September 5, 2020

President Sandy Swanson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. with 20 members present.

Minutes of the June 27, 2020 McKenzie Lakes Association Annual Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Sandy Swanson, President, at 9:05 am.

Minutes of the Aug 31, 2019 McKenzie Lakes Association Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Sandy Swanson, President, at 9:00 AM.

Welcome:

Sandy welcomed everyone to the meeting.  There were 23 members present.

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Minutes & Treasurer’s report:

There were no additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting.  The minutes from the July 27^th MLA meeting were approved.

 

Jeff Larson, Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report. The report was approved.

 

Membership

We are still looking for a person to take over the membership committee.  Jan Calwell has agreed to take Lower McKenzie to canvas for new members.

Fred Kruger brought up the need to update the member ring binder as it has been 5 years since the last update.  Fred will coordinate with Sandy, since Fred has all the information on his computer.

 

Website:

The Website has been updated with new pictures and AIS information.

 

Seechi Disk Readings:

Seechi Disk readings:  Lower McKenzie 10.5 ft.  Middle McKenzie was 11 ft.  Big McKenzie 7.25 ft.

 

Rapid Response Grant:

We are in final year of the three year grant with enough money to support paid Boat Inspectors for Big McKenzie.  We have met our matching requirements for the entire grant therefore we do not have to track volunteer hours. Boat inspection hours, paid or volunteer are being tracked through the DNR, SWIMS database.  Sampling plates need to be removed and the ZM counted and the total number reported to Mike Schollmeyer.  Plates should be cleaned and stored inside.

Scott Ballantyne is looking to collect live ZM for his genetic research work.  He will be contacting you shortly to try and get some of your specimens.

 

Big McKenzie Boat Inspections:

From the fishing opener to last weekend (Aug 25) we performed a total of 248 hours of boat inspections..  Volunteer hours  to date are 55, paid hours are 194. Washburn County/Burnett County have provided a few paid inspector who are not included in this grant. We are tracking hours, both volunteer and paid on the DNR SWIMS database.

 

Middle McKenzie Boat Inspections:

From the fishing opener to last weekend (Aug 25), we had a total of 310 hours of boat inspections.  Paid inspectors total hours are 213 and 98 volunteer hours.  We have met the required minimum of 200 hours of boat inspections and are ahead of our 25% in kind match.

 

 

Booya: We had a very successful Booya fund raiser, The results are presented below and its comparison to the last four years.

 

Five Year Comparison of Booya Results

 

Year	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Gross Income	5,158	5,368	6,105	5,737	5,613
Expenses	1,772	1,820	1,253	1,432	1,379
Net Income	3,386	3,548	4,852	4,305	4,234

 

 

On behalf of the McKenzie Lakes Association, I want to take this opportunity to thank all who helped with this year’s Booya.

A special thanks to George and Terry, who make the day work, to Chris Rahn, our MC, who kept things moving, Doug McCreadie, our retiring Master Booya Chef, and to Lisa who kept me going in the right direction. A big thanks to all who volunteered with food prep, ticket sales, cooking, manning the food tent, manning the beverage tent, selling bucket tickets, selling paddles, manning the membership booth, manning the clothing booth, and, not least of all set up and cleanup by the 6:00AM boys and the rest of the crew. Another big thank you to those who generously donated food, money, and prizes.  And finally, thanks to all who came to support and enjoy the event. It was a wonderful day. Most importantly, we reconnected with neighbors and made new friends. It’s all about our lakes community. As a side benefit, we made some money.

Thanks, Ann Powers, Chairman,

 

New business:        

Walleye Fund

Scott Ballantyne presented an update and clarification from Craig Roberts, DNR Fishery Biologist on walleye stocking in the McKenzie Lakes

1. The current plan is to continue with stocking 10 fish/acre with DNR fish funded by the Walleye Initiative.  Currently, there have been four stockings at this rate for Middle and Big Mckenzie.  Most of our other lakes with higher rates (15 fish/acre, 20 fish/acre) are not seeing higher survival rates.  Stocking more fish on top of our fish would likely not result in better numbers of walleye.
2. The study is ongoing and the real tell will be in additional adult survey  results.   Middle McKenzie survey has been completed,, but the DNR has not sampled Big McKenzie for adult walleye.  That is currently slated for 2024.  Craig does not believe increasing the stocking rates will result in higher catch rates of walleye.  The main reason is other lakes like Nancy, North Sand, and Stone have higher rates but see similar returns as the McKenzies lakes.  Only Slim Lake in Washburn Co has had success with a rate over 10 fish/acre.  Stocking 15, 20, 30 fish/acre is not going to push the fishery back to a walleye dominant lake.
3. The data is mostly showing that natural reproduction is not on-going for the Lakes.  In the future this may change how the DNR will manage the lake and whether or not the DNR will allow additional stockings or continue stocking the lakes.

