Call to Order: The Annual Meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by President Jane 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: Chip Flory, Josh Geistkemper, Nikki Lynch, Tim Ahlers. Absent: Andrew Phelps, Tony Reyerson
Also present- Treasurer: Helen Schwietert 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 bu Chip Flory to waive reading of minutes aloud. Tim . 2nd, all approved, so moved.
Jane introduced Gail Scherr, candidate running for Board. Gail spoke a few words about herself and invited Esmann members to a Pot Luck/dish to pass on July 3, (afternoon) prior to the evening festivities. Stop by at the detached garage near North Boat ramp.
Jane also introduced new Island Members 2020 until now to stand and be recognized.
Treasurer’s Annual Report:
- Cash
Flow and Balance Sheet presented by Jane Ertl.
- The Association is in a good position for cash on hand.
- Have not received invoice for Road Reseal to date.
- No questions or concerns from members present.
Motion made by Jane to approve Treasurer’s Report. 2nd by Chip Flory. 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. Possible room for a another trailer or two.
- For Winter Storage there is usually a waiting list so please contact Don with any questions or to be placed on list. No openings at this time.
- Road Report:
- Jane asked Terry Denner to speak regarding the Road Reseal
- *Road Seal Project has finally been completed
- Some cold patching ongoing
- Abel has contributed to payment for cold patch.
- Noted this reseal should be good for another 5-8 years.
- No extra fees incurred from Blacktop Services
- Gary
Gansen voiced his concerns for lack of communication on reaching BlackTop
Services concerning slope(s) by driveway.
- Terry did respond regarding the posting of the Blacktop Services contact information multiple times in the past year of Minutes, and on website.
- Terry Gansen’s comments/concerns duly noted.
- Most important thing now to have a lot of driving on the roads to pack it down.
- Thank you from the board for your efforts to help make the Reseal happen, especially well after your term as Board President expired.
- Pond Committee: Kari Winders recognized and thanked all the members who volunteered their time, talents and materials at the pond this past year.
- Aerator is ordered but on backorder. It will be placed in the pond as soon as it arrives.
- REMINDER—Once Aerator is installed, No
Boats with motors in pond. No ice fishing on pond. Ice will be unsafe and
unstable.
- 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. The pond did not benefit from the spring flooding to help restock fish naturally. We also experienced a large fish kill in February due to lack of oxygen.
- Follow DNR rules for limits. Better yet, catch and release small fish this year to grow and spawn.
- No boats with motors in pond. Canoes, kayaks, small oar boats allowed.
*Reminder: Can Collection Area
- Do
Not Crush Cans—they don’t get accepted at redemption center
- No Plastic – No Glass – No Garbage
- Nickel cans
- Use Clear plastic bags provided
- Huge Thank you again to Jeff & Stacey Zearley for their time and effort in hauling, cleaning and redeeming!
- PAVILION Memorial Plaques will be finalized soon!
- 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.
- NEW YOGA by the POND Pavilion hosted by Nikki Lynch and Kari Winders. Please follow the YOGA by the Pond FB group for ongoing information. Weather permitting. Any rain, or immediate threat of rain, it will be cancelled.
- Member Wayne Jensen asked if the Guttenberg Fire Department has flushed the hydrant this year and to our knowledge they have not.
- Kari and/or board will check with Fire Dept.
- Wayne also mentioned years ago, it was discussed on the island about a gate with card swipe for members but it never gained any traction.
- Cindy and Kari know there are several (non member) re-offenders! This means they do not have the placard, or Esmann decal. If you are at the pond or boat ramps, and do not feel comfortable approaching a person(s) or unknown vehicle, please take picture of license plates, and let someone on the Board know!
EVENTS CALENDAR: Please read through the Events calendar when you receive them as there may be changes!
- The Annual Labor Day Golf cart parade will go on as planned.
