2011: September 3 Meeting

The September 3 meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. with 27 in attendance. Motion made by Dick Arndt and seconded by Lorene Sorlien to approve August 13 minutes. Motion passed.

Jim Guldseth presented treasurer’s report: Balance as of August 13 was $1426.30. Deposit of $23.00. Expenses (mailing) $67.75 and (picnic) $124.82.
New Balance is $1,256.73.CD due on September 21 of $5,947.75. A second CD due on November 11 of $11,789.00. Motion by Ron Sluka seconded by Carol Johnson to approve report. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS
1. Loon platform - Steve Pelto will purchase materials and he and Gordy Larsen are to build the two structures.
2. Public access - no news
3. CLP Grant application - Grant application has been applied for and not heard results yet. If granted and a projector is purchased there may be a usage fee for the use of it to build up a maintenance fund.
4. Broadband update - 70 residents have completed online survey with mailing to be done soon to those that do not have e-mail addresses. Surveys to the unorganized residents will be delivered by Deb Pomroy.
5. Screen Door Project - as the hall door is commercial door, there may be special considerations to installation of screen. John Lucia has consented to investigate possibility of an insert with a window and screen. Project to be considered this coming spring.

NEW BUSINESS
1. Road pickup - date set for Wednesday, Sept. 8. Helpers to meet at hall at 9 a.m.
2. Yard Waste Day - Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at county gravel pit
3. List of area service providers (for binder project) - A list was circulated for individuals to list businesses that they would recommend to others as a type of “welcome wagon service” for new residents.
4. Program ideas for next year . Ideas included bird ID, presentation by Jan Green, rain gardens, and alternative energy sources.
5. Brush cleanup on West Branch Road. Volunteers to help on Monday, Sept. 19 (weather permitting) at 9 a.m. to cut and clear trees/brush on West Branch Road.

Thank you to Marialice Arndt and Kay Kolehmainen for providing treats today.
CLP in Two Harbors will hold Pancake Breakfast, Sept. 10 starting at 8:00. Petral Hall will hold their pancake breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 4.

Lake clarity done by Kris Larsen showed clarity on Little Pequaywan at 14' and the temperature was 70 degrees.

Motion to adjourn by Ray Barnes and seconded by Lorene Sorlien. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Marialice Arndt, secretary

2011: August 13 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Vice-chairman Richard Arndt at 10:01 a.m. with 26 present.

Motion made by Ron Sluka, second by Carol Johnston, to approve minutes of July 11th meeting. Motion passed.

Treasurer's report given by Jim Guldseth. Balance - 7/11/2011 $ 1,496.30.
Income - $80 Expenses - $150
Balance - 8/13/2011 $ 1,426.30
CD 1 - $5,940.75 CD 2 - $11,789.84 Both come due this year
Motion by Rick Johnson to approve report, second by Kathy Sluka. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS
1. Picnic report by Lori Gherna and Kristi Helgen: Attended by 41 members, 14 guests, 22 kids. Indoor games were good. Good variety of food. Enjoyable program of music and Cowboy poetry. Motion by Lori Gherna, second by Lorene Sorlien, that association look into buying a lightweight tent for use at picnic. Motion passed.
2. Petition update - No report

NEW BUSINESS
1. BROAD BAND UPDATE - Henry Helgen indicated people from Northstar, Normana, Pequaywan, Ault and unorganized area working on project with possible goal of grant application by next August. Responses needed on upcoming survey to be sent by e-mail/regular mail.
2. LAKE CLARITY - Big Lake - 7 1/2 ft. No report on Little Lake.
It was mentioned there was a disturbing report of human waste being found in water of Big Pequaywan near dam.
3. LOON REPORT - Up to 10 loons and 1 chick on Big Lake. Active loons but no chicks on Little lake. Motion made by Marilyn Bamford, second by Jerry Rosdahl authorizing Gordy Larsen to build a loon nesting platform for Little Pequaywan. Amendment motion by Henry Helgen, second by Marialice Arndt that it read "2 platforms" for Little Pequaywan. Amendment passed. Original motion as
amended passed.
4. COMPUTER PROJECTOR -Judy Strom will submit a grant application to CLP by Aug. 22 for an amount to be determined.
5. YARD WASTE DAY - Sept. 17 9-1 p.m.
6. PVFD recognition and fund raiser sponsored by residents Wed., Sept. 7, 7 p.m. Tickets for dinner are $10 per person. Residents unable to attend may send a check made out to PVFD in care of Richard Arndt.
7. Motion made by Ron Sluka,second by Marilyn Bamford, that Association investigate possible purchase and installation of a removable screen door for community room at a maximum cost of $300. Motion passed.