If the governor/legislature ever cuts the Walleye Initiative funding the DNR  may not be in a position to stock 10 fish/acre in the McKenzie Lakes.  Craig advised saving any money in a Walleye fund for a scenario where you could purchase more fish if  theDNR could no longer stock the lakes.  A habitat initiative is also an option, such as fish sticks, which may be a good way to naturally increase young forage fish in the lakes.  That money could be put toward that as well.

Special Boards Meeting:

A special board meeting was held prior to today’s meeting to consider 4 proposals which were approved, then presented to the general membership for their approval.

Proposal 1:  MLA will apply for Clean Boats/Clean Water grants from the DNR for the public landings on Big and Middle McKenzie Lakes.  Motion Approval, Resolution approved by general members.

Proposal 2: The Treasure of MLA will receive membership dues and Secretary will maintain the membership list.  Motion:  Approved, Resolution Approved by general members.

Proposal 3:  If MLA is successful in obtaining CB/CW grants, MLA will hire contract Boat Inspectors at a rate of $12/hr plus tine for travel.  Motion Approved. Resolutioned approved by general members.

Proposal 4: MLA will move its website host from Sports Engine to Lakekit.net and hire North of Eight, Siren, to coordinate the move and maintain and update the site. Motion Approved with contract limited to the estimate from North of Eight. Motion approved, Resolution approved by general members.

Extra Proposal 5:  Motion made and approved to submit CB/CW grant for Lower McKenzie., Motion Approved by general members..

It was pointed out that all CB/CW grants will require a separated Resolution and named coordinator for each of the grant applications.

Additional discussions where held on how to allot some of our extra funds.  It was proposed that we set up a fund to set aside money to fund a ZM treatment of the lakes,  if and when, there is a suitable treatment approved.  It was agreed that the Board will develop a plan for a fund for ZM treatment. The plan will be present at our Memorial Weekend meeting in 2020.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2020 Calendar

Activity	Date	Chairperson/Coordinator
Roadside Clean-up	April 25	Fred Baltrusis
Alternative Date for Clean-up	May 9
1st MLA Meeting	May 30	Sandy Swanson
MLA Annual Meeting	June 27	Sandy Swanson
Boat Parade	July 4	BM-McGrath Family (2020 Judges) or TBD
		MM-Gatti Family (2020 Judges)
3rd MLA Meeting	July 25	President MLA
Booya	August 1	Ann Powers
4th MLA Meeting	August 29	President MLA

 

 

 

2019 – 2020 McKenzie Lakes Association Board of Directors
President Sandy Swanson (2021) 715-520-0233 sandy@northescape.com	Vice President George Kuechle (2022) 715-635-7634	Secretary Mike Schollmeyer (2022) 612-719-9280 mps1217@aol.com
Treasurer Jeff Larson (2020) 612-801-7850 bjeffreyb@gmail.com	Swany Swanson (2021) 715-416-0706 swany-ruth@hotmail.com	Scott Ballantyne  (2022) 715-416-4415 ballantyne.scott@gmail.com
Ted Colangelo (2020) 651-459-2537 tfcinva@aol.com	Missy Isabella  (2021) 715-394-9518 missyis112@yahoo.com	Lisa Kiener-Barnett (2020)   630-569-7415 lisakiener@gmail.com

 

Meeting was adjourned at 10:26 AM.  See you next year.

Minutes of the July 27, 2019 McKenzie Lakes Association Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Sandy Swanson, President, at 9:00 AM.

Welcome:

Sandy welcomed everyone to the meeting.  There were 33 members present.

 

Special Guest Presentation: Craig Roberts, DNR Fishery Biologist

Craig presented the results of a full fish survey on Middle McKenzie and compared it to the last survey completed in 2003. His slides will be available on our website in the next week.

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Minutes & Treasurer’s report:

There were no additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting.  The minutes from the June 29^th MLA meeting were approved.

 

Jeff Larson, Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report. The report was approved.

 

Website:

The Website has been updated with new pictures and AIS information.

 

Seechi Disk Readings:

Seechi Disk readings:  Lower McKenzie 11 ft.  Middle McKenzie was 10.5 ft.  Big McKenzie 10.5 ft.

 

Loon Watch:

There was a report that there were two baby loons seen with a single breeding pair on Big McKenzie. There was a report of a single baby loon on Lower McKenzie. There have been no reports of nesting loons or baby loons on Middle McKenzie.

 

Rapid Response Grant:

We are in final year of the three year grant with enough money to support paid Boat Inspectors for Big McKenzie.  We have met our matching requirements for the entire grant therefore we do not have to track volunteer hours. Boat inspection hours, paid or volunteer are being tracked through the DNR, SWIMS database.