- **July Fireworks (for Esmann members and invited guests of Esmann members will be held at Sand Pit Saturday, July 3, Dusk (approx. 9:45)
- VICEBOX band will be playing at Kari & Dennis Winders Garage-Mahal starting at 8pm until fireworks. They will resume music at conclusion of fireworks.
ELECTION of Board Members:
2 Open Board positions, 2 3-year positions. Tony Reyerson and Chip Flory’s terms have expired and not seeking election. We thank both of them so very much for their committed service to the Board the last few years.
Nominees for the two 3 yr positions. A little background info:
- Gail Scherr –has been an Esmann member for several years. She has contributed greatly to the Landscaping and Beautification Committee for a few years as well. Gail is excited to meet new people and take a more involved role with the board.
- LATE Floor Nomination of Kevin Thie by his wife Julie.
- Ballot is filled. The member with a handful of write in votes did not accept the nomination.
OLD BUSINESS:
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. 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:
- Having 2 or 3 flagpoles installed at the entrance of Esmann Island has been discussed for the last year and a half at several board meetings.
- Chip Flory and Gail Scherr are negotiating pricing with Lang Sign, a company in Dubuque, for the poles, insured installation, American and state flag.
- DESIGN
CONTEST for Esmann Island Flag!
- If you are a creative thinker/designer Esmann member, consider sending a mock up original flag design to Chip Flory, cflory@farmjournal.com
- Deadline July 31!!
- We are very hopeful with a $3900 budget from the board, donations from island members, and possible additional fund raiser we can make it happen.
- Member Tammy Halfhill raised a question “Will the flagpoles be a concrete installation? YES
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 and it will be put toward 2022’s show.
Nancy Stafford asked where Fireworks take place? Sandpit north end of island.
Tammy Halfhill wanted to thank everyone involved in putting on a great show for us!
Chris Zearley (Abel Island Resident/Owner) Request:
- At the May board meeting an Abel Island owner presented a proposal to the Board on a request for easement to enter Abel in future new developed lots.
- Board said it would be placed on the Annual Meeting agenda.
- Jane provided a bit more history to membership present
- Chip Flory asked for motion to deny the easement proposal. Nikki Lynch 2nd
- Jane asked for a voice/show of hand Vote, YES or NO.
- The Vote was overwhelmingly NO. Request denied.
NEW BUSINESS:
Monthly Board Meetings:
- Jane explained to members present for input on the number of Board meetings held during the year.
- Currently there are 7 monthly meetings, starting in April and ending in October.
- The board looked at the original island by laws, addendums, etc. and there is no verbiage that requires a monthly meeting.
- Asked for input on if eliminating the first April Meeting and the October meeting and possibly one other would cause grave concerns?
- Possible
scenario: May meeting as usual to address any spring issues, plus plan June
Annual Meeting.
- June Meeting, July would be a board meet and drive around island to look at and note any road or property concerns, etc. No formal meeting. Then late August Meeting, late September meeting.
- A few members asked if that would cause any problems, delays etc. for any member concerns, building permits, that much be brought before the board?
- Member Teri Denner said there may be a concern about board transparency and board availability. Duly noted.
- Jane explained the Board members can still operate efficiently (as we did during Covid) with Zoom meetings online if needed, texting, and/or a call for a special Board Meeting at any time if necessary.
- We would still provide detailed minutes, notes and transparency needed for a successful board and HOA community.
- There will be no change for this 2020 calendar year, but will reconsider for 2021 calendar.
- This will be tabled until last meeting of this year. The Board appreciates any and all feedback.
BUILDING COMMITTEE IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS:
- To dovetail with holding less meetings, Ken Root mentioned the Building Committee and having clear and consistent procedures and expectations by building committee members and lot owners and board.
- Building committee members have always been volunteer positions reporting to the Board for pre-approval and final approval of building permits, issues etc
- Steve Lampe, current Building Committee member asked for a copy of each permit/building plan/blueprint be created for EACH Building committee member so all are on the same page.
