Esmann Island Owner’s Association Annual Meeting Minutes June 24, 2023

Laurie Helling 0 Comments

Call to Order:  The Annual Meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by President Jane Ertl Root. Jane made note that the Annual Meeting notice was mailed two weeks prior to meeting.  

Board Roll Call:  Present were President Jane Ertl Root. Board Members:  Linda Lampe, Gail Scherr, Josh Geistkemper,  Tim Ahlers. Absent: Nikki Lynch, Kevin Thie   Also present- Treasurer: Cindy Lynch and Secretary Laurie Helling.    

Annual Meeting Minutes: Jane asked to forgo the reading of last year’s minutes. There were no requests or questions regarding minutes by members present, so therefore a motion was made by Josh Geistkemper to waive reading of minutes aloud. Tim A. 2nd, all approved, so moved.

Treasurer’s Annual Report:

  • Cash Flow and Balance Sheet presented by Jane Ertl.  Copy was included on Annual Meeting  Notice Mailing. Motion made by Jane to approve Treasurer’s Report. 2nd by Tim Ahlers. All approved. So moved.

Committee Reports:

  • Boat Storage: Don Niosi –The shed is now open (after conclusion of annual meeting) for summer trailer storage. Flat fee $30 for summer months. As always first come, first serve.   FALL/WINTER Storage:  Shed is full. No openings, but can be placed on (waiting list if interested)
  • Road Report:  Nothing to report at this time. *Alliant will repair any damage caused by ongoing work.
  • Pond Committee:  Kari Winders recognized and thanked all the members who volunteered their time, talents and materials at the pond this past year.
    • Ongoing work to the Basketball court  (Basketball & Pickleball)
    • Charlie Goldsmith has volunteered to paint the lines
    • Terry Denner has been pricing out chain link fencing around the court. More to come.
    • Plans for 2023- continue improving the court, pond maintenance, have a donation of a 4 hr of excavation services to be used.
    • MEMORIAL WALL will be placed inside the pavilion this summer. Donations/Memorials need to be sent to Kari Winders asap.
    • Huge THANK YOU to the Can Sorting/Redemption events. Cindy Lynch, Linda Lampe, for spreading the word and organizing sort days! Plan to participate this summer! Bring a friend.
      • A lot of funds are generated for the Pond Rec Fund which benefits all!
      • *Reminder: Can Collection Area  
        • Do Not Crush Cans—they don’t get accepted at redemption center
        • No Plastic –  No Glass  –   No Garbage   –  Nickel cans
        • Ken “Doc” Rolfes reminds everyone to use twist ties on bags, KNOTS are a no-no!
      • Huge Thank you again to Jeff & Stacey Zearley for their time and effort in hauling and redeeming!
    • PLEASE USE your Esmann Island Member hanging PLACARD or new small Vinyl decals for your cart windshield, ATV, UTV, or any vehicle parked by pond area, beach area, pavilion. Make sure your guests know and use it as well.  **If you are a new island member, contact Cindy Lynch or Kari Winders
    • Discussion about respecting spaces around the pond area, pavilion, playground.
      • 5 mph on the pond road
      • No carts in the pavilion
      • The cart path to the pond beach is not an offroad racetrack for mini bikes, motorcycles, carts, or side by sides.
  • REMINDER— Keep in mind anyone can make a donation to the Pond Fund at any time!
    • Please remember to pick up behind you at beach/pond   Remind your guests as well.
    • Don’t overfish pond.  
    • Follow DNR rules for limits.  Better yet, catch and release small fish  

ESMANN LANDSCAPE & COMMON GROUNDS COMMITTEE: 

  • Gail Scherr brought flyers to hand out about not burning huge amounts of smoldering leaves in your fire pits. Harmful to air quality and to people with respiratory problems.  Instead consider composting, using for mulch etc.
  • “ADOPT A PLOT”   For the past few years we’ve been adding plants, perennial flowers along the back road. We’d LOVE to have individuals or families “adopt a plot” or two, to help maintain the plants, weed, etc. There are some wooden stakes in the ground starting at the back road past the bulletin board. 12 ft plots. Feel free to mark your name/lot number on a stake or 3 anytime!  We would sure appreciate it!  Just one more way to help keep the beauty on our island.
  • BUILDING COMMITTEE:  Current members, Chris Miller, Ken Doc Rolfes, Mike Burke
    • Brought to attention a new state & county ordinance that has gone into effect that no Secondary structure can be built over 600 sq feet unless it contains living space. This causes issues with undersized lots on island.
    • Discussion. Just be aware this ordinance is in effect and permits are being denied at county level (Pattu Ruff), depending on plans.

ELECTION of Board Members:

2 Open Board positions, 2  3-year positions. Nikki Lynch and Jane Ertl Root’s terms have expired and are not seeking election. We thank both of them so very much for their committed service to the Board the last several years.

Nominees for the two 3 yr positions  

  • Bret Flickinger– family been associated with the island for several generations. New members and wants to meet new people and participate in the process that makes Esmann a unique place!
  • Kate Hoffman:  Been coming to the island many years and have a place on the north end. Looking forward to taking a turn on the board.
  • Ballots were collected and counted by members, Cindy Lynch Tim Ahlers. ***AMENDMENT: Both Bret & Kate were elected to the board

OLD BUSINESS:

ALLIANT PROJECT—On going process.