 

ZM Update     

On July 10^th the ZM Committee did an underwater survey, veliger tows, and eDNA sampling of Lower McKenzie.  Our thanks to Bob Nagel for the use of his pontoon.  After the outing, the team met for a debriefing at McKenzie Landing.  Results of the testing could take up to 8 weeks.

 

 

 

Big McKenzie Boat Inspections:

From the fishing opener to last weekend (July 20, 21) we performed a total of 192 hours of boat inspections..  Volunteer hours  to date are 29, paid hours are 163. Washburn County/Burnett County have provided a few paid inspector who are not included in this grant. We are tracking hours, both volunteer and paid on the DNR SWIMS database.

 

Middle McKenzie Boat Inspections:

From the fishing opener to last weekend (July 20, 21), we had a total of 231 hours of boat inspections.  Paid inspectors total hours are 151 and 80 volunteer hours.  We have met the required minimum of 200 hours of boat inspections and are ahead of our 25% in kind match.

 

4th of July Boat Parade:

BM-Judges– Sophie Barnett, Becca, Marek, and Daniel Lang and the Bremel girls.  1st place McGrath family.  2nd place Bluemel family.

MM- Judges: Bob Hoffman Family 1st place Gatti family.  2nd place Schaefer family.

 

Booya:  Ann Powers, Chairman, updated members on the progress in preparation for the Booya.  Many volunteers are needed to make this annual fund raiser a success.  She has the volunteers needed for food prep on the 1^st but extra volunteers are needed to lift heavy items and set up Sat AM, volunteers to clean up at 4 PM. Becky Swanson ordered new apparel and  discounted some of the slower selling items plus offering some discounts.   Be sure and take a look at the items on display at the upcoming Booya fund raiser.

 

New business:                                                                                                                                              We are scheduling our 3 lake AIS plant study for 2020.  This will be a mini study with a more involved APM plant study slated for 2022.  We are hopeful to have the cost defrayed with DNR grants.

2020 Calendar:                                                                                                                                       Sandy presented the dates for the 2020 calendar.  A motion was made and approved for the 2020 dates.  The calendar with dates and responsibilities are presented below.

2020 Calendar

Activity	Date	Chairperson
Roadside Clean-up	April 25	Fred Baltrusis
Alternative Date for Clean-up	May 9
1st MLA Meeting	May 30	Sandy Swanson
MLA Annual Meeting	June 27	Sandy Swanson
Boat Parade	July 4	BM-McGrath Family (2020 Judges) or TBD
		MM-Gatti Family (2020 Judges)
3rd MLA Meeting	July 25	President MLA
Booya	August 1	Ann Powers
4th MLA Meeting	August 29	President MLA

 

Up-coming events:

August 1^st:  Thursday at 8 am, Food preparation for booya McKenzie Landing

August 3:   Booya Set-up 8 AM- Serving starts at 12 Noon, McKenzie Landing

August 31: 4^th and final meeting of the year, 9 AM McKenzie Landing

Meeting was adjourned at 10 AM

2019 – 2020 McKenzie Lakes Association Board of Directors
President Sandy Swanson (2021) 1161 Carson Road Spooner, WI 54801 715-520-0233 sandy@northescape.com	Vice President George Kuechle (2022) 1213 County Road E Spooner, WI 54801 715-635-7634 tlkuechle@yahoo.com	Secretary Mike Schollmeyer (2022) 8197 Inland Lane Maple Grove, MN 55311 612-719-9280 mps1217@aol.com
Treasurer Jeff Larson (2020) 3569 Widgeon Way Eagan, MN 55123 612-801-7850 bjeffreyb@gmail.com	Swany Swanson (2021) West 9580 County Road E Spooner, WI 54801   715-416-0706 swany-ruth@hotmail.com	Scott Ballantyne  (2022) PO Box 451, Spooner, WI 715-416-4415 ballantyne.scott@gmail.com
Ted Colangelo (2020) 10604 Hawthorn Trail Woodbury, MN 55129 651-459-2537 tfcinva@aol.com	Missy Isabella  (2021) 2628 John Avenue Superior, WI 54880 715-394-9518 missyis112@yahoo.com	Lisa Kiener-Barnett (2020)   4534 Basswood Drive Lisle, IL 60532 630-569-7415 lisakiener@gmail.com

Minutes of the May 25, 2019 McKenzie Lakes Association

The meeting was called to order by Sandy Swanson, President, MLA at 9:00 am

Welcome:

Sandy welcomed everyone to the meeting.  There were 37 people present.

.

Minutes & Treasurer’s report:

The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed.  There were no additions or corrections to the minutes. The minutes were approved.

 

Jeff Larson, Treasurer of MLA, presented the treasurer’s report. He reported our total income for 2018/19 to date of $9,662.78 and the year to date expenses of $4,565.51 for a year to date net income of $5,097.27.