ELECTIONS: Nominated to office were: Secretary - Marialice Arndt; 1st Vice-president - Lorene Solien. There being no further nominations a white ballot was cast for these offices.

It was mentioned that Jean Duluth Road will be closed for two weeks begining next Wednesday for repairs.

Motion to adjourn by Richard Arndt, second by Judy Strom. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 11:08 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Ted Granquist, secretary

2011: July 9 Meeting

The July 9, 2011 meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. with 19 in attendance. Motion made by Lorene Sorlien, second by Bob McDonough, to approve minutes of June 11, 2011 meeting. Motion passed.

Jim Guldseth presented treasurer's report:
Balance 6/11/2011 - $1,570.70.
Income ( Dues - $172; Dumpster - $160) $332.00
Expenses (Dumpster cost) $406.40
Balance - 7/09/2011 $1,496.30
Two CDs come up for renewal later in year
Motion by Carol Johnston, second by Kathy Sluka, to approve report. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS
1. Projector - Lorene Sorlien will look into a grant possibility from CLP round up funds. Carol Johnston volunteered possible use of a projector if needed.

2. Dumpster was underutilized this year. Possible reasons: a. Need not there this year b. Time scheduled c. Packed tighter than other years. Cost was $10 for car; $15 for pickup. Thanks to Richard and Marialice Arndt for their cooperation in locating dumpster on their property. Also thanks to volunteers who helped that day. Suggestion that this service be offered in 3-5 years will be evaluated at a later meeting.

3. Scott Mead and Dale Gauthier set out buoys on Big Pequaywan.

NEW BUSINESS
1. Ron and Kathy Sluka brought up matter of abysmal condition of last stretch of Jean Duluth Rd. Motion by Scott Mead, second by Rick Johnson, asking Association president to send a letter to Commissioner Peg Sweeney enlisting her help in rectifying this situation.

2. Annual picnic set for Saturday, August 6. Possible schedule: 4:00 - Games, 5:00 meal.

3. Loon report - A nest with 2 eggs but no loon on Little Lake. Loon with chick seen on Big Lake. Three yellow billed loons seen on Big P. Lake. Loon platform for nesting on Little Pequaywan will be discussed again next month.

4. Yellow iris (invasive species) - Carol Johnston and Deb Pomeroy made GPS readings on locations on Little P. Lake and will monitor its spread.

5. Water clarity - 8 1/2 ', 9 ' (2 times), 8 1/2 ' on Big Lake since last meeting.

6. Judy Strom mentioned disturbing signs of spruce budworm seen on Little P. Lake.

7. Broadband initiative - Important to show interest on survey that will be done with area residents and cabin owners. More information can be found on association website. (http://pequaywanlakes.com/internet)

8. Petition drive - Dan Dexter urged all lake people to sign petition to environmental quality board asking for an environmental review before further work on public access on Big Pequaywan lake. (Download PDF of petition)

9. Judy Strom mentioned she will be putting a referral list of local businesses that have given satisfactory service available for lake people.

Motion to adjourn by Jim Guldseth, second by Kathy Sluka. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:53 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Ted Granquist, secretary

2011: June 11 Meeting

The June 11th meeting of the Pequaywan Lakes Association was called to order at 10:02 a.m. with 29 in attendance.

Deb Pomeroy showed an example of leafy splurge found along the roadway. Township board will be informed of the presence of this invasive species.

Secretary's report of May 14 meeting was presented. Motion by Ray Barnes, second by Lorene Sorlien to approve minutes of September, 2010 and May 14, 2011 meetings. Motion passed.