  • They are working down Riverview currently. There will be a transformer box located roughly every 500 ft. 
  • Still on track to finish sometime in September.
  • A couple of members voiced concern about Alliant not sharing the info for water/sewer/septic lines to the crew digging trenches. Please be aware of your locations.
  • They will be removing equipment from sand pit area for the first two weekends of July for festivities.
  • Member asked if the concrete culverts will remain on backroad. Yes.  But any of the concrete can be painted, planted around etc. It was mentioned maybe having high school art students paint murals.
  • MediaCom has decided to do their own project rather than dovetail with Alliant.

SAFETY POINTS

  • Jane asked to have the Island Safety Rules posted prominently on our Esmann website.
  • ALL VEHICAL DRIVERS: PLEASE abide by the 15 MPH Speed Limit & 5 mph Pond Area This is for ALL VEHICLES, golf carts, 4 X 4’s, ATV’s, mopeds, motor bikes, mini bikes!  If you have guests, please inform them of the island road rules.
  • As an Island Association we have rules & the responsibility to ensure the safety of our members, our neighbors, and our guests.
    • Golf Carts– 12+ is “recommended age”. Golf carts and other recreational vehicles mentioned above are member’s responsibility in case of accident. Make sure your insurance has the right coverage for safety on the roads with golf carts and other recreational vehicles.
    • Please place your Lot Number on your cart (sticker-decal) so it is visible.

Esmann Flagpole Project:

  • Congratulations again to Christine Miller, the winning designer of the new Esmann Flag. It was presented to Christine and will be hung on the poles entering island.
  • Josh G made a motion for the Board to purchase new American Flags every year or two years and retire old.  Tim Ahlers 2nd motion. All In favor, motion passed.  Dispose of old flags to the local American Legion.

Fireworks:  Huge thank you for Josh Geistkemper and Terry Denner families for spearheading fireworks donations, purchasing, and helping put on a great show for Esmann Members! You can still donate anytime @$4000 to purchase (Contact Josh for Venmo) Any leftover funds will be put toward 2024 show.

  • With dry conditions on island,  please shoot fireworks IN the Sandpit! 
  • REMINDER: Members, please remind your families & guests that personal fireworks are your responsibility and to please pick up all the paper, leftovers, etc. the next day. 
  • Be mindful & respectful of your neighbors (and dogs) and be finished shooting them off by 11:00 pm at night.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Introduction of New Members to the Island
  • AED DISCUSSION: 
    • Member Cindy Miller had approached board and requested the AED (automated external defibrillator) be added back on the agenda this year.
    • Cindy Miller led the discussion with her information on AED’s and how they can greatly benefit someone in cardiac distress.
    • They are simple to use, clear directions. The State of Iowa is a Good Samaritan State meaning you can give assistance in an emergency situation with implied consent and doing the best to your ability and in good faith, not liable if unselfishly helping others.
    • Discussion of pricing:  approx. $1600 per unit  Unit life: 7 yrs (would be stored inside winter) where should they be located for best benefit to all?
    • Jeff Brown, 446 Riverview Road, is a trained EMT, and can provide CPR and AED training.
    • Tim Ahlers,Board member and Guttenberg Hospital Admin can also assist with ordering/training
    • Helen Schwietert made motion from floor to purchase the AED’s for island (number TBD) Roberta “Tuff” Schmerbach 2nd,  All in favor. Motion passed.
    • Discussion on special assessment, or how the AEDs funding should happen.
    • Helen Schwietert made motion from floor to have discussion ended and to have membership vote. Chris Miller 2nd all in favor.
    • Motion made by Terry Denner to have board fully fund the purchase of 3 AED’s  Cindy Miller 2nd.  Show of hands vote.  Counted by Ken Root. Ayes have it. Motion passed.
    • Board will purchase 3 AEDs. Order will take place with Cindy Miller and input from Tim Ahlers. 100 day backorder. Will need to finalize locations for 3 units. South End (near Eulbergs), middle location (near Assoc building) and north end (near North Ramp)

EVENTS CALENDAR:  Please read through the Monthly Events calendar email from Cindy Miller, as there may be changes!

  • July 8th 2023 Fireworks (for Esmann members and invited guests of Esmann members will be held at Sand Pit Saturday, Dusk (approx. 9:45)
  • VICEBOX band (and pre-band) will be playing at Kari & Dennis Winders Garage-Mahal starting at 8pm until fireworks. Break. They will resume music at conclusion of fireworks until midnight.
  • Labor Day Festivities are on. Golf Cart parade will be held. More details to follow in August meeting.
  • The Board wishes to thank all members who have volunteered their ideas, suggestions, time & materials! With member volunteer cooperation, we again have been able to keep our association dues in line, and are able to continue improving and enjoying our thriving community!
  • Jane Ertl Root asked for motion to adjourn. Motion from the floor-Kate Hoffman 2nd by Chris Miller All approved. Meeting adjourned at 11:24 am *Board adjourned to office for meeting of new members
  • AMENDMENT: New President: Josh Geistkemper, Vice Pres: Tim Ahlers

Thank you very much for your participation and input in our Annual Meeting! Have an ENJOYABLE & SAFE Summer!

Respectfully submitted,

Laurie Helling, Secretary/Social Media

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