 

Seechi Disk readings:  Lower McKenzie was 12.5 ft.  and Middle McKenzie was 12 ft.  There was no reading for Big McKenzie by the time of the meeting.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Roadside Clean-up:

Roadside Clean-up occurred on April 27 with Rooney and Lipsett Lake Associations participating.  This year we asked volunteers to separate the aluminum cans and any recyclables in separate bags.  The cans were donated to the Senior Center at A&H.  This year we also used our own trailer to haul the trash to the dump, saving the cost of the dumpster as well as depositing the trash. Thanks to all the volunteers, George for hosting the event, the Town of Scott, Mike Carson for the use of his trailer and Fred Baltrusis for organizing the event.

,

Website:

Check website for updated information.

 

Apparel:

Becky Swanson has taken over the apparel from Rich and LeeAnn Borseth.  We appreciate all the years that they handled the apparel sales for the Association.  If there are any different items that you think should be offered, please contact Becky at rhswan@sbcglobal.net.

 

Membership:

Sandy Swanson presented a program for covering all address on the lake to sign-up new members.  Sandy is looking for volunteers to act as captains to cover certain roads around the lakes.  If interested in helping recruit new members contact Sandy Swanson at sandy@northescape.com.

Remember when renewing your membership, fill-out the membership form to make sure we have the correct information.  The form is included at the end of this document.

 

 

Announcements:

• NW Wisconsin Lakes Conference: Friday, June 21, at the Hayward Middle School. Register on-line at St. Croix River Association web site, under “Events”.  Doors open at 8 am with the conference starting at 9 am.  Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.
• Middle McKenzie fish survey report will be presented by DNR Fish Biologist Craig Roberts at our July 27th meeting. He will also have preliminary survey results from Big McKenzie.  Craig will present at the beginning of the meeting starting at 9am.  Other interested people from the surrounding area have been invited to attend Craig’s presentation

Old Business:

DNR Grants:

Rapid Response Grant:

We are in final year of the three year grant with enough money to support paid Boat Inspectors for Big McKenzie:  We have met our matching requirements for the entire grant therefore we do not have to track volunteer hours.

Big McKenzie Boat Inspections:

In the first 3 weekends from the fishing opener we had 33 Boats Entering/Leaving the lake with 112 people contacted. Boat inspection Volunteer Hours 12, Paid hours, 8.5 (Washburn County has a paid inspector who are not included in this grant).  We do track hours, both volunteer and paid on the DNR, SWIMS database.

Clean Boats Clean Water Grant (CB/CW):

MLA was awarded a CB/CW grant for Middle McKenzie.  This is a one year grant to hire boat Inspectors and educate the public on the prevention of all Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).  We are required to match 25% of the grant with volunteer hours or in kind money.  If we utilize the full amount, we will require approximately 110 hours of volunteer time.  Paid inspectors have been contracted through Burnett County Conservation Department and will bill MLA for their time.  We have received a partial payment from the DNR with the final payment at the end of the year after we submit our final report and supporting documents.  All data from boat Inspections will be entered into the SWIMS database.

Middle McKenzie Boat Inspections:

In the first three weekends of boat inspections we had 24 Boats Entering/Leaving the lake and 64 people contacted.  Boat inspection volunteer hours were 12 and paid hours were 44.  So far we have spent approximately $836 of the grant ($716 + $120 for T-shirts and supplies). Our CB/CW Grant requires a minimum of 200 hours of boat inspections. So far we have posted 56 hours or 28% of the minimum for the first 3 weekends.

 

ZM Update

• MN AIS Institute finalized the genetic testing of the ZM from Big McKenzie wher they compared BM ZM to the populations from MN and from lakes in WI. The results are that BM ZM are more aligned with populations found in WI lakes, thus the origin of the BM population more than likely came from a WI lake.
• Monitoring will continue on the McKenzie Lakes using plate samplers, veliger tows and eDNA testing. The WI State Lab at the department of Health has set up the eDNA test and has received funding to do the tests for our lakes as well as other lakes in the area that are considered susceptible to ZM.
• An email went out to all previous volunteers who have placed ZM plate samplers. Sampler plates should be placed in a shady area near or under their docks and to check them periodically throughout the summer.  It is recommend not to remove any ZM found until the end of the monitoring period so that we can get an accurate count.  In 2017, sampler plates averaged 10/sq ft and in 2018 56/sq ft on samplers from BM.
• On Middle McKenzie there were 3 locations where ZM were found on plate samplers. Density was measured at 0.22/sq ft.
• No ZM were been found on sampler plates in Lower McKenzie.
• Burnett County Conservation Department received a DNR grant to help establish decon stations in Burnett and Washburn counties. A number of Lake Associations have received this support and placed decon stations at their public landings.