- Earl Burkle suggested having an independent (paid position) building inspector instead of volunteers on a committee. This would be a paid position, so job requirements of building and inspection acuity would be a prerequisite. Since this could be a 3rd party and independent it would lend itself to a more consistent dialogue between lot owner and permit request, adherence to Esmann and County by laws, permit process etc.
- Chris Miller agreed this is a good idea and would be worth seriously considering.
- Nikki Lynch made a motion to discuss this in more detail at our next Board meeting(s). Josh Geistkemper 2nd. All approved. Motion passed.
ISLAND RESERVES:
- The Board thought this a great opportunity to plant a seed for the future about Island Reserves. (aka available funds on hand for any major projects)
- There is nothing on the radar, but Jane explained that “some day” we may be put in a position to have to make a major change or incur a huge expense. i.e. wells so close to leach fields, or Guttenberg wanting to annex us..again these are just scenarios.
- If this was ever to happen, would we, as an Association be prepared?
- As member Bob Preston wisely pointed out, “Never bring any of these things to the forefront. We are happy to fly under the radar with the county, and DNR.”
- Agreed, we are NOT looking to put us on anyone’s radar for any reason, but we still need to be realistic these could happen for future Esmann generations.
- Do we need to explore other formulas (sq feet) etc for determining annual dues and assesments on lots owned, especially considering the many undersized, grandfathered, improved, unimproved lots? Food for thought.
- Member Gary Gansen is against any drastic changes to the dues or assessments in the near future.
- If anyone is interested in exploring more equitable options or being part of an advisory group, research in this area, please let Jane Root know. We realize many of you have financial, real estate, and other HOA expertise. Again, this is our island community and everyone should –feel able to contribute for the present and future!
AED Defibrillators Interest?
- Member Cindy Miller (nurse) expressed a strong desire for the board to invest and purchase 2 or 3 AED Defibrillators for the island. (including pediatric paddles)
- With the river, pond, and in case of heart attack, electrocution, among so many other scenarios, these AEDS could be readily available for use.
- Proposed on site training for 6+ people
- Mike Scherr voiced concerns about operators and alcohol usage? Liability?
- Dennis Winders said the more people the better should be trained in CPR.
- Units are generally priced between $1900-$2000
- Board would like to get more definite pricing and review options.
- Gary Gansen said to check with Guttenberg Fire Department? Do they offer training?
- Earl Burkle said to check on securing possible grant money to fund the AEDs.
- Board member Tim Ahlers will also check with the Guttenberg Hospital on grant funding.
- Henry Martens said he’d always support (and in his HOA experience in home state) having a special assessment is also an option.
- Tabled until next meeting(s). We appreciate all feedback.
MISC:
Nikki Lynch is having an arborist (tree specialist) visit her lot to assess a tree and possibly if there are others interested can arrange for longer time block with the arborist. Please email Nikki if interested.
Stacey Zearley mentioned interest in having a more visible way to “share information” with other members. i.e. We are having our septic pumped on this date, if you are interested in pumping yours same day, email or respond and that way share resources more efficiently. Will explore options on Social Media.
Reminder: SECRETARY and TREASURER positions will be open. These are paid positions.
If you are interested or would like more info, please reach out to Jane Root, Laurie Helling or Helen.Schwietert. Email addresses and phone # on EsmannIsland.com website.
- If you were planning on doing your own fireworks, you are encouraged to set them up and fire them off in the sand pit as well.
- 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.
- 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!
- Motion made to adjourn the meeting by Jane Ertl. Nikki made motion, 2nd from the floor. All approved. Meeting adjourned at 12:15
Next Board Meeting will be held Saturday, July 17th, 2021 at 8:00 am.
Thank you very much for your participation and input in our Annual Meeting!
Have an ENJOYABLE & SAFE Summer!
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Helling, Secretary