He noted that it has been more dusty than usual even with the significant rain we’ve had.Jane will reach out to Terry Denner and to speak on behalf of the road committee at the Annual Meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Member Becky Schaeffer addressed the Board representing the Umbrella Arts of Guttenberg. This is a group promoting the arts in Guttenberg. They provide the Friday Night Music in the Park each summer, the fish sculpture and other things. Becky was requesting a donation to a project the group is involved with. The project is an outdoor instrument ensemble to be located along River Park Drive across from Joe’s Pizza. Beyond emergency services, the Board has not donated to Guttenberg projects. Jane used the swimming pool as an example. Yet, the Board will give Becky the opportunity to present the project information at the annual meeting. Google—- freenotesharmonypark.com for a listen!
Owner Concerns & Comments
NOTE: Alicia Hoffman (daughter of Dale) is planning our first island wedding on June 11, 2022. They will have the pavilion and also a tent set up. Some guests may also be camping in the field area. The wedding is at 5 pm and there will be DJ, music and fireworks. Alicia will get required permits and some proof of insurance. Jane will be working with her to draw up a formal contract. Islanders are invited after 8 pm.
Doc Rolfes brought up the subject of speed bumps. Nikki will continue her research on thisproject. It was motioned by Nikki and seconded by Gail and all agreed that these are needed, but placement would be determined after further discussion and cost determination.
*** Kevin suggested we update our faded island signage. Some miscellaneous signs were storedin our closet. Kevin will research what we need and quantities of each. Through Doug Hinzman’s connections at Iowa Prison Industries we should be able to get new signage in a timely manner. We also discussed selling old signs via silent auction at the annual meeting.
***Dale Hoffman brought up that there have been several fishing boats in the pond with the high water they are coming in from the north end off the channel. He would like to erect a barrier of some sort. He noted that bass were highly fished from the pond this spring. All agreed that he proceed using materials at hand.
Annual Meeting Preparation
The target date to complete annual resident mailing is June 1, 2022 (Minimum 2 weeks before meeting) Beyond voting for New Board Members and Island flag option we have no addition al ballot items at this time.
- Jane will create a nominating committee of 3 people who will be responsible for counting ballots and making sure all are in order.
- We have two open seats, (3 Yr terms) Josh Geistkemper is seeking re-election for a second term. Andrew Phelps is stepping down. Linda Lampe has returned her Nomination Form and will run for one 3 yr term. NOTE: If any other residents wish to run, please request a Nomination Form and return (email) or hand in to Board Member by Friday, May 27 at 5PM (or by end of Sunday night)
Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Jane Ertl Root seconded by Tim. All in favor. The meeting adjourned.
Our next regular Board meeting will be Saturday, June 25 immediately following the Annual Meeting.
Respectively submitted,
Cindy Lynch