We still need volunteers to help with boat inspections as well as maintaining the bleach at the decon stations.  If interested even for a weekend or so, call Mike Schollmeyer at 612-719-9280; every little bit helps.

 New Business:

Booya.  A sign-up sheet to donate food items was presented and passed around.  Ann Powers is requesting a volunteer to take over the responsibilities of food ingredient procurement and preparation.   If you want to volunteer to assist or to sign-up to donate some food items, contact her at 612-710-7664 or anntomp@msn.com.  Booya cash donations to help defray expenses are always welcome.

Up-coming events:

June 29^th Annual Meeting: 9am McKenzie Landing

July 4^th Boat Parade:  Starts at 1 PM

Big McKenzie Starts at West Point

Middle McKenzie:  Starts at Public Landing

July 27^th: 3^rd meeting of the year 9 AM McKenzie Landing

August 3- Booya Set-up 8am- Serving starts at 12 Noon, McKenzie Landing

August 31 4^th Meeting of the year, 9 am McKenzie Landing

Other business 

Loon Watch:

The Loon watch on Big McKenzie has been taken over by Gary and Mary Peterson from Iler Anderson.

Buoys:

Paul Sperling/Beth Squires have taken over the responsibilities for the  buoys on Big McKenzie.  The buoys were placed on 5/25.

 Meeting was adjourned at 9:50

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 Membership Form

Please complete the form and return it with a check for $20.00 payable to “McKenzie lakes Association” Send the completed form and Check to: Mike Schollmeyer, 8197 Inland Ln, N, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Check Here if any of information is new_______                    Date____________

Name:_____________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: Street:__________________________City_______________________. State_____ Zip______________________

Lake Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Phone:  Lake:___________________Home:_________________________Mobil:_________________

Email:________________________________Newsletter: By email? Yes__No__By US Mail Yes___No__

Enclosed membership dues for _____One year, ____Two years, _____Three years, ______Other

Amount Enclosed: $_______________Dues $___________________Donation

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Minutes from McKenzie Lakes Association Meeting ~September 1, 2018

The meeting was called to order by our President, Sandy Swanson at 9:00 am

Welcome:

Sandy welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were approximately 26 people present at the 4^th and final meeting of 2018 of the McKenzie Lakes Association

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Minutes & Treasurer’s report:

The minutes from the previous meeting were shared with no additions or corrections.

The treasurer’s report was shared

Old Business

• APM Update: A copy of the report is available on Burnett County web site. We will publish link on MLA web site.

 

• Rapid Response Grant Update: The first report and request for payment was made to the DNR and accepted. MLA will receive approximately $7,000 for monies spent and will have another request for payment when we receive the final invoice from Burnett County for the CB/CW inspectors.  Next year the RRG will only cover inspectors for the BM landing, therefore MLA will apply for a CB/CW grant for MM public landing inspectors.

• Website: Teri deClairville has updated the website per all requests.
• Apparel: This is the last year that the Rich and LeAnn will be in charge of apparel. Becky Swanson has agreed to take over the apparel sales.  Special thanks to Rich and LeAnn for their years of volunteering.

• BOOYA
  • Ann Powers shared the results of our Booya fund raiser. Ann would like to have someone volunteer to take over the responsibilities of food ingredient procurement and preparation.

• Membership:
  • So far there are 7 captains who have agreed to take certain roads or portions of roads to meet potential new members.  We need more captains.  Contact Sandy Swanson if you want to help out with recruiting new members

• Secchi Disc Readings: Lower = 10 feet, Big = 9.0 feet, and Middle = 11.5 feet

 

• ZM Update:
  • On August 22 and 23 the DNR and the ZM Management Team with the help of some MLA volunteers and the Town of Jackson did an extensive underwater survey using snorkel and scuba divers on Big and Middle McKenzie Lakes. The purpose was to take density measurements if ZM were found as well as taking water samples for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.  Results are expected later this year.
  • Lisa Burns sent out list of all lakes in Burnett and Washburn counties that have erected decon stations and are doing monitoring for ZM.
  • We have not received the DNA analysis of the ZM from BM sent to the  U of MN AIS Institute.  Results should be available later this year.  The WI DNR has also requested 10 additional lakes in WI with ZM to have their DNA analyzed by the same Institute to develop a database of WI ZM populations.
  • A full report of the ZM findings will be posted on our website once we receive all of the results of the plate monitors, the DNR survey and the DNA analysis.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

• $300 was approved for the purchase of an Association printer.

