Esmann Island Homeowner’s Association Meeting Minutes May 20th, 2023

Laurie Helling 0 Comments

Call to Order:   Meeting was called to order at 8:02 am by President Jane Root.  

Board Members:  Present were President Jane Ertl Root. Board Members: Linda Lampe, Nikki Lynch, Tim Ahlers on phone.   Absent: Josh Geistkemper, Kevin Thie, Gail Scherr

Also present- Treasurer: Cindy Lynch  Secretary Laurie Helling  (on phone)  

Members Present:   Ken Brandel, Ken Root, Ken “Doc” Rolfe, Terry & Teri Denner, Buc Lampe, Doug Hintzman, and  other members

Minutes:  Jane asked if there were any questions on the October 2022 minutes.  No April Meeting due to spring flooding.

Jane asked for motion to forgo reading of minutes and approve. Nikki made the motion, with Linda L. 2nd the motion. Motion approved.

Treasurer’s Report:

  • Summary of 2022 Expenses presented by Cindy Lynch
    • Bi-County
    • Alliant
    • Legal
    • Insurance
    • Tax Prep
    • Common Grounds upkeep
    • Taxes
    • Road/Snow Removal
    • Misc Office Supplies
  • Income
    • Interest from CDs/Bank accounts
    • Annual Dues
    • Farm Field Lease

Bills Submitted:

  • Bi-County Sanitation
    • Wagner Tax Prep
    • Alliant (monthly auto-pay)
    • Linda L made motion to approve bills, 2nd by Nikki. All approved.

Other Finances: 

  • Discussion held regarding CDs coming due. Cash will be moved to checking account to cover until annual dues, and move other funds to a new CD (possibly 9 mo) Jane will compare best rates.
  • Doug Hintzman had some good suggestions for ladder type CD program.
  • Jane asked for motion to move CD funds to checking and new CDs. Tim Ahlers made the motion, with Nikki 2nd. All approved. Motion passed. 
  • Jane asked for motion to approve and donate $500 to the Guttenberg Fire Dept. Nikki L made motion, Linda L 2nd, all in favor. Motion passed.
  • Cindy Lynch, Treasurer, mentioned the QuickBooks version we are using is getting outdated, and doesn’t format well with our Tax preparer system. Member, Doug Hintzman, had some good information regarding the new QuickBooks. We can still use the program for annual invoices for now. Discussion of upgrading will be taken offline for now.

Building Permits:

  • Sandy Leiss (signed off on permit)
  • Steve Von Handorf  (signed off on permit)
  • Earl Burkle-submitted plan, Corp permit submitted, Building committee member will need to check specs, and sign off.
  • Board Members agree no Building Permits will be approved during the months of November through March)
  • Most building committee & Board members are not present during winter and early spring months and with spring road embargo, no heavy equipment can use roads anyway.

Amend and Update Building Permit form on website to include the member Name, Address, Phone numbers and email.   

Building Committee: 

  • Need Volunteers.  Phil (Buc) Lampe will be joining committee.
  • Could use 1 or 2 more people to help with building permits, compliance to Assoc by-laws & regulations, pre-build sign off, post build sign off.
  • Review & Update forms on the Esmann website. Amend form to include email address field.

Property Changes:   

  • 358 2nd Ave to Earl Burkle (Demo of existing cottage) Road Deposit needed
  • 419 Riverview Deed to Jane Ertl Root
  • 418 Riverview Deed to Julie Ertl Jensen

 Committee Reports:

  • Boat Storage:  Nothing to report but someone did need to remove boat.  Ken Brandel has key.
    • NOTE:  Need boats and trailers out of building prior to annual meeting.
  • The Little Library: Cindy Lynch—Full of books–  Take and Share — Corner of 2nd Ave & Riverview
  • Pond Committee:  CALLING Volunteers to help spruce up around the pond  area/beach when water drops.
    • Looking for Volunteers to help paint the lines on the basketball court.
    • Discussion on how to best prepare surface for paint and maximum durability.
    • Discussion on temporary fence around the pickle-ball court. Maybe even mesh for now.
  • Landscaping Committee: Need new volunteers to step in to help maintain flowers on common grounds, along back road. Etc.  If you have a green thumb, please join in!
  • Road Committee—   
  • Speed Bumps?
    • Nikki’s research indicates there will be damage to our roads with placement of speed bumps, even temporary ones. Possibly vote on consensus at annual meeting.
    • Discussion on speeding vehicles, even service vehicles like FedEx and UPS.
    • Speed Displays?  Cameras?
    • Thanks to EVERYONE who has helped during and after the flood to clean debris off the back and river roads, and the road to the pond area!  Much appreciated!

*Reminder: Can Collection Area has moved to East Side of Association Shed.

  • Do Not Crush Cans—they don’t get accepted at redemption center
    • No Plastic –  No Glass  –   No Garbage
    • Nickel cans Only
    • Use ONLY Clear plastic bags provided—NO BLACK GARBAGE BAGS or GROCERY BAGS
    • Huge thanks to the Volunteers that are stepping up to help sort and clean the cans prior to taking to redemption center!  We all benefit from the resources that these funds help pay for! PLEASE take a turn to help!    

 OLD BUSINESS:

  •  Speed Bumps (see above in Road Report)
  •  Jane had call from Alliant and they will have a gravel pile and some machinery left parked by pond temporarily.
    • Most likely will be September before underground project is finished.
    • If you haven’t gotten an electrician yet, you need to get one signed up!

Dustin Mohs | Manager Customer Operations
alliantenergy.com I dustinmohs@alliantenergy.com
ALLIANT ENERGY Office: (563) 382-1623 | Cell: (563) 260-8112

  • Jane reminded everyone we have a “no solicitation” regulation, so we shouldn’t be seeing business signs in member’s yards or lot advertising businesses.  If a contractor is actively doing work on island it’s okay to have their signage up temporarily.
  • AED’s are not going to be pursued at this time.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • ANNUAL Meeting:  NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD MEMBERS
  • 2 OPEN SEATS 3 yr terms
  • Please consider taking a turn on the Association Board!  Fresh input, new talents are certainly welcomed and it’s a great way to meet lots of people on the island.
  • Anyone wanting to be considered needs to pick up a nomination form and fill it out. Contact a Board Member, Treasurer, or Sect.
  • Annual Meeting Agenda Item—Underage drivers in golf carts, go carts, mopeds, mini bikes. Accountability & Responsibility. Jane will confer with Abel Island and their road rules document for updating.
  • We heard some really positive feedback from Patti Ruff, from Clayton County,  of how Esmann Island really had our act together during the flooding and she was so impressed!  Esmann Island Rocks!
  • Water Well Safety and Septic Systems:  Again, for water testing please contact Patti Ruff, Clayton County $5 to test.  With the close proximity of so many wells, septics, and leach field, all members need to be diligent on the upkeep of systems.  If your septic is old, check on it. It only takes one septic failure to corrupt a water supply for you and others.  
  • Linda Lampe requested permission to get new signage for 5 mph speed limit on pond road beginning at Pond Recreation area sign.

Jane asked for motion to adjourn. Linda L made motion with 2nd from Nikki Lynch. All approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 am.

Next meeting EIOA Annual Board/ Member Meeting-  (Saturday, June 24th) with Board Meeting to follow immediately. Mailing to go out in the next week-10 days.

Jane asked for motion to adjourn. Linda L made motion with 2nd from Nikki Lynch. All approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurie Helling, Secretary

Leave a Reply