Treasurer's report: Balance 5/14/2011 meeting - $1,365.55. Dues collected - $360. Expenses (postage and printing) $154.85. Checkbook balance - 6/11/2011 - $1,570.70. Two CDs total $1,570.70 and renewable 9/21/11 and 11/3/2011. Motion by Deb Poetry, second by Tom Easty to approve May 14,2011 and June 11,2011 treasurer's reports. Motion passed

OLD BUSINESS

1: Thanks to road pickup crew and yard waste crew. (54 loads of yard waste collected.)
2. Dumpster date: Sat. June 18 - 9-1 p.m. open to members only. Volunteers needed to help out.
3. Public access - report deferred to later in meeting.
4. Community building addition - no report

NEW BUSINESS

1. Projector: Lori Gherna reported on computer projector. More information will be obtained before a decision is made.

2. Annual picnic: Proposed date is the first Saturday in August pending contact with Inn owners.

3. Water clarity report: Little Pequaywan - 19 ft; Big Pequaywan - 11.5 ft. Water sampling will continue at least through this summer to establish a baseline.

4. Loon report: Lorene stated a decision on a loon nesting platform for Little Pequaywan on hold until a check on previous nesting place to establish need.
Deb Pomeroy will check water samples from Big and Little lakes for signs of any aquatic invasive species.

5. Public Access: Dan Dexter reported on public access. Full blown environmental impact review requested by town board probably not possible. However, a petition drive addressed to environmental quality board asking that an environmental assessment worksheet be completed is a possibility. Lake residents strongly encouraged to participate in the petition that is being circulated. (Click here to download the petition)

Motion by Kathy King to adjourn, seconded by Bob McDonough. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.

A very informative program by Lori Williams and Dave Steininger (Little Pequaywan residents) on Bird watching and birds found in our area was presented after the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Ted Granules, secretary

2011: May 14 Meeting

Twenty-two members attended the May 14 meeting of the Pequaywan Lakes Association. Longtime residents who passed away this winter are Frank Wanner, Sr. and Arnold LeClair. Our sympathies to their families.

John Wilson reported on the spruce bud worm problem on the Rossini Road/#44 property. Tom McCabe, a logger invited by John, answered questions from the group. By show of hands, members approved the clearing of that property. The authority to approve the logging activity is the townboard. The board wanted the association's opinion regarding this issue. If anyone has objections, they should contact a township supervisor directly.

Secretary's report has been published. Treasurer's report: Checking account balance as of Aug. 10, 2010: $1482.58. Income of $370 in dues. Expenses of $487.03. Balance of $1365.55. More dues were paid at this meeting. CD#1 due 11-3-1011: $11,789.84. CD#2 due 9-21-11 $5947.75. (Chair failed to ask for approval motions--do this at the June meeting.)

Old Business: none

New Business: High speed/Broadband Internet informational meeting will be held Tuesday May 17th at 7 AM at North Star. Normanna, North Star, Pequaywan and Brimson townships and Unorganized are not included in this service as planned now. Alden is included.

Road Pickup is Monday May 16, 9 am. Meet at the Firehall.

Proposed Dumpster Day is June 18. Judy and Lee will create a Virtual Garage Sale Day (or Week). They will put a web page up on the Lake Association site and post ads and photos for members who want to sell things. This might help reduce the "stuff" going into the dumpster. There is no cost to this so even good giveaway items can be listed. Whatever information the seller wants (maps, phone numbers, email) can be included. The ads will start up around June 1 and run up to before Dumpster Day. Judy will email notice of this to everyone on the mailing list. Give information to Phyllis or Judy to copy to the webpage if you don't have email.

Yard Waste Day: May 28 and Sept. 17, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. No branches larger than 8" in diameter.

Loon report and information on artificial loon nesting platforms: Big Lake loons arrived on April 23. Three loons on the lake. Two loons on Little Pequaywan. Lorene reported on the possibility of an Artificial Nesting Platform being constructed and put on Little Pequaywan because loons have not successfully nested there for a number of years. The Association Environmental Committee will meet before the next association meeting to discuss this and other environmental concerns and make recommendations.

Deb Pomroy plans to take a baseline vegetation inventory of both lakes this summer to document if there are invasive species and to help discern what impact the proposed public access may present.

Detailed information on a proposed Firehall/meeting room expansion was available. Residents need to consider this possibility or the prospect of using the 40 acre plot at Rossini and #44 for a community center.

Ice-out on the big lake was April 29.

Next meeting June 11. DNR representative are tentatively scheduled to discuss public access.

Motion by Cam Johnson to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jim Guldseth.

Minutes taken by Lorene Sorlien for Ted Granquist, secretary.

Donna Johnson provided treats. We need a volunteer for the June meeting.