 

2019 Calendar
Roadside Clean-up:	April 27
Alternative date for Roadside clean-up	May 18
May Meeting	May 25
Annual Meeting	June 29
Boat Parade	July 4
July Meeting	July 27
Booya	August 3
September Meeting	August 31

 

 

• Adjourn: 9:45

Minutes from McKenzie Lakes Association Meeting ~July 28, 2018

The meeting was called to order by our Vice-President, George Kuechle at 9:00 am

Welcome:

George welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were approximately 20 people present at the 3rd  meeting of 2018 of the McKenzie Lakes Association

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Minutes & Treasurer’s report:

The minutes from the previous meeting were shared ~ Minutes amended to reflect names of officers who have signature authority on bank account.  Correction was made for the date of the next meeting changes.

The treasurer’s report was not available.

Bread:

Joel presented $226 from bread donations.  Joel will not bake break next week (Aug 3) due to the booya.

Booya Committee:

• BOOYA
• August 4th—Big Fundraiser for the year.
• Tickets have been sent out by mail
• Meat raffles, bucket raffles
• Meat and veggie preparation Thursday 2 8:00 am McKenzie Landing
• Still need help with food prep on Aug 3, Set-up morning of Booya, Kitchen help during booya and clean-up after booya. If interested just show up at the times indicated,
• If interested in helping or donating please contact Ann Powers

Seechi Disc Readings

            Big McKenzie:  11.25 ft, Middle: 12ft, Lower: 8 ft

AIS Committee:

• Big McKenzie: July 6 Veliger tow was conducted with the help of St.Croix River Ass.  Results in Aug
• Middle McKenzie: July 19 ZM Management Committee conducted underwater assessment.  Found two adult ZM on rocks near island.  With this second location findings, DNR will consider ZM are an established AIS in MM.  A juvenile ZM was found on a plate sampler on Roberts Rd for a third location where ZM have been found.  In addition samples were collected to check for spiny water fleas.
• Volunteers on MM did a Purple Loostrife assessment and cut and sprayed found plants

Roadside Clean-up Committee:

Fred Baltrusis has volunteered to take over the roadside clean-up.  Next year we will obtain vouchers from the town of Scott so that we can take the recovered trash to the town dump without a charge from the city.  Fred will bring a trailer the morning of the clean-up to transport the trash.  No more GREEN DUMPSTER:

Website Committee:

• Teri deClairville has updated the website per all requests.

Apparel Committee:

•  This is the last year that the Rich and LeeAnn will be in charge of apparel and would like someone else to take over selling the apparel. If you are interested in being in charge, contact a board member.  Special thanks to them for their 13 years of volunteering.

Membership:

• Sandy is looking for captains to take specific address and contact cabin owners to not only ask them to join the MLA but educate them on the benefits of belonging to the Lake Association.

Walleye Fund:

• George asked Tom Powers to comment on monies donated for a certain fund:
• Tom mentioned that the fund must be used for what is has been designated for unless the person who donated the money would allow it to be used for some other project or they can ask to have the money return to the original donor.

2019 Objectives:

• Two objectives were presented. One to increase membership by at least 50 members and to apply for a Clean Boat/Clean Water grant from the DNR.
• A resolution was introduced to apply for a Clean Boat/Clean Water grant. Resolution was approved.

 

 

Upcoming	2019 Calendar
	Roadside Clean-up:	April 27 (need new chairman)
Booya Food Prep Aug, 2 -8:00 am Booya –August 4th 8:00 a.m. Set-up 12:00 a,m Serving starts	May Meeting	May 25
	Annual Meeting	June 29
	Boat Parade	July 4
	July Meeting	July 27
	Booya	August 3
	September Meeting	September 1

 

 

 

• Adjourn: 9:26

Minutes from McKenzie Lakes Association Meeting ~June 30, 2018

The meeting was called to order by our President, Lisa Kiener at 9:03 am

Welcome:

Lisa welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were approximately 40 people present at the annual meeting of the McKenzie Lakes Association

.

Minutes & Treasurer’s report:

The minutes from the previous meeting were shared ~ no corrections or changes.

The treasurer’s report was shared with some questions about the liability insurance.

Old Business

• APM Update: Brad Morris completed the plant study for all three lakes. Brad was able to pay the entire cost of the study through a county land and water conservation grant. A copy of the report is available on request for review from Sandy Swanson.

• Website: Teri deClairville has updated the website per all requests.
• Apparel: There is still some apparel available and the Borseth’s are looking for suggestions on what to order for BOOYA. This is the last year that the Rich and LeeAnn  will be in charge of apparel and would like someone else to take over selling the apparel. If you are interested in being in charge, contact a board member.  Special thanks to them for their years of volunteering.
• Membership: Handbooks are available to new members/lake owners (see Sandy Swanson).

Sandy proposed a Membership campaign where we use volunteers to meet with all cabin owners who are not present members. There is approximately 400 cabins on the 3 lakes with over 200 cabins who are not members. Sandy proposes to assign addresses to the campaign volunteers and over the months of the summer to introduce them to the MLA and answer any question they may have. If you are willing to volunteer for the membership drive, contact Sandy Swanson ASAP.

Secchi Disc Readings: Lower = 12 feet, Big = 11.75, and Middle = 11 feet

• ZM Update:
  • ZM Management Teams end of year summary report is online on our website
  • July 9^th ~ Veliger tow will be conducted on Big McKenzie in association with the St Croix River Association
  • July 16^th ~ The ZM Committee will conductive a surface and subsurface AIS survey on Middle McKenzie from 10-12:30.
  • Decon Station: Each of the public landings. Challenge is getting volunteers to change the bleach.  We need more volunteers for weekdays on Lower McKenzie.  Replenishing the bleach takes only a few minutes.  If you would like to help out contact  Mike S. (see page 3 for information)
  • Thanks to John Lofswold and Jane Willette for putting together and maintaining the schedule for the volunteers replenishing the bleach at the landings.
  • We have Interns at boat landings on Big and Middle performing boat inspections and educating the public about Aquatic Invasive Species.  The interns are being supported through MLA’s Rapid Response Grant.  As of last weekend 188 boats were inspected and 333 people contacted on BM and 122 boats and 194 people contacted on MM so far this year.
  • You must decontaminate your boat when it is removed from the water—even if you are putting it into storage.  It is the law!
  • ZM can attach to plant material and transported.  Thus it is important to remove all plant material as well as to decontaminate your boat.
  • Service providers (people who put in docks etc.) were contacted in the spring to remind them to either decontaminate their equipment or use equipment reserved for only one lake.
  • Boats who do not comply with the law can be fined. Contact the County AIS coordinator if you witness (take pictures) with information. The sheriff will be contacted and contact the boat owner. Game Wardens do not enforce county laws.  Thus we must go thru the sheriff department.
  • The DNR Rapid Response Grant coordinator responsibilities have been transfer from Lisa Kiener to Sandy Swanson.
• Purple Loosestrife:
  • The county has decided, they will be collect beetles and release them in trouble areas rather than collecting and having volunteers raise them, then releasing in infested areas.

NEW BUSINESS

 

• Joel the bread man!
  • THANKS!!!! Joel has been baking bread for a few weeks now and he is donating all proceeds to MLA. JOEL is not selling the bread. He is making the bread and giving it out for free—Please consider making a DONATION though. 30 loaves (June) $262

• BOOYA
  • August 4^th—Big Fundraiser for the year.
  • Meat raffles, bucket raffles
  • Signup sheets going around (donations, set up, veggies cutting)
  • If interested in helping or donating please contact Ann Powers or Lisa Kiener
• Proposed Budget:
  • An amended budget 2018/2019 was approved.  Jeff will be moving our accounts from Bank of the West to CCF Bank.
    • Fireworks donation has been discontinued (voted last year). We now be paying ($1500) to McKenzie Landing for use of their facility and time
    • Plant study has to be repeated every 3 years, MLA approximate cost is $5,000 with the rest usually provided by the county thru grant money.  Jeff suggested that 1/3 of this amount be budgeted each year so we can accumulated enough to pay for the study when it comes due.

 

Upcoming	2019 Calendar
MLA Meeting – July 28 9:00 a.m. McKenzie Landing	Roadside Clean-up:	April 27 (need new chairman)
Booya Food Prep Aug, 2 -8:00 am Booya –August 4th 8:00 a.m. Set-up 11:30 a,m Serving starts	May Meeting	May 25
	Annual Meeting	June 29
	Boat Parade	July 4
	July Meeting	July 27
	Booya	August 3
	September Meeting	August 31

 

• Walleye Fund
  • Discussion led by Mike Schollmeyer on the status of the walleyes in the lake.  DNR has been stocking larger fingerlings over the last eight years and will be doing a summary report and recommendations for the lakes this winter.  At the present time there is approximately $7,000 in the MLA walleye fund. We will have further discussions at future meetings.  Presently it costs the DNR about $25,000 to stock walleye fingerlings every other year and the DNR does not believe it will do any good to add more stocking to what is presently being done.
    • We can’t move funds from one fund to another unless we contact original donors and get their permission.  Sandy is trying to contact one of the largest of our earlier donors to determine if they are willing to allow the money to be moved to another fund.

• BOARD MEMBERS (ELECTION)
  • Each of the four people whose terms are expiring agreed to stay on. There were no nominations from the floor and all four were reelected to a three year term. The elected people are:
  • Missy Isabella
  • Mike Schollmeyer
  • Sandy Swanson
  • Swany Swanson

 

 

 

 

 

• Officer Election-
  • The following are the officers for 20018/9
    • President-Sandy Swanson
    • VP- George Kuechle
    • Secretary-Mike Schollmeyer
    • Treasurer-Jeff Larson
  • Lisa president since 2003 has decided this will be her last year as the Booya Chair. Ann Powers will be co-chair with Lisa this year.  Thanks Lisa for your years of dedication to this important fund raiser for the Association.
  • Adjourn: 10:16

2018-2019 McKenzie Lakes Association Board
President Sandy Swanson (2018) 1161 Carson Road Spooner, WI 54801 sandy@northescape.com 715-520-0233	(Vice President) George Kuechle (2016) 1213 County Road E Spooner, WI 54801 715-635-7634	Secretary Mike Schollmeyer (2018) 8197 Inland Lane Maple Grove, MN 55311 612-719-9280 mps1217@aol.com
Treasurer Jeff Larson (2017) 3569 Widgeon Way Eagan, MN 55123 612-801-7850 bjeffreyb@gmail.com	Swany Swanson (2018) West 9580 County Road E Spooner, WI 54801 715-635-5123 715-416-0706 swany-ruth@hotmail.com	Teri deClairville (2016) 940 2nd Street NW New Brighton, MN 55112 612-961-9824 tdeclairville@gmail.com
Ted Colangelo ((2017) 10604 Hawthorn Trail Woodbury, MN 55129 651-459-2537 tfcinva@aol.com	Missy Isabella  (2018) 2628 John Avenue Superior, WI 54880 715-394-9518 missyis112@yahoo.com	Lisa Kiener-Barnett (2017)   4534 Basswood Drive Lisle, IL 60532 630-569-7415 lisakiener@gmail.com

 

It’s time to recognize those individuals working to protecting our lakes thru their volunteer efforts.  This is by no means a complete list.  So if there is someone you want to recognize, send me an email with their name and a short list of what they are doing out there.  Thanks Mike Schollmeyer.

 

People Volunteering to Protect our Lakes
Eric DeMasters	Seechi disk reading-BM	Jane Willette	Decon Stations schedulers and maintenance
	Seechi disk reading-LM	John Lofswold
Decon Bleach Maintainers	Vicki Beitz	Terry Utzig	Becky Swanson
	Julie Kollitz	Tom Powers	Mary Swanson
	Kathy Young-	Jill Alverson	Teri deClairville
	Jennifer Sorenson	Dan Slowinske	Scott Ballantyne
	Sandy Swanson	Your Name Here	Your Name Here

 

Volunteer Opportunities

McKenzie Lakes Association would like to acknowledge that all of the recent progress made in the fight against Aquatic Invasive Species could not have been accomplished without the time and dedication of a small group of volunteers. They have made a difference and will continue to do so. However, we need all lake users to step up and do their part, if we are going to get ahead and control AIS on our lakes. Please consider volunteering some of your time and/or money to help in this endeavor. Get involved; get active in the MLA, any involvement is a step forward. If you want to get involved and don’t know what you want to do. Here are some of the activities that McKenzie Lakes Associations needs help with:

 

Bleach replenishment, boat inspectors, attend MLA meetings, recruit new members, Purple Loosestrife monitor, BOOYA fundraiser, ZM Monitors Plates and other hard surfaces, Website and Newsletter contributions, AIS monitoring, and Roadside Clean-up.

 

Too busy to volunteer? Then how about donating money instead, to help pay for boat inspectors, AIS plant survey etc. A good rule of thumb would be $12/hr for 4 hours for a total of $48.

To volunteer please contact

Mike Schollmeyer mps1217@aol.com, 612-719-9280

 

News Items: If you have any announcements, news items or just wanting more information let me know and I will try to accommodate in next Newsletter.  MS

 

Purple Loosetrife: This is the time of the year that PL will start to develop their reddish purple flowing heads and are easily recognized.  If you suspect you have observed PL and don’t know for sure call one of our board members and one of us will help identify.  If you are sure and there are just a few plants, pull, bag and put in the garbage.  Do not burn or compost.

 

New Members:  In June 3 new members joined the Association.  Total membership as of July 3^rd is 195.  There are approximately 360 lakeshore owners on all three lakes with about 5 present members who are non-lakeshore owners but are members of the Association.  The goal of the membership committee this next year is to increase our membership by 25% or approximately 50 new members.

 

Membership Form (Please check your membership status on your mailing address label)   Please complete the form and return it with a check for $20.00 payable to “McKenzie lakes Association” Send dues to: Mike Schollmeyer, 8197 Inland Ln, N, Maple Grove, MN 55311 Check Here if any of information is new_______                    Date____________ Name:_____________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: Street:__________________________City________________________ State_________, Zip_________________________ Lake Address:  Street:________________________________________________________________ Phone:  Lake/Home:_____________________________Mobil:_______________________________ Email:________________________________Newsletter: By email? Yes__No__By US Mail Yes___No__ Enclosed membership dues for _____One year, ____Two years, _____Three years, ______Other Amount Enclosed: $__________________

 

 

See you at the Booya on August 4^th McKenzie Landing